Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 2
Icons Used in This Book 2
Beyond the Book 2
Where to Go from Here 3
Part 1: Getting Started with the ASVAB 5
Chapter 1: Putting the ASVAB under a Microscope 7
Knowing Which Version You're Taking 7
Mapping Out the ASVAB Subtests 8
Eyeing Easy, Medium, and Hard Questions 10
Deciphering ASVAB Scores 10
Do-Over: Retaking the ASVAB 15
Chapter 2: Knowing What It Takes to Get Your Dream Job 19
Eyeing How ASVAB Scores Determine Military Training Programs and Jobs 20
Understanding How Each Branch Computes Line Scores 21
Chapter 3: Strategizing Your Way to a Good Score 25
Taking the Test: Computerized or Paper? 25
Tackling Multiple-Choice Questions 28
When You Don't Know an Answer: Guessing Smart 29
Studying and Practicing for the ASVAB 30
Getting Access to the Online Test Bank 32
Personalizing Your Own Study Plan 32
Outlining Your ASVAB Study Strategy 33
Making Last-Minute Preparations: 24 Hours and Counting 37
Part 2: Words to Live By: Communication Skills 39
Chapter 4: Word Knowledge 41
Grasping the Importance of Word Knowledge 42
Checking Out the Word Knowledge Question Format 42
Building Words from Scratch: Strategies to Help You Decipher Word Meanings 43
Yin and Yang: Understanding Synonyms and Antonyms 48
ASVAB Word Knowledge Strategy: Finding the Answer When You Just Don't Know 49
You Are What You Speak: Improving Your Vocabulary, Improving Yourself 54
Word Knowledge Practice Questions 58
Answers and Explanations 62
Chapter 5: Paragraph Comprehension 65
Understanding the Importance of Paragraph Comprehension for Military Jobs 65
Eyeing the Physique of the Paragraph Comprehension Subtest 66
Sampling the Four Types of Comprehension Questions 66
Do You Get My Point? Breaking down Paragraphs 71
Analyzing What You've Read: Guessing at What the Writer Really Means 73
Faster than a Speeding Turtle: Tips for Slow Readers 74
Test-Taking Tips for Reading and Gleaning 75
Paragraph Comprehension Practice Questions 77
Answers and Explanations 84
Part 3: Making the Most of Math: Arithmetic Skills 87
Chapter 6: Mathematics Knowledge and Operations 89
Just When You Thought You Were Done with Vocab: Math Terminology 90
Operations: What You Do to Numbers. 91
Working on Both Sides of the Line: Fractions 95
A Powerful Shorthand: Writing in Scientific Notation 104
Getting to the Root of the Problem. 104
Test-Taking Techniques for Your Mathematical Journey 106
Math Knowledge and Operations Practice Questions 109
Answers and Explanations 113
Chapter 7: Algebra 119
Coming to Terms with Basic Algebra Lingo 119
Solving for X 120
When All Things Are Equal: Keeping an Algebra Equation Balanced 121
Tackling Two-Variable Equations 125
Explaining Exponents in Algebra 127
A Step Back: Factoring Algebra Expressions to Find Original Numbers 127
Making Alphabet Soup: Solving Quadratic Equations 128
All Math Isn't Created Equal: Solving Inequalities 129
Algebra Practice Questions 132
Answers and Explanations 136
Chapter 8: Geometry 145
Perusing Perimeter and Area 146
Outlining Angles 146
Pointing Out Triangle Types 148
Back to Square One: Quadrilaterals 149
Going around in Circles 151
Fillin' It Up: Calculating Volume 152
Mapping Out Coordinates 157
Hammering Down Helpful Geometry Formulas 158
Geometry Practice Questions 160
Answers and Explanations 167
Chapter 9: Arithmetic Reasoning: Math Word Problems 173
Tackling the Real World of Word Problems 174
The Guessing Game: Putting Reason in Your Guessing Strategy 177
Arithmetic Reasoning (Math Word Problems) Practice Questions 180
Answers and Explanations 187
Part 4: Examining General Science Under a Microscope 195
Chapter 10: General Science and Life Science 197
There's a Scientific Method to the Madness 198
Understanding Forms of Measurement 199
Uncovering Biology, from Big to Small 200
Perusing the Human Body Systems 204
Digging through Plant Physiology 210
Thinking Small: A Look at Cells 212
Swimming in the Gene Pool: Genetics 214
Using Common Sense to Hypothesize about Answers 215
General and Life Science Practice Questions 216
Answers and Explanations 220
Chapter 11: Physical Sciences 223
Chemistry: Not Blowing Up the Lab 224
Physics: It Matters (and It's Matter) 230
Physical Science Practice Questions 239
Answers and Explanations 243
Chapter 12: Earth and Space Sciences 247
Staying Down to Earth with Geology and Meteorology 247
Paleontology: Can You Dig It? 255
Where Few Have Gone Before: Astronomy 257
Getting Back to Your Latin Roots to Improve Your Test Score 262
Earth and Space Science Practice Questions 263
Answers and Explanations 267
Part 5: The Whole Ball of Facts: Technical Skills 271
Chapter 13: Auto Information 273
Checking under the Hood 273
Cruising toward a Better Score 283
Auto Information Practice Questions 285
Answers and Explanations 287
Chapter 14: Shop Information 289
Picking Up the Tools of the Trade 289
Sticking Materials Together with Fasteners 296
Building a Better Score 298
Shop Information Practice Questions. 300
Answers and Explanations 302
Chapter 15: Mechanical Comprehension 303
A-mass-ing Knowledge on Matter, Weight, Density, and Relativity 304
Understanding the Forces of the Universe 305
You Call That Work?! 310
Relying on Machines to Help You Work 312
Working Your Way to a Better Test Score 321
Mechanical Comprehension Practice Questions 323
Answers and Explanations 326
Chapter 16: Electronics Information 329
Uncovering the Secrets of Electricity 330
Switching Things Up with Alternating and Direct Current 340
Picture It: Decoding Electrical Circuit Codes 342
Coming in Hot: Wire Color Codes Used in the U.S 346
Eyeing Some Electronics Information Test Tips 347
Electronics Information Practice Questions 349
Answers and Explanations 351
Chapter 17: Assembling Objects 353
Getting the Picture about Assembling Objects 353
Two Types of Questions for the Price of One 354
Tips for the Assembling Objects Subtest 357
Assembling Objects Practice Questions 359
Answers and Explanations 361
Part 6: Practice Asvab Exams 363
Chapter 18: Practice Exam 1 365
Answer Sheet for Practice Exam 1 367
Subtest 1: General Science 369
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning 371
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge 375
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension 378
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge 381
Subtest 6: Electronics Information 384
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information 386
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension 389
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects 394
Chapter 19: Practice Exam 1: Answers and Explanations 397
Subtest 1: General Science Answers 397
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 399
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge Answers 402
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 404
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 405
Subtest 6: Electronics Information Answers 408
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information Answers 410
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension Answers 411
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects Answers 413
Chapter 20: Practice Exam 2 417
Answer Sheet for Practice Exam 2 419
Subtest 1: General Science 421
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning 423
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge 427
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension 430
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge 433
Subtest 6: Electronics Information 436
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information 438
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension 441
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects 446
Chapter 21: Practice Exam 2: Answers and Explanations 449
Subtest 1: General Science Answers 449
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 451
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge Answers 453
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 455
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 456
Subtest 6: Electronics Information Answers 459
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information Answers 460
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension Answers 462
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects Answers 463
Chapter 22: Practice Exam 3 467
Answer Sheet for Practice Exam 3 469
Subtest 1: General Science 471
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning 474
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge 477
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension 480
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge 483
Subtest 6: Electronics Information 486
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information 488
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension 491
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects 496
Chapter 23: Practice Exam 3: Answers and Explanations 499
Subtest 1: General Science Answers 499
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 501
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge Answers 505
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 506
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 508
Subtest 6: Electronics Information Answers 510
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information Answers 512
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension Answers 513
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects Answers 515
Chapter 24: AFQT Practice Exam 1 519
Answer Sheet for AFQT Practice Exam 1 521
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning 523
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge 527
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension 530
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge 534
Chapter 25: AFQT Practice Exam 1: Answers and Explanations 537
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 537
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge Answers 540
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 542
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 543
Chapter 26: AFQT Practice Exam 2 547
Answer Sheet for AFQT Practice Exam 2 549
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning 551
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge 555
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension 558
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge 561
Chapter 27: AFQT Practice Exam 2: Answers and Explanations 565
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 565
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge Answers 569
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 571
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 572
Part 7: The Part of Tens 577
Chapter 28: Ten Surefire Ways to Fail the ASVAB 579
Choosing Not to Study at All 579
Failing to Realize How Scores Are Used 580
Studying for Unnecessary Subtests 580
Losing Focus 580
Panicking over Time 581
Deciding Not to Check the Answers 581
Making Wild Guesses or Not Guessing at All 581
Changing Answers 582
Memorizing the Practice Test Questions 582
Misunderstanding the Problem 582
Chapter 29: Ten Tips for Doing Well on the AFQT 583
As Soon as the Test Starts, Write Down What You're Likely to Forget 583
Read All the Answer Choices before Deciding 583
Don't Expect Perfect Word Matches 584
Read the Passages before the Questions 584
Reread to Find Specific Information 584
Base Conclusions Only on What You Read 584
Change Percents to Decimals 584
Understand Inverses 585
Remember How Ratios, Rates, and Scales Compare 585
Make Sure Your Answers Are Reasonable 585
Chapter 30: Ten Ways to Boost Your Math and English Skills 587
Practice Doing Math Problems 587
Put Away Your Calculator 587
Memorize the Order of Operations 588
Know Your Geometry Formulas 588
Keep a Word List 589
Study Latin and Greek 589
Use Flashcards 590
Read More, Watch TV Less 590
Practice Finding Main and Supporting Points 590
Use a Study Guide 590
Part 8: Appendixes 591
Appendix A: Matching ASVAB Scores to Military Jobs 593
Army Enlisted Jobs 593
Air Force Enlisted Jobs 598
Navy Enlisted Jobs 601
Marine Corps Enlisted Jobs 604
Coast Guard Enlisted Jobs 608
Appendix B: Word Knowledge Resources 611
Digging Down to Word Roots 611
Pointing Out Prefixes 620
Spotting Hard-Working Suffixes 625
Index 629
