ASVAB Test Score

[killa_zn]

Hello sailors, airmen, marines, soldiers... even civilians that know a thing or two about my questions.

So college is not for me, and I look into a career in the military.
I talked to my recruiter, heard some interesting things, plans
for the future, etc.

What I didn't understand is how the asvab score is calculated, something
about AFQT score and something. I need a little help getting this settled, so
I can compare my test scores and study to get the best possible score I
can achieve.

So here is my first practice asvab test, taken from military.com. I have read that there is quite the time limit, so I basically done this as quick as I could,
and I'm not sure the exact time limit.

So, here are my first practice subtest scores

I read that it apparently looks at the subtests Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmatic Reasoning, and Mathmatics Knowledge. Though
I'm not even sure if I even passed or failed the test. From those scores, I'm
kinda afraid at my percentile score (beside Paragraph Comprehension) of a "C" average and lower.

I'm also looking for posts comparing on how others have scored as well, but
I cant find any other scores to compare it with if I even did "decent."

Job selection is pretty big, I'm still researching on what is best for me, plus
that job availability, but the "asvab - and how it works" in general is what I'm
asking about. Air Force is what I'm looking at btw, followed by Navy, Army, Marines, National Guard.


Thank you for taking your time reading this, I'm done with the fast food
business, I just want to do a little better than that.

[{CLR}geneSW]

1.) What do you like to do?

I ask this question because there are TONS of jobs in the USAF, and you should pick one that you want to do. Don't let the recruiter talk you into any job you don't like or don't know. Ya know, there's lots of information that I can give you (been in just over 2 years now, so I still remember a lot about the first steps of joining), but it will only hold so much weight here in text. I'll just do it in points so you get the idea, and if you want I can actually talk to you and see what jobs could be something you would like to do.

- Just because the job (AFSC) sounds cool, doesn't mean it is.

- Recruiters (especially ones who have been at the job for more then 2 years, or have been in the rank of SSgt for more then 3 years) might not remember everything that goes on in basic or tech school, talk to one of the A1C's who are there on RAP (Recruiters Assistance Program) and see what they say about BMT. They generally just went through it, so they will have the best idea.

- Don't sweat the ASVAB, as you sound like you are. Yes, it can help determine what jobs are available to you, but generally 80% of jobs don't require extremely high scores.

-If you join, don't do 4 years, join for 6. If you don't have college this will get you E3 after tech school, and in some cases they will back-date your rank to the day you graduated BMT.

- If you pick a job that has a enlistment bonus to it, make sure it's in your contract! I've met several people who's recruiter told them they would recieve an enlistment bonus with the job they went into, but it wasn't in their contract!

- If you get an enlistment bonus, remember that it's taxable, so don't expect all of it! This is something that i've seen overlooked many times. New Airmen come in expecting to get their $2,000 enlistment bonus, but only get $1300 after taxes.

- Take your time on the ASVAB. The AF needs you, not the other way around, so don't feel rushed on anything.

- Don't take an "aptitude area", like "general aptitude" or "Mechanical Aptitude". If you know the job you want, it will become available, you just might have to wait a little bit. Don't sign anything untill they give you a specific job! Don't even go into DEP untill you have an AFSC, as they might require you to sign into an aptitude area so they can get you into DEP (Delayed Entry Program).

- If you can, go to 2 different recruiters of the same branch and ask them the same questions, then look up online the same question and see what they all say. You might find out that they are telling you half-truths sometimes.

- Write down the AFSC's that you are interested in. You can look them up on United States Military Information This site has lots of good information on BMT, MEPS, AFSC's...ect...ect...


Ok, that's all I can think of for now, but there's tons more that i'm sure i'm forgetting. I'll send you a P.M. as well, so keep an eye out for it.


Oh, and before I forget Thanks for looking into the USAF.

[DennisM7]

Hey killa like Gene said dont sweat the ASVAB its more of a aptitude test than anything I have been in the Air Force almost 16 years now so feel free to ask anything i will give you an honest answer not what the recruiter will tell you.

[Mobojo]

Ill see if I can find my scores. The time limit is kinda short but im lucky since I take tests pretty fast. I dont know much about the actual AF but I know when I talked to a recruiter he said I was eligible for any job in the AF with my scores.

Some good advice my Mom's bf told me a while ago that I use in life and especially on tests, "Think long, think wrong." I have learned that base instinct and first answer that comes to mind is usually the best. A lot of people tend to over think things, so go with your gut instinct first. If you have time after answering each question then go back and see if you may have made a mistake. Remember to add weight to your first choice though when deciding to change it.

Hope that helps and good luck with the military! Cains is probably the best place to ask because we have some many awesome and knowledgeable people here!