ENLISTMENT
ASVAB Fact Sheet TESTING PROGRAM
www.OfficialASVAB.com
Introduction
The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to provide you with information about the military
enlistment test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). ASVAB
scores are used to determine if you are qualified to enlist in the military and to assign Inside this fact sheet:
you to an appropriate job in the military. The information provided here will help you
prepare to take the ASVAB.
The ASVAB Tests 2
Most ASVAB testing is conducted at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). If
ASVAB Test Lengths 3
you do not live near a MEPS, you may take the ASVAB at a satellite location called a
and Time Limits
Military Entrance Test (MET) site. The ASVAB is administered by computer at all
MEPS, and by paper and pencil (P&P) at most MET sites. Regardless of whether you How the CAT-ASVAB 3
take the ASVAB by computer or P&P, your scores should be very similar. Works
The Computerized ASVAB Frequently Asked 4
Questions
The computerized ASVAB (called the CAT-ASVAB) is an adaptive test, which means
that the test adapts to your ability level. The computer software selects items that are
suitable for you based on your responses to earlier items in the test. Because the
CAT-ASVAB is targeted toward your ability level, it is possible to administer a shorter
test than is used in the P&P administration. More details on how the CAT-ASVAB
works are given on page 3. The ASVAB is
administered via both
You are allowed to complete the CAT-ASVAB at your own pace. That is, when you computer and paper
complete a test in the battery, you can immediately move on to the next section without
and pencil.
waiting for everyone else to move on. You may leave the test room as soon as you are
finished with all of the tests. Although each test has a fixed number of questions and a
time limit (see page 3), most examinees finish the test before the time limit is reached. Roughly 70% of
The average examinee takes about 1 1/2 hours to complete the CAT-ASVAB. military applicants
take the test via
You are not able to review or change your answers once you have submitted an answer computer.
on the CAT-ASVAB. If you are running out of time, it is best to continue trying to
answer as best as you can rather than filling in random guesses for the remaining items,
as the CAT-ASVAB has a penalty for guessing.
The Paper and Pencil ASVAB
The paper and pencil ASVAB (called the P&P-ASVAB) is a traditional test, which
means that everyone takes the same set of questions at the same pace. The number of
test questions and time limits for each test are shown on page 3. In all, it takes about 3
hours to complete the P&P-ASVAB.
You are allowed to review your answers on the P&P-ASVAB. However, you cannot go
back to an earlier test section or proceed to the next test until instructed to do so. If
you run out of time on the P&P-ASVAB, it is to your advantage to fill in random
guesses for the remaining items, as there is no penalty for guessing.
ASVAB Fact Sheet TESTING PROGRAM
www.OfficialASVAB.com
Introduction
The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to provide you with information about the military
enlistment test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). ASVAB
scores are used to determine if you are qualified to enlist in the military and to assign Inside this fact sheet:
you to an appropriate job in the military. The information provided here will help you
prepare to take the ASVAB.
The ASVAB Tests 2
Most ASVAB testing is conducted at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). If
ASVAB Test Lengths 3
you do not live near a MEPS, you may take the ASVAB at a satellite location called a
and Time Limits
Military Entrance Test (MET) site. The ASVAB is administered by computer at all
MEPS, and by paper and pencil (P&P) at most MET sites. Regardless of whether you How the CAT-ASVAB 3
take the ASVAB by computer or P&P, your scores should be very similar. Works
The Computerized ASVAB Frequently Asked 4
Questions
The computerized ASVAB (called the CAT-ASVAB) is an adaptive test, which means
that the test adapts to your ability level. The computer software selects items that are
suitable for you based on your responses to earlier items in the test. Because the
CAT-ASVAB is targeted toward your ability level, it is possible to administer a shorter
test than is used in the P&P administration. More details on how the CAT-ASVAB
works are given on page 3. The ASVAB is
administered via both
You are allowed to complete the CAT-ASVAB at your own pace. That is, when you computer and paper
complete a test in the battery, you can immediately move on to the next section without
and pencil.
waiting for everyone else to move on. You may leave the test room as soon as you are
finished with all of the tests. Although each test has a fixed number of questions and a
time limit (see page 3), most examinees finish the test before the time limit is reached. Roughly 70% of
The average examinee takes about 1 1/2 hours to complete the CAT-ASVAB. military applicants
take the test via
You are not able to review or change your answers once you have submitted an answer computer.
on the CAT-ASVAB. If you are running out of time, it is best to continue trying to
answer as best as you can rather than filling in random guesses for the remaining items,
as the CAT-ASVAB has a penalty for guessing.
The Paper and Pencil ASVAB
The paper and pencil ASVAB (called the P&P-ASVAB) is a traditional test, which
means that everyone takes the same set of questions at the same pace. The number of
test questions and time limits for each test are shown on page 3. In all, it takes about 3
hours to complete the P&P-ASVAB.
You are allowed to review your answers on the P&P-ASVAB. However, you cannot go
back to an earlier test section or proceed to the next test until instructed to do so. If
you run out of time on the P&P-ASVAB, it is to your advantage to fill in random
guesses for the remaining items, as there is no penalty for guessing.
