How important is ASVAB for military vocation
Developed by the Department of Defense of US, ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is an important aspect in the recruitment process of the US Armed Forces. The test is conducted over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) across the US. ASVAB is multi-aptitude test consisting of various subsets and composites of the subsets. The test helps in analysing the strengths, frailty and prospects of joining the US Armed Forces. The candidates are also given complete information on the various jobs, both civilian and military, to choose a career path and opt for college, vocational school or a military career.
There are three versions of ASVAB and the division is made in accordance to the purpose it serves. The three versions are the CAT - ASVAB, the MET-site ASVAB and the Student ASVAB. The first version, CAT-ASVAB, is aimed at recruitment for joining purpose in any of the military services and is conducted at MEPS. The computerized test works under an automated system which can display of questions and scores, record answers and scores of every ASVAB subtests and also compute AFQT score. The test does have time limits for each test however, the start times are flexible. If the subtest is completed before the allotted time limit, the automated system goes to the next test however, to continue immediately or later is candidate's choice. The CAT-ASVAB consists of 9 subtests including General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Electronics Information, Auto Information, Shop Information and Mechanical Comprehension.
The MET-site ASVAB is aimed at recruitment for joining into one of the military forces and are conducted at Mobile Examination Test site located in various cities. Taking up MET-site ASVAB requires a referral from the recruiter. It is a pen and paper test and does not have flexibility in start time of tests. The test comprises same subtests as CAT-ASVAB with the only difference that there are only 8 subtests as Auto Information and Shop Information are combined as one. The Student-ASVAB is aimed at helping high school and college students in exploring military careers. This is also a pen and paper test and conducted in high schools, colleges and vocational schools. The subtests of Student ASVAB are same as the MET-site ASVAB.
The scores in the ASVAB are of great importance. The scores of the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) are the most critical among all the scores of various subtests. The score in AFQT determines the qualification of the candidate to join the US military. The AFQT comprises of four sections including Arithmetic Reasoning, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge and Word Knowledge. Each service in the US military including Army, Navy, Marines, Air force and Coast Guard have a minimum requirement of AFQT score to join their service. The job in the Army and the Marine Corps is known as MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), jobs in the Air Force are called AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code), and jobs in the Navy and Coast Guard are called ratings or rate. The highest score requirement is for Coast Guard followed by Air Force, Navy and, Marine and Army. Moreover, the scores in the other ASVAB subtests decide the career field (college, vocational school or military career) or military occupation eligibility. As the joining bonuses depend on the choice of occupation, having better scores would ensure more opportunities.
Thus, for joining the US Military, clearing ASVAB plays an important role. Not only does it evaluate the capability of a candidate's for being Military personnel, the performance of the test also decides upon the service in which the candidate can join. Hence, an aspiring military personnel or student should take upon the ASVAB with full criticality.
