Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail!

If you don’t know how to study for the ASVAB test, you’re doomed.

That’s because the ASVAB exam is pretty difficult.

And given that competition for places within the US military is high, only the very best candidates will make it through to boot camp. You need to make sure that you are among that number – and the best way of achieving that is to put together a comprehensive study guide for the ASVAB exam.

How can I prepare for the ASVAB exam?

First things first, know the syllabus.

The syllabus is broad and deep. It covers everything from Math Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension to Electronics Information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Word Knowledge.

Unless you know what gets tested, you can’t create a long-term study guide.

Your study plan depends on your target goals.

For instance: you must take into consideration your target AFQT and MOS scores, and what career and branch of the military you wish to join. Some MOS scores require candidates to excel at some ASVAB subjects over others, and this focus must be reflected in your study plan. Spend more time studying these subjects more than the others.

Here are some extra strategies on how to study for the ASVAB test:

• Master the core math, English, and science on the ASVAB exam.
• Read more; especially material related to the military.
• Make notes; and include revision sessions in your plan to review these notes.
• Take as many ASVAB test practice questions as possible.
• If you hope to enlist in an engineering-style role, get practical experience.
• Attend your local library – and take advantage of their resources.
• Ensure that you have all study materials needed to cover the entire syllabus.
• Take breaks between study sessions rather than going on very long slogs.

The most successful ASVAB exam candidates attack the exam from multiple angles – incorporating many if not most of the strategies we have listed so far. You need to think about your existing study plan, and how you can modify this plan with the above strategies and techniques in mind.

This means maximizing how to study for the ASVAB exam; maximizing your study performance to ensure that you can commit to memory as many details as possible in the most efficient possible manner.

Taking an online ASVAB test prep course is also a highly effective tool to help you master the exam. A structured course has, in one place, all the study material you need to know, and often includes additional study features such as flashcards and interactive ASVAB practice tests: simplifying the exam and delivering the results you need to achieve.

Cram for the ASVAB exam?

In a word – no.

Cramming can be harmful because it forces the brain to process too much information at the same time. As a result, the information you do remember is short-lived, and during a stressful exam format, you can easily become confused about whether you are recalling the right information.

Studies show that students who cram only score average results. But average is not the result you want to achieve on the ASVAB exam. Competition is high, and only the cream of the crop will make it through.

Many candidates don’t know how to study for the ASVAB test, and so end up cramming. If you are hoping to cram for the ASVAB exam, don’t bother.

You will score an average result and won’t make it through to boot camp.

Candidates need to actively understand what they are learning: converting short-term memories into long-term comprehensible memories. The only way to achieve this outcome is to plan your ASVAB study timetable well in advance. We are talking months here, not days or weeks.

With this timeframe, and with the right study materials and ASVAB test practice questions to hand, you can prepare without stress; you can understand the material you are learning; and you can translate this long-term effort into results on the day of your exam.

Take Home Message

Creating an effective ASVAB test guide takes time.

You must factor in the entirety of the syllabus, but to tailor that syllabus according to the subjects you need to master to achieve your target AFQT and MOS scores.

You must create a long-term study plan that covers this material; includes revision sessions; and a diverse range of study tools to maximize the learning experience.

You must not cram; because cramming means short-term memory stores, greater confusion for the brain; and a propensity to forget the information soon after learning it.

Now you know how to study for the ASVAB test. Don’t waste any more time. Recalibrate your focus with these strategies in mind – and watch your knowledge, skill, and exam performance reach its full potential.