Math Tips for the ASVAB

Math is a basic part of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB. To do well on the ASVAB, you need a high-school level knowledge of math, including algebra and geometry. Brush up on basic concepts and use these tips to succeed:

• Use the scratch paper provided to help you visualize problems. You can't use a calculator on any of the ASVAB subtests.

• Memorize the formulas you need to know before the day of the test. They're not provided for you at the testing center. After you receive your scratch paper, write these formulas down, so you won't have to remember them after the test starts.

• ASVAB math questions often provide extra information to confuse you. Select only the facts you need to perform the correct operation. If a question states that Sam has 15 hens that each lay 3 eggs a day, and you need to know how many total eggs Sam's hens lay per day, Sam's sheep population doesn't matter.

• Remember that the formulas for rectangular things and circular things are different, but they're related.

• For difficult math questions, like those involving the quadratic equation, simply plug each of the four answers into the equation to see which one is right. This process is usually faster than calculating the whole quadratic formula.

• Don't forget to convert units of measurement to be consistent. If a question asks you to determine the number of 9-inch shingles needed to cover a 12-foot-by-12-foot roof, be sure to recognize that inches and feet are two different measurements and perform the necessary conversions.