The ASVAB test or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, is a test that is used in admission to the United States armed forces or for career exploration for high school students. For high school students, the ASVAB is often administered as part of the ASVAB career exploration program, and is often given in either the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade of high school. The test is usually given by high school counselors or other personnel directly at the high school itself.
The ASVAB for career exploration is a pen and paper test, and consists of eight test areas. The first test area is on general science (GS). This test area deals with Earth and space science, physical science, and life science. It consists of 25 questions and students are given 11 minutes to complete this test area. The second test area of the ASVAB test is on arithmetic reasoning (AR). This test area consists of 30 questions that deal with ones' understanding of mathematical word problems. Test takers are given 36 minutes to complete this section. The third test area deals with word knowledge (WK). There are 35 questions in this section, and they test the ability to understand word meanings by using synonyms. There are 11 minutes to complete this test area. The fourth test area is on paragraph comprehension (PC). This test area measures the ability to understand and obtain information from written materials. There are 15 questions in this section, and there are 13 minutes to complete this section as well. The fifth test area deals with mathematics knowledge (MK). There are 25 questions in this test area, and they determine ones' knowledge of mathematical concepts, principles, and applications. There are 24 minutes given to complete this ASVAB test area. The sixth testing area is about electronics information (EI). This test area tests ones' knowledge of electronic circuits and devices, electrical current, and various electronic systems. There are 20 questions in this test area, and test takers are given nine minutes to complete this section. The seventh test area deals with auto and shop information (AS). The 25 questions in this test area deal with metal and wood shop practices as well as auto repair and maintenance. Test takers have 11 minutes to complete this test area. Finally, the eighth test area deals with mechanical comprehension (MC). There are 25 questions in this test area and they deal with material properties and ones' understanding of mechanical devices and structural support. The ASVAB test has a total of 200 questions, and a total of 170 minutes to complete the test (including administration time).
The ASVAB test is scored by forming several composite scores from the results of the eight test areas. Three composite scores are given to each test taker. These composite scores are referred to as Career Exploration Scores, and they make students aware of careers that may be a good fit for their abilities, as demonstrated on the ASVAB test. Furthermore, percentile based scores can be used to help a student compare their abilities to others in their grade level.