ASVAB math is not very tough, but it can be tricky. Turning a
good ASVAB math score into a great ASVAB math score requires
learning to avoid "careless" errors—and realizing that these
errors are often the result of traps built into the
questions.
Know What to Expect
The two math sections on the ASVAB are called "Arithmetic
Reasoning" and "Mathematical Knowledge." Because together they
form the quantitative half of the Armed Forces Qualifying Test,
you'll want to do well on these sections no matter what your
ultimate vocational aim in the military is.
- The Arithmetic Reasoning section is a
36-minute, 30-question test of your ability to handle
arithmetic word problems. Typical Arithmetic Reasoning
questions include questions that involve tallying numbers, as
well as questions about rates, percents, ratios, proportions,
averages, unit conversions, and the like.
- The Mathematics Knowledge section is a
24-minute, 25-question test of your understanding of a wide
range of concepts in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. You may
still see the occasional word problem on the Mathematical
Knowledge section of the ASVAB, but in general the questions,
while drawn from a wider base of mathematical concepts, are
more straightforward than the word problems found on the
Arithmetic Reasoning section.
Here are three helpful tips for
tackling ASVAB Math:
- Read Through the Question:
Make sure you read the entire question before you start solving
the problem. If you don't read the question carefully, it's
incredibly easy to make careless mistakes.
- Decide Whether to do the Question
Now:
A big part of taking control on your ASVAB test experience is
deciding which problems to answer and which to save for later.
Spend your time on the problems you can solve quickly, and then
return to ones that give you trouble after you've finished the
rest of the section.
- Look For the Fastest Way to Answer the
Question:
Once you've understood what the question asks and have decided
to tackle it now, it's time to look for shortcuts. Sometimes
the "obvious" way to solve the problem is the long way.
Remember that you'll be under a lot of time pressure when you
take the test and you'll want to use your time well. Sometimes
the quickest route to answering the problem is not the way you
were taught to do the problem back in math class. You don't
necessarily have to do the math differently, but you must do it
deliberately.
Learn Paragraph Comprehension Strategies for the
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