Joining the armed forces is a passion for many. If you look forward to joining the military, ASVAB is one of the most crucial tests and decisive factor for your career, and you need to get a thorough ASVAB study guide. Not being able to perform well on this test might mean missing out on the military job you are passionate about. It might also mean you lose your opportunity to join the armed forces and not make it to the military at all.
Your ASVAB score determines your eligibility and the type of job you get in the armed forces, and whether you are permitted to recruit in the first place. If you want to perform well in this test, you will likely need to spare a minimum of two months for preparation. In addition to a sound studying routine and a calm ambiance to work, you also need to equip yourself with the best ASVAB preparation books available.
Also Read: A complete CompTIA A+ Study guide
If ASVAB preparation makes you feel tense, you do not need to worry- Our ASVAB study guide got you covered. This article will provide an outline of the concepts you need to have your grip on and will help you identify which areas to focus on while studying.
ASVAB Study Guide – How to study?
Your first step towards your ASVAB test preparation is making a detailed study plan. Here is how to start on it.
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Preparation
Your performance in any test depends a great deal on how well you prepare for it. For thorough preparation for ASVAB, you need to start studying for at least two months, if not more, before you plan to appear in the test. Here are some necessary measures to begin with:
- Select a place to study which is quiet and comfortable
- Collect needed accessories for studies i.e. pens, note pads, and calculators
- Make a scheduled study plan
Also Read: Praxis Study Guide with Praxis Practice Tests & Tips
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How to Make a Schedule
The most important thing while preparing for ASVAB is making a complete study schedule and sticking with it. There will be days when you might feel exhausted, other days, you may find yourself struggling to concentrate. But, you must keep in mind that consistency is all you need for an effective study. The more effort you put in greater will be your reward.
When you initiate studying, you need to make a list highlighting the areas you are good at and those you might need to work more on. If you’re not aware of your weak and strong areas, taking a practice ASVAB Test provided in ASVAB study guide books or online links can be helpful. This will make it easy for you to figure out which areas you have command on and which areas need improvement.
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Focus on Your Weak Areas
Once you have taken the mock ASVAB test and identified your weak points, it will be easy to determine which areas you need to invest more time in. you would probably want to devote more of your time to the AFQT score. This comprises Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension.
If you are really aspiring, you could also spend some time studying for the non-essential sections which include General Science, Auto and shop information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electronics information.
ASVAB Study Guide – Best Books for Preparation
Getting a good ASVAB study guide is important for effective test preparation. If you are equipped with the appropriate study material, chances are high for you to score well on your test.
You will find a big collection of ASVAB study guides and books available in the market and not all of them are helpful when it comes to good test preparation. After reviewing almost all of the book study guides we have compiled a list of the best ASVAB preparation books. This list includes the highest-rated and reviewed books which have proven to be useful for test study and preparation. So, here is our recommendation list for the ASVAB study guides.
ASVAB For Dummies: Best ASVAB Study Guide for Overview:
This ASVAB study guide is a great book, to begin with if you are starting from scratch. Unlike various other books available for the test, this book assumes you have no idea about any of the topics under discussion. It is helpful if you haven’t worked in any area and are not prepared for any subject besides basic mathematics.
The addition of “cheat sheets” at the end of each subsection is one of the best things about this book. The cheat sheets provide an exceptional outline of the topics and equations you’ll need to improve and work more on that area. This book also includes an in-depth guide to the ASVAB scoring method and what to anticipate once you enter the examination center on exam day. You will find tons of practice questions in this book along with the link to seven online practice exams.
The downside of this book is, it misses the details required on a specific topic and does not give you a detailed study in all the areas. Overall it is a good book to start with if you have not done your work for the test.
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Barron’s ASVAB with CD-ROM: Best ASVAB Study Guide for theory overview:
Barron’s gives you a thorough overview of the theories behind each fundamental area of the ASVAB. Instead of having mock questions coming at the end, this book assimilates them into each chapter so that you can keep your progress in check while studying.
You will find each section discussed in detail, making sure that you don’t miss anything you are likely to encounter during the test. The book contains four full-length tests with two surplus exams on the CD that comes with the book. You will also find a detail-oriented guide to one of the hardest modules to master, which is “assembling objects”. There is a portion
on evaluating your scores once you’ve taken the test. This will help you analyze your aptitudes and will let you identify the limiting factors on your path to a successful military career.
One of the cons of this book is that it doesn’t contain any flashcards or diagrams. You might need to pick an additional book from our list along with this for thorough preparation.
Barron’s ASVAB now available for just $6.39
ASVAB Study Guide 2020 and 2021
If you were a brilliant student in school, you might be proficient in basic math, paragraph analysis, science, and vocabulary. However, mechanical skills are something that does not come under your everyday practice. Thankfully, this ASVAB study guide has one of the most interesting and detailed discussions of the mechanical knowledge required for the exam.
In ASVAB study guide 2020 & 2021 you will find a detail-oriented review of various essential topics, with a complete section granted to assembling objects. This book also gives you an overview of the physics concepts you need to have a grip on, such as velocity calculation, friction, and fluid movement.
Another best thing about this guide is that, if you need a more specific description of a concept in the book, you get a scan code in the book that pulls up a more radical tutorial in Mometrix Academy.
The only downside of this book is, it contains some additional concepts that are not required for the test preparation.
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ASVAB Prep Plus 2020-2021: Kaplan Test Prep
Practice makes a man perfect. This book is designed exclusively to prepare you thoroughly for the ASVAB. There are more than two thousand practice questions inside this book besides six full-length practice tests. You will also find the answers discussed in detail and online videos explaining technical concepts.
Various flashcards and subtests let you practice complicated maths concepts. This book gives you access to online resources that let you customize your practice questions based on your fortes and weak areas. The book also allows you to develop useful techniques to ace vocabulary and mathematics questions that can occasionally prove complex. If you prefer studying on the go, this book lets you tear-out study pages and comes with a mobile site. Buying this book is enough, and you might not need to invest in other ASVAB study guide books after this purchase.
ASVAB Prep Plus 2020-2021 now available for just $11.93
McGraw-Hill Education ASVAB
Last but not least is this ASVAB study guide by McGraw-Hill. The author of this book is an ex-officer of the Division of Defense in their ASVAB career program, so she certainly has the inside track on test prep.
This guide includes thorough topic reviews and has four complete practice tests. It also discusses strategies on how to take the test in detail. Each answer is discussed in detail with the concept. The book has a dedicated section on test scoring, evaluation, and an in-depth explanation of the military entrance procedure.
This book has some concepts missing that need to be discussed in detail for ASVAB preparation. In general, it is an effective ASVAB study guide that helps you prepare for the exam and also enables you to understand the test scoring system.
McGraw-Hill Education ASVAB now available for just $8.93
Conclusion
Some ASVAB study guides only contain mock tests for the exam, while others have a more in-depth explanation on various subjects and areas and tips to reach the correct answer. In general, the more the number of pages in a guide, the better the chances that it will contain a detailed description of the concepts.
Keep in mind that you will appear in the same test whether you plan to join the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps. Therefore, you must devote at least two months to your test preparation and stay consistent. The effort you put in now will prove beneficial for you in the long run.