The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a series of aptitude tests that evaluates developed abilities in order to predict future academic and professional success in the military.
Students take the ASVAB to determine their best-fit path when it comes to military enlistment and careers. They have the option to take the computerized ASVAB (CAT-ASVAB) or the paper and pencil ASVAB, also known as the MET-site ASVAB, and they can also participate in the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP).
Here are some advantages of taking the CAT-ASVAB:
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Reduced testing time (average testing time is 1.5 hours)
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Students can work and move on at their own pace
- Immediate scoring
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Reduced scoring errors
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Standardized instructions and procedures
Here are some factors to consider around the MET-site ASVAB:
- Administered at a Military Entrance Test site in different cities
- Recruiter referral required
- The MET is an eight-area, multiple-choice exam where students will write their answers on a separate answer sheet.
- Unlike the CAT-ASVAB, students may not leave the testing room if they finish before the other testers.
Here’s how the ASVAB CEP works:
- Students take the ASVAB at their school to identify their skills, then they take the Find Your Interests (FYI) interest inventory to identify their interests.
- Students then use the results of the ASVAB and FYI to find a list of matching careers in the OCCU-Find database.
For a handy visual guide on comparing these exams, download the Comparing ASVAB Tests chart below:
For more information on the ASVAB and military readiness, educators can log on to the Texas OnCourse Academy and look for the module under Postsecondary Pathways > Entrance and Placement Exams > ASVAB.
