2021 / 2022 ASVAB For Dummies Book + 7 Practice Tests Online + Flashcards + Video
, by Papple Johnston, Angie
- ISBN: 9781119784173 | 1119784174
- Cover: Paperback
- Copyright: 3/23/2021
Own the ASVAB test with the #1 guide on the market!
Passing the ASVAB test is the essential ticket to getting into your dream branch of the military—and a good score can determine the shape of your career. A stellar performance can also help you get grants and bonuses for school, so—no pressure! But don't be daunted: like any military operation, having the right plan of attack and equipment are key—and as the number-one-selling guide year after year that's packed with all the information you need to win, the latest edition ASVAB For Dummies takes care of both of these in one!
In a friendly, straightforward style, Angie Papple Johnston—who passed the test herself in 2006 to join the Army—provides in-depth reviews of all nine test subjects. Don't worry if you slept through some of this material in school; you'll find a complete refresher on everything you'll be expected to know—plus full explanations for every answer, drill exercises, and strategy cheat sheets for verbal, math, and general sciences. You'll also get tips on how to pinpoint areas where you need to develop mental muscle and to strengthen your test-taking skills. And if this weren't already giving you some pretty awesome firepower, you can also go online to reinforce your game using flashcards and customizable practice tests calibrated to address areas where you need help the most.
- Match your skills against practice problems
- Drill your math, science, and English knowledge to perfection
- Master test strategy and tactics
- Get one-year access to additional practice tests, flashcards, and videos online
Whatever your aim for your military career, this book provides the perfect training ground for you to be the very best you can be on the day of the test!
Angie Papple Johnston joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist, ready to tackle chemical weapons in a Level-A HAZMAT suit. She's currently the noncommissioned-officer-in-charge of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological operations in an aviation battalion near Washington, D.C.
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
Deciphering ASVAB Scores 10
Defining all the scores 10
Understanding the big four: Your AFQT scores 12
Do-Over: Retaking the ASVAB 15
U S Army retest policy 15
U S Air Force retest policy 16
U S Navy retest policy 16
U S Marine Corps retest policy 17
U S Coast Guard retest policy 17
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
Line scores and the Army 21
Line scores and the Navy and Coast Guard 22
Line scores and the Marine Corps 23
Line scores and the Air Force 23
Chapter 3: Getting Acquainted with Test-Taking and Study Techniques 25
Taking the Test: Computerized or Paper? 25
Going paperless: The pros and cons of the computerized test 26
Writing on hard copy: The advantages and disadvantages of the paper version 27
Tackling Multiple-Choice Questions 28
When You Don’t Know an Answer: Guessing Smart 29
Studying and Practicing for the ASVAB 30
Making Last-Minute Preparations: 24 Hours and Counting 32
Part 2: Words to Live By: Communication Skills 33
Chapter 4: Word Knowledge 35
Grasping the Importance of Word Knowledge 35
Checking Out the Word Knowledge Question Format 36
Building Words from Scratch: Strategies to Help You Decipher Word Meanings 37
From beginning to end: Knowing prefixes and suffixes 37
Determining the root of the problem 39
Word families: Finding related words 40
Deconstructing words 41
Yin and Yang: Understanding Synonyms and Antonyms 42
ASVAB Word Knowledge Strategy: Finding the Answer When You Just
Don’t Know 42
Creating your own context 43
How’s it feel? Letting the words speak to you 43
Compare and contrast: Picking up on signals 44
One of these things is not like the other: Ruling out wrong answers 44
Mind filling in? Replacing the word with the answer choices 45
Say what? Parts of speech matter 46
If all else fails, break your word 47
Guess what! It’s okay on the ASVAB 47
You Are What You Speak: Improving Your Vocabulary, Improving Yourself 48
Reading your way to a larger vocabulary 48
Keeping a list and checking it twice 49
Crosswords: Making vocabulary fun 50
Sounding off by sounding it out 50
Word Knowledge Practice Questions 51
Answers and Explanations 53
Chapter 5: Paragraph Comprehension 55
Understanding the Importance of Paragraph Comprehension for Military Jobs 55
Eyeing the Physique of the Paragraph Comprehension Subtest 56
Trying the Four Flavors of Comprehension Questions 56
Treasure hunt: Finding specific information 57
Cutting to the chase: Recognizing the main idea 57
If the shoe fits: Determining word meaning in context 58
Reading between the lines: Understanding implications 58
Do You Get My Point? Breaking down Paragraphs 60
What’s the big idea? Determining the main idea in a paragraph 60
Extra, extra! Identifying subpoints 61
Analyzing What You’ve Read: Guessing at What the Writer Really Means 62
Faster than a Speeding Turtle: Tips for Slow Readers 63
Read more, watch less 63
Become a lean, mean word machine 63
Build your confidence 63
Test-Taking Tips for Reading and Gleaning 64
Paragraph Comprehension Practice Questions 66
Answers and Explanations 70
Part 3: Making the Most of Math: Arithmetic Skills 73
Chapter 6: Mathematics Knowledge and Operations 75
Just When You Thought You Were Done with Vocab: Math Terminology 76
Operations: What You Do to Numbers 77
First things first: Following the order of operations 78
Completing a number sequence 79
Averaging mean, median, and mode in a range 80
Working on Both Sides of the Line: Fractions 80
Common denominators: Preparing to add and subtract fractions 81
Multiplying and reducing fractions 82
Dividing fractions 83
Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers and back again 83
Expressing a fraction in other forms: Decimals and percents 84
Showing comparisons with ratios 87
A Powerful Shorthand: Writing in Scientific Notation 88
Getting to the Root of the Problem 89
Perfect squares 89
Irrational numbers 90
Other roots 90
Test-Taking Techniques for Your Mathematical Journey 90
Knowing what the question is asking 91
Figuring out what you’re solving for 91
Solving what you can and guessing the rest 91
Using the process of elimination 92
Math Knowledge and Operations Practice Questions 93
Answers and Explanations 95
Chapter 7: Algebra 97
Coming to Terms with Basic Algebra Lingo 97
Solving for x 98
When All Things Are Equal: Keeping an Algebra Equation Balanced 99
Solving one-step equations involving addition and subtraction 99
Multiplying and dividing 100
Solving multistep equations 100
Simplifying equations 101
Using FOIL 101
Tackling Two-Variable Equations 102
Substitution 102
Combining equations 102
Explaining Exponents in Algebra 103
A Step Back: Factoring Algebra Expressions to Find Original Numbers 104
Pulling out the greatest common factor 104
Factoring a three-term equation (x2 + bx = c) 104
Making Alphabet Soup: Solving Quadratic Equations 105
All Math Isn’t Created Equal: Solving Inequalities 106
Algebra Practice Questions 108
Answers and Explanations 110
Chapter 8: Geometry 115
Outlining Angles 116
Parallel lines 117
Naming angles 117
Pointing Out Triangle Types 118
Back to Square One: Quadrilaterals 119
Going around in Circles 120
Navigating the circumference 121
Mapping out the area of a circle 121
Fillin’ It Up: Calculating Volume 122
Scratching the surface area of solids 123
Breaking down combined figures 125
Mapping Out Coordinates 127
Geometry Practice Questions 129
Answers and Explanations 132
Chapter 9: Arithmetic Reasoning: Math Word Problems 135
Tackling the Real World of Word Problems 136
Reading the entire problem 136
As plain as the nose on a fly: Figuring out what the question is asking 136
Digging for the facts 137
Setting up the problem and working your way to the answer 138
Drawing a diagram 138
Reviewing your answer 139
The Guessing Game: Putting Reason in Your Guessing Strategy 139
Using the process of elimination 140
Solving what you can and guessing the rest 140
Making use of the answer choices 140
Arithmetic Reasoning (Math Word Problems) Practice Questions 142
Answers and Explanations 145
Part 4: Examining General Science Under a Microscope 151
Chapter 10: General Science and Life Science 153
There’s a Scientific Method to the Madness 154
Understanding Forms of Measurement 155
Uncovering Biology, from Big to Small 156
Relating to your world through ecology 156
Variety is the spice of life: Biodiversity 157
Categorizing Mother Nature 157
Perusing the Human Body Systems 160
Picking your brain: The nervous system 161
Flowing through the heart, blood, and circulatory system 161
Renal 9-1-1: Emergency toxin filtering 162
Breathing in and out: The respiratory system 162
You are what you eat: The digestive system 162
Muscling your way through life 162
Taking the skeletons out of the closet 163
Ending up in the endocrine system 164
The lymphatic system: When things go haywire 164
Damage control through the integumentary system 164
Continuing the species through the reproductive system 165
Keeping the body in peak operating condition 165
Digging through Plant Physiology 166
Types of plants 166
Where plant processes take place 166
Plant reproduction 167
Thinking Small: A Look at Cells 168
Inspecting cell structure 168
Profiting from cell processes 169
Swimming in the Gene Pool: Genetics 170
Copying genes 170
Determining your sex with two little letters 170
Knowing which genes get passed down the family line 171
Using Common Sense to Hypothesize about Answers 171
General and Life Science Practice Questions 172
Answers and Explanations 173
Chapter 11: Physical Sciences 175
Chemistry: Not Blowing Up the Lab 176
How chemists look at things 176
Understanding the elements, my dear Watson 177
Sitting down at the periodic table 177
Changing states: Physical and chemical moves for molecules 177
Boiling and freezing 179
Compounds, mixtures, and reactions: When elements get together 179
Covering all the bases (and the acids, too) 181
Physics: It Matters (and It’s Matter) 182
Keeping track with SI units of measurement 182
Weight and mass 183
Newton’s laws: The science of motion 183
Measuring work, force, energy, and power 185
Did you hear that? Understanding sound waves 186
The rainbow of frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum 187
Heating things up with energy 188
Opposites attract: Magnetism and polarization 190
Physical Science Practice Questions 191
Answers and Explanations 193
Chapter 12: Earth and Space Sciences 195
Staying Down to Earth with Geology and Meteorology 195
Peeling back the layers of the planet 196
Seeing the sea through a different lens 197
Outta this world: Checking the atmosphere 198
Warming up to cold fronts 199
We’re not in Kansas anymore: Understanding what causes extreme weather events 200
Keeping track of weather patterns 200
Classifying clouds 201
Figuring out temperature conversions 202
Paleontology: Can You Dig It? 203
Plants, germs, dinosaurs, and humans 203
Dating a caveman 205
Where Few Have Gone Before: Astronomy 205
Taking a bite out of the Milky Way 206
Taking a quick glimpse at the sun 206
Perusing the planets 207
Shooting for the moons 208
Watching for meteors, comets, and asteroids 209
Getting Back to Your Latin Roots to Improve Your Test Score 210
Earth and Space Science Practice Questions 211
Answers and Explanations 213
Part 5: The Whole Ball of Facts: Technical Skills 215
Chapter 13: Auto Information 217
Checking under the Hood 217
Chassis and frame: Holding it all together 218
The engine: Different strokes 218
Electrical and ignition systems: Starting up 222
Cooling systems: Preventing a meltdown 223
Lubrication systems: Keeping the engine moving smoothly 223
Exhaust systems: Where byproducts go to die 223
Emissions-control systems: Filtering out pollutants 224
Drive systems: Taking it for a spin 224
Suspension and steering systems: Keeping it on the road 225
Brake system: Pulling out all the stops 226
Cruising toward a Better Score 227
Auto Information Practice Questions 229
Answers and Explanations 231
Chapter 14: Shop Information 233
Picking Up the Tools of the Trade 233
Measuring tools 234
Leveling and squaring tools 234
Striking tools 235
Fastening tools 235
Soldering and welding tools 237
Cutting tools 237
Drilling, punching, and gouging tools 238
Finishing tools 239
Clamping tools 240
Sticking Materials Together with Fasteners 240
Nails 240
Screws and bolts 241
Nuts and washers 241
Rivets 242
Building a Better Score 242
Shop Information Practice Questions 244
Answers and Explanations 246
Chapter 15: Mechanical Comprehension 247
A-mass-ing Knowledge on Matter, Weight, Density, and Relativity 248
Understanding the Forces of the Universe 249
He hit me first! The basics of action and reaction 249
Equilibrium: Finding a balance 250
Under pressure: Spreading out the force 250
Looking at kinds of forces 250
You Call That Work?! 254
Contrasting the difference between potential and kinetic energy 254
Exerting force to make things happen 255
Overcoming resistance 255
Powering through work 255
Relying on Machines to Help You Work 256
Using levers to your advantage 256
Ramping up the inclined plane 257
Easing your effort: Pulleys and gears 258
Multiplying your effort: Wheels and axles 262
Opening up the door to torque 263
Getting a grip on things with vises 264
Magnifying your force with liquid: Hydraulic pressure 264
Working Your Way to a Better Test Score 265
Using your observations and common sense 265
Using the mathematics of mechanics 266
Guessing with a mechanical mind 266
Mechanical Comprehension Practice Questions 268
Answers and Explanations 271
Chapter 16: Electronics Information 275
Uncovering the Secrets of Electricity 275
Going subatomic 277
Earning the good conduct(or) medal 278
Examining the current of the electrical river 278
Resistance: Putting the brakes on electrical flow 278
Measuring voltage: Do you have the potential? 279
Getting around to circuits 280
Measuring power 284
Producing electrical effects 285
Switching Things Up with Alternating and Direct Current 286
Figuring out frequency 286
Impedance: Join the resistance! 287
Rectifying the situation: Going direct 288
Turning up the transistor radio 288
Picture It: Decoding Electrical Circuit Codes 288
Coming in Hot: Wire Color Codes Used in the U S 292
Eyeing Some Electronics Information Test Tips 293
Memorizing simple principles 293
Playing the guessing game 294
Electronics Information Practice Questions 295
Answers and Explanations 297
Chapter 17: Assembling Objects 299
Getting the Picture about Assembling Objects 299
Two Types of Questions for the Price of One 300
Putting tab A into slot B: Connectors 300
Solving the jigsaw puzzle: Shapes 302
Tips for the Assembling Objects Subtest 303
Comparing one piece or point at a time 304
Visualizing success: Practicing spatial skills ahead of time 304
Assembling Objects Practice Questions 305
Answers and Explanations 307
Part 6: Practice Asvab Exams 309
Chapter 18: Practice Exam 1 311
Answer Sheet for Practice Exam 1 313
Subtest 1: General Science 315
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning 317
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge 321
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension 324
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge 327
Subtest 6: Electronics Information 330
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information 332
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension 335
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects 340
Chapter 19: Practice Exam 1: Answers and Explanations 343
Subtest 1: General Science Answers 343
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 345
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge Answers 348
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 350
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 351
Subtest 6: Electronics Information Answers 354
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information Answers 356
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension Answers 357
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects Answers 359
Chapter 20: Practice Exam 2 363
Answer Sheet for Practice Exam 2 365
Subtest 1: General Science 367
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning 369
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge 373
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension 376
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge 379
Subtest 6: Electronics Information 382
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information 384
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension 387
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects 392
Chapter 21: Practice Exam 2: Answers and Explanations 395
Subtest 1: General Science Answers 395
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 397
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge Answers 399
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 401
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 402
Subtest 6: Electronics Information Answers 405
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information Answers 406
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension Answers 408
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects Answers 409
Chapter 22: Practice Exam 3 413
Answer Sheet for Practice Exam 3 415
Subtest 1: General Science 417
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning 420
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge 423
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension 426
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge 429
Subtest 6: Electronics Information 432
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information 434
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension 437
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects 442
Chapter 23: Practice Exam 3: Answers and Explanations 445
Subtest 1: General Science Answers 445
Subtest 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 447
Subtest 3: Word Knowledge Answers 451
Subtest 4: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 452
Subtest 5: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 454
Subtest 6: Electronics Information Answers 456
Subtest 7: Auto & Shop Information Answers 458
Subtest 8: Mechanical Comprehension Answers 459
Subtest 9: Assembling Objects Answers 461
Chapter 24: AFQT Practice Exam 1 465
Answer Sheet for AFQT Practice Exam 1 467
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning 469
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge 473
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension 476
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge 480
Chapter 25: AFQT Practice Exam 1: Answers and Explanations 483
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 483
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge Answers 486
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 488
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 489
Table of Contents xv
Chapter 26: AFQT Practice Exam 2 493
Answer Sheet for AFQT Practice Exam 2 495
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning 497
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge 501
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension 504
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge 507
Chapter 27: AFQT Practice Exam 2: Answers and Explanations 511
Subtest 1: Arithmetic Reasoning Answers 511
Subtest 2: Word Knowledge Answers 515
Subtest 3: Paragraph Comprehension Answers 517
Subtest 4: Mathematics Knowledge Answers 518
Part 7: The Part of Tens 523
Chapter 28: Ten Surefire Ways to Fail the ASVAB 525
Choosing Not to Study at All 525
Failing to Realize How Scores Are Used 526
Studying for Unnecessary Subtests 526
Losing Focus 526
Panicking over Time 527
Deciding Not to Check the Answers 527
Making Wild Guesses or Not Guessing at All 527
Changing Answers 528
Memorizing the Practice Test Questions 528
Misunderstanding the Problem 528
Chapter 29: Ten Tips for Doing Well on the AFQT 529
As Soon as the Test Starts, Write Down What You’re Likely to Forget 529
Read All the Answer Choices before Deciding 529
Don’t Expect Perfect Word Matches 530
Read the Passages before the Questions 530
Reread to Find Specific Information 530
Base Conclusions Only on What You Read 530
Change Percents to Decimals 530
Understand Inverses 531
Remember How Ratios, Rates, and Scales Compare 531
Make Sure Your Answers Are Reasonable 531
Chapter 30: Ten Ways to Boost Your Math and English Skills 533
Practice Doing Math Problems 533
Put Away Your Calculator 533
Memorize the Order of Operations 534
Know Your Geometry Formulas 534
Keep a Word List 535
Study Latin and Greek 535
Use Flashcards 536
Read More, Watch TV Less 536
Practice Finding Main and Supporting Points 536
Use a Study Guide 536
Part 8: Appendixes 537
Appendix A: Matching ASVAB Scores to Military Jobs 539
Army Enlisted Jobs 539
Air Force Enlisted Jobs 544
Navy Enlisted Jobs 547
Marine Corps Enlisted Jobs 550
Coast Guard Enlisted Jobs 554
Appendix B: Countdown to Taking the ASVAB 557
How Much Time Do You Have to Prepare? 557
Outline Your ASVAB Study Strategy 557
12 weeks out: Identify your weak spots 558
10 weeks out: Dust off your strengths 558
8 weeks out: Studying with your recruiter 559
6 weeks out: Retest yourself 559
4 weeks out: Zeroing in on your targets 559
2 weeks out: Flashcards, practice tests, and more flashcards 559
The day before the test 560
Appendix C: Word Knowledge Resources 561
Digging Down to Word Roots 561
Pointing Out Prefixes 570
Spotting Hard-Working Suffixes 575
Index 579
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