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Tap an answer to see if you are right, and why. 40 questions across 23 topics, mostly Percentages (3).
Percentages1 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. 30 cases is correct: 15% as a decimal is 0.15, and 0.15 × 200 = 30. Each other choice matches a different percent of 200. 25 cases would be 12.5%, 35 cases would be 17.5%, and 40 cases would be 20%. A quick check: 10% of 200 is 20 and 5% is 10, so 15% is 20 + 10 = 30.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Percentages
Rate, time and distance2 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. At a steady 45 mph for 3 hours, distance = rate × time = 45 × 3 = 135 miles. 120 miles is what 40 mph would cover in 3 hours. 150 miles would need 50 mph. 180 miles is 45 mph driven for 4 hours, one hour more than the stem gives.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Rate, Time, and Distance
Ratios and proportions3 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The answer is 120. A 2:3 ratio means there are 2 main dishes for every 3 sides, so 180 sides make 180 ÷ 3 = 60 groups, and 60 × 2 = 120 mains. 90 simply halves the side count. 100 matches no step of the ratio. 135 multiplies 180 by 3/4, a 3:4 ratio rather than 2:3.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Ratios and Proportions
Word problems4 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. Four teams remain. After the reassignment 48 − 16 = 32 soldiers are left, and 32 ÷ 8 = 4 full teams. Another way: 16 soldiers equal 2 teams, and 6 − 2 = 4. Six teams is the starting count before anyone leaves. Five teams would need 40 soldiers, and three teams would mean only 24 remain.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Basic Word Problems
Financial math5 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. Simple interest is I = P × r × t = 500 × 0.04 × 3 = $60. $40 covers only 2 years of the $20 yearly interest. $50 is 10% of $500, which matches no year count at 4%. $80 would be 4 years of interest, one year too many.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Simple Interest and Financial Math
Algebra6 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. x = 5. Subtract 7 from both sides to get 3x = 15, then divide by 3. Substituting proves it: 3(5) + 7 = 22. The other values fail the same check: x = 3 gives 16, x = 4 gives 19, and x = 7 gives 28.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Solving Linear Equations
Geometry7 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The perimeter is 160 yards: 2 × (50 + 30) = 2 × 80 = 160. 80 yards adds one length and one width but forgets the opposite two sides. 150 and 300 yards do not come from the perimeter formula. The area would be 50 × 30 = 1,500 square yards, which is a different measure and not among the choices.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Geometry — Perimeter
Fractions and decimals8 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. Using 12 as the common denominator, 3/4 = 9/12 and 2/3 = 8/12, so the sum is 17/12 = 1 5/12. 5/7 adds tops and bottoms separately (3 + 2 over 4 + 3), which is not how fractions add. 1 1/12 equals 13/12 and 1 1/6 equals 14/12, both short of 17/12.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Fractions and Decimals
Number properties9 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. 12 is the greatest common factor: it divides 24 (12 × 2) and 36 (12 × 3), and no larger number divides both. 6 divides both numbers but is smaller than 12. 8 divides 24 but not 36. 24 is a factor of itself but does not divide 36 evenly.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Number Properties
Basic statistics10 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The mean is 18: the five values add to 90, and 90 ÷ 5 = 18. 15 comes from dividing the sum by 6 instead of 5. 17 and 20 are not the result of any correct division of 90 by the count. Here the median is also 18, because the numbers are evenly spaced.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Basic Statistics
Percentages11 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The budget grew by $12,500, and percent increase is the change over the original: 12,500 ÷ 50,000 = 0.25, or 25%. 20% divides the change by the new total of $62,500 instead. 12.5% treats the dollar figure 12,500 as if it were the percent. 30% would require an increase of $15,000.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Percentages
Percentages12 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. New pay is $3,360. Five percent of $3,200 is 0.05 × 3,200 = $160, and $3,200 + $160 = $3,360. $3,250 adds only $50, about 1.6%. $3,400 adds $200, which is 6.25%. $3,520 adds $320, a 10% raise rather than 5%.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Percentages
Rate, time and distance13 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. They are 460 miles apart. Moving in opposite directions, the gap grows at 50 + 65 = 115 mph, and 115 × 4 = 460. Separately, one vehicle covers 200 miles and the other 260, which also totals 460. 340 miles is too short for these speeds. 500 and 550 miles would need combined speeds of 125 and 137.5 mph.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Rate, Time, and Distance
Rate, time and distance14 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. Required speed = distance ÷ time = 300 ÷ 5 = 60 mph. At 55 mph the car covers only 275 miles in 5 hours, so it arrives late. 65 mph and 70 mph would also get there on time, but the question asks for the minimum speed, and they are faster than needed.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Rate, Time, and Distance
Ratios and proportions15 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The tank is 576 inches long. On a 1:72 scale each drawing inch stands for 72 real inches, so 8 × 72 = 576. 432 inches is 6 × 72, 504 inches is 7 × 72, and 648 inches is 9 × 72; each uses the wrong drawing length.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Ratios and Proportions
Ratios and proportions16 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. The largest share is 750 gallons. The ratio has 2 + 3 + 5 = 10 parts, so each part is 150 gallons, and the largest unit gets 5 × 150 = 750. 300 gallons is the smallest unit's 2 parts. 450 gallons is the middle unit's 3 parts. 600 gallons equals 4 parts, which no unit receives.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Ratios and Proportions
Word problems17 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. Total time is 65 minutes. Filling takes 200 ÷ 5 = 40 minutes and emptying takes 200 ÷ 8 = 25 minutes, done one after the other. 25 minutes counts only the unloading. 40 minutes counts only the loading. 55 minutes undercounts the sum by 10 minutes.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Basic Word Problems
Word problems18 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. Six cycles fit. Each cycle is 15 minutes on plus 5 minutes off, or 20 minutes, and 2 hours is 120 minutes, so 120 ÷ 20 = 6. Three cycles would mean 40-minute cycles. Four cycles would mean 30-minute cycles. Five cycles would leave 20 unused minutes, enough for another full cycle.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Basic Word Problems
Financial math19 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The total repaid is $3,360. Interest is $3,000 × 0.06 × 2 = $360, added to the $3,000 borrowed. $3,180 includes only one year's $180 of interest. $3,300 includes $300, which is 5% for 2 years. $3,600 includes $600, double the correct interest, as if the rate were 12%.
Source: ASVAB — Arithmetic Reasoning: Simple Interest and Financial Math
Algebra20 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. y = 11. Adding 8 to both sides gives 2y = 22, and dividing by 2 gives 11; check: 2(11) − 8 = 14. y = 3 comes from subtracting 8 instead of adding it (2y = 6). y = 6 stops before dividing that wrong result by 2. y = 7 halves 14 and ignores the −8.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Solving Linear Equations
Geometry21 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. By the Pythagorean theorem, c² = 6² + 8² = 36 + 64 = 100, so the hypotenuse is 10 inches, a 3-4-5 triangle doubled. 12 inches would need c² = 144. 14 inches just adds the legs, but two sides of a triangle always total more than the third. 18 inches is longer than both legs combined, which is impossible.
Source: ASVAB — Mathematics Knowledge: Geometry — Right Triangles
Life science22 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. Red blood cells carry oxygen: their hemoglobin picks it up in the lungs and releases it in tissues. Fighting bacterial infections is the job of white blood cells. Fat is stored in fat cells (adipose tissue), not blood cells. Digestive enzymes come from organs such as the pancreas and the salivary glands.
Source: ASVAB - General Science: Life Science - Blood and Circulation
Earth and space science23 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. The troposphere starts at the ground and reaches roughly 5 to 11 miles up depending on latitude, and it holds most of the air's mass and nearly all its water vapor, so weather forms there. The stratosphere above it contains the ozone layer. The mesosphere is where most meteors burn up. The thermosphere is very thin and hosts auroras.
Source: ASVAB - General Science: Earth and Space Science - Atmosphere
Physical science24 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. A water molecule has two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, written H2O. HO has only one hydrogen and is the hydroxyl group. H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide, with an extra oxygen atom. H3O is the hydronium ion (H3O+), formed when water gains a hydrogen ion.
Source: ASVAB - General Science: Physical Science - Chemistry Basics
Physical science25 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because it is moving; a rolling truck has it. Potential energy is stored energy from position, like a rock on a ledge. Thermal energy is the internal energy of particles, felt as heat. Chemical energy is stored in bonds, as in fuel or batteries.
Source: ASVAB - General Science: Physical Science - Energy Types
Simple machines26 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. A seesaw is a lever: a rigid bar turning on a fulcrum in the middle, which makes it a first-class lever. An inclined plane is a sloped surface for raising loads. A wheel and axle is a large wheel fixed to a smaller rod that turn together. A screw is a spiral ramp cut around a rod, turning rotation into straight-line force.
Source: ASVAB - Mechanical Comprehension: Simple Machines - Levers
Forces and motion27 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. Newton's second law says a net force causes acceleration, so the object's velocity must change in speed, in direction, or both. 'Always speeds up' is wrong because a force against the motion slows the object. 'Always slows down' fails for a force in the direction of motion. 'Nothing happens' describes zero net force.
Source: ASVAB - Mechanical Comprehension: Forces and Motion - Newton's Second Law
Fluid dynamics28 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. Pascal's principle says pressure applied to a confined fluid spreads equally in all directions, which is how hydraulic brakes and jacks work. It is not limited to the downward direction. The pressure acts throughout the fluid, not only on the walls. Narrow openings have no special role in the principle.
Source: ASVAB - Mechanical Comprehension: Fluid Dynamics - Pascal's Principle
Heat and temperature29 of 40
The answer
Answer: C. Conduction moves heat through direct contact, from the hot coffee into the metal and along the spoon. Convection is heat carried by moving fluid, which happens in the coffee itself but does not heat the solid spoon. Radiation is transfer by infrared waves and plays a minor role here. Evaporation cools a surface rather than heating it.
Source: ASVAB - Mechanical Comprehension: Heat and Temperature - Heat Transfer
Main idea30 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. Every sentence supports the idea that routine inspections keep aircraft safe: mechanics check and test systems, and skipping steps risks failure. The passage never mentions cost. It says nothing about whether mechanics enjoy the work. It also makes no claim that aircraft fly too often.
Source: ASVAB - Paragraph Comprehension: Main Idea
Main idea31 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. The passage says soldiers need water before, during and after training, and that dehydration hurts performance, so the main idea is that drinking enough water supports performance. It never calls training enjoyable. Avoiding water contradicts the passage. Dizziness is named as a symptom of dehydration, not as the most common injury.
Source: ASVAB - Paragraph Comprehension: Main Idea
Supporting details32 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. The passage states that ceramic stops rifle rounds. Kevlar is described as absorbing smaller impacts, not rifle fire. Nylon webbing and steel inserts are never mentioned in the passage, so they cannot be the answer to a detail question about it.
Source: ASVAB - Paragraph Comprehension: Supporting Details
Supporting details33 of 40
The answer
Answer: B. The first sentence gives the figure directly: a typical MRE has 1,200 calories. 800 and 1,000 calories understate that number. 1,500 calories overstates it. The three-per-day detail is about how many meals soldiers eat, not about the calories in each.
Source: ASVAB - Paragraph Comprehension: Supporting Details
Inference and implication34 of 40
The answer
Answer: D. Paying for college courses, and seeing many soldiers use the benefit, suggests the military values continuing education. Discouraging education contradicts the funding. The passage says the aid goes to active-duty soldiers, not only officers. It never links education to promotion, so that choice goes beyond the text.
Source: ASVAB - Paragraph Comprehension: Inference and Implication
Synonym identification35 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. Abate means to lessen or die down, so 'become less severe' is the match: the wind abated by morning. 'Increase in intensity' is the opposite of abating. 'Remain constant' describes no change at all. 'Spread outward' is about extent, not about strength decreasing.
Source: ASVAB - Word Knowledge: Synonym Identification
Synonym identification36 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. Meticulous means showing great attention to detail, so 'very careful and precise' fits. A meticulous mechanic checks every bolt twice. 'Carefree and relaxed' describes a lack of concern. 'Sloppy and hurried' is close to the opposite. 'Quiet and reserved' is about personality, not about the care someone takes.
Source: ASVAB - Word Knowledge: Synonym Identification
Word context37 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. Valor means courage in the face of danger, which is what a rescue calls for and what 'great' praises. Hesitation is a delay or uncertainty that no one commends as great. Indifference means not caring. Confusion means being unclear about what to do; neither earns praise during a rescue.
Source: ASVAB - Word Knowledge: Word Meaning in Context
Word context38 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. Exhausted means completely worn out, which explains why the platoon could not continue after a long march. Energized and enthusiastic both describe eagerness to keep going, the opposite of what the sentence needs. Well-rested contradicts both 'long march' and 'too ... to continue'.
Source: ASVAB - Word Knowledge: Word Meaning in Context
Military vocabulary39 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. To deploy is to move troops or equipment into position for an operation, as in a unit deployed overseas. Storing equipment securely is stowage, not deployment. Returning to home base is redeployment or recovery. Reducing force numbers is a drawdown.
Source: ASVAB - Word Knowledge: Military Vocabulary
Military vocabulary40 of 40
The answer
Answer: A. A bivouac is a temporary camp in the field, often with little or no shelter. A formal ceremony is a parade or review. A permanent base is a garrison or installation, the opposite of temporary. A bivouac is a place, not a vehicle.
Source: ASVAB - Word Knowledge: Military Vocabulary
The official ASVAB knowledge examination covers CAT-ASVAB (adaptive) or paper form with a passing threshold of 70%. Questions written from the published ASVAB subtest structure and AFQT composition (Official ASVAB, U.S. Department of Defense); not official ASVAB items. Every question on this page is original, with an explanation and a note citing its source.
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