The formula
The AFQT is built from four subtests, and the verbal half counts twice:
AFQT = 2 × (Word Knowledge + Paragraph Comprehension) + Arithmetic Reasoning + Mathematics Knowledge
Read that again, because it is the single most useful fact about preparing for this exam. Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension are doubled. An hour spent on vocabulary is worth more to your AFQT than an hour spent on electronics, auto shop or assembling objects — none of which appear in it at all.
What the four look like
| Subtest | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic Reasoning | 30 | 36 min |
| Word Knowledge | 35 | 11 min |
| Paragraph Comprehension | 15 | 13 min |
| Mathematics Knowledge | 25 | 24 min |
| Total | 225 | 149 min |
That is 105 of the 225 questions, and 84 of the 149 minutes. Just under half the exam decides whether you get in.
What the other five are for
General Science, Electronics Information, Auto and Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension and Assembling Objects do not touch the AFQT. They feed the line scores that decide which military occupations you qualify for. They matter — but they matter after the question of whether you can enlist has been settled.
How to use this
If you have limited time, sit those four subtests on their own first and find out where you stand. Our practice exams can be assigned one subtest at a time for exactly that reason, so you can work the AFQT four without sitting all 149 minutes in one go.
Practice the real thing
Our ASVAB exams are full length and written from scratch — every wrong answer carries its own explanation, so a child learns what they got wrong and why. Ten questions are free, with no account and no card. After that it is five credits an exam.