Johnston Angie - 2016/2017 ASVAB for dummies

1. Table of Contents

If youre reading this book, theres a good chance that you want to join the United States military. Perhaps its been your lifelong dream to drive a tank, fire a machine gun, or blow things up (legally). Maybe youve always wanted to learn how to cook for 2,000 people at a time. Possibly you were attracted to the military because of education and training opportunities, the chance of travel, or huge enlistment bonuses. In any event, by now youve discovered that you cant just walk into a recruiters office and say, Hey, Im here. Sign me up! These days, you have to pass the ASVAB.

The ASVAB (short for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is unlike any test youve ever taken. It covers standard academic areas, such as math and English, but it also measures your knowledge of mechanics, electronics, science, and assembling objects.

The good news is that you need to do well on some of the subtests but not all of them. The order of importance of the subtests depends on your career goals. In this book, you find out what you need to know to do well on all the subtests and then get the info to determine which subtests are important to you. I include charts and tables to help you figure out the subtest scores that individual military jobs require. You can use this information to ace the subtests that make up the ASVAB and determine which subtests are important for your military-career goals.

The paper enlistment version of the ASVAB and the computer version of the test have nine subtests, each of which is covered in its own chapter in this book. This book shows you what to expect on each subtest, offers strategies for studying each subject area, gives you test-taking (and guessing) tips, and provides three full-length sample tests that help you determine your strengths and weaknesses. These sample tests also help you prepare mentally for taking the real test you can use them to get in the zone. Ive thrown in two extra tests that cover the four most important subtests of the ASVAB that make up the AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score at no extra cost.

Although much of the material covered on the ASVAB is taught in practically every high school in the country, you may have slept through part of the info or performed a major brain-dump as soon as the ink was dry on your report card. So you also get a basic review of the relevant subject areas to help refresh your memory, as well as some pointers on where to find more information if you need it.

While writing and revising this book, I made a few assumptions about you namely, who you are and why you picked up this book. I assume the following:

• Youve come here for test-taking tips and other helpful information. You may be a nervous test-taker.
• You want to take a few ASVAB practice tests to measure your current knowledge in various subject areas to help you develop a study plan.
• You want the military job of your dreams, and passing the ASVAB (or certain sections of it) is of utmost importance. Or youre in a high school that takes part in the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, and you want to know what to expect on the test.

Throughout this book, you find icons that help you use the material in this book. Heres a rundown of what they mean to you:

This icon alerts you to helpful hints regarding the ASVAB. Tips can help you save time and avoid frustration.

This icon reminds you of important information you should read carefully.

This icon flags actions and ideas that may prove hazardous to your plans of conquering the ASVAB. Often, this icon accompanies common mistakes or misconceptions people have about the ASVAB or questions on the test.

This icon points out information that is interesting, enlightening, or in-depth but that isnt necessary for you to read.