If you’re thinking about joining the military, there are a few steps you need to take before you’re shipped off to basic training. You’ll need to talk with a recruiter, undergo a background check, get a medical exam, and more.

One of the most important steps in joining the military is taking the ASVAB, which helps you pick a branch and determine your eligibility for different job opportunities. Below, we’ll help you learn more about the ASVAB, qualifying scores, and how you can study for an upcoming exam so you can be successful.

What Is the ASVAB?

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an aptitude test that predicts professional and occupational success in the military. Potential new recruits will take the ASVAB to determine whether they’re eligible to join the armed forces and which job suits them best. There are thousands of positions available in the military, so the ASVAB helps narrow the choices for prospective troops.

The ASVAB has various testing areas, including arithmetic, general science, mechanical comprehension, paragraph comprehension, and more. You’re scored on individual subtests and their composites. Your total score will help you determine what branch you can join, plus what jobs you’d do best in while in the military.

The Score Requirements for Each Branch

One of the most important scores of the ASVAB is the Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT). The results of the AFQT are comprised of math knowledge, verbal expression, and arithmetic reasoning scores. Each branch has a unique AFQT score to determine whether you qualify for their service, and these qualifying scores vary depending on whether you have a high school diploma or GED.

The minimum scores may change over time, but currently, you need a 31 with a high school diploma or a 50 with a GED for the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy. The Coast Guard requires a minimum score of 40 with a high school diploma and 50 with a GED. If you’re aiming for a specific branch or job in the military, you can ask a recruiter what score you need to achieve.

How to Prepare for the ASVAB

If you want to get a good score on the ASVAB to open up more job opportunities for you in the military, use the following steps to help you prepare so you can do your best:

1. Familiarize Yourself With the Content

The first step of preparing for the ASVAB is familiarizing yourself with the content you’ll be tested on. The ASVAB tests on four main domains: verbal, math, science and technical, and spatial. Once you’re more familiar with the content, you can create a study plan to help you work on the individual areas. When you start studying, you should focus on the areas critical to the AFQT scores.

2. Make a Study Schedule

One of the most important steps in preparing for the ASVAB is making a study schedule and sticking to it. For example, you can set aside a few hours each day to study the different components of the ASVAB. While there will be days you feel tired or have difficulty concentrating, sticking to your schedule will greatly benefit your performance.

3. Take Practice Tests

You can find plenty of practice tests or sample questions online to help you gauge where you currently are, allowing you to adjust your study plan. You should take practice tests regularly while you prepare, generally once a week so you can see where you’re improving. Depending on the results of your practice tests, you can determine whether you need to increase your study time or follow the same schedule.

4. Focus on Your Weaknesses

After you take your practice tests, you’ll be able to see where your weaknesses are. Once you know what subjects you can improve in, you can alter your study plan to address these weaknesses. For example, if your weakness is math and arithmetic, you can transition your study schedule to focus 60% of your time on that subject and the rest of the time on other subjects.

5. Know What to Expect

Knowing what to expect on test day can help minimize your nerves and help you feel more confident. On the day of the test, you’ll be asked to go to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or a Military Entrance Test (MET) site. Remember to bring a valid ID so you’re allowed into the testing room.

You’ll need to show up on time because you won’t be permitted to take the test if you’re late, forcing you to reschedule. Apart from other potential recruits, you’ll be alone in the room with the person administering the test. You also won’t be able to bring anything with you, like calculators, pencils, pens, or water bottles, so leave these at home or in the car.

Generally, the computer-based ASVAB takes around 1.5 hours to complete, but test takers will have 154 minutes to complete every section. The paper and pencil version takes about 3 hours or 149 minutes total.

Can You Retake the ASVAB?

If you don’t get the score you wanted when you get your test results, it doesn’t mean you can’t try again. However, there are some stipulations when retesting for the ASVAB. For example, you’ll need to wait one month after your first test before you can take the ASVAB a second time. If you want to retest after your first, you’ll need to wait six months from your second test date.

It’s also important to note that the ASVAB is only valid for two years. If you take the ASVAB and wait more than two years to officially enlist in the military, you’ll need to take the test again.

What to Do Before the Test

Apart from studying, there are other things you should do before the test to make sure you have the best chance. Some steps you should take the night and morning before include:

●Getting rest: Getting a good night’s sleep the night before the ASVAB will make it easier to concentrate on the test. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep to perform well on test day.

●Eating well: Eating a good meal gives your body and mind fuel to concentrate. The night before and the morning of, you should eat a well-balanced meal. Try to avoid junk food that only provides temporary energy. Instead, opt for brain-friendly foods like peanut butter, eggs, kale, broccoli, spinach, and kale.

●Hydrating: The day before the test, you should drink plenty of water. Going into the test dehydrated can make it hard to focus, increase fatigue, and make it challenging to focus. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water the day before, and don’t forget to drink water in the morning.

●Relaxing: Taking tests can be stressful, which can be counterintuitive to your performance since stress can impact focus, memory, and concentration. The day before, don’t worry as much about studying and take some time to relax instead so you come into the test feeling refreshed. Do something you enjoy that isn’t too mentally draining, like reading a fun book, spending time with loved ones, or meditating.

Taking care of your health and well-being before you take the ASVAB will give you the energy and focus you need to do your best.

Let MLC Help You in Your Military Career

If you’re starting a career in the military, you’ll need plenty of gear to help you. MilitaryLuggage Company offers a wide selection of bags, packs, and cases for each branch, whether you’re looking for duffles, assault packs, kit bags, rucksacks, and more.

You can browse by branch, color, or type to find exactly what you need. Browse our complete selection to get started, or contact us today with any questions.