The ASVAB and the PiCAT are both multiple choice tests that a US military applicant must take and pass to be eligible to join the US military. Both tests are the same with a few exceptions. The ASVAB has about a 2 and 1/2 hour time limit and is a proctored exam where you will be observed while taking the ASVAB at a recruiter station, MEPS or another designated location. The PiCAT has basically no time limit (with the exception of needing to complete it in a 48 hour time frame) and can be taken online at home. So how does the military prevent someone from cheating on the PiCAT then? After passing the PiCAT, the applicant will take a 30 minute verification test to confirm if they cheated or not. If an applicant fails that verification test then they will be required to take the proctored ASVAB. Most military recruiters will have an applicant take the PiCAT to determine there eligibility to join. Both tests have 145 questions when taking the computer versions but the paper ASVAB has 225 questions.
Subjects on the test
The ASVAB and PiCAT contain questions from the same 10 subjects.
- General science
- Arithmetic reasoning
- Word knowledge
- Paragraph comprehension
- Mathematics knowledge
- Electronics information
- Auto and shop information
- Mechanical comprehension
- Assembling objects
- Verbal expression
How your score effects you
Their are 2 main scores that are important which are the Armed Forces Qualification (AFQT) score and your line scores.
The AFQT score will determine if you are eligible to join the US military or not. All branches of the US military require at least an AFQT score of 31 or better with the exception of the Coast Guard that requires at least a 36. The AFQT score comes from how you score in arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, paragraph comprehension and word knowledge.
The line scores will determine your MOS qualifications. For example the MOS of an 11B (Infantryman) requires you to score at least a 77 in the Combat (CO) section. Some jobs will require a minimum score in more than one line score, like a 92R (Parachute Rigger) requires an 88 in General Maintenance (GM) and an 87 in Combat (CO). Different scores will be required in different areas for each MOS. You can find most of the score requirements from the GoArmy website or by talking to a recruiter. So what are the 10 different line scores?
- CLERICAL (CL): Clerical careers are ideal if you earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Mathematics Knowledge sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 42A
- COMBAT (CO): Combat careers are ideal if you earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Auto and Shop, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 11B
- ELECTRONICS (EL): Careers in electronics are ideal if you earn high scores in General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, and Electronic Information sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 94M
- FIELD ARTILLERY (FA): Careers in artillery are ideal if you earn high scores in the Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 13B
- GENERAL MAINTENANCE (GM): Careers in maintenance are ideal if you earn high scores in the General Science, Auto and Shop, Mathematics Knowledge, and Electronics Information sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 92R
- GENERAL TECHNICAL (GT): Technical careers are ideal if you earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, and Arithmetic Reasoning sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 91S
- MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE (MM): Maintenance careers are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the Auto and Shop, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electronic Information sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 91B
- OPERATORS AND FOOD (OF): Operations careers are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Auto and Shop, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 92G
- SURVEILLANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS (SC): Surveillance careers are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Arithmetic Reasoning, Auto and Shop, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 25U
- SKILLED TECHNICAL (ST): Careers requiring more technical skills are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the General Science, Verbal Expression, Mechanical Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge sections of the ASVAB. Related MOS: 89B
Need to practice?
Here is a web site where you can take free practice tests.
