The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is mandatory if you want to join a major branch of the US Military. This multi-aptitude and the timed test got developed by the Defense Department (DoD). The same department maintains it. However, this test is the first step to go through the day in Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS). Other steps are medical examination, background check, job search, and pledge of appointment.let us know about that the What Happens If I fail the ASVAB At MEPs?
You may get disqualified if you have decided to join the US Military but failed in ASVAB at MEPS. However, you may retake the test after a month. Those scores are valid till two years after the test. But, you must wait for six months after your third attempt.
Eligibility
The minimum ASVAB score for the Navy is 31. You must retake this test if you score less than or equal to 30 on Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT). If you want to join the US military, your minimum AFQT score should be 30. Air Force is the easiest branch to get in. Next is the US military. The Mathematics Knowledge Test is the hardest in it. Contact your guidance counselor or the ASVAB program to get your results after the test.
The average score for this test is 50. Not more than 20% of aspirants get more than 60. AFQT, a part of ASVAB, helps to know whether you can join the US Military. If you do not clear this test, you may not proceed further with the US Armed Forces. So, you may retake the test.
Retest Policy
The official website for ASVAB mentions that you may retake the test infinite times. For the first three times, wait only for a month to retake the test. From the fourth month, wait for at least six months for the same. You may retake the test if you cleared it but are unsatisfied with your score. However, study well this time because the latest score will get considered, not the highest one.
You cannot retake ASVAB in the army if you only want to increase your score. You can do so only if you got failed, did not complete the test, or your score expired. Similar is the case with the US Air Force and Navy. You may retake the test after six months if you want to be the Coast Guard. In the case of being a US Marine, the recruiters may ask for a retest if they find your scores lesser than your abilities.
Qualifying ASVAB
The US Military has higher standards in the case of selection. You must answer your drug use, marital status, qualification, health, and arrest record to the recruiter before you appear for the test. They might also ask you to go through the physical test. To qualify for the ASVAB test, understand its pattern.
You may appear for an online ASVAB test only if you live far away at a particular distance. Otherwise, you must appear for the offline test. The former requires 154 minutes (for 145 questions) and the latter, 149 minutes (for 225 questions).
To Prepare For ASVAB
- To prepare for ASVAB, get familiar with the testing environment, time, and pattern of the question paper. Also, go for sample tests, online resources, and study guides. Practice beforehand and take time to study.
- Do not keep anything pending till the last moment. Do not depend on the calculators, and keep brushing up on the concepts.
- Remember the tricks to solve the questions instead of mugging up everything. Do not avoid studying just because you might have gone through those concepts in school.
- Focus on the subtests related to your preferred branch. No need to study unnecessary subjects.
Substitute To ASVAB If You Fail It
PiCAT is the version of ASVAB. You may appear for this test through your personal computer anytime to help the recruiters understand whether you are eligible to be sent to Military Entrance Test (MET) or MEPS. It can also get termed the unproctored or pre-screening test. You must aim for a minimum score of 50. PiCAT is similar to ASVAB, but the former is not timed and the latter is.
Conclusion
Technically, this test is to measure your capability to join the US Armed Forces. You have a right to say no to this test if the recruiters get too pushy. The US and Puerto Rico together have 65 MEPS locations. You may not go further with the US Military if you did not qualify for ASVAB at MEPS. So, you may retake the test. However, you must wait for a month for the first three attempts and six months for further attempts. PiCAT is another option for ASVAB.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I Get Waivers For ASVAB?
You must get the minimum scores for the preferred branches to get in.
- May I cheat in ASVAB?
Cheating in ASVAB will be of no use, especially for the verification test
