{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"categoryState":{"relatedCategories":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-12-01T08:01:05+00:00"},"categoryId":33776,"data":{"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"parentCategory":{"categoryId":33772,"title":"Study Skills & Test Prep","slug":"study-skills-test-prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"}},"childCategories":[],"description":"Learn about, practice for, and understand your scores on the all-important ASVAB and AFQT.","relatedArticles":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles?category=33776&offset=0&size=5"},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":272,"bookCount":6},"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"relatedCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{"count":10,"total":272,"items":[{"headers":{"creationTime":"2022-11-10T16:26:19+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-11-30T14:32:12+00:00","timestamp":"2022-11-30T15:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"What Is the ASVAB Test?","strippedTitle":"what is the asvab test?","slug":"what-is-the-asvab-test","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"If you're planning to join a U.S. military branch, you need to take the ASVAB test. Find out what it is and how to take it.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<figure style=\"margin: 0;\"><figcaption style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\">Listen to the article:</figcaption><audio src=\"/wp-content/uploads/what-is-the-asvab-test.mp3\" controls=\"controls\"><a href=\"/wp-content/uploads/what-is-the-asvab-test.mp3\">Download audio</a></audio></figure>\r\nUncle Sam wants you! But first, you have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This battery of tests covers ten subjects, and you have to earn a passing score before you can join any branch of the military.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_295648\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-295648\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/army-soldiers-saluting.jpg\" alt=\"Soldiers in formation saluting\" width=\"630\" height=\"417\" /> ©Bumble Dee / Shutterstock[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe catch is that you can only take the ASVAB if your high school offers it <em>or</em> a military recruiter arranges an appointment at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or another testing location. Usually, high schools arrange for large groups of juniors and seniors to take the test all at one time — but if yours didn’t, you missed school that day, or high school is a distant memory for you, your only other option is to sit down with an Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, or Army recruiter and schedule the test.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Your ASVAB scores are only valid for up to two years. If you took the test in high school more than two years ago, you have to retake it at your nearest MEPS before you can enlist.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >How you take the ASVAB test</h2>\r\nThe ASVAB isn’t a one-size-fits-all test; it comes in a few varieties. High-schoolers typically take the paper-and-pencil (P&P) version, which requires you to open a test booklet and fill in answer bubbles on a separate sheet of paper; people who take the test at a Military Entrance Test (MET) site do this, too. (MET sites are located in remote areas that aren’t within a reasonable drive of a MEPS.)\r\n\r\nBut most people take the computer adaptive test (CAT-ASVAB), which all takes place on a computer. You select an answer choice and move on to the next question, moving through the subtests until you’re finished or run out of time.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">It’s nearly impossible to cheat on the ASVAB (and you wouldn’t want to, anyway — when you get busted, you won’t be allowed to enlist). Your test-taking neighbors are all answering different questions than you are. When test proctors hand out P&P test booklets, they hand out several different versions, and the CAT-ASVAB adapts itself to your skill level.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >What does the ASVAB cover?</h2>\r\nThe ASVAB tests your knowledge in ten topic areas through the following subtests:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>General Science</strong> tests your high school science knowledge, touching on biology, chemistry, and physical sciences.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Arithmetic Reasoning</strong> takes a snapshot of your ability to solve mathematical word problems at a high-school level.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Word Knowledge</strong> asks you to find the correct meanings of words to gauge your English vocabulary.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Paragraph Comprehension</strong> presents you with reading passages, and it’s your job to answer questions and draw conclusions about them.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mathematics Knowledge</strong> tests your ability to solve algebra and geometry problems.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Electronics Information</strong> features questions about circuitry, electrical principles, and electronic terminology.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Auto Information</strong> asks questions about (you guessed it) automobiles and how they work.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shop Information</strong> checks your knowledge of tools, shop terminology, and best practices when it comes to building and making repairs with a wide range of materials.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mechanical Comprehension</strong> opens the door to your knowledge of mechanical (as in levers and pulleys) and physics principles.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Assembling Objects</strong> requires you to connect the dots (literally) to show off your spatial reasoning skills and demonstrate how well you can fit together puzzle-like pieces.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThe Auto Information and Shop Information subtests are combined and called Auto and Shop (AS) on the paper-and-pencil version of the test; on the CAT-ASVAB, it’s presented on its own.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >How long is the ASVAB test?</h2>\r\nThe P&P version of the tests presents questions of easy, medium, and hard difficulty in random order, but the CAT-ASVAB tailors itself to your ability. It starts by asking you a question of medium difficulty; if you get it right, it asks you a harder question. If you get it wrong, it asks you an easier question.\r\n\r\nThe following tables break down how many questions you need to answer (and how quickly you have to tackle them) in each subtest.\r\n<table width=\"624\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>CAT-ASVAB Subtest</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Number of Questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Time to Complete</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">General Science</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Arithmetic Reasoning</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">55 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Word Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">9 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Paragraph Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">27 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mathematics Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">23 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Electronics Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Auto Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">7 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Shop Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">6 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mechanical Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">22 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Assembling Objects</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">17 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Total</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>135 questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>173 minutes</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n \r\n<table width=\"624\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>P&P Subtest</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Number of Questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Time to Complete</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">General Science</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">11 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Arithmetic Reasoning</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">30</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">36 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Word Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">35</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">11 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Paragraph Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">13 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mathematics Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">24 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Electronics Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">20</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">9 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Auto and Shop Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">11 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mechanical Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">19 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Assembling Objects</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Total</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>225 questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>149 minutes</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you took the ASVAB through an Army recruiter and later discover that the Air Force (or any other branch) is a better choice, it’s no problem — your scores are portable. Every branch takes the same test, and the military-at-large breaks down your scores for each branch when it grades your performance. You can join any branch you want, as long as you qualify, after taking the ASVAB once.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >What is the AFQT score?</h2>\r\nYour scores on Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge blend together to make up your <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/study-skills-test-prep/armed-services/asvab-afqt-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-209273/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score</a>. Every branch has a minimum AFQT score it’s willing to accept — and if you don’t make the grade, you don’t qualify for enlistment. Each branch also uses individual subtest scores and combinations of those scores to determine which military jobs you qualify for.\r\n\r\nIf you take the CAT-ASVAB, the computer automatically (and immediately) tallies your score. If you take the P&P version, your test proctor will arrange for scoring and you’ll find out how well you did within several days. Your recruiter will tell you which jobs are open to you based on your scores.","description":"<figure style=\"margin: 0;\"><figcaption style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\">Listen to the article:</figcaption><audio src=\"/wp-content/uploads/what-is-the-asvab-test.mp3\" controls=\"controls\"><a href=\"/wp-content/uploads/what-is-the-asvab-test.mp3\">Download audio</a></audio></figure>\r\nUncle Sam wants you! But first, you have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This battery of tests covers ten subjects, and you have to earn a passing score before you can join any branch of the military.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_295648\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-295648\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/army-soldiers-saluting.jpg\" alt=\"Soldiers in formation saluting\" width=\"630\" height=\"417\" /> ©Bumble Dee / Shutterstock[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe catch is that you can only take the ASVAB if your high school offers it <em>or</em> a military recruiter arranges an appointment at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or another testing location. Usually, high schools arrange for large groups of juniors and seniors to take the test all at one time — but if yours didn’t, you missed school that day, or high school is a distant memory for you, your only other option is to sit down with an Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, or Army recruiter and schedule the test.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Your ASVAB scores are only valid for up to two years. If you took the test in high school more than two years ago, you have to retake it at your nearest MEPS before you can enlist.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >How you take the ASVAB test</h2>\r\nThe ASVAB isn’t a one-size-fits-all test; it comes in a few varieties. High-schoolers typically take the paper-and-pencil (P&P) version, which requires you to open a test booklet and fill in answer bubbles on a separate sheet of paper; people who take the test at a Military Entrance Test (MET) site do this, too. (MET sites are located in remote areas that aren’t within a reasonable drive of a MEPS.)\r\n\r\nBut most people take the computer adaptive test (CAT-ASVAB), which all takes place on a computer. You select an answer choice and move on to the next question, moving through the subtests until you’re finished or run out of time.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">It’s nearly impossible to cheat on the ASVAB (and you wouldn’t want to, anyway — when you get busted, you won’t be allowed to enlist). Your test-taking neighbors are all answering different questions than you are. When test proctors hand out P&P test booklets, they hand out several different versions, and the CAT-ASVAB adapts itself to your skill level.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >What does the ASVAB cover?</h2>\r\nThe ASVAB tests your knowledge in ten topic areas through the following subtests:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>General Science</strong> tests your high school science knowledge, touching on biology, chemistry, and physical sciences.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Arithmetic Reasoning</strong> takes a snapshot of your ability to solve mathematical word problems at a high-school level.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Word Knowledge</strong> asks you to find the correct meanings of words to gauge your English vocabulary.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Paragraph Comprehension</strong> presents you with reading passages, and it’s your job to answer questions and draw conclusions about them.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mathematics Knowledge</strong> tests your ability to solve algebra and geometry problems.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Electronics Information</strong> features questions about circuitry, electrical principles, and electronic terminology.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Auto Information</strong> asks questions about (you guessed it) automobiles and how they work.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shop Information</strong> checks your knowledge of tools, shop terminology, and best practices when it comes to building and making repairs with a wide range of materials.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mechanical Comprehension</strong> opens the door to your knowledge of mechanical (as in levers and pulleys) and physics principles.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Assembling Objects</strong> requires you to connect the dots (literally) to show off your spatial reasoning skills and demonstrate how well you can fit together puzzle-like pieces.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThe Auto Information and Shop Information subtests are combined and called Auto and Shop (AS) on the paper-and-pencil version of the test; on the CAT-ASVAB, it’s presented on its own.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >How long is the ASVAB test?</h2>\r\nThe P&P version of the tests presents questions of easy, medium, and hard difficulty in random order, but the CAT-ASVAB tailors itself to your ability. It starts by asking you a question of medium difficulty; if you get it right, it asks you a harder question. If you get it wrong, it asks you an easier question.\r\n\r\nThe following tables break down how many questions you need to answer (and how quickly you have to tackle them) in each subtest.\r\n<table width=\"624\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>CAT-ASVAB Subtest</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Number of Questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Time to Complete</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">General Science</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Arithmetic Reasoning</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">55 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Word Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">9 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Paragraph Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">27 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mathematics Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">23 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Electronics Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Auto Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">7 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Shop Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">10</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">6 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mechanical Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">22 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Assembling Objects</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">17 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Total</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>135 questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>173 minutes</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n \r\n<table width=\"624\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>P&P Subtest</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Number of Questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Time to Complete</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">General Science</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">11 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Arithmetic Reasoning</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">30</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">36 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Word Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">35</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">11 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Paragraph Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">13 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mathematics Knowledge</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">24 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Electronics Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">20</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">9 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Auto and Shop Information</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">11 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Mechanical Comprehension</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">19 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\">Assembling Objects</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">25</td>\r\n<td width=\"208\">15 minutes</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>Total</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>225 questions</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"208\"><strong>149 minutes</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you took the ASVAB through an Army recruiter and later discover that the Air Force (or any other branch) is a better choice, it’s no problem — your scores are portable. Every branch takes the same test, and the military-at-large breaks down your scores for each branch when it grades your performance. You can join any branch you want, as long as you qualify, after taking the ASVAB once.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >What is the AFQT score?</h2>\r\nYour scores on Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge blend together to make up your <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/study-skills-test-prep/armed-services/asvab-afqt-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-209273/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score</a>. Every branch has a minimum AFQT score it’s willing to accept — and if you don’t make the grade, you don’t qualify for enlistment. Each branch also uses individual subtest scores and combinations of those scores to determine which military jobs you qualify for.\r\n\r\nIf you take the CAT-ASVAB, the computer automatically (and immediately) tallies your score. If you take the P&P version, your test proctor will arrange for scoring and you’ll find out how well you did within several days. Your recruiter will tell you which jobs are open to you based on your scores.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"How you take the ASVAB test","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"What does the ASVAB cover?","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"How long is the ASVAB test?","target":"#tab3"},{"label":"What is the AFQT score?","target":"#tab4"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":270239,"title":"ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: You Call That Work?!","slug":"mechanical-comprehension-subtest-you-call-that-work","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270239"}},{"articleId":270234,"title":"You Are What You Speak: Improving Your Vocabulary, Improving Yourself","slug":"you-are-what-you-speak-improving-your-vocabulary-improving-yourself","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270234"}},{"articleId":270220,"title":"ASVAB Math Subtest: Getting to the Root of the Problems","slug":"asvab-math-subtest-getting-to-the-root-of-the-problems","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270220"}},{"articleId":221230,"title":"ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: The Forces of the Universe","slug":"asvab-mechanical-comprehension-subtest-the-forces-of-the-universe","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/221230"}},{"articleId":208900,"title":"2022/2023 ASVAB For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208900"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281918,"slug":"asvab-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119870173","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119870178-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119870173-199x255.jpg","width":199,"height":255},"title":"2022 / 2023 ASVAB For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com/","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><b><b data-author-id=\"11018\">Angie Papple Johnston</b></b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119870173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6387702e79d71\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119870173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6387702e7a7ed\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-11-10T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":295645},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2020-04-23T02:35:44+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-10-07T20:37:19+00:00","timestamp":"2022-10-07T21:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: You Call That Work?!","strippedTitle":"asvab mechanical comprehension subtest: you call that work?!","slug":"mechanical-comprehension-subtest-you-call-that-work","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"On the ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension subtest, you need to know the definition of work and the basics of potential and kinetic energy and resistance.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"On the Mechanical Comprehension subtest of the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">ASVAB test</a>, you need to know the definition of work and understand the basics of potential and kinetic energy and resistance.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Mechanically speaking, work happens when a force (usually measured in pounds) moving over a measurable distance (usually measured in feet) overcomes a resistance. In the United States, the unit of measure for work is often called a <em>foot-pound</em>. (Note: The rest of the world uses the newton-meter, or joule.) One foot-pound of work occurs when a 1-pound weight is lifted to a height of 1 foot. You can represent this concept in equation form:</p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Work = Force × Distance</blockquote>\r\nWork is different from effort; work is the result of effort. You can think of <em>effort</em> as being force and of <em>work</em> as being what you produce with that force.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><a name=\"_Toc26892665\"></a>Working out the difference between potential and kinetic energy</h2>\r\nEnergy is the capacity to do work. Every object in the universe has energy, and it’s either potential or kinetic. <em>Potential energy</em> is stored energy — energy that’s not doing anything at the moment but that’s in the object by virtue of its position in a field. If a book is resting in your hands, the book itself is holding potential energy. If you raise the book over your head, you’re increasing its potential energy (thanks to the Earth’s gravitational pull). When you accidentally drop it, all its potential energy becomes <em>kinetic energy,</em> or energy in motion. When the book hits the ground, its energy becomes potential again.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_270240\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-270240\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/asvab-kinetic-energy.jpg\" alt=\"kinetic vs. potential energy\" width=\"556\" height=\"605\" /> ©VectorMine/Shutterstock.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nPotential energy can’t be transferred between objects. The more massive an object is, the more potential and kinetic energy it has (so a bowling ball contains more energy than a basketball does). Both these forms of energy are measured in joules.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><a name=\"_Toc26892666\"></a>Overcoming resistance</h2>\r\nThe resistance that the work overcomes isn’t the same thing as the weight of the object. (If you’ve ever tried to put your freaked-out cat in a cat carrier to go to the vet, you know what I mean.) In other words, if you try to move a 1,200-pound piano, you’ll probably notice a measurable difference between the amount of work it takes to shove it along the floor and the amount of work it takes to carry it up the stairs. But don’t take my word for it — you can demonstrate this concept at home. First, find a 1,200-pound piano and push it across the floor. Next, put it on your back and carry it up the stairs. See the difference? (Really, don’t put the piano on your back. I’m just trying to make a point here.)\r\n\r\nWhen you move the piano across the floor, you’re really working (pushing) against the frictional resistance (the force that’s produced when two surfaces rub together) of the piano rather than its full weight. Under these circumstances, the frictional resistance of the piano offers less resistance than its full weight. There are times when an object’s full weight is less than its frictional resistance. Consider trying to push a textbook across a deep-pile carpet. Picking the book up and carrying it is easier.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" ><a name=\"_Toc26892667\"></a>Gaining power by working more quickly</h2>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\"><em>Power</em> is the rate of work. If Mary Lou is able to lift more 50-pound sacks of potatoes onto the truck bed in 10 minutes than Joe is, Mary Lou is more powerful than Joe. Mathematically speaking,\r\n<strong>Power = Work / Time</strong>.</p>\r\nIn this formula, work is usually measured in foot-pounds, time is measured in minutes, and power is measured in foot-pounds per minute. However, the unit of measure for power is commonly put in terms of horsepower (hp).\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\"><em>Horsepower</em> is derived from the estimate that an average horse can do 33,000 foot-pounds of work in 1 minute (according to James Watt). Therefore, 1 horsepower = 33,000 foot-pounds per minute. One horsepower is also the same as 550 foot-pounds per second.</p>","description":"On the Mechanical Comprehension subtest of the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">ASVAB test</a>, you need to know the definition of work and understand the basics of potential and kinetic energy and resistance.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Mechanically speaking, work happens when a force (usually measured in pounds) moving over a measurable distance (usually measured in feet) overcomes a resistance. In the United States, the unit of measure for work is often called a <em>foot-pound</em>. (Note: The rest of the world uses the newton-meter, or joule.) One foot-pound of work occurs when a 1-pound weight is lifted to a height of 1 foot. You can represent this concept in equation form:</p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Work = Force × Distance</blockquote>\r\nWork is different from effort; work is the result of effort. You can think of <em>effort</em> as being force and of <em>work</em> as being what you produce with that force.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><a name=\"_Toc26892665\"></a>Working out the difference between potential and kinetic energy</h2>\r\nEnergy is the capacity to do work. Every object in the universe has energy, and it’s either potential or kinetic. <em>Potential energy</em> is stored energy — energy that’s not doing anything at the moment but that’s in the object by virtue of its position in a field. If a book is resting in your hands, the book itself is holding potential energy. If you raise the book over your head, you’re increasing its potential energy (thanks to the Earth’s gravitational pull). When you accidentally drop it, all its potential energy becomes <em>kinetic energy,</em> or energy in motion. When the book hits the ground, its energy becomes potential again.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_270240\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-270240\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/asvab-kinetic-energy.jpg\" alt=\"kinetic vs. potential energy\" width=\"556\" height=\"605\" /> ©VectorMine/Shutterstock.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nPotential energy can’t be transferred between objects. The more massive an object is, the more potential and kinetic energy it has (so a bowling ball contains more energy than a basketball does). Both these forms of energy are measured in joules.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><a name=\"_Toc26892666\"></a>Overcoming resistance</h2>\r\nThe resistance that the work overcomes isn’t the same thing as the weight of the object. (If you’ve ever tried to put your freaked-out cat in a cat carrier to go to the vet, you know what I mean.) In other words, if you try to move a 1,200-pound piano, you’ll probably notice a measurable difference between the amount of work it takes to shove it along the floor and the amount of work it takes to carry it up the stairs. But don’t take my word for it — you can demonstrate this concept at home. First, find a 1,200-pound piano and push it across the floor. Next, put it on your back and carry it up the stairs. See the difference? (Really, don’t put the piano on your back. I’m just trying to make a point here.)\r\n\r\nWhen you move the piano across the floor, you’re really working (pushing) against the frictional resistance (the force that’s produced when two surfaces rub together) of the piano rather than its full weight. Under these circumstances, the frictional resistance of the piano offers less resistance than its full weight. There are times when an object’s full weight is less than its frictional resistance. Consider trying to push a textbook across a deep-pile carpet. Picking the book up and carrying it is easier.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" ><a name=\"_Toc26892667\"></a>Gaining power by working more quickly</h2>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\"><em>Power</em> is the rate of work. If Mary Lou is able to lift more 50-pound sacks of potatoes onto the truck bed in 10 minutes than Joe is, Mary Lou is more powerful than Joe. Mathematically speaking,\r\n<strong>Power = Work / Time</strong>.</p>\r\nIn this formula, work is usually measured in foot-pounds, time is measured in minutes, and power is measured in foot-pounds per minute. However, the unit of measure for power is commonly put in terms of horsepower (hp).\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\"><em>Horsepower</em> is derived from the estimate that an average horse can do 33,000 foot-pounds of work in 1 minute (according to James Watt). Therefore, 1 horsepower = 33,000 foot-pounds per minute. One horsepower is also the same as 550 foot-pounds per second.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Working out the difference between potential and kinetic energy","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Overcoming resistance","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Gaining power by working more quickly","target":"#tab3"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":270234,"title":"You Are What You Speak: Improving Your Vocabulary, Improving Yourself","slug":"you-are-what-you-speak-improving-your-vocabulary-improving-yourself","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270234"}},{"articleId":270220,"title":"ASVAB Math Subtest: Getting to the Root of the Problems","slug":"asvab-math-subtest-getting-to-the-root-of-the-problems","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270220"}},{"articleId":221230,"title":"ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: The Forces of the Universe","slug":"asvab-mechanical-comprehension-subtest-the-forces-of-the-universe","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/221230"}},{"articleId":208900,"title":"2022/2023 ASVAB For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208900"}},{"articleId":150195,"title":"Math Terminology You Should Know for the ASVAB","slug":"math-terminology-you-should-know-for-the-asvab","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/150195"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281918,"slug":"asvab-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119870173","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119870178-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119870173-199x255.jpg","width":199,"height":255},"title":"2022 / 2023 ASVAB For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com/","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><b><b data-author-id=\"11018\">Angie Papple Johnston</b></b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119870173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6340938e8b829\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119870173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6340938e8c467\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-10-07T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":270239},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T07:37:18+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-09-29T15:20:43+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-29T18:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"Knowing Which Version of the ASVAB You’re Taking","strippedTitle":"knowing which version of the asvab you’re taking","slug":"knowing-which-version-of-the-asvab-youre-taking","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"The ASVAB test comes in five versions, depending on where and why you take it. The varieties of the test are just administered differently.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) comes in five versions, depending on where and why you take it. The varieties of the test are essentially the same; they’re just administered differently. The following table boils them down.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Versions of the ASVAB</h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\"><strong>Version</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"161\"><strong>How You Take It</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"71\"><strong>Format</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"255\"><strong>Purpose</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Student</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given to juniors and seniors in high school; it’s administered through a cooperative program between the Department of Education and the Department of Defense at high schools across the United States</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Paper</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">Its primary purpose is to provide a tool for guidance counselors to use when recommending civilian career areas to high school students (though it can be used for enlistment if taken within two years of enlistment). For example, if a student scores high in electronics, the counselor can recommend electronics career paths. If a student is interested in military service, the counselor then refers her to the local military recruiting offices.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Enlistment</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given through a military recruiter at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or at a satellite testing site</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Usually computer, may be paper</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">This version of the ASVAB is used by all the military branches for the purpose of enlistment qualification and to determine which military jobs a recruit can successfully be trained in.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Enlistment Screening Test (EST)</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given at the discretion of a military recruiter for a quick enlistment qualification screening</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Computer</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">These mini-ASVABs aren’t qualification tests; they’re strictly recruiting and screening tools. The EST contains about 50 questions similar but not identical to questions on the AFQT portion of the ASVAB. The test is used to help estimate an applicant’s probability of obtaining qualifying ASVAB scores.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Pre-screening, internet-delivered Computerized Adaptive Test (PiCAT)</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Online, on your own time after receiving an access code from your recruiter</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Computer</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">The PiCAT is an unproctored, full version of the ASVAB. You take it on your own time, but you must take a verification test at a MEPS to validate your score. The verification test typically takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given at installation educational centers to people already in the military through the Defense Manpower Data Center</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Computer</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">At some point during your military career, you may want to retrain for a different job. If you need higher ASVAB scores to qualify for such retraining, or if you’re a commissioned officer who wants to become a warrant officer, you can take the AFCT. The AFCT is essentially the same as the other versions of the ASVAB.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nThe vast majority of military applicants are processed through a MEPS, where they take the computerized format of the ASVAB (called the CAT-ASVAB, short for <em>computerized-adaptive testing</em> ASVAB), undergo a physical exam, and run through a security screening, many times all in one trip. The paper-and-pencil (P&P) version is most often given in high school and at Mobile Examination Test (MET) sites located throughout the United States. Most MET sites use paper versions of the test.\r\n\r\nSee also, \" <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/deciphering-asvab-scores/\">Deciphering ASVAB Scores</a>.\"","description":"The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) comes in five versions, depending on where and why you take it. The varieties of the test are essentially the same; they’re just administered differently. The following table boils them down.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Versions of the ASVAB</h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\"><strong>Version</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"161\"><strong>How You Take It</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"71\"><strong>Format</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"255\"><strong>Purpose</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Student</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given to juniors and seniors in high school; it’s administered through a cooperative program between the Department of Education and the Department of Defense at high schools across the United States</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Paper</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">Its primary purpose is to provide a tool for guidance counselors to use when recommending civilian career areas to high school students (though it can be used for enlistment if taken within two years of enlistment). For example, if a student scores high in electronics, the counselor can recommend electronics career paths. If a student is interested in military service, the counselor then refers her to the local military recruiting offices.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Enlistment</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given through a military recruiter at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or at a satellite testing site</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Usually computer, may be paper</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">This version of the ASVAB is used by all the military branches for the purpose of enlistment qualification and to determine which military jobs a recruit can successfully be trained in.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Enlistment Screening Test (EST)</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given at the discretion of a military recruiter for a quick enlistment qualification screening</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Computer</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">These mini-ASVABs aren’t qualification tests; they’re strictly recruiting and screening tools. The EST contains about 50 questions similar but not identical to questions on the AFQT portion of the ASVAB. The test is used to help estimate an applicant’s probability of obtaining qualifying ASVAB scores.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Pre-screening, internet-delivered Computerized Adaptive Test (PiCAT)</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Online, on your own time after receiving an access code from your recruiter</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Computer</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">The PiCAT is an unproctored, full version of the ASVAB. You take it on your own time, but you must take a verification test at a MEPS to validate your score. The verification test typically takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"129\">Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)</td>\r\n<td width=\"161\">Given at installation educational centers to people already in the military through the Defense Manpower Data Center</td>\r\n<td width=\"71\">Computer</td>\r\n<td width=\"255\">At some point during your military career, you may want to retrain for a different job. If you need higher ASVAB scores to qualify for such retraining, or if you’re a commissioned officer who wants to become a warrant officer, you can take the AFCT. The AFCT is essentially the same as the other versions of the ASVAB.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nThe vast majority of military applicants are processed through a MEPS, where they take the computerized format of the ASVAB (called the CAT-ASVAB, short for <em>computerized-adaptive testing</em> ASVAB), undergo a physical exam, and run through a security screening, many times all in one trip. The paper-and-pencil (P&P) version is most often given in high school and at Mobile Examination Test (MET) sites located throughout the United States. Most MET sites use paper versions of the test.\r\n\r\nSee also, \" <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/deciphering-asvab-scores/\">Deciphering ASVAB Scores</a>.\"","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Versions of the ASVAB","target":"#tab1"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":221175,"title":"Taking the ASVAB Test: Paper or Computerized?","slug":"taking-asvab-test-paper-computerized","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/221175"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282735,"slug":"2021-2022-asvab-for-dummies-book-7-practice-tests-online-flashcards-video-10th-edition","isbn":"9781119784173","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119784174-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-2022-asvab-for-dummies-10th-edition-cover-9781119784173-199x255.jpg","width":199,"height":255},"title":"2021 / 2022 ASVAB For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><b><b data-author-id=\"11018\">Angie Papple Johnston</b></b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion&#8217;s public affairs representative. She also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard&#8217;s Recruit Sustainment program.</p> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119784173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6335dd5e89213\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119784173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6335dd5e89d82\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Six months","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-06-02T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":142395},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2021-01-05T04:52:28+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-26T19:06:36+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:41+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"ACFT For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"acft for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"acft-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"The first step toward acing the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, is to study each test event and understand the expectations.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"The first step toward acing the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, is to study each test event and understand what Uncle Sam expects from you. From there, it’s all about functional <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/health/exercise/keys-to-fitness-success/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fitness training</a> and giving your body the right fuel to succeed.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_275394\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-275394\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/acft-concept.jpg\" alt=\"ACFT\" width=\"556\" height=\"556\" /> © Artist_R / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"The first step toward acing the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, is to study each test event and understand what Uncle Sam expects from you. From there, it’s all about functional <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/health/exercise/keys-to-fitness-success/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fitness training</a> and giving your body the right fuel to succeed.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_275394\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-275394\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/acft-concept.jpg\" alt=\"ACFT\" width=\"556\" height=\"556\" /> © Artist_R / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3d0af38\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3d0b99e\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":0,"title":"","slug":null,"categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/"}}],"content":[{"title":"Study Up on ACFT Events","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The ACFT’s six events measure how physically fit you are, and that includes your muscular strength, explosive power, and cardiovascular fitness. Check out the events in order (and what they require) so you can tackle the test head-on.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\"><strong>ACFT Event</strong></td>\n<td width=\"312\"><strong>What it Tests</strong></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)</td>\n<td width=\"312\">Muscular strength, balance, and flexibility</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Standing Power Throw (SPT)</td>\n<td width=\"312\">Explosive power, balance, and flexibility</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Hand Release Push-Up – Arm Extension (HRP)</td>\n<td width=\"312\">Muscular endurance</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)</td>\n<td width=\"312\">Agility, anaerobic endurance, muscular endurance, and muscular strength</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Leg Tuck (LTK)</td>\n<td width=\"312\">Muscular strength and endurance</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Two-Mile Run (2MR)</td>\n<td width=\"312\">Aerobic endurance</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"Meet Your Minimum PDC Qualification on the ACFT","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When you take the ACFT, you have to meet or exceed the minimum score required for your job regardless of your age or tenure. The Army divides the scores into three Physical Demand Categories, or PDCs: Heavy/Black, Significant/Gold, and Moderate/Gray. Every military occupational specialty, or MOS, is attached to a PDC. Here’s an ACFT score chart so you can see where to aim.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\"><strong>Points</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>MDL</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>SPT</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>HRP</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>SDC</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>LTK</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>2MR</strong></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">100</td>\n<td width=\"74\">340</td>\n<td width=\"74\">12.5</td>\n<td width=\"74\">60</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:33</td>\n<td width=\"74\">20</td>\n<td width=\"74\">13:30</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">99</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">12.4</td>\n<td width=\"74\">59</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:36</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">13:39</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">98</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">12.2</td>\n<td width=\"74\">58</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:39</td>\n<td width=\"74\">19</td>\n<td width=\"74\">13:48</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">97</td>\n<td width=\"74\">330</td>\n<td width=\"74\">12.1</td>\n<td width=\"74\">57</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:41</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">13:57</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">96</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.9</td>\n<td width=\"74\">56</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:43</td>\n<td width=\"74\">18</td>\n<td width=\"74\">14:06</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">95</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">55</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:45</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">14:15</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">94</td>\n<td width=\"74\">320</td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.6</td>\n<td width=\"74\">54</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:46</td>\n<td width=\"74\">17</td>\n<td width=\"74\">14:24</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">93</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.5</td>\n<td width=\"74\">53</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:47</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">14:33</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">92</td>\n<td width=\"74\">310</td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.3</td>\n<td width=\"74\">52</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:48</td>\n<td width=\"74\">16</td>\n<td width=\"74\">14:42</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">91</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.2</td>\n<td width=\"74\">51</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:49</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">14:51</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">90</td>\n<td width=\"74\">300</td>\n<td width=\"74\">11.0</td>\n<td width=\"74\">50</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:50</td>\n<td width=\"74\">15</td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:00</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">89</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.9</td>\n<td width=\"74\">49</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:51</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:09</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">88</td>\n<td width=\"74\">290</td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.7</td>\n<td width=\"74\">48</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:52</td>\n<td width=\"74\">14</td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:18</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">87</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.6</td>\n<td width=\"74\">47</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:53</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:27</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">86</td>\n<td width=\"74\">280</td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.4</td>\n<td width=\"74\">46</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:54</td>\n<td width=\"74\">13</td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:36</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">85</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.3</td>\n<td width=\"74\">45</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:55</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:45</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">84</td>\n<td width=\"74\">270</td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.1</td>\n<td width=\"74\">44</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:56</td>\n<td width=\"74\">12</td>\n<td width=\"74\">15:54</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">83</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">10.0</td>\n<td width=\"74\">43</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:57</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:03</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">82</td>\n<td width=\"74\">260</td>\n<td width=\"74\">9.8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">42</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:58</td>\n<td width=\"74\">11</td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:12</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">81</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">9.7</td>\n<td width=\"74\">41</td>\n<td width=\"74\">1:59</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:21</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">80</td>\n<td width=\"74\">250</td>\n<td width=\"74\">9.5</td>\n<td width=\"74\">40</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:00</td>\n<td width=\"74\">10</td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:30</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">79</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">9.4</td>\n<td width=\"74\">39</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:01</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:39</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">78</td>\n<td width=\"74\">240</td>\n<td width=\"74\">9.2</td>\n<td width=\"74\">38</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:02</td>\n<td width=\"74\">9</td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:48</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">77</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">9.1</td>\n<td width=\"74\">37</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:03</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">16:57</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">76</td>\n<td width=\"74\">230</td>\n<td width=\"74\">8.9</td>\n<td width=\"74\">36</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:04</td>\n<td width=\"74\">8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">17:06</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">75</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">8.8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">35</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:05</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">17:15</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">74</td>\n<td width=\"74\">220</td>\n<td width=\"74\">8.6</td>\n<td width=\"74\">34</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:06</td>\n<td width=\"74\">7</td>\n<td width=\"74\">17:24</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">73</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">8.5</td>\n<td width=\"74\">33</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:07</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">17:33</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">72</td>\n<td width=\"74\">210</td>\n<td width=\"74\">8.3</td>\n<td width=\"74\">32</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:08</td>\n<td width=\"74\">6</td>\n<td width=\"74\">17:42</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">71</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">8.2</td>\n<td width=\"74\">31</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:09</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">17:51</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\"><strong>70 (Heavy/Black)</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>200</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>8.0</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>30</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>2:10</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>5</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>18:00</strong></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">69</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">7.8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">28</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:14</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">18:12</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">68</td>\n<td width=\"74\">190</td>\n<td width=\"74\">7.5</td>\n<td width=\"74\">26</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:18</td>\n<td width=\"74\">4</td>\n<td width=\"74\">18:24</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">67</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">7.1</td>\n<td width=\"74\">24</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:22</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">18:36</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">66</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">6.8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">22</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:26</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">18:48</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\"><strong>65 (Significant/Gold)</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>180</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>6.5</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>20</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>2:30</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>3</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>19:00</strong></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">64</td>\n<td width=\"74\">170</td>\n<td width=\"74\">6.2</td>\n<td width=\"74\">18</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:35</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">19:24</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">63</td>\n<td width=\"74\">160</td>\n<td width=\"74\">5.8</td>\n<td width=\"74\">16</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:40</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">19:48</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">62</td>\n<td width=\"74\">150</td>\n<td width=\"74\">5.4</td>\n<td width=\"74\">14</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:45</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2</td>\n<td width=\"74\">20:12</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\">61</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">4.9</td>\n<td width=\"74\">12</td>\n<td width=\"74\">2:50</td>\n<td width=\"74\"></td>\n<td width=\"74\">20:36</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"136\"><strong>60 (Moderate/Gray)</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>140</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>4.5</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>10</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>3:00</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>1</strong></td>\n<td width=\"74\"><strong>21:00</strong></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n"},{"title":"Give Yourself an Extra Boost on ACFT Events","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Although nothing can stand in for plenty of practice, each event on the ACFT is easier when you use the right techniques to execute the movements. These tips can help you perform your best, so practice them well in advance of test day:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>MDL:</strong> Grab the hex bar right in the center so it doesn’t tip forward or back.</li>\n<li><strong>SPT:</strong> Get a full swing on the ball by sitting into a squat with the ball between your legs, and let go of the ball when your hands are just behind your head.</li>\n<li><strong>HRP:</strong> Spread your fingers wide to distribute weight across your hands while you push, and keep your chest on the ground when you extend your arms.</li>\n<li><strong>SDC:</strong> Pull your sled straight back and use your legs; don’t flex your arms when you’re pulling the sled. Avoid bouncing when you’re doing laterals, and use your deltoids and lats to help keep your kettlebells under control while you run.</li>\n<li><strong>LTK:</strong> Pull your body up at an angle (it helps to look at the bar) and keep your shoulders, lats, and core engaged during the entire event.</li>\n<li><strong>2MR:</strong> Take it one lap at a time. If someone you <em>know</em> is slower than you passes you, sprint and take it back down to a more comfortable pace when you’re back in the lead.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Train for the ACFT on Your Own Time","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Some people are better equipped to pass the ACFT than others are, but no matter where you fall on the athletic ability spectrum, you’re going to need to do some ACFT training on your own time. The Army isn’t big on giving people downtime, so you may have to squeeze in mini-workouts when you have only a few minutes to spare. Check out these exercises you can do anywhere. Although they won’t change your physique overnight, if you perform them regularly, they’ll give you a little extra power and endurance, and every little bit helps.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Planks:</strong> You can plank when you’re watching TV, while you’re waiting for formation, or while your morning coffee is brewing. Planks strengthen your entire core, your legs, your shoulders, and just about everything else. You can also switch things up by doing side planks.</li>\n<li><strong>Dips:</strong> Scoot your rear end close to a table, your desk, or the back of a sturdy chair or stool and do tricep dips. Keep your elbows tucked in so your inner arms brush your sides and use your arms to push yourself up and lower yourself down under control.</li>\n<li><strong>Squats:</strong> You don’t need weights to add a little power to your quads. Stand in front of your chair at work or the sofa at home and squat until your booty touches the surface; then come back up. Do them every time you think of it, and your legs will benefit from an endurance boost on test day.</li>\n<li><strong>Lunges:</strong> Travel from Point A to Point B with walking lunges, and you work your quads efficiently and effectively. Just make sure your front knee stays stacked over your ankle and both your legs form approximately 90-degree angles as you move.</li>\n<li><strong>Leg lifts:</strong> Stand against a counter or your desk and raise one leg behind you under control. Go as far as you can without arching your lower back, flexing your glutes and entire leg. Switch legs and repeat a few dozen times to strengthen your glutes, which may help prevent back and hip pain.</li>\n<li><strong>Sit-ups and push-ups: </strong>Knock out a few standard sit-ups and push-ups when you get tired of planking. Both these standard exercises do a lot for your body. When you do sit-ups, keep a light touch behind your head or cross your arms over your chest; when you do push-ups, tuck in your elbows and look at the floor. Completely disregard the old Army “wisdom” that you should look forward (which can hurt your neck).</li>\n<li><strong>Supermans:</strong> Lie face-down with your arms and legs extended. Then, raise all four at the same time to form a small curve in your back. Get creative and add <em>Y</em>s, <em>T</em>s, and <em>W</em>s if you’re up for it, all while flexing your back muscles.</li>\n<li><strong>Flutter kicks: </strong>Lie on your back with your palms facing down. Lift your heels about six inches from the floor and flutter your legs as long as you can (just keep a neutral spine).</li>\n<li><strong>Glute bridges:</strong> Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lift your hips until your knees, hips, and shoulders form a straight line, and flex your glutes while you contract your abs.</li>\n<li><strong>Single-leg deadlifts:</strong> Stand with your feet together and lift one leg behind you (you can bend it or keep it almost straight), and bend your grounded leg slightly. Reach your arms to the floor and come back up. You can also do single-leg squats. In fact, you can <em>really</em> make the exercise fun by doing a single-leg deadlift, a single-leg squat, and then a single-leg calf raise before switching sides.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"What Happens If You Don’t Pass Height and Weight for the ACFT","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You have to meet the Army’s height and weight requirements, which are governed by <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/AR-600-9-The-Army-Body-Composition-Program-16-July-2019.pdf\">Army Regulation 600-9</a>, in order to pass your ACFT. Unlike the ACFT’s neutral scoring, your height and weight limits are dependent on your biological sex and your age. If you don’t pass height and weight, you’ll be enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program, which requires you to steadily lose weight so you can meet the Army’s standards. Failure to lose weight on the program can result in involuntary separation from the military.</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-26T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":275393},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:55:42+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-14T19:38:55+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:37+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"2022/2023 ASVAB For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"2022/2023 asvab for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn about the different parts of the ASVAB exam, its subtests, and some helpful test-taking tips for improving your score.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"As any professional military commander will tell you, knowing your enemy is the first step in winning a battle. After all, how can you expect to pass the<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/which-version-of-the-asvab-is-right-for-you/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery</a> (ASVAB) if you don’t know what’s on the test?\r\n\r\nHere are some test-taking tips and key info about ASVAB test formats and ASVAB subtests to help you score well on the ASVAB, get into the service of your choice, and qualify for your dream job.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_283141\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-283141\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/ASVAB-pencil-grid.jpg\" alt=\"ASVAB answer grid and pencil\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> © Gill Thompson / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"As any professional military commander will tell you, knowing your enemy is the first step in winning a battle. After all, how can you expect to pass the<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/which-version-of-the-asvab-is-right-for-you/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery</a> (ASVAB) if you don’t know what’s on the test?\r\n\r\nHere are some test-taking tips and key info about ASVAB test formats and ASVAB subtests to help you score well on the ASVAB, get into the service of your choice, and qualify for your dream job.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_283141\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-283141\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/ASVAB-pencil-grid.jpg\" alt=\"ASVAB answer grid and pencil\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> © Gill Thompson / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":270239,"title":"Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: You Call That Work?!","slug":"mechanical-comprehension-subtest-you-call-that-work","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270239"}},{"articleId":270234,"title":"You Are What You Speak: Improving Your Vocabulary, Improving Yourself","slug":"you-are-what-you-speak-improving-your-vocabulary-improving-yourself","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270234"}},{"articleId":270220,"title":"ASVAB Math Subtest: Getting to the Root of the Problems","slug":"asvab-math-subtest-getting-to-the-root-of-the-problems","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/270220"}},{"articleId":221230,"title":"ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: The Forces of the Universe","slug":"asvab-mechanical-comprehension-subtest-the-forces-of-the-universe","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/221230"}},{"articleId":150195,"title":"Math Terminology You Should Know for the ASVAB","slug":"math-terminology-you-should-know-for-the-asvab","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/150195"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281918,"slug":"2020-2021-asvab-for-dummies-with-online-practice-book-7-practice-tests-online-flashcards-video","isbn":"9781119870173","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119870178-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119870178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119870173-199x255.jpg","width":199,"height":255},"title":"2022 / 2023 ASVAB For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com/","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"11018\">Angie Papple Johnston</b></b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119870173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b39976d3\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119870173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b399818e\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":191420,"title":"The ASVAB Subtests: Paper Version","slug":"the-asvab-subtests-paper-version","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191420"}},{"articleId":191415,"title":"The CAT-ASVAB Subtests: Computer Version","slug":"the-cat-asvab-subtests-computer-version","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191415"}},{"articleId":191453,"title":"General ASVAB Test-Taking Tips","slug":"general-asvab-test-taking-tips","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191453"}},{"articleId":191413,"title":"Pointers for Guessing on the ASVAB","slug":"pointers-for-guessing-on-the-asvab","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191413"}},{"articleId":191412,"title":"ASVAB Reading Comprehension Tips","slug":"asvab-reading-comprehension-tips","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191412"}}],"content":[{"title":"The ASVAB subtests: Paper version","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you take the ASVAB at a Military Entrance Test (MET) site, you’ll likely take the paper-and-pencil version of the test. The following table outlines the subtests on the paper version of the ASVAB, including information on content, the number of questions, and time limits.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Subtest</th>\n<th>Questions</th>\n<th>Time (Minutes)</th>\n<th>Content</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>General Science (GS)</td>\n<td>25</td>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>General principles of biological and physical sciences</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)</td>\n<td>30</td>\n<td>36</td>\n<td>Simple word problems that require simple calculations</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Word Knowledge (WK)</td>\n<td>35</td>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>Correct meaning of a word; occasionally antonyms (words with opposite meanings)</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Paragraph Comprehension (PC)</td>\n<td>15</td>\n<td>13</td>\n<td>Questions based on several paragraphs (usually a few hundred words) that you read</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mathematics Knowledge (MK)</td>\n<td>25</td>\n<td>24</td>\n<td>High-school math, including algebra and geometry</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Electronics Information (EI)</td>\n<td>20</td>\n<td>9</td>\n<td>Electrical principles, basic electronic circuitry, and<br />\nelectronic terminology</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Auto &amp; Shop Information (AS)</td>\n<td>25</td>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>Knowledge of automobiles, shop terminology, and tool use</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mechanical Comprehension (MC)</td>\n<td>25</td>\n<td>19</td>\n<td>Basic mechanical and physical principles</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Assembling Objects (AO)</td>\n<td>25</td>\n<td>15</td>\n<td>Spatial orientation</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"The CAT-ASVAB subtests: Computer version","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you take the ASVAB at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), you’ll encounter a computerized version of the test called the CAT-ASVAB (where CAT stands for <i>computerized adaptive test</i>). The following table outlines the subtests, number of questions, and time limits on the CAT-ASVAB.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Subtest</th>\n<th>Questions</th>\n<th>Time (Minutes)</th>\n<th>Content</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>General Science (GS)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>8</td>\n<td>General principles of biological and physical sciences</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>39</td>\n<td>Simple word problems that require simple calculations</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Word Knowledge (WK)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>8</td>\n<td>Correct meaning of a word; occasionally antonyms (words with<br />\nopposite meanings)</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Paragraph Comprehension (PC)</td>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>22</td>\n<td>Questions based on several paragraphs (usually a few hundred<br />\nwords) that you read</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mathematics Knowledge (MK)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>20</td>\n<td>High-school math, including algebra and geometry</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Electronics Information (EI)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>8</td>\n<td>Electrical principles, basic electronic circuitry, and<br />\nelectronic terminology</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Auto Information (AI)</td>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>7</td>\n<td>Knowledge of automobiles, and tool use</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Shop Information (SI)</td>\n<td>11</td>\n<td>6</td>\n<td>Knowledge of shop procedures</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mechanical Comprehension (MC)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>20</td>\n<td>Basic mechanical and physical principles</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Assembling Objects (AO)</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>16</td>\n<td>Spatial orientation</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p><b><i>Note:</i></b> On the CAT-ASVAB, the AI and SI scores are combined for one score.</p>\n"},{"title":"General ASVAB test-taking tips","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When taking the ASVAB, being prepared and knowing how to approach the questions can go a long way. Use the following test-taking tips to improve your ASVAB score:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Read the directions carefully.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Know what a question is asking you to do before looking at the answer choices.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Read all of the answer options before selecting one.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Skip questions you don’t know and then go back to them if you have time. <strong>Note</strong>: Skipping questions isn’t an option if you take the computer-based test, which forces you to answer each question before you can move on to the next one.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t leave any questions blank. The ASVAB doesn’t penalize you for guessing. On the computer-based ASVAB, you can’t leave any questions blank.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">If you’re taking the paper-and-pencil test, make sure that you mark each answer on the correct space on your answer sheet.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Never change the answer to a question after you move on to another question unless you’re positive the answer’s wrong. This doesn’t apply for the computerized version — after you submit your answer, you can’t change it.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Pointers for guessing on the ASVAB","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>No matter how hard you study for the ASVAB, you’ll likely come across a few questions where you don’t have a clue. Guess wisely, and you can score extra points on many ASVAB subtests. If you leave a question blank, you have a zero percent chance of getting it right, but if you guess, you have at least a 25 percent chance.</p>\n<p>Here are a few quick pointers on guessing:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Eliminate answers that you know are wrong and then guess among the remaining answers.</b> If you eliminate one answer, your chances of getting the question right go up to 33 percent. Eliminate two, and you’re up to 50/50. Here are some tips on narrowing down your choices:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Answers that include <i>always</i> or <i>never</i><i> </i>types of statements are usually wrong.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">If two answer options have opposite meanings, one of them is probably correct.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">If two answer options are very close in meaning, neither of them is probably correct.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Don’t guess based on the frequency of previous answers.</b> Just because the answer to the last ten questions has been (C) doesn’t mean the next answer can’t be (C), too.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>If you can’t eliminate any choices, always choose the same letter for your guess.</b> For example, if you have to guess on ten questions, always guess (C). Choosing the same letter every time increases your odds of selecting the right answer for at least one or two of those questions.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"ASVAB reading comprehension tips","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The paragraph comprehension passages on the ASVAB are usually pretty short. These tips can help you better comprehend the ASVAB reading passages and the questions that follow them:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Understand what the question wants from you.</b> Does it ask for the main point, specific information, or a conclusion based on the information presented?</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Reread the paragraph to make sure you answer the question correctly.</b> If you’re a really slow reader, you may not have time to do so. However, if you’re not sure of an answer, quickly read the paragraph again.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Look for key vocabulary words.</b> Paragraph Comprehension questions may test your vocabulary. Use the context — the surrounding words — to help you understand the meaning of a word.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-03T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208900},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:49:06+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-08T15:50:18+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:35+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"1,001 ASVAB Practice Questions For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"1,001 asvab practice questions for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"1001-asvab-practice-questions-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Prepare to ace the ASVAB with these schedules and study tips, including information on memory retention and relaxation.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"The key to success for any method of study is having one. So if you’re preparing to take the ASVAB, set up a structured study plan using the following guide, and stick to it. Before you put your study plan into action though, be sure to review the tips included here on how to fine-tune your studying experience for success and kick-start your memory retention powers.","description":"The key to success for any method of study is having one. So if you’re preparing to take the ASVAB, set up a structured study plan using the following guide, and stick to it. Before you put your study plan into action though, be sure to review the tips included here on how to fine-tune your studying experience for success and kick-start your memory retention powers.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9112,"name":"Rod Powers","slug":"rod-powers","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9112"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":164183,"title":"Following an ASVAB Study Schedule","slug":"following-an-asvab-study-schedule","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164183"}},{"articleId":164184,"title":"10 Ways to Memorize Information for the ASVAB","slug":"10-ways-to-memorize-information-for-the-asvab","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164184"}},{"articleId":164180,"title":"4 Ways to Fine-Tune Specific ASVAB Study Areas","slug":"4-ways-to-fine-tune-specific-asvab-study-areas","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164180"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281914,"slug":"1001-asvab-practice-questions-for-dummies-free-online-practice","isbn":"9781118646311","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118646312/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1118646312/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1118646312-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1118646312/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1118646312/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/1001-asvab-practice-questions-for-dummies-cover-9781118646311-204x255.jpg","width":204,"height":255},"title":"1,001 ASVAB Practice Questions For Dummies (+ Free Online Practice)","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"9112\">Rod Powers</b> joined the Air Force in 1975, where he spent 11 of those years as an Air Force first sergeant. Since his retirement, Rod has become a world-renowned military careers expert. He is the author of several <i>For Dummies</i> books, including <i>ASVAB For Dummies</i> and <i>ASVAB AFQT For Dummies</i>. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":9112,"name":"Rod Powers","slug":"rod-powers","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9112"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781118646311&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3779160\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781118646311&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3779a01\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":164183,"title":"Following an ASVAB Study Schedule","slug":"following-an-asvab-study-schedule","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164183"}},{"articleId":164180,"title":"4 Ways to Fine-Tune Specific ASVAB Study Areas","slug":"4-ways-to-fine-tune-specific-asvab-study-areas","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164180"}},{"articleId":164184,"title":"10 Ways to Memorize Information for the ASVAB","slug":"10-ways-to-memorize-information-for-the-asvab","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164184"}}],"content":[{"title":"Following an ASVAB study schedule","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>An ASVAB study schedule is imperative to your success. No matter how many days are left until test day, you can use this guide to help structure your plan. If you’re a few months out, use this study guide and take your time to really pinpoint the areas that need the most attention. If you don’t have much time to spare, jump to the end of this schedule, pump out that extra effort, and eat, sleep, and breathe ASVAB from now until test day!</p>\n<h2>One month before test day</h2>\n<p>You have 30 days until test day. Let the studying begin!</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Take an ASVAB practice exam and score yourself on each subtest.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rank each subtest: 1 through 4 for each AFQT subtest (Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning), and 1 through 5 for the specialty subtests, with 1 being the lowest rank.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Spend the most time studying for the areas you ranked the lowest, giving special attention to the AFQT subjects, such as Mathematics Knowledge and Arithmetic Reasoning. For the remainder of your time, concentrate on the specialty subjects, such as Electronics Information, especially if you know your desired military jobs require a specific score, or if you want to ace the ASVAB.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Two weeks before test day</h2>\n<p>You’re in the home stretch. Try not to get nervous if you don’t know some of the material as well as you’d like. Use these strategies to boost your confidence:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Take the same ASVAB practice exam you took at the beginning of your study plan, scoring each subtest the same way as before.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Compare your new (and hopefully improved) practice test scores to the original scores.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Note any improvements you’ve made within each subtest.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Note the struggles you’re having in specific areas and write them down. For example, you may still have a hard time dividing fractions, memorizing planets, identifying vehicle parts, or learning suffixes.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Spend the next two weeks fine-tuning the areas that need improvement.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">If you scored very high on any specific subtest (as in, you missed only one or two questions), set aside your review of that material in favor of spending time on topics that you still feel shaky about.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Periodically check your ASVAB growth by trying out another practice test so you can see your progress.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Feel confident that your hard work will pay off and don’t give up.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b><i>Note:</i></b> If you’re just now starting to study for the ASVAB, don’t panic. Take a practice exam and score each subtest to see where you need to focus your time in the next two weeks. Then get studying!</p>\n<h2>One day before test day</h2>\n<p>If there were ever a time not to stress, this is it. Follow these suggestions to prepare for the big day:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Relax and enjoy your day because the last thing you need is built-up anxiety.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Pack up everything you need to take the test, such as your ID card, any necessary paperwork, directions to the test site, lip balm, reading glasses, car keys, and so on, and be sure to set your alarm.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Break down your final study review into two one-hour sessions:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">During the first hour, concentrate on your weak subjects. Read over the types of questions and the work you’ve done to prepare for them. Then take a break.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">During the second hour, look over the highlights and any notes you have for each subtest.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Stay hydrated with plenty of water.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Get at least eight hours of rest.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"4 ways to fine-tune specific ASVAB study areas","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>After you’ve identified which ASVAB subjects you’re the weakest in, concentrate on boosting your abilities in those areas to improve your overall success on the exam. These tips can point you in the right direction as you study:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Check out library books about the specific subject you’re struggling with, such as human anatomy or beginner’s electronics.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Review reliable online sources related to ASVAB subjects.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Ask someone in your community to tutor you. For example, get your Uncle Joe to show you the parts under the hood of his prized Camaro.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Study with a buddy. Saying things out loud can help with memorization. Not to mention, studying with someone else makes you more accountable and can even make learning fun.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"10 ways to memorize information for the ASVAB","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Many subtests in the ASVAB, such as General Science, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, and Auto and Shop Information are hard to ace because you probably didn’t learn much about them in high school. So you may need to memorize facts and illustrations to do well in the areas of the ASVAB that you aren’t familiar with. Use these ten study methods to trick your brain into remembering all the things you need to know to get an excellent score on the ASVAB:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Acronyms:</b> An <i>acronym</i> uses the initial or important letters of a phrase to create an easily memorable abbreviation, such as PEMDAS to help remember the order of operations in mathematics (<b>p</b>arenthesis, <b>e</b>xponents, <b>m</b>ultiplication, <b>d</b>ivision, <b>a</b>ddition, and <b>s</b>ubtraction).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Acrostics:</b> This mnemonic device uses a group of words that start with particular letters to convey a meaning, such as the newly revised acrostic “My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nothing,” to help you remember the eight planets (sans Pluto): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Categorizing:</b> Mentally dividing information into categories can help you remember similarities and differences. For example, studying plants and animals separately may help you remember photosynthesis, which occurs in plants, not animals.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Chunking:</b> Especially helpful with numbers, <i>chunking</i> is the process of breaking big chunks of information into smaller segments. For example, you can break larger numbers into shorter segments to help you remember them. That’s why you memorize phone numbers by saying “five, five, five, (pause) one, two, three, four.”</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Loci method:</b> This mnemonic device helps you remember something if you can associate that thing with a familiar place (<i>loci</i> means “location”). For example, if you visualize E = MC<sup>2</sup> spray-painted on your bedroom wall, you’re sure to see that picture when you close your eyes, which helps you memorize that formula.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Q and A:</b> Question-and-answer practice is a good study tool for memory if you have more than one person available to quiz you. Get the most out of this study technique by using it together with the re-review method later in this list.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Recording:</b> Recording yourself reviewing information (such as vocabulary definitions) and then playing it back aids in memory retention.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Re-review:</b> Reviewing new information more than once in the same day helps set that information in your brain more effectively than waiting a few days to look over it.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Rhymes:</b> Rhyming with catchy phrases and sentences is an easy way to retain information. For example, “<i>i</i> before <i>e</i> except after <i>c</i>” is a popular rhyme used to help spell some words in the English language.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Visualizing:</b> Creating mental pictures of different concepts you want to memorize makes remembering them easier. For instance, picturing yourself running a marathon, exhausted and out of breath, may help you remember that the <i>exhaust</i> of a car is the tailpipe that blows out the smoke.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-08T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":207899},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:57:28+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-11T16:43:30+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:06+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"ASVAB AFQT For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"asvab afqt for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"asvab-afqt-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn about the AFQT score, eligibility scores for different military branches, and how to do well on the math subtests.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If you're thinking about joining the U.S. military, your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score may well be the most important score you achieve on any military test. You need a qualifying score on the AFQT, or your plans for enlistment come to a dead end — and each branch of the military has its own minimum AFQT score requirements.\r\n\r\nPart of getting a high score on the AFQT involves brushing up on your math skills. You need to memorize key formulas and use proven test-taking strategies to maximize your chances for a high math score. The other part is making sure you have a firm grasp on English; in order to ace the language parts of the AFQT, you need a solid vocabulary and good reading comprehension skills.","description":"If you're thinking about joining the U.S. military, your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score may well be the most important score you achieve on any military test. You need a qualifying score on the AFQT, or your plans for enlistment come to a dead end — and each branch of the military has its own minimum AFQT score requirements.\r\n\r\nPart of getting a high score on the AFQT involves brushing up on your math skills. You need to memorize key formulas and use proven test-taking strategies to maximize your chances for a high math score. The other part is making sure you have a firm grasp on English; in order to ace the language parts of the AFQT, you need a solid vocabulary and good reading comprehension skills.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}},{"authorId":9112,"name":"Rod Powers","slug":"rod-powers","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9112"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":248835,"title":"Use Commutative and Associative Properties to Speed Up the ASVAB AFQT","slug":"use-commutative-associative-properties-speed-asvab-afqt","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248835"}},{"articleId":248832,"title":"Solving Real-World Problems on the ASVAB AFQT","slug":"solving-real-world-problems-asvab-afqt","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248832"}},{"articleId":248829,"title":"Solving Percent Problems on the ASVAB AFQT","slug":"solving-percent-problems-asvab-afqt","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248829"}},{"articleId":248826,"title":"ASVAB AFQT Practice: Identifying Formulas","slug":"asvab-afqt-practice-identifying-formulas","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248826"}},{"articleId":248823,"title":"Solving Equations and Inequalities on the ASVAB AFQT","slug":"solving-equations-inequalities-asvab-afqt","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248823"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281964,"slug":"asvab-afqt-for-dummies-book-8-practice-tests-online-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119413653","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119413656/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119413656/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119413656-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119413656/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119413656/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/asvab-afqt-for-dummies-book-3rd-edition-cover-9781119413653-199x255.jpg","width":199,"height":255},"title":"ASVAB AFQT For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"11018\">Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she's the CBRN noncommissioned officer-in-charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b data-author-id=\"9112\">Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}},{"authorId":9112,"name":"Rod Powers","slug":"rod-powers","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9112"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119413653&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b1a29762\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119413653&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b1a2a0fe\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":194271,"title":"ASVAB AFQT Qualifying Scores","slug":"asvab-afqt-qualifying-scores","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194271"}},{"articleId":194270,"title":"Acing the Math Subtests of the ASVAB AFQT","slug":"acing-the-math-subtests-of-the-asvab-afqt","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194270"}}],"content":[{"title":"ASVAB AFQT qualifying scores","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>To enlist in the U.S. military, you have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam, which consists of nine separately timed subtests. These subtests are used by the military to determine your aptitude to learn various military jobs.</p>\n<p>Four of the ASVAB subtests are used to compute the Armed Forces AFQT score, a percentile score that runs from 1 to 99. This score determines whether you&#8217;re qualified to join the military service of your choice. Each branch of the military has its own minimum AFQT score standards:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Army (including Army National Guard and Army Reserves):</strong> The Army requires a minimum AFQT score of 31 for those with a high school diploma and a score of 50 for those with a high school equivalency certificate. When the Army is experiencing high recruiting and reenlistment rates, it has been known to temporarily increase its qualifying AFQT score minimum to as high as 50.</li>\n<li><strong>Air Force (including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves):</strong> Air Force recruits must score at least a 36 on the AFQT to qualify for enlistment, but more than 70 percent of people who are accepted for an Air Force enlistment score 50 or above. For those who have a high school equivalency certificate instead of a high school diploma, the minimum score is 65.</li>\n<li><strong>Navy:</strong> Navy recruits must score at least 35 on the AFQT to qualify for enlistment. If you have a high school equivalency certificate, the minimum score is 50.</li>\n<li><strong>Navy Reserves:</strong> The Navy Reserves requires a minimum score of 31 on the AFQT for those with a high school diploma and 50 for those with a high school equivalency certificate. The Navy is the only branch for which the requirements for the Reserves are different from the requirements for the branch itself.</li>\n<li><strong>Marine Corps (including Marine Corps Reserves):</strong> Marine Corps recruits must score at least 32. People who have a high school equivalency certificate must score a minimum of 50 on the AFQT to be considered. The Marine Corps limits GED enlistments to about 5 percent to 10 percent per year.</li>\n<li><strong>Coast Guard (including Coast Guard Reserves):</strong> The Coast Guard requires a minimum of 40 points on the AFQT. A waiver is possible for applicants with prior service if their ASVAB line scores qualify them for a specific job and they&#8217;re willing to enlist in that job. The minimum AFQT score for people who have a high school equivalency certificate is 50.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Acing the math subtests","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Two of the four subtests that make up your AFQT score are math tests. The first, Arithmetic Reasoning, tests your ability to use mathematics to solve various problems that you may encounter in real life — in other words, math word problems. The second, Mathematics Knowledge, tests your ability to solve general math problems. Here are some tips to help maximize your ASVAB math subtest scores:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Memorize the math order of operations.</strong> Start by working everything in parentheses. Then move on to exponents. Then perform any multiplication and division. End with addition and subtraction. An easy way to remember this order is to think of the phrase, “<strong>P</strong>lease <strong>E</strong>xcuse <strong>M</strong>y <strong>D</strong>ear <strong>A</strong>unt <strong>S</strong>ally” (<strong>P</strong>arentheses, <strong>E</strong>xponents, <strong>M</strong>ultiply, <strong>D</strong>ivide, <strong>A</strong>dd, <strong>S</strong>ubtract). While this order is flexible in some situations, knowing the basic order will help you maximize your score.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Remember the apples-and-oranges rule. </strong>Be sure to convert units of measurement so that they’re consistent. If a question asks how many 3-x-6-inch bricks it will take to cover a 6-x-6-foot patio, be sure to recognize that inches and feet are two different measurements and perform the necessary conversions.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Memorize common math formulas before the day of the test. </strong>These formulas are not provided for you at the testing center. After you receive your scratch paper, take a moment before the test starts and write down all the formulas you’ve memorized. Here’s a list of some of the formulas you need to know:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Perimeter of a square:</strong> <em>p</em> = 4<em>s</em>, where <em>s</em> = one side of the square</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Area of a square:</strong> <em>a</em> = <em>s</em><sup>2</sup></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Diagonal of a square:</strong></p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/167363.image0.png\" alt=\"image0.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"34\" /></li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Perimeter of a rectangle:</strong> <em>p</em> = 2<em>l</em> + 2<em>w</em>, where <em>l</em> = the length and <em>w</em> = the width of the rectangle</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Area of a rectangle:</strong> <em>a</em> = <em>lw</em></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Diagonal of a rectangle:</strong></p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/167364.image1.png\" alt=\"image1.png\" width=\"110\" height=\"29\" />, where <em>d =</em> the diagonal, <em>l =</em> the length, and <em>w =</em> the width of the rectangle. This formula is the Pythagorean theorem solved for the hypotenuse (c) — it just uses different letters.</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Perimeter of a triangle:</strong> <em>p</em> = <em>s</em><sub>1</sub> + <em>s</em><sub>2</sub> + <em>s</em><sub>3</sub>, where <em>s</em> = the length of each leg of the triangle</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Area of a triangle</strong><strong>:</strong></p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/167365.image2.png\" alt=\"image2.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"59\" />, where <em>b</em> = the length of the triangle’s base (bottom) and <em>h</em> = the height of the triangle</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Pythagorean theorem:</strong> <em>a</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>b</em><sup>2</sup> = <em>c</em><sup>2</sup>, where <em>c</em> equals the length of a right triangle’s hypotenuse, and <em>a</em> and <em>b</em> equal the lengths of the remaining two legs of the right triangle</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Radius of a circle</strong><strong>:</strong></p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/167366.image3.png\" alt=\"image3.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"66\" />, <strong> </strong>where <em>d</em> = the diameter of the circle</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Diameter of a circle:</strong> <em>d</em> = 2<em>r</em></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Circumference of a circle: </strong><em>c</em> = 2Π<em>r</em></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Area of a circle:</strong> <em>a</em> = Π<em>r</em><sup>2</sup></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Volume of a cube:</strong> <em>v</em> = <em>s</em><sup>3</sup>, where <em>s</em> = the length of one side of the cube</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Volume of a rectangular box:</strong> <em>v</em> = <em>lwh</em>, where <em>l</em> = the length, <em>w</em> = the width, and <em>h</em> = the height of the box</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Volume of a cylinder:</strong> <em>v</em> = Π<em>r</em><sup>2</sup><em>h</em>, where <em>r</em> = the radius of the cylinder and <em>h</em> = the height of the cylinder</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Surface area of a cube:</strong> <em>SA</em> = 6<em>s</em><sup>2</sup></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Surface area of a rectangular box:</strong> <em>SA</em> =2<em>lw</em> + 2<em>wh</em> + 2<em>lh</em></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Use the scratch paper provided to help you solve problems.</strong> Draw a picture for math word problems to help you visualize the situation and pick out the relevant information. <strong><em>Remember:</em></strong> You can’t use a calculator on any of the AFQT subtests.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>For difficult problems, try plugging the possible answer choices into the equation to see which one is right.</strong></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Learn to separate the meat from the fat, and select only the information needed to solve the problem.</strong> Math word problems often provide extra information to confuse you.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-11T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209273},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:49:13+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-09-16T20:08:17+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:38+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"Military Flight Aptitude Tests For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"military flight aptitude tests for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"military-flight-aptitude-tests-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Set on becoming a military aviator? Learn how to ace the military flight aptitude tests administered by the armed services.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If your sights are set on becoming a military aviator, you need to do well on a military flight aptitude test administered by the armed services — the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps — and the Coast Guard. Whether you're taking the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), the Army's Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT), or the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB, used by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard), be sure to create a study plan, prepare yourself for test day, and brush up on your multiple-choice skills.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-288424 size-large\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/MilitaryFlightAptitude-597x586.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"597\" height=\"586\" />\r\n\r\nPhoto by James Lewis on Unsplash","description":"If your sights are set on becoming a military aviator, you need to do well on a military flight aptitude test administered by the armed services — the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps — and the Coast Guard. Whether you're taking the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), the Army's Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT), or the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB, used by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard), be sure to create a study plan, prepare yourself for test day, and brush up on your multiple-choice skills.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-288424 size-large\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/MilitaryFlightAptitude-597x586.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"597\" height=\"586\" />\r\n\r\nPhoto by James Lewis on Unsplash","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221afe0bbdf\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221afe0c646\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":164825,"title":"Creating an Effective Flight Aptitude Test Study Plan","slug":"creating-an-effective-flight-aptitude-test-study-plan","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164825"}},{"articleId":164824,"title":"Getting Ready for Military Flight Aptitude Test Day","slug":"getting-ready-for-military-flight-aptitude-test-day","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164824"}},{"articleId":164823,"title":"Strategies for Solving Multiple-Choice Questions on Military Flight Aptitude Tests","slug":"strategies-for-solving-multiple-choice-questions-on-military-flight-aptitude-tests","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/164823"}}],"content":[{"title":"Creating an effective flight aptitude test study plan","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Studying for the military flight aptitude test is serious business, so you need a study plan. Fly through the flight aptitude test by including these two key study points in your plan:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Commit to a study schedule.</b> Getting ready for the military flight aptitude test requires dedication and determination. A proper study schedule is going to eat up a lot, if not most, of your free time; you have to be prepared to resist temptations and distractions as much as possible.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para Remember\">Depending on how far out you are from test day, you should commit to at least two to three hours per day of test prep. If at all possible, start your schedule at least three to six months before your first exam (the more time the better) and plan to schedule at least a month between each branch service test you intend to take.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Practice taking tests.</b> The old saying &#8220;practice makes perfect&#8221; holds true for taking military flight aptitude tests. To maximize your study time, take practice tests in an informal setting at the beginning of your test preparation to determine your exact strong and weak areas.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">About two-thirds through your study program, take practice exams (one per sitting) in a formalized setting. Start with the branch you least want to join and work up to your highest-priority test. Pretend you&#8217;re taking the real test; try to find an unfamiliar setting where you won&#8217;t be distracted and use the same mental approach as you would for the real deal.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Score your practice test, and then informally review the questions you answered incorrectly, spending time refreshing yourself on those topics. A few days later, retake the questions you answered incorrectly to cement this information into your long-term memory. Then you can do additional review and set a time to take the next practice test.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Getting ready for military flight aptitude test day","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>As with any test, you want to be in tip-top shape the day of your military flight aptitude test. Ready yourself for flight aptitude test day by heeding the following exam-day tips:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Arrive well rested.</b> If you’re tired, worn out, hung over, or otherwise not at your very best physical and mental condition when you take the military flight aptitude test, chances are your score will suffer for it. Get plenty of sleep the night before you take the test, and avoid using alcohol or an excessive amount of caffeine.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Dress in layers.</b> Your testing room may not be the most comfortable place — it may be freezing cold, miserably hot, or somewhere in between. You won’t know until you get there. Dress in layers that you can easily remove or add as the test environment changes. Specifically, bring a sweater or light jacket with you. If you end up not needing it, great; if you find yourself cold, having the extra layer available will be a huge relief.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Fuel up.</b> Your brain needs sustained energy while you’re taking the test, so you should carefully consider what you eat and drink the morning of your military flight aptitude test. When preparing your test-day breakfast (most if not all tests start in the morning), don’t consume tons of carbohydrates, especially the simple carbs found in such foods as sugary cereal, maple syrup, and sweet tea. Simple carbohydrates can cause a mental rush followed by a crash. Enjoy a balanced meal with an emphasis on proteins (eggs, sausage, bacon, and so on) to maximize your mental alertness. Go easy on the caffeine the morning of the test — just drink your normal amount of coffee or tea.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pack for test day.</b> Although some locations don’t allow you to carry a bag into the testing room with you, go ahead and pack a light duffel or book bag with a sweater or jacket, some light snacks full of complex carbohydrates (such as an energy bar or fruit), a bottle of water, and (if you’re a coffee drinker) perhaps a small thermos of coffee. In winter, you may want to consider bringing a change of shoes so you don’t have to take the test in soggy snow boots. Depending on which of the military flight aptitude tests you take and the rules regarding calculator use on that test, you may (in the future) also be allowed to bring along a simple calculator to use on the math sections. (The calculator can’t have any memory capability to store formulas or other test aids, though.)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Arrive early.</b> Getting to the test site early is better than arriving late or even barely on time. You give yourself the opportunity to relax a little before the test starts. If you find yourself rushing to the test site the morning of the test because you got a late start or you got stuck in traffic, you’ll probably arrive frazzled, which isn’t going to help you do your very best.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Reschedule if you need to.</b> If you aren’t feeling up to taking the exam on your scheduled day, don’t hesitate to reschedule! You’re better off to wait and make sure you’re on your game for the exam than to waste the opportunity. Be aware, though, that rescheduling more than once reduces the likelihood that the application staff will be willing to accommodate any additional changes in your schedule. If you must reschedule an exam, do it as early as possible, and don’t make a habit of it.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Strategies for solving multiple-choice questions on military flight aptitude tests","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Most military flight aptitude test questions are multiple-choice questions that can require some strategic solving. Succeeding at multiple-choice tests requires mastering the solving strategies of the multiple-choice trade, general confidence in your test preparation, and core knowledge on the subject. Just knowing how to think when it comes to multiple-choice questions can vastly improve your test scores.</p>\n<p>Here are the most effective tactics for tackling the multiple-choice questions you encounter when you take the AFOQT, SIFT, or ASTB:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Read and understand the directions.</b> Sit down, take a deep breath, and make sure that you clearly understand what the test is asking you to do. If you have a question about the directions, ask the proctor (although the proctors have specific guidelines about what information they can give you that may or may not allow them to answer your question). Pay special attention to time limits for each section of the test, the number of questions you have to answer in the given amount of time, and any extra materials that you may be allowed to use, such as scratch paper and possibly a calculator.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Start with the easier questions.</b> Because all questions in each test section count the same, you don&#8217;t want to spend so much time on one difficult question that you miss the opportunity to answer five other questions. When you encounter a difficult or time-consuming question, set that question aside and answer questions that are easier or that require less time to complete. You can then go back and tackle the harder ones.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Maximize guesses with the process of elimination.</b> First, eliminate any answers you know for a fact can&#8217;t be correct. Decide how likely you think each remaining answer is to be correct and then pick the one you feel most strongly about. If you&#8217;re left with two answers that you&#8217;re evenly split between, consider choosing the longest answer or eliminating an answer that includes the term <i>always</i> or <i>never.</i> These last two criteria aren&#8217;t hard-and-fast rules; they&#8217;re just suggestions for helping you pull the trigger on a final educated guess.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para Remember\">The military flight aptitude tests don&#8217;t penalize you for guessing incorrectly, so filling in something always gives you a better chance at earning points than leaving the question blank does.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Mark answers carefully.</b> Make sure you mark the correct answer on the correct section on the correct form and that it indeed correlates to the question you&#8217;re answering. Putting answer 12 on the spot for question 13 is an easy mistake, so be sure to double-check your work periodically. After you find the correct spot for your answer, don&#8217;t sabotage your correct answer by filling in the oval sloppily. You need to completely fill in the oval without running outside the lines.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-16T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":207928},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-07-05T18:06:47+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-08-30T16:26:06+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:33+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"Taking the ASVAB Test: Paper or Computerized?","strippedTitle":"taking the asvab test: paper or computerized?","slug":"taking-asvab-test-paper-computerized","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"The ASVAB test is administered using either a computerized or paper version. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of each.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Many versions of the ASVAB exist, but you don’t have a say in which one you take. The versions primarily boil down to two basic differences: the computerized version and the paper version. Each version has advantages and disadvantages.\r\n\r\nIf you’re taking the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ASVAB</a> as part of the student program in high school, you’ll take the paper version of the test—the one that doesn’t include the Assembling Objects subtest.\r\n\r\nIf you’re taking the ASVAB to enlist in the military, you’ll take the enlistment ASVAB. This version comes in two formats: computerized (CAT-ASVAB) and paper-and-pencil (P&P).\r\n\r\nYou may even take the \"Pre-screening, online Computerized Adaptive Test\" (PiCAT) on your own time.\r\n\r\nIn any event, there’s a great chance that you’ll take a computerized version, because to save time and money, recruiters often accompany their applicants to the nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for testing, medical examination, and enlistment (one-stop shopping).\r\n\r\nMEPS only uses the computerized version, and the P&P version is offered only at Military Entrance Test (MET) sites that aren’t within an easy traveling distance to MEPS. If your high school schedules a testing event, you’ll most likely take the P&P version as well.\r\n\r\nYour recruiter might be able to schedule an ASVAB-only test session and bring you back in for a follow-up physical (and to sign your contract) if you can’t complete everything in one day. There are 65 MEPS locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, and MET sites are located in each state (often at National Guard armories or local high schools).\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Cheating gets you thrown out of the testing location. But even if you were able to get away with looking at your neighbor’s paper or computer screen, you’d fail the test. There are several versions of the test, and the people sitting around you have different questions presented in different orders.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Going paperless: The pros and cons of the computerized test</h2>\r\nThe computerized version of the ASVAB uses <em>computerized adaptive testing</em> (CAT) to make sure each applicant gets questions tailored to his or her ability level. This version, called the CAT-ASVAB, presents test questions in a different format. It adapts the questions it offers you based on your level of proficiency (that’s why it’s called <em>adaptive</em>).\r\n\r\nIn a CAT test, the first test item is of average difficulty. If you answer this question correctly, the next question may be more difficult. If you answer that first question incorrectly, the computer will most likely follow with an easier question. By contrast, on the paper ASVAB, easy and hard questions are presented randomly.\r\n\r\nThe CAT-ASVAB also has fewer questions than the paper-and-pencil version has — the people who designed it did that on purpose. With this type of testing, the computer can quickly determine how much you know without asking you a full range of very easy to very hard questions.\r\n\r\nMaybe it’s because people today are more comfortable in front of a computer than with a pencil, but military recruiters have noted that among applicants who’ve taken both the paper-based and computerized versions of the ASVAB, many applicants tend to score slightly higher on the computerized version of the test.\r\n\r\nYou don’t have to be a computer guru to appreciate the advantages of the computerized version of the ASVAB:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>It’s impossible to record your answer in the wrong space on the answer sheet.</strong> Questions and possible answers are presented on the screen, and you press the key that corresponds to your answer choice before moving on to the next question. Often, only the A, B, C, and D keys are activated when you take the test.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The difficulty of the test items presented depends on whether you answered the previous question correctly.</strong> On the two math subtests of the ASVAB, harder questions are worth more points than easier questions are, so this method helps maximize your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>You get your scores right away.</strong> The computer automatically calculates and prints your standard scores for each subtest and your line scores for each service branch. This machine is a pretty smart cookie — it also calculates your AFQT percentile score on the spot. You usually know whether you qualify for military enlistment on the same day you take the test and, if so, which jobs you qualify for.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOn the downside, you can’t skip questions or change your answers after you enter them on the CAT-ASVAB. Instead of being able to go through and immediately answer all of the questions you’re sure of, you have to answer each question as it comes. This can make it difficult to judge how much time to spend on a tough question before guessing and moving on. Also, if you have a few minutes at the end of the test, you can’t go back and make sure you marked the correct answer to each question.\r\n\r\nFinally, the CAT-ASVAB is the only version of the test that includes tryout questions, which can stretch out your total test-taking time. But on a positive note, the tryout questions don’t affect your score.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >The PiCAT: The ASVAB’S stay-at-home cousin</h2>\r\nThe Pre-screening, internet-delivered Computer Adaptive Test, or PiCAT, is the military’s way of operating more efficiently and speeding up the enlistment process. It allows recruiters to give applicants a special access code to take a full-length, unproctored ASVAB on any computer.\r\n\r\nAfter a recruit completes the PiCAT, and his or her scores are high enough to enlist in the military, the recruiter can take the recruit to MEPS for verification testing. Verification testing takes 25 to 30 minutes, and its purpose is simple: to make sure the recruit wasn’t at home looking up answers to ASVAB test questions.\r\n\r\nWhen PiCAT scores are verified (meaning the recruit most likely didn’t cheat on the test), the recruit is good to go for enlistment. When the scores <em>aren’t</em> verified (meaning the recruit scored poorly on the verification test compared to how they scored on the PiCAT), the recruit must take a full-length ASVAB at MEPS. The resulting ASVAB score will be the score of record.\r\n\r\nNot all recruiters use the PiCAT, and those who do may not use it for all applicants.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Writing on hard copy: The advantages and disadvantages of the paper version</h2>\r\nThe questions on the CAT-ASVAB are the same questions you get on the paper version. Some people feel that the paper-and-pencil ASVAB provides certain advantages:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>You can skip questions that you don’t know the answer to and come back to them later.</strong> This option can help when you’re racing against the clock and want to get as many answers right as possible. You can change an answer on the subtest you’re currently working on, but you can’t change an answer on a subtest after the time for that subtest has expired.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>You may not make any marks in the exam booklet; however, you may make notes on your scratch paper.</strong> If you skip a question, you can lightly circle the item number on your answer sheet to remind yourself to go back to it. If you don’t know the answer to a question, you can mentally cross off the answers that seem unlikely or wrong to you and then guess based on the remaining answers. Be sure to erase any stray marks you make on your answer sheet before time is called for that subtest.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nKilling trees isn’t the only disadvantage of the paper-based test. Other drawbacks include the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Harder questions are randomly intermingled with easier questions.</strong> This means you can find yourself spending too much time trying to figure out the answer to a question that’s too hard for you and may miss answering some easier questions at the end of the subtest, thereby lowering your overall score.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The paper answer sheets are scored by using an optical mark scanning machine.</strong> The machine has a conniption when it comes across an incompletely filled-in answer circle or a stray pencil mark and will often stubbornly refuse to give you credit, even if you answered correctly.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Getting your scores may seem like it takes forever.</strong> The timeline varies; however, your recruiter will have access to your score no later than 72 hours after you finish the test (not counting days the MEPS doesn’t work, such as weekend days or holidays).</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"Many versions of the ASVAB exist, but you don’t have a say in which one you take. The versions primarily boil down to two basic differences: the computerized version and the paper version. Each version has advantages and disadvantages.\r\n\r\nIf you’re taking the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/asvab-test/asvab-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ASVAB</a> as part of the student program in high school, you’ll take the paper version of the test—the one that doesn’t include the Assembling Objects subtest.\r\n\r\nIf you’re taking the ASVAB to enlist in the military, you’ll take the enlistment ASVAB. This version comes in two formats: computerized (CAT-ASVAB) and paper-and-pencil (P&P).\r\n\r\nYou may even take the \"Pre-screening, online Computerized Adaptive Test\" (PiCAT) on your own time.\r\n\r\nIn any event, there’s a great chance that you’ll take a computerized version, because to save time and money, recruiters often accompany their applicants to the nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for testing, medical examination, and enlistment (one-stop shopping).\r\n\r\nMEPS only uses the computerized version, and the P&P version is offered only at Military Entrance Test (MET) sites that aren’t within an easy traveling distance to MEPS. If your high school schedules a testing event, you’ll most likely take the P&P version as well.\r\n\r\nYour recruiter might be able to schedule an ASVAB-only test session and bring you back in for a follow-up physical (and to sign your contract) if you can’t complete everything in one day. There are 65 MEPS locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, and MET sites are located in each state (often at National Guard armories or local high schools).\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Cheating gets you thrown out of the testing location. But even if you were able to get away with looking at your neighbor’s paper or computer screen, you’d fail the test. There are several versions of the test, and the people sitting around you have different questions presented in different orders.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Going paperless: The pros and cons of the computerized test</h2>\r\nThe computerized version of the ASVAB uses <em>computerized adaptive testing</em> (CAT) to make sure each applicant gets questions tailored to his or her ability level. This version, called the CAT-ASVAB, presents test questions in a different format. It adapts the questions it offers you based on your level of proficiency (that’s why it’s called <em>adaptive</em>).\r\n\r\nIn a CAT test, the first test item is of average difficulty. If you answer this question correctly, the next question may be more difficult. If you answer that first question incorrectly, the computer will most likely follow with an easier question. By contrast, on the paper ASVAB, easy and hard questions are presented randomly.\r\n\r\nThe CAT-ASVAB also has fewer questions than the paper-and-pencil version has — the people who designed it did that on purpose. With this type of testing, the computer can quickly determine how much you know without asking you a full range of very easy to very hard questions.\r\n\r\nMaybe it’s because people today are more comfortable in front of a computer than with a pencil, but military recruiters have noted that among applicants who’ve taken both the paper-based and computerized versions of the ASVAB, many applicants tend to score slightly higher on the computerized version of the test.\r\n\r\nYou don’t have to be a computer guru to appreciate the advantages of the computerized version of the ASVAB:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>It’s impossible to record your answer in the wrong space on the answer sheet.</strong> Questions and possible answers are presented on the screen, and you press the key that corresponds to your answer choice before moving on to the next question. Often, only the A, B, C, and D keys are activated when you take the test.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The difficulty of the test items presented depends on whether you answered the previous question correctly.</strong> On the two math subtests of the ASVAB, harder questions are worth more points than easier questions are, so this method helps maximize your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>You get your scores right away.</strong> The computer automatically calculates and prints your standard scores for each subtest and your line scores for each service branch. This machine is a pretty smart cookie — it also calculates your AFQT percentile score on the spot. You usually know whether you qualify for military enlistment on the same day you take the test and, if so, which jobs you qualify for.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOn the downside, you can’t skip questions or change your answers after you enter them on the CAT-ASVAB. Instead of being able to go through and immediately answer all of the questions you’re sure of, you have to answer each question as it comes. This can make it difficult to judge how much time to spend on a tough question before guessing and moving on. Also, if you have a few minutes at the end of the test, you can’t go back and make sure you marked the correct answer to each question.\r\n\r\nFinally, the CAT-ASVAB is the only version of the test that includes tryout questions, which can stretch out your total test-taking time. But on a positive note, the tryout questions don’t affect your score.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >The PiCAT: The ASVAB’S stay-at-home cousin</h2>\r\nThe Pre-screening, internet-delivered Computer Adaptive Test, or PiCAT, is the military’s way of operating more efficiently and speeding up the enlistment process. It allows recruiters to give applicants a special access code to take a full-length, unproctored ASVAB on any computer.\r\n\r\nAfter a recruit completes the PiCAT, and his or her scores are high enough to enlist in the military, the recruiter can take the recruit to MEPS for verification testing. Verification testing takes 25 to 30 minutes, and its purpose is simple: to make sure the recruit wasn’t at home looking up answers to ASVAB test questions.\r\n\r\nWhen PiCAT scores are verified (meaning the recruit most likely didn’t cheat on the test), the recruit is good to go for enlistment. When the scores <em>aren’t</em> verified (meaning the recruit scored poorly on the verification test compared to how they scored on the PiCAT), the recruit must take a full-length ASVAB at MEPS. The resulting ASVAB score will be the score of record.\r\n\r\nNot all recruiters use the PiCAT, and those who do may not use it for all applicants.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Writing on hard copy: The advantages and disadvantages of the paper version</h2>\r\nThe questions on the CAT-ASVAB are the same questions you get on the paper version. Some people feel that the paper-and-pencil ASVAB provides certain advantages:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>You can skip questions that you don’t know the answer to and come back to them later.</strong> This option can help when you’re racing against the clock and want to get as many answers right as possible. You can change an answer on the subtest you’re currently working on, but you can’t change an answer on a subtest after the time for that subtest has expired.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>You may not make any marks in the exam booklet; however, you may make notes on your scratch paper.</strong> If you skip a question, you can lightly circle the item number on your answer sheet to remind yourself to go back to it. If you don’t know the answer to a question, you can mentally cross off the answers that seem unlikely or wrong to you and then guess based on the remaining answers. Be sure to erase any stray marks you make on your answer sheet before time is called for that subtest.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nKilling trees isn’t the only disadvantage of the paper-based test. Other drawbacks include the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Harder questions are randomly intermingled with easier questions.</strong> This means you can find yourself spending too much time trying to figure out the answer to a question that’s too hard for you and may miss answering some easier questions at the end of the subtest, thereby lowering your overall score.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The paper answer sheets are scored by using an optical mark scanning machine.</strong> The machine has a conniption when it comes across an incompletely filled-in answer circle or a stray pencil mark and will often stubbornly refuse to give you credit, even if you answered correctly.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Getting your scores may seem like it takes forever.</strong> The timeline varies; however, your recruiter will have access to your score no later than 72 hours after you finish the test (not counting days the MEPS doesn’t work, such as weekend days or holidays).</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Going paperless: The pros and cons of the computerized test","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"The PiCAT: The ASVAB’S stay-at-home cousin","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Writing on hard copy: The advantages and disadvantages of the paper version","target":"#tab3"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":142395,"title":"Knowing Which Version of the ASVAB You’re Taking","slug":"knowing-which-version-of-the-asvab-youre-taking","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142395"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283798,"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283798"}},{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282735,"slug":"2021-2022-asvab-for-dummies-book-7-practice-tests-online-flashcards-video-10th-edition","isbn":"9781119784173","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119784174-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119784174/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-2022-asvab-for-dummies-10th-edition-cover-9781119784173-199x255.jpg","width":199,"height":255},"title":"2021 / 2022 ASVAB For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"11018\">Angie Papple Johnston</b></b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":11018,"name":"Angie Papple Johnston","slug":"angie-papple-johnston","description":" <p><b>Angie Papple Johnston</b> joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she&#39;s the CBRN noncommissioned officer&#45;in&#45;charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. <b>Rod Powers</b> served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11018"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119784173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221af98b24e\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119784173&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221af98bced\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-08-19T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":221175},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2021-03-31T21:18:01+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-04-02T16:33:36+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Study Skills & Test Prep","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33772"},"slug":"study-skills-test-prep","categoryId":33772},{"name":"Armed Services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"},"slug":"armed-services","categoryId":33776}],"title":"Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT","strippedTitle":"mastering the science of movement training for the acft","slug":"mastering-the-science-of-movement-training-for-the-acft","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Discover the differences between movement training and muscle training and where the ACFT events fall in the 4Q model's quadrants.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If you walked into a gym right now, you’d most likely see rows of machines dedicated to training just one muscle at a time. Those are great for bodybuilders but not necessarily for the average soldier. Because most military occupational specialties (MOSs) have at least minimal physical demands, and because those demands require real-world movement, many of the machines at the gym are great supplements to your training. However, you definitely need movement training, too.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Distinguishing muscle training from movement training</h2>\r\nImproving athleticism, which is what the Army is really testing with the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/acft-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">ACFT</a>, requires a combination of muscular and movement-based training. Movement training is unlike muscle training. It harnesses your natural human kinetics—the way you move—and makes your movements stronger, more stable, and safer.\r\n\r\nIn standard muscle training, you have to isolate a muscle (or a group of muscles) to focus all your work there. Your intent is to put force in just one region of your body, like your chest, while the rest of your body is stabilized and still, and your goal is to see just how much force you can send into that region and still execute a movement, such as a chest press. You don’t want to “cheat” by using momentum because that means other muscles are pitching in to help you execute the movement. That’s fine if that’s the type of training you’re doing.\r\n\r\nBut when you need motor skills you can use outside the gym, and if you need to be efficient with your movement (like you do on the ACFT and on the battlefield), you need your muscles to work together to accomplish a result. Whether you’re putting together a GP Medium or carrying one of your squad members to safety, your movement training kicks in. Movement training is about improving motor tasks that take you outside the linear plane. Movement training integrates your whole body.\r\n\r\nAnd with the ACFT, the Army is testing your ability to pull off complex movements—not just your ability to use your pecs and a few smaller muscles to push yourself off the ground. That means you have to cross-train, use three-dimensional movements and your planar movements, and use weight training to complement everything you’re doing if you want to perform well on the ACFT.\r\n\r\nThese 3D movements come with a wide range of other benefits, too, such as improved\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Aerobic capacity</li>\r\n \t<li>Coordination</li>\r\n \t<li>Joint health</li>\r\n \t<li>Resiliency in multidirectional movements outside the gym</li>\r\n \t<li>Tensile strength in your connective tissues</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tech\">The more momentum you can harness while controlling your form, the more efficiently you work. Your brain automatically wants to execute all your body’s movements in ways that are easiest to accomplish—but not necessarily in ways that prevent injury (think about the last time you did bicep curls and threw your back into them, or picked up a box from the floor without bending your legs).</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Planar movement</h2>\r\nWith physical training, you can do your work in one or more of the three planes of motion: the sagittal plane, the frontal plane, and the transverse plane.\r\n\r\nIf you’re working in the <em>sagittal plane</em><em>,</em> you’re moving two-dimensionally—up and down or back and forth. In the <em>frontal plane</em><em>,</em> you’re making side-to-side movements. Finally, in the <em>transverse plane</em><em>,</em> you’re using twisting or rotating movements. Work in any of these planes can be <em>unloaded</em><em>,</em> which means you have only your body weight, or <em>loaded</em><em>,</em> which means you’re using an external mass while moving. An external mass can be anything from a barbell loaded with weight to your Improved Outer Tactical Vest, or IOTV.\r\n\r\nMost exercises in the three planes of motion fall into one or more of four main categories:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Unloaded linear movements: </strong>Linear movements are in the sagittal plane or the frontal plane. You’re running, cycling, or performing some types of strength training. Linear exercises move only horizontally or vertically.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Unloaded 3D movements: </strong>Movements that cross over the borders between the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes are 3D movements. Things like sports (tennis, football, baseball, and a number of others), dancing, and many types of martial arts use unloaded 3D movements.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Loaded linear movements: </strong>Loaded movements keep you in the sagittal or frontal plane and involve external weight. Running while carrying a litter, squatting with a bar on your back, and doing everyday bicep curls are loaded linear movements. The external weight can range from resistance bands and barbells to the flywheel of an adjustable stationary cycle or full battle rattle.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Loaded 3D movements: </strong>Working through different planes with an external weight means you’re doing loaded 3D movements. These movements, like agility drills, modified exercises (such as shoulder extensions with a trunk rotation), and lateral lunges with a plate reach involving rotation.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Strictly training in loaded linear movements can easily result in overuse injuries. Working in 3D allows other muscles, connective tissues, and joints to pitch in to complete a task, which “shares the load.”</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" ><a name=\"_Toc38280063\"></a>The 4Q model</h2>\r\nThe <em>4Q model</em> allows you to group exercises together by type: unloaded linear, unloaded 3D, loaded linear, and loaded 3D. (Check out the preceding section for more on these types of movements.) The figure shows the 4Q model, as well as some of the exercises that belong in each quadrant.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_283799\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-283799\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/acft-4q-model.jpg\" alt=\"The 4Q model.\" width=\"556\" height=\"471\" /> The 4Q model[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Training in all four quadrants is essential for optimal results. If your goal is overall strength and endurance, you can’t leave one (or more) out.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Unloaded training</h3>\r\n<em>Unloaded training</em>—commonly called <em>body weight training</em>—refers to exercises like push-ups and pull-ups. Despite what you’ve heard, body weight training isn’t inherently easier than loaded training is. The Leg Tuck on the ACFT is a perfect illustration of that; it’s all body weight, but for many people, it’s one of the most difficult exercises to perform.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc38280065\"></a>Loaded training</h3>\r\n<em>Loaded training</em> requires you to add external mass to movement. Any mass counts, whether it’s a 1-kilogram plate alone or a bar loaded with 400 pounds. How much mass you need to move to make gains and improve your fitness level depends on your current level of physical fitness. Your body will adapt to larger loads over time, provided that you use something that challenges you and forces a change in your muscles. When your body adapts to a certain amount of weight, it’s no longer going to force your muscles to adapt, so if you want to become stronger, you have to increase the mass of the loads you’re working with.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Loaded movements are movements that involve an external mass that’s not part of your body. Running is an unloaded linear movement, while running while wearing your IOTV is a loaded linear movement. Throwing your rucksack over a wall is a loaded 3D movement, and climbing up the wall after it (if you’re not wearing your kit) is an unloaded linear movement. (If you’re wearing your kit, it becomes a loaded linear movement.) Going over the top of the wall to come down on the other side is a 3D movement; it’s unloaded or loaded depending on whether you’re wearing your kit.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Loaded multi-planar (3D) training for the ACFT</h3>\r\nLoaded multi-planar training is relatively new—at least in the gym. Classic strength training isolates muscles with the purpose of strengthening only those muscles, as evidenced by people hitting the gym for “chest day” or “cardio day.” (Everyone knows what happens when “leg day” isn’t part of a weekly routine.)\r\n\r\nBut loaded multi-planar movement falls into the upper-right quadrant in the 4Q model, and training there is absolutely essential for passing the ACFT. The bottom line is that functioning in and out of the Army requires the human body to move mass while in motion, and most of the time, you have to move that mass in a way that asymmetrically loads your body or puts it in a weird position. If you’re only training to carry something by using both biceps evenly at the same time, without any help from your back or legs, you’re not going to perform as efficiently or as safely as you would if you practiced loaded movement training that integrated your whole body.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc38280066\"></a>ACFT events in the 4Q model</h3>\r\nThe table shows whether each of the ACFT events falls into the loaded linear or unloaded linear quadrant of the 4Q model. The test is mostly about linear movement, but training to perform well on the test requires you to work in all four quadrants. Each event gives the Army a good look at how you perform 3D movements, such as surmounting an obstacle or extracting a casualty from a vehicle, which are hard to grade. Some of the events require a combination of muscular strength and endurance plus cardiovascular endurance, such as the drag and carry shuttles of the Sprint-Drag-Carry.\r\n<table><caption><strong>ACFT Events in 4Q Quadrants</strong></caption>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\"><strong>Loaded Linear Movement</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"247\"><strong>Unloaded Linear Movement</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\">3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)</td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Hand Release Push-Up – Arm Extension (HRP)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Standing Power Throw (SPT)</td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)</td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Leg Tuck (LTK)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\"></td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Two-Mile Run (2MR)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nNote that the Sprint-Drag-Carry falls under two quadrants: loaded linear movement and unloaded linear movement. That’s because this single event comprises four individual activities. The sprints and laterals are unloaded linear movements, while the drag and carry are loaded linear movements.","description":"If you walked into a gym right now, you’d most likely see rows of machines dedicated to training just one muscle at a time. Those are great for bodybuilders but not necessarily for the average soldier. Because most military occupational specialties (MOSs) have at least minimal physical demands, and because those demands require real-world movement, many of the machines at the gym are great supplements to your training. However, you definitely need movement training, too.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Distinguishing muscle training from movement training</h2>\r\nImproving athleticism, which is what the Army is really testing with the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/test-prep/acft-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">ACFT</a>, requires a combination of muscular and movement-based training. Movement training is unlike muscle training. It harnesses your natural human kinetics—the way you move—and makes your movements stronger, more stable, and safer.\r\n\r\nIn standard muscle training, you have to isolate a muscle (or a group of muscles) to focus all your work there. Your intent is to put force in just one region of your body, like your chest, while the rest of your body is stabilized and still, and your goal is to see just how much force you can send into that region and still execute a movement, such as a chest press. You don’t want to “cheat” by using momentum because that means other muscles are pitching in to help you execute the movement. That’s fine if that’s the type of training you’re doing.\r\n\r\nBut when you need motor skills you can use outside the gym, and if you need to be efficient with your movement (like you do on the ACFT and on the battlefield), you need your muscles to work together to accomplish a result. Whether you’re putting together a GP Medium or carrying one of your squad members to safety, your movement training kicks in. Movement training is about improving motor tasks that take you outside the linear plane. Movement training integrates your whole body.\r\n\r\nAnd with the ACFT, the Army is testing your ability to pull off complex movements—not just your ability to use your pecs and a few smaller muscles to push yourself off the ground. That means you have to cross-train, use three-dimensional movements and your planar movements, and use weight training to complement everything you’re doing if you want to perform well on the ACFT.\r\n\r\nThese 3D movements come with a wide range of other benefits, too, such as improved\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Aerobic capacity</li>\r\n \t<li>Coordination</li>\r\n \t<li>Joint health</li>\r\n \t<li>Resiliency in multidirectional movements outside the gym</li>\r\n \t<li>Tensile strength in your connective tissues</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tech\">The more momentum you can harness while controlling your form, the more efficiently you work. Your brain automatically wants to execute all your body’s movements in ways that are easiest to accomplish—but not necessarily in ways that prevent injury (think about the last time you did bicep curls and threw your back into them, or picked up a box from the floor without bending your legs).</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Planar movement</h2>\r\nWith physical training, you can do your work in one or more of the three planes of motion: the sagittal plane, the frontal plane, and the transverse plane.\r\n\r\nIf you’re working in the <em>sagittal plane</em><em>,</em> you’re moving two-dimensionally—up and down or back and forth. In the <em>frontal plane</em><em>,</em> you’re making side-to-side movements. Finally, in the <em>transverse plane</em><em>,</em> you’re using twisting or rotating movements. Work in any of these planes can be <em>unloaded</em><em>,</em> which means you have only your body weight, or <em>loaded</em><em>,</em> which means you’re using an external mass while moving. An external mass can be anything from a barbell loaded with weight to your Improved Outer Tactical Vest, or IOTV.\r\n\r\nMost exercises in the three planes of motion fall into one or more of four main categories:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Unloaded linear movements: </strong>Linear movements are in the sagittal plane or the frontal plane. You’re running, cycling, or performing some types of strength training. Linear exercises move only horizontally or vertically.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Unloaded 3D movements: </strong>Movements that cross over the borders between the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes are 3D movements. Things like sports (tennis, football, baseball, and a number of others), dancing, and many types of martial arts use unloaded 3D movements.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Loaded linear movements: </strong>Loaded movements keep you in the sagittal or frontal plane and involve external weight. Running while carrying a litter, squatting with a bar on your back, and doing everyday bicep curls are loaded linear movements. The external weight can range from resistance bands and barbells to the flywheel of an adjustable stationary cycle or full battle rattle.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Loaded 3D movements: </strong>Working through different planes with an external weight means you’re doing loaded 3D movements. These movements, like agility drills, modified exercises (such as shoulder extensions with a trunk rotation), and lateral lunges with a plate reach involving rotation.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Strictly training in loaded linear movements can easily result in overuse injuries. Working in 3D allows other muscles, connective tissues, and joints to pitch in to complete a task, which “shares the load.”</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" ><a name=\"_Toc38280063\"></a>The 4Q model</h2>\r\nThe <em>4Q model</em> allows you to group exercises together by type: unloaded linear, unloaded 3D, loaded linear, and loaded 3D. (Check out the preceding section for more on these types of movements.) The figure shows the 4Q model, as well as some of the exercises that belong in each quadrant.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_283799\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-283799\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/acft-4q-model.jpg\" alt=\"The 4Q model.\" width=\"556\" height=\"471\" /> The 4Q model[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Training in all four quadrants is essential for optimal results. If your goal is overall strength and endurance, you can’t leave one (or more) out.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Unloaded training</h3>\r\n<em>Unloaded training</em>—commonly called <em>body weight training</em>—refers to exercises like push-ups and pull-ups. Despite what you’ve heard, body weight training isn’t inherently easier than loaded training is. The Leg Tuck on the ACFT is a perfect illustration of that; it’s all body weight, but for many people, it’s one of the most difficult exercises to perform.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc38280065\"></a>Loaded training</h3>\r\n<em>Loaded training</em> requires you to add external mass to movement. Any mass counts, whether it’s a 1-kilogram plate alone or a bar loaded with 400 pounds. How much mass you need to move to make gains and improve your fitness level depends on your current level of physical fitness. Your body will adapt to larger loads over time, provided that you use something that challenges you and forces a change in your muscles. When your body adapts to a certain amount of weight, it’s no longer going to force your muscles to adapt, so if you want to become stronger, you have to increase the mass of the loads you’re working with.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Loaded movements are movements that involve an external mass that’s not part of your body. Running is an unloaded linear movement, while running while wearing your IOTV is a loaded linear movement. Throwing your rucksack over a wall is a loaded 3D movement, and climbing up the wall after it (if you’re not wearing your kit) is an unloaded linear movement. (If you’re wearing your kit, it becomes a loaded linear movement.) Going over the top of the wall to come down on the other side is a 3D movement; it’s unloaded or loaded depending on whether you’re wearing your kit.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Loaded multi-planar (3D) training for the ACFT</h3>\r\nLoaded multi-planar training is relatively new—at least in the gym. Classic strength training isolates muscles with the purpose of strengthening only those muscles, as evidenced by people hitting the gym for “chest day” or “cardio day.” (Everyone knows what happens when “leg day” isn’t part of a weekly routine.)\r\n\r\nBut loaded multi-planar movement falls into the upper-right quadrant in the 4Q model, and training there is absolutely essential for passing the ACFT. The bottom line is that functioning in and out of the Army requires the human body to move mass while in motion, and most of the time, you have to move that mass in a way that asymmetrically loads your body or puts it in a weird position. If you’re only training to carry something by using both biceps evenly at the same time, without any help from your back or legs, you’re not going to perform as efficiently or as safely as you would if you practiced loaded movement training that integrated your whole body.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc38280066\"></a>ACFT events in the 4Q model</h3>\r\nThe table shows whether each of the ACFT events falls into the loaded linear or unloaded linear quadrant of the 4Q model. The test is mostly about linear movement, but training to perform well on the test requires you to work in all four quadrants. Each event gives the Army a good look at how you perform 3D movements, such as surmounting an obstacle or extracting a casualty from a vehicle, which are hard to grade. Some of the events require a combination of muscular strength and endurance plus cardiovascular endurance, such as the drag and carry shuttles of the Sprint-Drag-Carry.\r\n<table><caption><strong>ACFT Events in 4Q Quadrants</strong></caption>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\"><strong>Loaded Linear Movement</strong></td>\r\n<td width=\"247\"><strong>Unloaded Linear Movement</strong></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\">3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)</td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Hand Release Push-Up – Arm Extension (HRP)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Standing Power Throw (SPT)</td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)</td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Leg Tuck (LTK)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"247\"></td>\r\n<td width=\"247\">Two-Mile Run (2MR)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nNote that the Sprint-Drag-Carry falls under two quadrants: loaded linear movement and unloaded linear movement. That’s because this single event comprises four individual activities. The sprints and laterals are unloaded linear movements, while the drag and carry are loaded linear movements.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":34411,"name":"Angela Papple Johnston","slug":"angela-papple-johnston","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/34411"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33776,"title":"Armed Services","slug":"armed-services","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Distinguishing muscle training from movement training","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Planar movement","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"The 4Q model","target":"#tab3"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":283793,"title":"ACFT Event: Two-Mile Run","slug":"acft-event-two-mile-run","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283793"}},{"articleId":283786,"title":"ACFT Event: Leg Tuck","slug":"acft-event-leg-tuck","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283786"}},{"articleId":283778,"title":"ACFT Event: Sprint-Drag-Carry","slug":"acft-event-sprint-drag-carry","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283778"}},{"articleId":283759,"title":"ACFT Event: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift","slug":"acft-event-3-repetition-maximum-deadlift","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283759"}},{"articleId":283765,"title":"ACFT Event: Standing Power Throw","slug":"acft-event-standing-power-throw","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","study-skills-test-prep","armed-services"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/283765"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221adb79935\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;study-skills-test-prep&quot;,&quot;armed-services&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221adb7a1bb\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":283798}],"_links":{"self":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=0"},"next":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=10"},"last":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33776/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=262"}}},"objectTitle":"","status":"success","pageType":"article-category","objectId":"33776","page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{"categoriesFilter":[{"itemId":0,"itemName":"All Categories","count":272}],"articleTypeFilter":[{"articleType":"All Types","count":272},{"articleType":"Articles","count":266},{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","count":6}]},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"success","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-12-01T05:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!--Optimizely Script-->\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- comScore Tag -->\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n<!-- / comScore Tag -->","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"<!--BEGIN QUALTRICS WEBSITE FEEDBACK SNIPPET-->\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'><!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE--></div>\r\n<!--END WEBSITE FEEDBACK SNIPPET-->","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- Hotjar Tracking Code for http://www.dummies.com -->\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- //Connect Container: dummies --> <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"<!-- Facebook Pixel Code -->\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n<!-- End Facebook Pixel Code -->","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":287569,"title":"For the Hopeless Romantic","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-hopeless-romantic-287569"},{"collectionId":287567,"title":"For the Unabashed Hippie","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-unabashed-hippie-287567"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"ArticleCategory","path":"/category/articles/armed-services-33776/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category":"armed-services-33776"},"fullPath":"/category/articles/armed-services-33776/","meta":{"routeType":"category","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"sfmcState":{"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}
Logo
  • Articles Open Article Categories
  • Books Open Book Categories
  • Collections Open Collections list
  • Custom Solutions

Article Categories

Book Categories

Collections

Explore all collections
BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)
Be a Rad Dad
Career Shifting
Contemplating the Cosmos
For Those Seeking Peace of Mind
For the Aspiring Aficionado
For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast
For the Exam-Season Crammer
For the Hopeless Romantic
For the Unabashed Hippie
Log In
  • Home
  • Academics & The Arts Articles
  • Study Skills & Test Prep Articles
  • Armed Services Articles

Armed Services Articles

Learn about, practice for, and understand your scores on the all-important ASVAB and AFQT.

Articles From Armed Services

page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 10
page 11
page 12
page 13
page 14
page 15
page 16
page 17
page 18
page 19
page 20
page 21
page 22
page 23
page 24
page 25
page 26
page 27
page 28

Filter Results

272 results
272 results
Armed Services What Is the ASVAB Test?

Article / Updated 11-30-2022

Listen to the article:Download audio Uncle Sam wants you! But first, you have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This battery of tests covers ten subjects, and you have to earn a passing score before you can join any branch of the military. The catch is that you can only take the ASVAB if your high school offers it or a military recruiter arranges an appointment at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or another testing location. Usually, high schools arrange for large groups of juniors and seniors to take the test all at one time — but if yours didn’t, you missed school that day, or high school is a distant memory for you, your only other option is to sit down with an Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, or Army recruiter and schedule the test. Your ASVAB scores are only valid for up to two years. If you took the test in high school more than two years ago, you have to retake it at your nearest MEPS before you can enlist. How you take the ASVAB test The ASVAB isn’t a one-size-fits-all test; it comes in a few varieties. High-schoolers typically take the paper-and-pencil (P&P) version, which requires you to open a test booklet and fill in answer bubbles on a separate sheet of paper; people who take the test at a Military Entrance Test (MET) site do this, too. (MET sites are located in remote areas that aren’t within a reasonable drive of a MEPS.) But most people take the computer adaptive test (CAT-ASVAB), which all takes place on a computer. You select an answer choice and move on to the next question, moving through the subtests until you’re finished or run out of time. It’s nearly impossible to cheat on the ASVAB (and you wouldn’t want to, anyway — when you get busted, you won’t be allowed to enlist). Your test-taking neighbors are all answering different questions than you are. When test proctors hand out P&P test booklets, they hand out several different versions, and the CAT-ASVAB adapts itself to your skill level. What does the ASVAB cover? The ASVAB tests your knowledge in ten topic areas through the following subtests: General Science tests your high school science knowledge, touching on biology, chemistry, and physical sciences. Arithmetic Reasoning takes a snapshot of your ability to solve mathematical word problems at a high-school level. Word Knowledge asks you to find the correct meanings of words to gauge your English vocabulary. Paragraph Comprehension presents you with reading passages, and it’s your job to answer questions and draw conclusions about them. Mathematics Knowledge tests your ability to solve algebra and geometry problems. Electronics Information features questions about circuitry, electrical principles, and electronic terminology. Auto Information asks questions about (you guessed it) automobiles and how they work. Shop Information checks your knowledge of tools, shop terminology, and best practices when it comes to building and making repairs with a wide range of materials. Mechanical Comprehension opens the door to your knowledge of mechanical (as in levers and pulleys) and physics principles. Assembling Objects requires you to connect the dots (literally) to show off your spatial reasoning skills and demonstrate how well you can fit together puzzle-like pieces. The Auto Information and Shop Information subtests are combined and called Auto and Shop (AS) on the paper-and-pencil version of the test; on the CAT-ASVAB, it’s presented on its own. How long is the ASVAB test? The P&P version of the tests presents questions of easy, medium, and hard difficulty in random order, but the CAT-ASVAB tailors itself to your ability. It starts by asking you a question of medium difficulty; if you get it right, it asks you a harder question. If you get it wrong, it asks you an easier question. The following tables break down how many questions you need to answer (and how quickly you have to tackle them) in each subtest. CAT-ASVAB Subtest Number of Questions Time to Complete General Science 15 10 minutes Arithmetic Reasoning 15 55 minutes Word Knowledge 15 9 minutes Paragraph Comprehension 10 27 minutes Mathematics Knowledge 15 23 minutes Electronics Information 15 10 minutes Auto Information 10 7 minutes Shop Information 10 6 minutes Mechanical Comprehension 15 22 minutes Assembling Objects 15 17 minutes Total 135 questions 173 minutes P&P Subtest Number of Questions Time to Complete General Science 25 11 minutes Arithmetic Reasoning 30 36 minutes Word Knowledge 35 11 minutes Paragraph Comprehension 15 13 minutes Mathematics Knowledge 25 24 minutes Electronics Information 20 9 minutes Auto and Shop Information 25 11 minutes Mechanical Comprehension 25 19 minutes Assembling Objects 25 15 minutes Total 225 questions 149 minutes If you took the ASVAB through an Army recruiter and later discover that the Air Force (or any other branch) is a better choice, it’s no problem — your scores are portable. Every branch takes the same test, and the military-at-large breaks down your scores for each branch when it grades your performance. You can join any branch you want, as long as you qualify, after taking the ASVAB once. What is the AFQT score? Your scores on Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge blend together to make up your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. Every branch has a minimum AFQT score it’s willing to accept — and if you don’t make the grade, you don’t qualify for enlistment. Each branch also uses individual subtest scores and combinations of those scores to determine which military jobs you qualify for. If you take the CAT-ASVAB, the computer automatically (and immediately) tallies your score. If you take the P&P version, your test proctor will arrange for scoring and you’ll find out how well you did within several days. Your recruiter will tell you which jobs are open to you based on your scores.

View Article
Armed Services ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Subtest: You Call That Work?!

Article / Updated 10-07-2022

On the Mechanical Comprehension subtest of the ASVAB test, you need to know the definition of work and understand the basics of potential and kinetic energy and resistance. Mechanically speaking, work happens when a force (usually measured in pounds) moving over a measurable distance (usually measured in feet) overcomes a resistance. In the United States, the unit of measure for work is often called a foot-pound. (Note: The rest of the world uses the newton-meter, or joule.) One foot-pound of work occurs when a 1-pound weight is lifted to a height of 1 foot. You can represent this concept in equation form: Work = Force × Distance Work is different from effort; work is the result of effort. You can think of effort as being force and of work as being what you produce with that force. Working out the difference between potential and kinetic energy Energy is the capacity to do work. Every object in the universe has energy, and it’s either potential or kinetic. Potential energy is stored energy — energy that’s not doing anything at the moment but that’s in the object by virtue of its position in a field. If a book is resting in your hands, the book itself is holding potential energy. If you raise the book over your head, you’re increasing its potential energy (thanks to the Earth’s gravitational pull). When you accidentally drop it, all its potential energy becomes kinetic energy, or energy in motion. When the book hits the ground, its energy becomes potential again. Potential energy can’t be transferred between objects. The more massive an object is, the more potential and kinetic energy it has (so a bowling ball contains more energy than a basketball does). Both these forms of energy are measured in joules. Overcoming resistance The resistance that the work overcomes isn’t the same thing as the weight of the object. (If you’ve ever tried to put your freaked-out cat in a cat carrier to go to the vet, you know what I mean.) In other words, if you try to move a 1,200-pound piano, you’ll probably notice a measurable difference between the amount of work it takes to shove it along the floor and the amount of work it takes to carry it up the stairs. But don’t take my word for it — you can demonstrate this concept at home. First, find a 1,200-pound piano and push it across the floor. Next, put it on your back and carry it up the stairs. See the difference? (Really, don’t put the piano on your back. I’m just trying to make a point here.) When you move the piano across the floor, you’re really working (pushing) against the frictional resistance (the force that’s produced when two surfaces rub together) of the piano rather than its full weight. Under these circumstances, the frictional resistance of the piano offers less resistance than its full weight. There are times when an object’s full weight is less than its frictional resistance. Consider trying to push a textbook across a deep-pile carpet. Picking the book up and carrying it is easier. Gaining power by working more quickly Power is the rate of work. If Mary Lou is able to lift more 50-pound sacks of potatoes onto the truck bed in 10 minutes than Joe is, Mary Lou is more powerful than Joe. Mathematically speaking, Power = Work / Time. In this formula, work is usually measured in foot-pounds, time is measured in minutes, and power is measured in foot-pounds per minute. However, the unit of measure for power is commonly put in terms of horsepower (hp). Horsepower is derived from the estimate that an average horse can do 33,000 foot-pounds of work in 1 minute (according to James Watt). Therefore, 1 horsepower = 33,000 foot-pounds per minute. One horsepower is also the same as 550 foot-pounds per second.

View Article
Armed Services Knowing Which Version of the ASVAB You’re Taking

Article / Updated 09-29-2022

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) comes in five versions, depending on where and why you take it. The varieties of the test are essentially the same; they’re just administered differently. The following table boils them down. Versions of the ASVAB Version How You Take It Format Purpose Student Given to juniors and seniors in high school; it’s administered through a cooperative program between the Department of Education and the Department of Defense at high schools across the United States Paper Its primary purpose is to provide a tool for guidance counselors to use when recommending civilian career areas to high school students (though it can be used for enlistment if taken within two years of enlistment). For example, if a student scores high in electronics, the counselor can recommend electronics career paths. If a student is interested in military service, the counselor then refers her to the local military recruiting offices. Enlistment Given through a military recruiter at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or at a satellite testing site Usually computer, may be paper This version of the ASVAB is used by all the military branches for the purpose of enlistment qualification and to determine which military jobs a recruit can successfully be trained in. Enlistment Screening Test (EST) Given at the discretion of a military recruiter for a quick enlistment qualification screening Computer These mini-ASVABs aren’t qualification tests; they’re strictly recruiting and screening tools. The EST contains about 50 questions similar but not identical to questions on the AFQT portion of the ASVAB. The test is used to help estimate an applicant’s probability of obtaining qualifying ASVAB scores. Pre-screening, internet-delivered Computerized Adaptive Test (PiCAT) Online, on your own time after receiving an access code from your recruiter Computer The PiCAT is an unproctored, full version of the ASVAB. You take it on your own time, but you must take a verification test at a MEPS to validate your score. The verification test typically takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete. Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) Given at installation educational centers to people already in the military through the Defense Manpower Data Center Computer At some point during your military career, you may want to retrain for a different job. If you need higher ASVAB scores to qualify for such retraining, or if you’re a commissioned officer who wants to become a warrant officer, you can take the AFCT. The AFCT is essentially the same as the other versions of the ASVAB. The vast majority of military applicants are processed through a MEPS, where they take the computerized format of the ASVAB (called the CAT-ASVAB, short for computerized-adaptive testing ASVAB), undergo a physical exam, and run through a security screening, many times all in one trip. The paper-and-pencil (P&P) version is most often given in high school and at Mobile Examination Test (MET) sites located throughout the United States. Most MET sites use paper versions of the test. See also, " Deciphering ASVAB Scores."

View Article
Armed Services ACFT For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-26-2022

The first step toward acing the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, is to study each test event and understand what Uncle Sam expects from you. From there, it’s all about functional fitness training and giving your body the right fuel to succeed.

View Cheat Sheet
Armed Services 2022/2023 ASVAB For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-14-2022

As any professional military commander will tell you, knowing your enemy is the first step in winning a battle. After all, how can you expect to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) if you don’t know what’s on the test? Here are some test-taking tips and key info about ASVAB test formats and ASVAB subtests to help you score well on the ASVAB, get into the service of your choice, and qualify for your dream job.

View Cheat Sheet
Armed Services 1,001 ASVAB Practice Questions For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-08-2022

The key to success for any method of study is having one. So if you’re preparing to take the ASVAB, set up a structured study plan using the following guide, and stick to it. Before you put your study plan into action though, be sure to review the tips included here on how to fine-tune your studying experience for success and kick-start your memory retention powers.

View Cheat Sheet
Armed Services ASVAB AFQT For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-11-2022

If you're thinking about joining the U.S. military, your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score may well be the most important score you achieve on any military test. You need a qualifying score on the AFQT, or your plans for enlistment come to a dead end — and each branch of the military has its own minimum AFQT score requirements. Part of getting a high score on the AFQT involves brushing up on your math skills. You need to memorize key formulas and use proven test-taking strategies to maximize your chances for a high math score. The other part is making sure you have a firm grasp on English; in order to ace the language parts of the AFQT, you need a solid vocabulary and good reading comprehension skills.

View Cheat Sheet
Armed Services Military Flight Aptitude Tests For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-16-2021

If your sights are set on becoming a military aviator, you need to do well on a military flight aptitude test administered by the armed services — the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps — and the Coast Guard. Whether you're taking the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), the Army's Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT), or the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB, used by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard), be sure to create a study plan, prepare yourself for test day, and brush up on your multiple-choice skills. Photo by James Lewis on Unsplash

View Cheat Sheet
Armed Services Taking the ASVAB Test: Paper or Computerized?

Article / Updated 08-30-2021

Many versions of the ASVAB exist, but you don’t have a say in which one you take. The versions primarily boil down to two basic differences: the computerized version and the paper version. Each version has advantages and disadvantages. If you’re taking the ASVAB as part of the student program in high school, you’ll take the paper version of the test—the one that doesn’t include the Assembling Objects subtest. If you’re taking the ASVAB to enlist in the military, you’ll take the enlistment ASVAB. This version comes in two formats: computerized (CAT-ASVAB) and paper-and-pencil (P&P). You may even take the "Pre-screening, online Computerized Adaptive Test" (PiCAT) on your own time. In any event, there’s a great chance that you’ll take a computerized version, because to save time and money, recruiters often accompany their applicants to the nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for testing, medical examination, and enlistment (one-stop shopping). MEPS only uses the computerized version, and the P&P version is offered only at Military Entrance Test (MET) sites that aren’t within an easy traveling distance to MEPS. If your high school schedules a testing event, you’ll most likely take the P&P version as well. Your recruiter might be able to schedule an ASVAB-only test session and bring you back in for a follow-up physical (and to sign your contract) if you can’t complete everything in one day. There are 65 MEPS locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, and MET sites are located in each state (often at National Guard armories or local high schools). Cheating gets you thrown out of the testing location. But even if you were able to get away with looking at your neighbor’s paper or computer screen, you’d fail the test. There are several versions of the test, and the people sitting around you have different questions presented in different orders. Going paperless: The pros and cons of the computerized test The computerized version of the ASVAB uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to make sure each applicant gets questions tailored to his or her ability level. This version, called the CAT-ASVAB, presents test questions in a different format. It adapts the questions it offers you based on your level of proficiency (that’s why it’s called adaptive). In a CAT test, the first test item is of average difficulty. If you answer this question correctly, the next question may be more difficult. If you answer that first question incorrectly, the computer will most likely follow with an easier question. By contrast, on the paper ASVAB, easy and hard questions are presented randomly. The CAT-ASVAB also has fewer questions than the paper-and-pencil version has — the people who designed it did that on purpose. With this type of testing, the computer can quickly determine how much you know without asking you a full range of very easy to very hard questions. Maybe it’s because people today are more comfortable in front of a computer than with a pencil, but military recruiters have noted that among applicants who’ve taken both the paper-based and computerized versions of the ASVAB, many applicants tend to score slightly higher on the computerized version of the test. You don’t have to be a computer guru to appreciate the advantages of the computerized version of the ASVAB: It’s impossible to record your answer in the wrong space on the answer sheet. Questions and possible answers are presented on the screen, and you press the key that corresponds to your answer choice before moving on to the next question. Often, only the A, B, C, and D keys are activated when you take the test. The difficulty of the test items presented depends on whether you answered the previous question correctly. On the two math subtests of the ASVAB, harder questions are worth more points than easier questions are, so this method helps maximize your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. You get your scores right away. The computer automatically calculates and prints your standard scores for each subtest and your line scores for each service branch. This machine is a pretty smart cookie — it also calculates your AFQT percentile score on the spot. You usually know whether you qualify for military enlistment on the same day you take the test and, if so, which jobs you qualify for. On the downside, you can’t skip questions or change your answers after you enter them on the CAT-ASVAB. Instead of being able to go through and immediately answer all of the questions you’re sure of, you have to answer each question as it comes. This can make it difficult to judge how much time to spend on a tough question before guessing and moving on. Also, if you have a few minutes at the end of the test, you can’t go back and make sure you marked the correct answer to each question. Finally, the CAT-ASVAB is the only version of the test that includes tryout questions, which can stretch out your total test-taking time. But on a positive note, the tryout questions don’t affect your score. The PiCAT: The ASVAB’S stay-at-home cousin The Pre-screening, internet-delivered Computer Adaptive Test, or PiCAT, is the military’s way of operating more efficiently and speeding up the enlistment process. It allows recruiters to give applicants a special access code to take a full-length, unproctored ASVAB on any computer. After a recruit completes the PiCAT, and his or her scores are high enough to enlist in the military, the recruiter can take the recruit to MEPS for verification testing. Verification testing takes 25 to 30 minutes, and its purpose is simple: to make sure the recruit wasn’t at home looking up answers to ASVAB test questions. When PiCAT scores are verified (meaning the recruit most likely didn’t cheat on the test), the recruit is good to go for enlistment. When the scores aren’t verified (meaning the recruit scored poorly on the verification test compared to how they scored on the PiCAT), the recruit must take a full-length ASVAB at MEPS. The resulting ASVAB score will be the score of record. Not all recruiters use the PiCAT, and those who do may not use it for all applicants. Writing on hard copy: The advantages and disadvantages of the paper version The questions on the CAT-ASVAB are the same questions you get on the paper version. Some people feel that the paper-and-pencil ASVAB provides certain advantages: You can skip questions that you don’t know the answer to and come back to them later. This option can help when you’re racing against the clock and want to get as many answers right as possible. You can change an answer on the subtest you’re currently working on, but you can’t change an answer on a subtest after the time for that subtest has expired. You may not make any marks in the exam booklet; however, you may make notes on your scratch paper. If you skip a question, you can lightly circle the item number on your answer sheet to remind yourself to go back to it. If you don’t know the answer to a question, you can mentally cross off the answers that seem unlikely or wrong to you and then guess based on the remaining answers. Be sure to erase any stray marks you make on your answer sheet before time is called for that subtest. Killing trees isn’t the only disadvantage of the paper-based test. Other drawbacks include the following: Harder questions are randomly intermingled with easier questions. This means you can find yourself spending too much time trying to figure out the answer to a question that’s too hard for you and may miss answering some easier questions at the end of the subtest, thereby lowering your overall score. The paper answer sheets are scored by using an optical mark scanning machine. The machine has a conniption when it comes across an incompletely filled-in answer circle or a stray pencil mark and will often stubbornly refuse to give you credit, even if you answered correctly. Getting your scores may seem like it takes forever. The timeline varies; however, your recruiter will have access to your score no later than 72 hours after you finish the test (not counting days the MEPS doesn’t work, such as weekend days or holidays).

View Article
Armed Services Mastering the Science of Movement Training for the ACFT

Article / Updated 04-02-2021

If you walked into a gym right now, you’d most likely see rows of machines dedicated to training just one muscle at a time. Those are great for bodybuilders but not necessarily for the average soldier. Because most military occupational specialties (MOSs) have at least minimal physical demands, and because those demands require real-world movement, many of the machines at the gym are great supplements to your training. However, you definitely need movement training, too. Distinguishing muscle training from movement training Improving athleticism, which is what the Army is really testing with the ACFT, requires a combination of muscular and movement-based training. Movement training is unlike muscle training. It harnesses your natural human kinetics—the way you move—and makes your movements stronger, more stable, and safer. In standard muscle training, you have to isolate a muscle (or a group of muscles) to focus all your work there. Your intent is to put force in just one region of your body, like your chest, while the rest of your body is stabilized and still, and your goal is to see just how much force you can send into that region and still execute a movement, such as a chest press. You don’t want to “cheat” by using momentum because that means other muscles are pitching in to help you execute the movement. That’s fine if that’s the type of training you’re doing. But when you need motor skills you can use outside the gym, and if you need to be efficient with your movement (like you do on the ACFT and on the battlefield), you need your muscles to work together to accomplish a result. Whether you’re putting together a GP Medium or carrying one of your squad members to safety, your movement training kicks in. Movement training is about improving motor tasks that take you outside the linear plane. Movement training integrates your whole body. And with the ACFT, the Army is testing your ability to pull off complex movements—not just your ability to use your pecs and a few smaller muscles to push yourself off the ground. That means you have to cross-train, use three-dimensional movements and your planar movements, and use weight training to complement everything you’re doing if you want to perform well on the ACFT. These 3D movements come with a wide range of other benefits, too, such as improved Aerobic capacity Coordination Joint health Resiliency in multidirectional movements outside the gym Tensile strength in your connective tissues The more momentum you can harness while controlling your form, the more efficiently you work. Your brain automatically wants to execute all your body’s movements in ways that are easiest to accomplish—but not necessarily in ways that prevent injury (think about the last time you did bicep curls and threw your back into them, or picked up a box from the floor without bending your legs). Planar movement With physical training, you can do your work in one or more of the three planes of motion: the sagittal plane, the frontal plane, and the transverse plane. If you’re working in the sagittal plane, you’re moving two-dimensionally—up and down or back and forth. In the frontal plane, you’re making side-to-side movements. Finally, in the transverse plane, you’re using twisting or rotating movements. Work in any of these planes can be unloaded, which means you have only your body weight, or loaded, which means you’re using an external mass while moving. An external mass can be anything from a barbell loaded with weight to your Improved Outer Tactical Vest, or IOTV. Most exercises in the three planes of motion fall into one or more of four main categories: Unloaded linear movements: Linear movements are in the sagittal plane or the frontal plane. You’re running, cycling, or performing some types of strength training. Linear exercises move only horizontally or vertically. Unloaded 3D movements: Movements that cross over the borders between the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes are 3D movements. Things like sports (tennis, football, baseball, and a number of others), dancing, and many types of martial arts use unloaded 3D movements. Loaded linear movements: Loaded movements keep you in the sagittal or frontal plane and involve external weight. Running while carrying a litter, squatting with a bar on your back, and doing everyday bicep curls are loaded linear movements. The external weight can range from resistance bands and barbells to the flywheel of an adjustable stationary cycle or full battle rattle. Loaded 3D movements: Working through different planes with an external weight means you’re doing loaded 3D movements. These movements, like agility drills, modified exercises (such as shoulder extensions with a trunk rotation), and lateral lunges with a plate reach involving rotation. Strictly training in loaded linear movements can easily result in overuse injuries. Working in 3D allows other muscles, connective tissues, and joints to pitch in to complete a task, which “shares the load.” The 4Q model The 4Q model allows you to group exercises together by type: unloaded linear, unloaded 3D, loaded linear, and loaded 3D. (Check out the preceding section for more on these types of movements.) The figure shows the 4Q model, as well as some of the exercises that belong in each quadrant. Training in all four quadrants is essential for optimal results. If your goal is overall strength and endurance, you can’t leave one (or more) out. Unloaded training Unloaded training—commonly called body weight training—refers to exercises like push-ups and pull-ups. Despite what you’ve heard, body weight training isn’t inherently easier than loaded training is. The Leg Tuck on the ACFT is a perfect illustration of that; it’s all body weight, but for many people, it’s one of the most difficult exercises to perform. Loaded training Loaded training requires you to add external mass to movement. Any mass counts, whether it’s a 1-kilogram plate alone or a bar loaded with 400 pounds. How much mass you need to move to make gains and improve your fitness level depends on your current level of physical fitness. Your body will adapt to larger loads over time, provided that you use something that challenges you and forces a change in your muscles. When your body adapts to a certain amount of weight, it’s no longer going to force your muscles to adapt, so if you want to become stronger, you have to increase the mass of the loads you’re working with. Loaded movements are movements that involve an external mass that’s not part of your body. Running is an unloaded linear movement, while running while wearing your IOTV is a loaded linear movement. Throwing your rucksack over a wall is a loaded 3D movement, and climbing up the wall after it (if you’re not wearing your kit) is an unloaded linear movement. (If you’re wearing your kit, it becomes a loaded linear movement.) Going over the top of the wall to come down on the other side is a 3D movement; it’s unloaded or loaded depending on whether you’re wearing your kit. Loaded multi-planar (3D) training for the ACFT Loaded multi-planar training is relatively new—at least in the gym. Classic strength training isolates muscles with the purpose of strengthening only those muscles, as evidenced by people hitting the gym for “chest day” or “cardio day.” (Everyone knows what happens when “leg day” isn’t part of a weekly routine.) But loaded multi-planar movement falls into the upper-right quadrant in the 4Q model, and training there is absolutely essential for passing the ACFT. The bottom line is that functioning in and out of the Army requires the human body to move mass while in motion, and most of the time, you have to move that mass in a way that asymmetrically loads your body or puts it in a weird position. If you’re only training to carry something by using both biceps evenly at the same time, without any help from your back or legs, you’re not going to perform as efficiently or as safely as you would if you practiced loaded movement training that integrated your whole body. ACFT events in the 4Q model The table shows whether each of the ACFT events falls into the loaded linear or unloaded linear quadrant of the 4Q model. The test is mostly about linear movement, but training to perform well on the test requires you to work in all four quadrants. Each event gives the Army a good look at how you perform 3D movements, such as surmounting an obstacle or extracting a casualty from a vehicle, which are hard to grade. Some of the events require a combination of muscular strength and endurance plus cardiovascular endurance, such as the drag and carry shuttles of the Sprint-Drag-Carry. ACFT Events in 4Q Quadrants Loaded Linear Movement Unloaded Linear Movement 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL) Hand Release Push-Up – Arm Extension (HRP) Standing Power Throw (SPT) Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC) Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC) Leg Tuck (LTK) Two-Mile Run (2MR) Note that the Sprint-Drag-Carry falls under two quadrants: loaded linear movement and unloaded linear movement. That’s because this single event comprises four individual activities. The sprints and laterals are unloaded linear movements, while the drag and carry are loaded linear movements.

View Article
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 10
page 11
page 12
page 13
page 14
page 15
page 16
page 17
page 18
page 19
page 20
page 21
page 22
page 23
page 24
page 25
page 26
page 27
page 28

Quick Links

  • About For Dummies
  • Contact Us
  • Activate A Book Pin

Connect

Opt in to our newsletter!

By entering your email address and clicking the “Submit” button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates.

About Dummies

Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Cookies Settings
Do Not Sell My Personal Info - CA Only