You NEED To Read This Before You Take The ASVAB!
Before you take the ASVAB, I’m sure you are given some tips. Tips like, guess at the end if you run out of time! Unfortunately, this may be incorrect and cost you dearly. As we mentioned previously in one of our posts about the ASVAB time limits, you might be a little crunched for time on certain sections. What sections that you have trouble with depend on you and your abilities. There are 9 or 10 different sections depending on the version of the ASVAB you take. This could be either the computerized version or the paper and pencil version.
When we were researching about the different ASVAB time limits, we stumbled across a game changer. So without further delay, pay attention to what we are about to say. Don’t worry, we will go in more detail below after this ultimate tip!
- If you are running out of time on the COMPUTERIZED ASVAB—– DO NOT GUESS the final answers!
- If you are running out of time on the PENCIL AND PAPER ASVAB—– GUESS the final answers!
Yo! Say what?!
You read that right! If you take the ASVAB on the computer, whether you are at a MEPS or a MET Site, and you see you are running out of time, don’t guess. Now if you’re on the paper and pencil version, you’ll need to guess if you are cutting it close.
Let me explain further.
Computerized ASVAB
The reasoning behind this statement of not guessing on the computerized version is pretty simple really. When a person takes the ASVAB on the computer, each question is very important. When you first start, you will be given a question. If you get this very first question on each section correct, it will automatically choose a little bit harder question. If you get that question correct, it will increase in difficulty and so on until you miss one. Think of it as the Angry Birds game. Each level gets increasingly harder for you.
This graphic was pulled from the official ASVAB test site that hardly anyone goes to. This will help visualize what I’m trying to say.
So, as you can see on this graphic, when you answer the first question correctly, it increases to a harder item each time you get it right. The computer ASVAB is done this way as it decreases the time needed to take the whole thing. Now, for the proof that you shouldn’t guess on the computerized ASVAB version.
“If time is running short, try to read and legitimately answer the questions, rather than filling in random guesses for the remaining items, as the CAT-ASVAB applies a relatively large penalty when several incorrect answers are provided toward the end of a subtest.“
There you have it, straight from the official ASVAB website. This doesn’t mean that if you see a minute remaining to start stressing out. You should do the opposite! Read the question, use this process of elimination, and make the best guess/answer you can in order to not get that penalty! I wonder how many of you made this mistake?
I know I sure did when I took the ASVAB!
Paper and Pencil ASVAB
Now we get to the old school version of the ASVAB, the paper and pencil version. Before you take ASVAB in this setting, it’s important to read on. Unlike the computerized version of the ASVAB, if you are short on time, you’ll need to bubble in those unanswered questions to the best of your ability.
I’m not saying to guess on 98% of whatever section is kicking your butt, but if you have 30 seconds left and 10 answers still not completed, you might want to finish.
This little snippet is taken straight from the official ASVAB website.
“Answer every question. If you run out of time, it is to your advantage to fill in random guesses for the remaining items, as there is no penalty for guessing.“
There it is, plain and simple. If it’s coming straight from the source, then it must be true! So before you take the ASVAB, remember this information.
I know this might be conflicting information from what you’ve been told in the past, but please read and share this post!
Tell your friends “before you take the ASVAB, you need to read this” so they won’t make a mistake myself, and an untold number of people have probably made!
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