ASVAB — All Questions

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800 questions

Arithmetic Reasoning

A vendor buys 200 shirts for $6 each and sells 175 of them at $14 each. What is the profit?

  • a.$1,450
  • b.$2,450
  • c.$1,250✓
  • d.$1,050

Revenue is 175 x $14 = $2,450, but the cost covers all 200 shirts at $6, or $1,200. Profit is 2,450 - 1,200 = $1,250.

Arithmetic Reasoning

An award of $840 is divided among three people in the ratio 3 to 4 to 5. How much does the person with the largest share receive?

  • a.$210
  • b.$420
  • c.$350✓
  • d.$280

The ratio has 3 + 4 + 5 = 12 parts, so each part is 840 / 12 = $70. The largest share is 5 x $70 = $350.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A generator burns 0.8 gallon of fuel per hour and runs from 0600 until 1830. How much fuel does it burn?

  • a.11.2 gallons
  • b.12.5 gallons
  • c.9.6 gallons
  • d.10.0 gallons✓

From 0600 to 1830 is 12.5 hours, and 12.5 x 0.8 = 10.0 gallons.

Arithmetic Reasoning

Brand A sells 18 ounces for $4.32 and Brand B sells 24 ounces for $5.52. How much less per ounce is the cheaper brand?

  • a.$0.01✓
  • b.$0.03
  • c.$0.02
  • d.$0.05

Brand A costs 4.32 / 18 = $0.24 per ounce and Brand B costs 5.52 / 24 = $0.23 per ounce, a difference of $0.01 per ounce.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A room measures 14 feet by 18 feet. Carpet is sold by the square yard. How many square yards are needed?

  • a.32 square yards
  • b.24 square yards
  • c.36 square yards
  • d.28 square yards✓

The floor is 14 x 18 = 252 square feet. One square yard is 9 square feet, so 252 / 9 = 28 square yards.

Arithmetic Reasoning

Five machines fill 300 boxes in 2 hours. At the same rate, how many boxes will 8 machines fill in 3 hours?

  • a.640 boxes
  • b.480 boxes
  • c.900 boxes
  • d.720 boxes✓

One machine fills 300 / (5 x 2) = 30 boxes per hour. Eight machines for 3 hours give 30 x 8 x 3 = 720 boxes.

Arithmetic Reasoning

What is a 15 percent tip on a bill of $46.40?

  • a.$9.28
  • b.$7.42
  • c.$5.80
  • d.$6.96✓

Ten percent of $46.40 is $4.64 and 5 percent is half of that, $2.32. Together the tip is $6.96.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A saver deposits $45 the first week and increases the deposit by $5 each following week. How much has been deposited after six weeks?

  • a.$315
  • b.$370
  • c.$330
  • d.$345✓

The deposits are 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70. That is six deposits of $45 plus 5 x (1+2+3+4+5) = $75, for $345.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A car with a 16-gallon tank averages 27 miles per gallon. How far can it travel on a full tank?

  • a.405 miles
  • b.432 miles✓
  • c.448 miles
  • d.486 miles

Range equals gallons times miles per gallon: 16 x 27 = 432 miles.

Arithmetic Reasoning

Of 450 recruits, 60 percent are men, and 20 percent of the men wear glasses. How many men wear glasses?

  • a.54 recruits✓
  • b.108 recruits
  • c.45 recruits
  • d.90 recruits

There are 450 x 0.60 = 270 men, and 20 percent of 270 is 54. The second percentage applies to the men only, not to all 450.

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Arithmetic Reasoning

A shipment of 1,250 items has a defect rate of 4 percent. How many items are not defective?

  • a.1,200 items✓
  • b.1,206 items
  • c.1,150 items
  • d.1,246 items

Four percent of 1,250 is 50 defective items, so 1,250 - 50 = 1,200 are good.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A driver travels 2 hours at 55 miles per hour and then 3 hours at 65 miles per hour. What was the average speed for the whole trip?

  • a.63 mph
  • b.61 mph✓
  • c.60 mph
  • d.58 mph

The distance is 110 + 195 = 305 miles over 5 hours, so 305 / 5 = 61 mph. Averaging 55 and 65 ignores that more time was spent at the faster speed.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A shopper pays with a $50 bill for items costing $12.75, $8.40, and $19.99. How much change is due?

  • a.$9.16
  • b.$7.86
  • c.$8.86✓
  • d.$8.14

The items total $41.14, and 50.00 - 41.14 = $8.86.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A batch that feeds 48 people uses 6 pounds of rice. How much rice is needed for 20 people?

  • a.2.0 pounds
  • b.2.5 pounds✓
  • c.3.0 pounds
  • d.3.5 pounds

Each person needs 6 / 48 = 0.125 pound, and 0.125 x 20 = 2.5 pounds.

Arithmetic Reasoning

An account pays 0.5 percent simple interest per month. How much interest does $500 earn in 8 months?

  • a.$25.00
  • b.$20.00✓
  • c.$12.50
  • d.$40.00

Each month earns 500 x 0.005 = $2.50, and $2.50 x 8 = $20.00.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A truck has a load limit of 2,000 pounds and is carrying 46 crates weighing 38 pounds each. How many more pounds may it carry?

  • a.152 pounds
  • b.232 pounds
  • c.252 pounds✓
  • d.348 pounds

The crates weigh 46 x 38 = 1,748 pounds, so 2,000 - 1,748 = 252 pounds remain.

Arithmetic Reasoning

Two-fifths of a class of 35 students chose the morning shift and the rest chose evenings. How many chose evenings?

  • a.21 students✓
  • b.25 students
  • c.18 students
  • d.14 students

If 2/5 chose mornings, then 3/5 chose evenings. One-fifth of 35 is 7, so 3/5 is 21 students.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A copier prints 22 pages per minute for 9 minutes, jams for 4 minutes, then prints at the same rate for 6 more minutes. How many pages are printed?

  • a.264 pages
  • b.330 pages✓
  • c.198 pages
  • d.418 pages

The copier actually prints for 9 + 6 = 15 minutes, so 22 x 15 = 330 pages. The 4-minute jam produces nothing.

Arithmetic Reasoning

After a 20 percent discount, a coat costs $96. What was the original price?

  • a.$108.00
  • b.$124.80
  • c.$120.00✓
  • d.$115.20

The sale price is 80 percent of the original, so the original is 96 / 0.80 = $120.00. Checking, 20 percent of $120 is $24, and 120 - 24 = 96.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A garden 20 feet by 30 feet is bordered by a walkway 3 feet wide on all sides. What is the area of the walkway alone?

  • a.396 square feet
  • b.276 square feet
  • c.306 square feet
  • d.336 square feet✓

The walkway adds 3 feet on each side, making the outer rectangle 26 by 36, or 936 square feet. Subtracting the 600-square-foot garden leaves 336.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A driver covers 60 miles at 30 miles per hour and returns over the same 60 miles at 60 miles per hour. What is the average speed for the round trip?

  • a.40 mph✓
  • b.45 mph
  • c.36 mph
  • d.48 mph

The outbound leg takes 2 hours and the return takes 1 hour, so 120 miles are covered in 3 hours, or 40 mph. Averaging 30 and 60 to get 45 ignores the unequal times.

Arithmetic Reasoning

A box holds 24 red markers, 16 blue markers, and 40 green markers. What percent of the markers are blue?

  • a.25%
  • b.20%✓
  • c.16%
  • d.18%

There are 80 markers in all, and 16 / 80 = 0.20.

Word Knowledge

Abate most nearly means

  • a.subside✓
  • b.conclude
  • c.repeat
  • d.enlarge

To abate is to lessen or die down, as a storm abates. Enlarge is its opposite, and the other choices describe different actions entirely.

Word Knowledge

The sergeant gave a terse reply. Terse most nearly means

  • a.brief✓
  • b.loud
  • c.rude
  • d.long-winded

Terse describes speech that is short and to the point. It can sound abrupt, but the meaning is about length rather than politeness or volume.

Word Knowledge

Lenient most nearly means

  • a.punctual
  • b.tolerant✓
  • c.strict
  • d.unforgiving

A lenient supervisor is easygoing about the rules and slow to punish. Strict and unforgiving both point the other way.

Word Knowledge

Candid most nearly means

  • a.hidden
  • b.clumsy
  • c.formal
  • d.frank✓

A candid remark is honest and unguarded. Hidden is the reverse, and formal describes tone rather than honesty.

Word Knowledge

Deter most nearly means

  • a.determine
  • b.deteriorate
  • c.postpone
  • d.discourage✓

To deter is to prevent someone from acting by making the action unattractive. Postponing an act only delays it, and the other choices concern deciding and decaying.

Word Knowledge

Frugal most nearly means

  • a.thrifty✓
  • b.hungry
  • c.careless
  • d.wealthy

A frugal person spends sparingly. Wealth is unrelated, since a rich person may be frugal and a poor person may not be.

Word Knowledge

The bridge was declared obsolete. Obsolete most nearly means

  • a.unstable
  • b.crowded
  • c.outdated✓
  • d.expensive

Something obsolete has been replaced by something newer and is no longer in use. An obsolete item may still be perfectly sound structurally.

Word Knowledge

Meager most nearly means

  • a.scant✓
  • b.steady
  • c.bright
  • d.heavy

Meager means small in amount and less than is needed, as in a meager portion.

Word Knowledge

Placid most nearly means

  • a.sour
  • b.flat
  • c.calm✓
  • d.tense

Placid describes something untroubled and still, such as a placid lake or a placid temperament. Tense is its opposite.

Word Knowledge

Taut most nearly means

  • a.tight✓
  • b.sudden
  • c.damp
  • d.hollow

A taut rope is pulled tight with no slack left in it. The word says nothing about moisture, weight, or speed.

Word Knowledge

Vigilant most nearly means

  • a.truthful
  • b.cheerful
  • c.restless
  • d.watchful✓

A vigilant sentry stays alert for danger. Restless describes an inability to keep still, which is a different idea.

Word Knowledge

Fledgling most nearly means

  • a.soldier
  • b.specialist
  • c.beginner✓
  • d.teacher

A fledgling bird has only just left the nest, and the word carries over to anyone just starting out. A specialist sits at the opposite end of the same scale.

Word Knowledge

Fog began to shroud the harbor. Shroud most nearly means

  • a.carry
  • b.clean
  • c.find
  • d.hide✓

To shroud something is to cover it so that it cannot be seen. Find is roughly its opposite.

Word Knowledge

Diligent most nearly means

  • a.forgetful
  • b.talkative
  • c.hardworking✓
  • d.unpredictable

A diligent worker applies steady, careful effort. The word describes effort, not results or personality.

Word Knowledge

The corporal's account of the incident was accurate. Accurate most nearly means

  • a.correct✓
  • b.recent
  • c.lengthy
  • d.unusual

An accurate account matches the facts. Its length and how recently it was given say nothing about whether it is right.

Word Knowledge

Adjacent most nearly means

  • a.distant
  • b.neighboring✓
  • c.concealed
  • d.crooked

Adjacent things lie next to each other, as in adjacent rooms. Distant is its opposite.

Word Knowledge

Potent most nearly means

  • a.gentle
  • b.clever
  • c.hollow
  • d.strong✓

A potent dose or a potent argument carries great force or effect. Gentle suggests the opposite kind of strength.

Word Knowledge

Perilous most nearly means

  • a.risky✓
  • b.doubtful
  • c.pleasant
  • d.lengthy

A perilous route is one that puts a traveler at risk. Doubtful concerns uncertainty rather than danger.

Word Knowledge

Halt most nearly means

  • a.climb
  • b.join
  • c.rush
  • d.stop✓

To halt is to bring movement to an end, as a column halts on command. Rush points the opposite way.

Word Knowledge

Reluctant most nearly means

  • a.prompt
  • b.capable
  • c.hesitant✓
  • d.enthusiastic

A reluctant volunteer holds back. Enthusiastic is its opposite, and capable concerns ability rather than willingness.

Word Knowledge

Lethargy most nearly means

  • a.irritation
  • b.tiredness✓
  • c.hunger
  • d.muscle

Lethargy is a heavy lack of energy and unwillingness to move. Hunger and irritation are different states entirely.

Word Knowledge

Void most nearly means

  • a.narrow
  • b.hidden
  • c.filled
  • d.empty✓

A void space contains nothing at all. Filled is its opposite, and the other choices describe shape and visibility.

Word Knowledge

Summit most nearly means

  • a.border
  • b.peak✓
  • c.valley
  • d.meadow

The summit is the highest point of a mountain. Valley is the low ground between mountains.

Word Knowledge

Ponder most nearly means

  • a.consider✓
  • b.release
  • c.forget
  • d.measure

To ponder is to think something over carefully before acting.

Word Knowledge

Legible most nearly means

  • a.breakable
  • b.lawful
  • c.spoken
  • d.readable✓

Legible handwriting can be made out easily. Lawful sounds similar to legal but is a different word family from legible.

Word Knowledge

Barren most nearly means

  • a.bare✓
  • b.rocky
  • c.muddy
  • d.green

Barren land produces little or no vegetation. Rocky ground can still support plants, so it is not the same idea.

Word Knowledge

Congregate most nearly means

  • a.inspect
  • b.deliver
  • c.disperse
  • d.gather✓

To congregate is to come together in a crowd. Disperse is its opposite, describing a crowd breaking up.

Word Knowledge

The colonel issued a stern warning. Stern most nearly means

  • a.vague
  • b.final
  • c.harsh✓
  • d.brief

A stern warning is severe and unsmiling in tone. It may be short, but shortness is not what the word means.

How hard is the exam?

The ASVAB is the U.S. military's enlistment aptitude battery — the computer-adaptive CAT-ASVAB runs about two hours across ten subtests and is administered free by the military. There is no pass/fail: four subtests (Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension) combine into your AFQT percentile, and each branch sets its own minimum AFQT for enlistment. Our practice bank covers eight of those areas — it groups Auto and Shop Information together and has no Assembling Objects questions.

Recommended study hours
Focus study on the four AFQT subtests, since they set enlistment eligibility; practice arithmetic and vocabulary most.
Pass rate
We read Official ASVAB's own published material in September 2026 and there is no pass rate in it. There is nothing for a pass rate to describe: “AFQT scores are reported as percentiles between 1-99. An AFQT percentile score indicates the percentage of examinees in a reference group that scored at or below that particular score.” A percentile is a rank against other test-takers, not a bar you clear.Source: Official ASVAB — Understanding ASVAB Scores (applicants)
Where to focus first
The four AFQT subtests — Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension — decide your enlistment score.

Fees and salaries are approximate and change over time. The pass rate above is quoted from the source linked beside it, for the period that source covers — where we have not checked a source, we say so and give no number.

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