Is The ASVAB Hard?
A common question is whether the ASVAB test is hard to pass. The truth is there are many sections and you’ll need to have a comprehensive understanding of each of them. One of the best ways you can make sure you are ready for the full ASVAB test is use online practice tests to measure your strengths and weaknesses.
This way you you can reduce study time and focus more efficiently on the parts you may need more preparation.
Check out Smart Edition Academy’s online ASVAB course including 100+ videos, hundreds flashcards, 500+ practice questions, and 4 practice tests. Study materials are available instantly and can be accessed through tablet, computer, or mobile phone.
If you want more practice tests and all the resources to PASS the ASVAB check out the Online Course
If you want the best chance at passing the ASVAB then the Smart Edition ASVAB course will provide all the material and resources you need to succeed on the test.
The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. The short answer is the difficulty level of the ASVAB is relatively high, it’s not an easy test and there are a lot of sections and you will really need to master each ASVAB section area to do well.
The ASVAB test is also used to determine which military jobs you will be placed in or be able to choose yourself based on what a candidate is best equipped for. This is called MOS for Military Occupational Specialties.
How difficult is the ASVAB test?
This depends on several factors. For some people, the ASVAB comes naturally and can score high with little effort. For others, the ASVAB is more complex and requires more preparation. Neither is wrong or bad.
The ASVAB covers various subjects, from paragraph comprehension to assembling objects, making preparing for the test overwhelming. The easiest way to approach the ASVAB is to take an ASVAB practice test and get a feel for the ASVAB yourself and create a plan to study to pass.
How long does it take to study for ASVAB?
You should give yourself at least 4-6 weeks to study for the ASVAB. This will give you enough time to review the material and take practice tests. However, some people have been known to score high enough with just a few weeks of preparation. It depends on how well you know the material and how well you understand all of the subjects. Other factors might include things like classes you have taken previously, or if English is your second language you might need more time on those sections of the test.
The best way to determine how much time you need to study is to take an ASVAB practice test 4-6 months in advance online just to see how you score in each section. Evaluate your results afterward and determine if you need a couple of months or a couple of weeks to review the subjects.
Can I pass the ASVAB test without studying
While it’s possible to score a minimum of 31 on the ASVAB and pass it without studying, it’s really not the best way to approach the test because your ASVAB score determines your future roles and jobs in the military.
If you have a specific job within a branch of the military you really want, it’s better to study and keep taking practice tests until you’re scoring in the required range of where you need to be.
ASVAB Sections
There are a total of nine different ASVAB test sections. The ASVAB covers a wide range of subjects, including:
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Assembling Objects (AO)
- Auto and Shop Information (AS)
- General Science (GS)
- Electronics Information (EI)
- Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
- Word Knowledge (WK)
ASVAB Study Guide
There are different ASVAB study guides available, but not all of them will be equally helpful. Be sure to find a guide that covers all of the ASVAB material and includes ASVAB practice tests so you can get a feel for the types of questions you will be asked on the test.
When choosing a study guide, look for one that aligns with your learning style. Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional printed books to study. Interactive online courses like Smart Edition Academy’s ASVAB online course provides test takers with practice tests with unlimited retakes, detailed answer explanations to study from, flashcards, and color graphics, with instant access from any device.
What is the easiest way to pass the ASVAB test?
While there are no shortcuts, the easiest way to pass and save time is to really understand what your weak areas are, not just by the test section but specifically the topics within each section of the test. So for example in the mathematics knowledge section you might specifically have a weakness in decimals and fractions.
Once you know your weak areas you can plan to focus more of your studying on those weak topics. The Smart Edition Academy free ASVAB practice test has you covered with our detailed score report which helps you identify your weak topics.
CAT-ASVAB vs P&P-ASVAB - Which test is harder?
The CAT-ASVAB is an adaptive test, which means that the questions adjust in difficulty depending on if you answer the previous questions correctly or incorrectly. For example if you answer easy questions correctly you will be given more difficult questions and if you answer difficult questions incorrectly you will be given easier questions. The P&P-ASVAB is a paper and pencil test with a fixed number of questions. You can read more about the CAT-ASVAB here.
So, which version of the ASVAB is harder? The CAT-ASVAB is generally considered to be more difficult than the P&P-ASVAB. However it can really depend on each student. One thing to consider is that on average, the CAT-ASVAB takes about half the time of the P&P-ASVAB according to the official ASVAB website, for more information on the ASVAB check out this fact sheet.
What is AFQT? How is the AFQT score determined?
Whether or not the ASVAB seems hard depends on how well you have prepared for the test. Need help with your ASVAB test prep?
Start with a free ASVAB practice test or the online course. Determine your strengths and weaknesses so you can reduce study time and feel confident before taking the test!
