Test Dates for ASVAB

How to decide the right time to take the ASVAB?

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or the ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test and is used for the selection of candidates to the U.S. Armed Services. This examination evaluates certain abilities amongst candidates, which are essential in order to be enlisted in the Armed Forces.

The questions in this test are all multiple-choice questions and pertain to the high school syllabus. The candidates’ aptitudes in four different domains (Science and Technology, Math, Verbal and Spatial) are tested. Since the questions will be at the high school level, all the basic concepts and principles need to be brushed up. This means that a good preparation is essential. At the same time, the candidates have to decide on a test date as this will give them a clear idea about the time they will have for preparation.

ASVAB Test Locations

To qualify for the military, the test of ASVAB has to be taken and it can be taken up at High School, MEPS or MET center.

High School– The test is conducted in high schools. Since the test scores are valid for two years, the scores of the candidates from the junior and senior years at high school are valid for military enlistment. You must get in touch with your school counselor regarding the dates on which the test will be held in your school.

MEPS– Military Entrance Processing Station conducts this test. The CAT-ASVAB version of the test is administered at these centers. There are 65 such locations across the United States. A date that is convenient for the candidate is fixed as the test date by the recruiter.

MET Sites– MET or the Mobile Examination Team is the travelling team of MEPS. The paper version of the test can be taken up in these MET sites. Usually, the National Guard Armories are the designated locations for the test, where it is given on a scheduled basis. If an MEPS location is far away from the candidate’s place of residence, he/she can take up the test at an MET site.

Test Dates

The dates are usually fixed by the recruiter after consulting with the candidates. At the schools, specific  dates are scheduled and candidates can contact the school councilor for the exact dates. In case of the MEPS or MET centers, there are no specific dates as the test is given all round the year. Therefore, any date that is convenient for the candidate can be fixed as the test date by the recruiter.

Choosing the Right Test Date

Choosing the right test date is the first step towards taking the test and one must take utmost care while fixing the date for taking the test since the candidate’s performance on that day decides whether he will get enlisted in the U.S. Military Services or not. It is advisable to fix the test date at least two months after deciding to take up the test. This will make sure that you have enough time for preparation. This test can be retaken only after one month of the first test date. The candidate will be allowed to retake a second time after one month of the second attempt. But for retaking the test a third time, one has to wait for six months. Therefore, the candidate must ensure that a thorough preparation time is available so that he/she can get the minimum score to get enlisted in the first one to three attempts only.

Another important aspect that one has to consider before fixing the test date is to check if any event that interests the candidate is scheduled before the test date. If such an event is scheduled, the study time will be lost in preparation for the event.

It must be chosen such that there are no clashes with other tests or exams that the candidate is planning to take up.

Conclusion

One has to choose the right test date after considering the above mentioned aspects and prepare well for the test. Once the test date is fixed, the candidate has to study for the test with the sole aim of getting a high score in the test. This way, the candidates can get enlisted in the U.S. Military Services in their first attempt and time will not be wasted in waiting to retake the test.