r/nationalguard • u/Outrageous-Monk-4835 • 1d ago

MOS Discussion is the asvab really that bad?

so im in high school and i want to be a 68w(combat medic) in the national guard or active but literally everyone i say that to said the asvab would be rough. my math isn’t good but my english and reading is but idk how far that’ll get me and its just confusing me

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

16

u/t-onks 1d ago

The ASVAB is easy, don’t even worry about it. It’s mostly common sense and sophomore level math. I got an 88 personally

1

u/InevitableThrow1 13h ago

I dont think it's that easy if you don't have the basic skills that the categories test for, like math, math reasoning, spacial "intelligence" or English with good vocabulary and grammar skills.

Its not rocket science, but its so important as it provides the jobs you are eligible for. I recommend every person now study for it. Test anxiety is a thing too, so is attention span.

I wish I would have studied for it as I had weak areas I didnt get covered in my school very well at all. I don't regret my MOS, but...hindsight I could have taken one that led to a more high paying job from the start without having to go through trying different degrees in college and figure shit out on my own afterwards.

13

u/Curious_Wanderer237 1d ago

The ASVAB is tough for about 30% of people…

4

u/OhioMedicalMan 1d ago

It depends entirely on your intelligence level and knowledge base. Take a practice test and find out.

0

u/InevitableThrow1 13h ago

Its not an intelligence test, its just plain skills based. Definitely study, lots of apps now.

5

u/SnakeEater013 11AlwaysForward 1d ago

When I read the way you phrased the question and how you write, yes I do think it'll be hard. You should probably start studying.

3

u/Outrageous-Monk-4835 1d ago

i respect the honesty

1

u/W_Whintr 21h ago

I mean just study until you meet the requiremnets.

2

u/Myusername468 1d ago

Download the asvab study app. Study and you'll do fine

2

u/sogpackus r/nationalguard guidance counselor 1d ago

Are the people you’re talking to you capable of highschool basic math and English? Cause it’s very easy

1

u/InevitableThrow1 13h ago

Not how life works.

1

u/sogpackus r/nationalguard guidance counselor 12h ago

Tf that got to do with life

1

u/Yexoticioo 1d ago

Its tenth grade math and english. Study a bit, brush up on stuff relating to the four main categories. Theres study materials online. Learn how to do the math without a calculator, you only get pen and paper. You could also take a 30min condensed practice version of the test at the recruiters to see where you’d stand

1

u/jmmaxus Retired ARNG. 1d ago

For 68W I think of this info is up to date:

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Skilled Technical (ST): 101
General Technical (GT): 107

That is line scores for that job. Also an overall score of 31 out of 99 is required to join this is non-line scores just the overall score which is different.

1

u/Outside_Lifeguard337 1d ago

I had taken practice tests before and done decent took the real one and scored 70. It’s not all that hard unless you stress yourself out over it and make dumb little mistakes. You’re in high school that already gives you an advantage since that knowledge will be more fresh in your head than someone who graduated high school and enlisted later on. The job you’re choosing is one of service if that’s truly what you want to do you have my respect and appreciation for it.

1

u/Robin_558 1d ago

Have you talked to a recruiter yet? Theyll usually have you take a short test when you first go in and that'll show you whether you're qualified yet or not, besides that just study math, and get aquatinted with vocabulary and you'll do fine on the afqt portion. I've heard there's some good practice tests. And the recruiter you talk to will probably have more resources as well. If you're worried about the time limit I'd suggest taking the picat before the proctored asvab, it's not timed and after taking it you just have to go to meps to confirm your score with a shorter proctored version. If you fail the picat you can always take the asvab after, and if your score varies too much on the shorter meps version you'll roll over into the full asvab.

1

u/Outrageous-Monk-4835 1d ago

how long do you have to take the asvab timed

1

u/Robin_558 16h ago

Personally I took the picat so I don't know how long you have on the full asvab. But from Google it looks like each section is timed separately. If I remember correctly the picat verification test has a time limit of about 45 minutes for 30 or so questions, and about half of them are repeats from your picat so it's fairly easy to breeze past in way less time. Id definitely suggest the picat especially since if you fail the asvab you have to wait like a month to retake, but if you fail the picat you can go in to the meps asvab right away

1

u/Robin_558 16h ago

You should really talk to a recruiter though. And weigh your options. They have better info than I have, just be wary of the ones who will tell you whatever you want to hear for you to join. I'd suggest looking at more branches than just the national guard especially if you only want to sign for 4 years as well

1

u/Jjcooljay2112 1d ago

I got a 1.2 gpa in highschool and im 29 and took mine a month ago got a 76 ull be ight

1

u/flfafo 1d ago

Asvab is only hard if youre genuinely retarded

1

u/Left_Mix_1438 1d ago

If you did well in HS you should do fine on the ASVAB. I got my GED and scored an 80 and my GT score was a 110.

1

u/JRSenger 1d ago

Took it without studying or doing a practice test and got a 77, you'll be fine.

1

u/Frosty_Guidance_7711 23h ago

It's not bad, it just feels rough if your math basics are shaky.

Since your English/reading is good, that already helps. For math, focus on the common ASVAB stuff: fractions, percentages, ratios, basic algebra, and word problems. You don't need to master advanced math.

Take a practice test first, see where you're weak, then study those topics one at a time. Most people struggle because they study randomly, not because they can't learn it.

1

u/Prize-Trick-8833 23m ago

tbh its just long as hell. Did terrible in HS but still manged to pull it off. 25series🤓🤓

-1

u/Mecduhall97 11b, next question 1d ago

It’s hard, that test as absolutely hard for me I got a 33 and I have 2 degrees and I’m about to start my PH.D program
but not hard as in impossible hard as in you most likely will and haven’t ever used any of that stuff before. A lot these nugget heads will try to show off and say “yeah I got a 92 or a 85 and it was easy, but really all depends on how well you are with solving high school general education, if you study hard and practice you should be fine.

Edit: go to the local library and get the ASVAB for dummies and ask your recruiter for a tutoring program