Learn more about what candidates must study, and what exam tips and tricks to apply, to master this part of the ASVAB exam.
15 Questions
39 Minutes
30 Questions
36 Minutes
Unlike the math knowledge exam, candidates are not asked questions on abstract topics
such as algebra or other formulaic methods.
Questions on the ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning exam are word problems that involve the
manipulation of numbers using:
Questions on arithmetic reasoning are not the same as questions on the math knowledge exam. Whereas math knowledge asks questions about abstract concepts such as algebra, arithmetic reasoning asks word problems that test your ability to work through long-form step-by-step solutions.
Though arithmetic may seem easy, the problems are often not so simple as they involve some degree of analytical problem-solving skills. You will be presented with a word problem and asked to come up with a plan of action to determine the correct answer. The correct answer matters, but what the test is examining is your ability to come up with that step-by-step plan of action. And because you will not have a calculator, you need to think ahead before rushing into a problem.
As it is one of the four subtests used to calculate
your AFQT score!