The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery – or ASVAB – doesn’t come in one single format.
Instead, there are three formats:
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ASVAB Test Explained | CAT,…
- 01/14/19
- ASVAB Test
Introduction
- CAT-ASVAB
- MET-site ASVAB
- Student ASVAB
Each test comes with a different approach, its own set of benefits and drawbacks, as well as its own target audience.
Here, we sketch out the three versions of the ASVAB exam and which, if any, you should apply for.
CAT-ASVAB
What is the CAT-ASVAB?
CAT-ASVAB refers to a ‘computerized adaptive test’ (CAT) that is taken for the purposes of military recruitment.
How long is the exam?
The CAT-ASVAB takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.
How does the CAT-ASVAB exam function?
‘Computerized adaptive test’ means that for every question answered correctly, a more difficult question then follows.
In this regard, it’s not possible to master the exam, scoring 100 percent along the way. Instead, the CAT-ASVAB is an exam where you attempt to score your very best – facing very challenging questions along the way.
Given the nature of the exam, then, you cannot return to a question and change your answer.
How is the exam scored?
Answers are scored based on two main criteria:
- The difficulty of the question
- The degree of correctness of your chosen answer
In other words, your final score is not the same as the number of ‘correct’ answers.
Scores are calculated as AFQT – Armed Forces Qualification Test – scores.
How long are my scores valid for?
CAT-ASVAB scores are valid for up to 2 years.
What is tested?
The CAT-ASVAB is composed of the following 9 sub-tests.
Allotted time (in minutes) and number of questions asked are also included.
| SUBTEST | QUESTIONS | ALLOTTED TIME |
| General Science (GS) | 16 | 8 |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 16 | 39 |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 16 | 8 |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 11 | 22 |
| Math Knowledge (MK) | 16 | 18 |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 16 | 8 |
| Auto Information (AI) | 11 | 6 |
| Shop Information | 11 | 5 |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 16 | 20 |
MET-Site ASVAB Test
What is the MET-Site ASVAB?
MET-ASVAB refers to ‘mobile examination test’ ASVAB.
Not everyone lives near a CAT-ASVAB test. For this reason, they may opt to take the MET-Site ASVAB test instead at a location known as a MET site.
What is the MET-Site ASVAB test used for?
The MET-ASVAB test is used for military enlistment.
Typically, applicants are referred to the test by a recruiter. There is approximately a 1 month waiting period.
How does the test differ from CAT-ASVAB?
There are several differences between the two tests:
- CAT-ASVAB tests 9 subtests, whereas the MET-Site ASVAB tests just 8 subtests. Whereas the CAT-ASVAB has ‘Auto Information’ and ‘Shop Information’ as two separate tests, these tests are merged into one for the MET-Site ASVAB test.
- With the MET-Site ASVAB, you are not permitted to leave the exam hall once you have finished. With the CAT-ASVAB, you may leave.
- The CAT-ASVAB is a computerized test, whereas the MET-Site ASVAB is a pen and paper exam.
What is tested on the MET-Site ASVAB?
The MET-ASVAB is composed of the following 8 subtests.
Allotted time (in minutes) and number of questions asked are also included.
| SUBTEST | QUESTIONS | ALLOTTED TIME |
| General Science (GS) | 25 | 11 |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 30 | 36 |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 35 | 11 |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 15 | 13 |
| Math Knowledge (MK) | 25 | 24 |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 20 | 9 |
| Auto and Shop Information (AS) | 25 | 11 |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 25 | 19 |
How is the MET-site ASVAB exam scored?
Exam officials send an official copy of your results to your MEPS (military entrance processing station) and, from there, an unverified copy of your results is given to you in a sealed envelope.
You are then required to deliver this envelope back to your recruiter. Once the verified results have been attained, you will receive these results from your recruiter.
Student ASVAB
What is the Student ASVAB?
Unlike the CAT and MET-Site ASVAB exams, the Student ASVAB test is not used for military enlistment.
Instead, the Student ASVAB is used to help students – from Grades 10, 11 and 12 – understand whether a career in the military is the right career for them.
In other words, the exam is used by high schools to help identify which students may find themselves interested in joining the military. For this reason, the Student ASVAB is also known as the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP).
Results can be used by high school counsellors to help inform career guidance.
How long is the Student ASVAB?
Like the MET-Site ASVAB, the Student ASVAB is a pen and paper exam, with 8 subtests, and which takes approximately three hours to complete.
What is tested on the Student ASVAB?
The Student ASVAB is composed of the following 8 subtests and has approximately 200 questions.
Allotted time (in minutes) and number of questions asked are also included.
| SUBTEST | QUESTIONS | ALLOTTED TIME |
| General Science (GS) | 25 | 11 |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 30 | 36 |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 35 | 11 |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 15 | 13 |
| Math Knowledge (MK) | 25 | 24 |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 20 | 9 |
| Auto and Shop Information (AS) | 25 | 11 |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 25 | 19 |
A student who wishes to join the military can only use their AFQT score and not any other scoring metric.
Passing the ASVAB test is not easy. It takes many months of hard work and preparation. That’s why we, at ASVAB Test Guide, have put together the COMPLETE online resource that covers all aspects of the ASVAB exam. Take a few minutes to learn more about our online ASVAB test preparation and how it can help you pass the ASVAB exam – first time, every time!
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