Home / ASVAB test format
ASVAB test
format: subtests,
questions and
time limits
The CAT-ASVAB has 10 timed subtests grouped into five skill areas — 135 questions in
about 3 hours 17 minutes. Four subtests combine into your AFQT score, the number that
decides whether you qualify to enlist. Here's exactly what's tested, how long you get,
and how the scoring works.
135
Total questions
~197 min
~197 min
4 of 10
Subtests count to AFQT
The 10 subtests, by category
VERBAL EXPRESSION · COUNTS TO AFQT
Word Knowledge
Correct meaning of a word, sometimes its opposite.
20 Q · 30 min
Paragraph Comprehension
Short passages, then questions on what you read.
20 Q · 30 min
MATH · COUNTS TO AFQT
Arithmetic Reasoning
Word problems using basic arithmetic — the longest subtest.
20 Q · 30 min
Mathematics Knowledge
High-school algebra and geometry, applied directly.
20 Q · 30 min
SCIENCE
General Science
Life, earth, space and physical science, high-school level.
20 Q · 30 min
TECHNICAL
Electronics Information
Circuits, wiring, basic electronic terms and symbols.
20 Q · 30 min
Auto & Shop Information
Auto systems and shop tools — timed apart, scored as one.
20 Q · 30 min
Mechanical Comprehension
Levers, gears, pulleys and basic physical principles.
20 Q · 30 min
TECHNICAL
Assembling Objects
Visualize how disconnected pieces fit together.
20 Q · 30 min
CAT-ASVAB vs paper ASVAB
Same topics, different question counts and timing. Most people at MEPS take the
computer version.
CAT-ASVAB
135 questions · ~197 min
Adapts difficulty to your answers
Given at MEPS
Most common version
Paper ASVAB
225 questions · ~149 min
Fixed difficulty for everyone
Given at MET sites
Also used for student version
How your AFQT score is calculated
Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension combine into a Verbal Expression score, which is doubled, then added to Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge. The result converts to a 1–99 percentile — the number every branch's enlistment cutoff is measured against.
2 × VE
+
AR
+
MK
+
AFQT raw score
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the ASVAB?
The CAT-ASVAB has 135 questions across 10 subtests, taking about 3 hours 17 minutes total. The paper version has 225 questions with fixed timing per section.
Which subtests count toward the AFQT?
Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge. The other six subtests affect your line scores for specific jobs, not your AFQT.
What's the difference between CAT and paper ASVAB?
CAT-ASVAB adapts question difficulty to your previous answers and is given at MEPS. Paper ASVAB uses fixed difficulty for everyone and is given at MET sites or for the student version.