The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a test that covers basic knowledge such as math and verbal skills, writing skills, and vocabulary. It is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States military and is an indicator for one's personal aptitude for a particular career.
The ASVAB is offered for free at Kohala High School in partnership with the Military Entrance Processing Station. It is scheduled in November. It is open to 11th, and 12th graders. Students must pick up a Permission form in the counselor's office. Students will receive their score sheets during an interpretation sessions a few weeks after the test. Students may choose whether they want to share their scores with military recruiters or not.
Practice on www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab
Official ASVAB Program website www.asvabprogram.com/
ASVAB Prep Test on www.4tests.com/asvab
Army ASVAB prep on www.march2success.com/
ASVAB for the Air Force then click on Test Scores
ASVAB explained by the U.S. Army
Recommended ASVAB Study Materials from the Coast Guard
Becoming a Marine by the Marines
ASBAB explained by the National Guard
The ASVAB is offered for free at Kohala High School in partnership with the Military Entrance Processing Station. It is scheduled in November. It is open to 11th, and 12th graders. Students must pick up a Permission form in the counselor's office. Students will receive their score sheets during an interpretation sessions a few weeks after the test. Students may choose whether they want to share their scores with military recruiters or not.
Practice on www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab
Official ASVAB Program website www.asvabprogram.com/
ASVAB Prep Test on www.4tests.com/asvab
Army ASVAB prep on www.march2success.com/
ASVAB for the Air Force then click on Test Scores
ASVAB explained by the U.S. Army
Recommended ASVAB Study Materials from the Coast Guard
Becoming a Marine by the Marines
ASBAB explained by the National Guard
QualifyingTo join the military, you must meet certain standards. It is very important that you are honest with your recruiter if you don't meet a certain requirement. Your recruiter may be able to have the requirement waived. If you lie about something that disqualifies you, you could end up in jail or receive a dishonorable discharge. Each branch of service sets its own enlistment standards for specific jobs. The Department of Defense also sets general standards for all services to follow. These standards apply to both enlisted personnel and officers.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the military's way of assessing what jobs you may be good at. It covers a wide range of abilities beyond just reading and math. Although it is designed to help you choose a military occupation, it is a great way to discover your natural abilities and what civilian careers you may be good at. Here are a few facts about the ASVAB:
About the Test
It is a multiple-choice timed test and takes about three hours to complete. The test is divided into 8 sections:
Who Sees Your Scores
Before you take the ASVAB, you will need to sign a Privacy Act Statement that grants permission for the Department of Defense (DoD) to score your test. If you do not sign the permission form, your test will not be processed. After the DoD scores your test, you (and your school counselor, if you are in high school) will receive a copy of your ASVAB Summary Results. Students can individually choose to release or withhold their information. Otherwise, your school decides if, when, and how recruiters are able to see your test scores and contact information. To learn how to prevent your school from releasing your information to recruiters, check out For Parents. ASVAB information is not shared with the Selective Service System.
Education
Recruits with high school diplomas are preferred by the military. You may be able to enlist with a GED, but the armed forces have been allowing fewer and fewer GED-holders in. To become a commissioned officer, you must have a college degree. The military separates potential recruits into three categories of education:
Moral Character
The military is a disciplined organization and places a great deal of trust in each of its service members. Recruits must have good moral character. The military checks court records, juvenile delinquency, arrests, and drug use. Certain offenses can be waived, but do not lie about your record. You can be sent to jail and dishonorably discharged for lying about your past, years after you enlist.
Age
You can join at 17 with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. If you are 18 or older, you do not need the consent of a parent or guardian. Maximum ages:
Physical & Medical Exam
You must be healthy and meet minimum vision standards to join the military. While some past medical problems can be waived, physical and mental disabilities cannot. Other conditions that will prevent you from enlisting include diabetes, severe allergies, epilepsy, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other diseases. There are minimum and maximum weight limits depending on your gender, age, and height. Generally, men must be between 5'0" and 6'8". Women must be between 4'10" and 6'8".
Citizenship
You must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration standards to join. For more information, check out For Non-Citizens.
Family Requirements
You can enlist whether you are single or married. If you are single and have dependents under age 18, you may only be eligible for certain branches of service. If you are single and have more than two dependents under the age of 18, you may not be allowed to enlist.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the military's way of assessing what jobs you may be good at. It covers a wide range of abilities beyond just reading and math. Although it is designed to help you choose a military occupation, it is a great way to discover your natural abilities and what civilian careers you may be good at. Here are a few facts about the ASVAB:
- Taking the ASVAB is not a commitment to enlist.
- Everyone interested in enlisting must take the ASVAB. Your score determines which branches of service and jobs you can enlist in.
- Each enlisted occupation requires a minimum score. The score represents the skills needed to perform a particular job.
- Minimum scores vary from service to service, and from job to job. The minimum score to be an aircraft mechanic in the Navy may be different from the minimum score for the same job in the Air Force.
- You may take the test in High School, at a Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS), or at a Military Examining Team Site (METS).
- You can take the ASVAB more than once, but only your most recent score is valid. Your score is good for 2 years.
- If you want to join as an officer, you do not have to take the ASVAB. However, it is a great way to evaluate your abilities.
About the Test
It is a multiple-choice timed test and takes about three hours to complete. The test is divided into 8 sections:
- General Science
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Paragraph Comprehension
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Electronics Information
- Auto and Shop Information
- Mechanical Comprehension
Who Sees Your Scores
Before you take the ASVAB, you will need to sign a Privacy Act Statement that grants permission for the Department of Defense (DoD) to score your test. If you do not sign the permission form, your test will not be processed. After the DoD scores your test, you (and your school counselor, if you are in high school) will receive a copy of your ASVAB Summary Results. Students can individually choose to release or withhold their information. Otherwise, your school decides if, when, and how recruiters are able to see your test scores and contact information. To learn how to prevent your school from releasing your information to recruiters, check out For Parents. ASVAB information is not shared with the Selective Service System.
Education
Recruits with high school diplomas are preferred by the military. You may be able to enlist with a GED, but the armed forces have been allowing fewer and fewer GED-holders in. To become a commissioned officer, you must have a college degree. The military separates potential recruits into three categories of education:
- Tier 1: high school diploma holders
- Tier 2: GED or equivalent certificate holders
- Tier 3: non-graduates
- Army: no more than 5% of enlistments per year
- Navy: no more than 5% of enlistments per year
- Air Force: no more than 1% of enlistments per year
- Marine Corps: no more than 5% of enlistments per year
- Coast Guard: no more than 25 enlistments per year
Moral Character
The military is a disciplined organization and places a great deal of trust in each of its service members. Recruits must have good moral character. The military checks court records, juvenile delinquency, arrests, and drug use. Certain offenses can be waived, but do not lie about your record. You can be sent to jail and dishonorably discharged for lying about your past, years after you enlist.
Age
You can join at 17 with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. If you are 18 or older, you do not need the consent of a parent or guardian. Maximum ages:
- Army: 42 years
- Navy: 34 years
- Air Force: 27 years
- Marine Corps: 29 years
- Coast Guard: 27 years
Physical & Medical Exam
You must be healthy and meet minimum vision standards to join the military. While some past medical problems can be waived, physical and mental disabilities cannot. Other conditions that will prevent you from enlisting include diabetes, severe allergies, epilepsy, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other diseases. There are minimum and maximum weight limits depending on your gender, age, and height. Generally, men must be between 5'0" and 6'8". Women must be between 4'10" and 6'8".
Citizenship
You must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration standards to join. For more information, check out For Non-Citizens.
Family Requirements
You can enlist whether you are single or married. If you are single and have dependents under age 18, you may only be eligible for certain branches of service. If you are single and have more than two dependents under the age of 18, you may not be allowed to enlist.
