How does the military job aptitude test work?

I'm considering joining the military after high school and heard about the military job aptitude test. What does the test involve, and how important are the results for getting the job I want within the military?

The test you're referring to is known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB. The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude test that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

The ASVAB is structured into ten short tests over a 3-hour period. Questions cover topics such as arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and mathematics knowledge. Also, there are subtests for understanding mechanical and electronic principles, along with spatial/perceptual tasks.

Your scores on some or all of these individual tests are combined into composite scores, which are used to determine your qualification for various military occupations. For instance, your Marksmanship score would be computed using your performances on the Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, and paragraph comprehension sections.

As to the importance of ASVAB scores for military jobs, the different branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) have their own specific job qualification requirements, but they all use your ASVAB scores to determine which jobs or occupational specialties you qualify for. If you've got a specific career in mind, you'll want to aim for the score related to that, as these are generally non-negotiable benchmarks.

Preparation for the ASVAB is recommended, as it can help improve results and increase opportunities within the military. Several online study guides and practice tests are available to help you understand the types of questions you'll be asked, the format, and the content areas. Keep in mind that the higher your ASVAB score, the more job opportunities you'll have within the military. All the best with your decision and preparation!