ASVAB practice test: AFQT questions with explanations
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Practice the four ASVAB subtests that make up your AFQT score: Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge. Start with 5 free questions, then take two full 60-question timed tests with a worked explanation for every answer.
- 5 free questions
- 2 full tests, 120 questions
- All 4 AFQT subtests
- Step-by-step explanations
- Practice certificate PDF
What are the ASVAB and the AFQT?
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the entrance test for enlisting in the U.S. military. Most applicants take the computer-adaptive version, the CAT-ASVAB: each question adapts to your level, so a correct answer is followed by a harder question.
Four subtests (Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge) form your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT is a percentile from 1 to 99 that compares you with a national reference group of young adults, and it decides whether you can enlist at all. The other ASVAB subtests (science, electronics, auto and shop, mechanics, assembling objects) feed the line scores that decide which jobs you qualify for.
The four AFQT subtests
| Subtest | What it tests | CAT-ASVAB questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | Word problems: rates, percentages, ratios, averages | 15 | 55 min |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | Vocabulary: pick the closest meaning | 15 | 9 min |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | Short passages: main idea, details, inferences | 10 | 27 min |
| Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | Algebra, geometry, exponents, fractions | 15 | 31 min |
Scored questions and time limits for the CAT-ASVAB as published on officialasvab.com; unscored tryout questions can be added, which makes the session longer. Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension are combined into a verbal score that counts double in the AFQT.
Each MyLevel practice test has 60 questions (15 per subtest) in 60 minutes. That is tighter than the real time limits, so you build speed. No calculator is allowed on the ASVAB, so practice without one.
ASVAB scores needed for each branch (2026)
| Branch | Minimum AFQT with a high school diploma | With a GED / alternative credential |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 (scores of 21-30 may qualify for the Future Soldier Preparatory Course) | May be higher; ask a recruiter |
| Navy | No single published number; 31 is commonly cited | 50 commonly cited |
| Air Force | 31 | 50 |
| Marine Corps | 31 | 50 |
| Coast Guard | 32 (most Tier I applicants) | 47 (Tier II) |
| Space Force | 36 baseline, from 31 for otherwise-qualified applicants | 50 |
Sources: official branch recruiting pages and policy documents, checked in 2026. Minimums change with recruiting needs and waivers, and many jobs need higher line scores, so your recruiter has the final word. A practice score on MyLevel is an indication only, not an AFQT percentile.
Tips to raise your AFQT score
- Arithmetic Reasoning: read the question first, write down the numbers you need and check the units (hours vs. minutes, tons vs. pounds).
- Word Knowledge: think of your own synonym before you look at the choices, and use prefixes and roots to decode unfamiliar words.
- Paragraph Comprehension: the answer must be supported by the passage itself; for main-idea questions, choose the option that covers the whole passage.
- Mathematics Knowledge: learn the core formulas (area, perimeter, circles, the Pythagorean theorem, exponents) and plug answer choices back in when you are stuck.
- Pacing: on the CAT-ASVAB you cannot go back, and unfinished questions are scored as random guesses, so finish every subtest. WK and PC count double, so verbal practice pays off twice.
MyLevel is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Department of Defense or any military branch. All questions are original practice questions written by MyLevel, not real ASVAB questions, and a practice score is not an official AFQT score.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the real ASVAB?
No. These are original practice questions in the same format as the four AFQT subtests. The official ASVAB is given only through military recruiters, at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or an approved test site.
What ASVAB score do I need to enlist?
Recruiters look at your AFQT percentile. With a high school diploma, the minimum is 31 for the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, 32 for most Coast Guard applicants and about 31-36 for the Space Force; the Navy does not publish one number. GED holders usually need around 50. Check the current rules with a recruiter.
How is the AFQT score calculated?
It is based on Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension. The two verbal subtests are combined and counted double, and the total is converted into a percentile from 1 to 99.
Can I use a calculator on the ASVAB?
No. Calculators are not allowed, so all of the math on MyLevel is designed to be done by hand or in your head.
What do I get for $12.99?
Two full timed practice tests of 60 questions each (15 per AFQT subtest), a score with a breakdown by subtest, and a step-by-step explanation for every question. It is a one-time payment with no subscription.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. After a full practice test you can download a MyLevel practice certificate (PDF) with your score. It is a personal record of your practice result, not an official ASVAB or AFQT score report.