How to Practice ASVAB Arithmetic

ASVAB arithmetic is one of the 4 ASVAB sections that factor in to your AFQT (Armed Forces Qualifying Test) score. In order to do well, you need to practice doing quick arthmetic calculations in your head or on paper. Follow these steps to ace the ASVAB arithmetic section

Instructions

1. Memorize times tables and make sure you can do long division quickly in your head or on paper. On the ASVAB, it will be very helpful to know the times table up to 20x20.

2. Practice doing problems with short cut estimations. For example, suppose you have a problem that asks "The price of a $243 TV is reduced by 18%, what is the new price?" and the choices are $180.73, $185.50, $199.26, $210.52.

   An easy way to do this problem is to figure 20% off of $250, which is $200, and pick $199.26 since it is the closest choice. That takes a lot less time than multiplying out (243)(1-.18) = 199.26.

3. Always practice the ASVAB arithmetic section under timed conditions. Even if you know how to do the problems, you can get a low score if you don't finish the test or have to guess on all the problems at the end.

4. Make sure that you can finish the ASVAB arithmetic section with about 2-3 minutes to spare. You should use this spare time to go back and double check your work, especially problems that you did very quickly, or questions that you may have been stuck on.

   (NOTE: This only applies if you are taking the paper based version of the ASVAB. On the computerized version, you can't go back to previous questions.)

5. Make sure you answer every question, even if you have to guess!