ASVAB practice questions

Twelve original questions in the style of the AFQT subjects. Give each one about 45 seconds, then reveal the answer and the rule.

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By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts

12 ASVAB-style questions to try

  1. Question 1 · Word knowledge

    Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in capitals. "The team had ample supplies, so there was no SHORTAGE."

    1. Adoubt
    2. Bexcess
    3. Cproblem
    4. Ddelay
    5. Elack
    Show answer

    E: lack. A shortage is a lack of something needed. Excess is the opposite.

  2. Question 2 · Word knowledge

    Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in capitals. "The pilot made a CAUTIOUS landing."

    1. Aearly
    2. Bcareful
    3. Crough
    4. Dfast
    5. Enoisy
    Show answer

    B: careful. Cautious means taking care to avoid danger, so careful is the match.

  3. Question 3 · Word knowledge

    Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in capitals. "The old law was ABOLISHED."

    1. Arevised
    2. Bobeyed
    3. Cenforced
    4. Dremembered
    5. Eended
    Show answer

    E: ended. To abolish a law is to put an end to it. Revised keeps the law in some form.

  4. Question 4 · Arithmetic reasoning

    A savings account pays 2% simple interest per year. How much interest does a deposit of 800 earn in one year?

    1. A16
    2. B160
    3. C32
    4. D20
    5. E816
    Show answer

    A: 16. 2% of 800 = 800 × 2 ÷ 100 = 16.

  5. Question 5 · Arithmetic reasoning

    A survey received 140 responses, and 35% of them rated the service as excellent. How many responses rated it excellent?

    1. A91
    2. B98
    3. C42
    4. D56
    5. E49
    Show answer

    E: 49. 35% of 140 = 140 × 35 ÷ 100 = 49: 10% is 14 and 5% is 7, so add up the pieces.

  6. Question 6 · Arithmetic reasoning

    Ben is three times as old as Mia. In 8 years, Ben will be twice as old as Mia. How old is Ben now?

    1. A24
    2. B16
    3. C32
    4. D8
    5. E20
    Show answer

    A: 24. Let Mia be x, so Ben is 3x. In 8 years: 3x + 8 = 2(x + 8), so x = 8. Ben is 3 × 8 = 24.

  7. Question 7 · Arithmetic reasoning

    Three machines can each fill an order on their own: one in 6 hours, one in 20 hours and one in 30 hours. Running together, how many hours will they take?

    1. A8 hours
    2. B4 hours
    3. C9 hours
    4. D2 hours
    5. E5 hours
    Show answer

    B: 4 hours. Think of the order as 60 items: the machines make 10, 3 and 2 items an hour, 15 together. 60 ÷ 15 = 4 hours.

  8. Question 8 · Solve for x

    If 4x + 12 = 56, what is x?

    1. A2
    2. B11
    3. C10
    4. D-11
    5. E17
    Show answer

    B: 11. Subtract 12 from both sides: 4x = 44. Then divide by 4: x = 11.

  9. Question 9 · Right triangles

    A right triangle has legs of 5 and 12. How long is the hypotenuse?

    1. A15
    2. B17
    3. C7
    4. D13
    5. E11
    Show answer

    D: 13. Pythagoras: 5² + 12² = 25 + 144 = 169, and √169 = 13.

  10. Question 10 · Fractions

    What is 3/6 × 3/5? (Give the answer in lowest terms.)

    1. A6/30
    2. B15/18
    3. C3/10
    4. D33/30
    5. E9/11
    Show answer

    C: 3/10. Multiply the tops and the bottoms: 3 × 3 = 9 and 6 × 5 = 30, giving 9/30, which reduces to 3/10.

  11. Question 11 · Expand

    Expand and simplify: (x - 3)(x - 4)

    1. Ax² - 7x - 7
    2. Bx² + 7x + 12
    3. Cx² - 7x + 12
    4. Dx² + 12x - 7
    5. Ex² - 7x - 12
    Show answer

    C: x² - 7x + 12. Multiply each pair: x² - 3x - 4x + 12. Combine the middle terms: -7x. The constant is the product 12, not the sum.

  12. Question 12 · Coordinate geometry

    What is the midpoint of the segment joining (3, -1) and (5, -7)?

    1. A(5, -4)
    2. B(4, -4)
    3. C(2, -6)
    4. D(4, -3)
    5. E(-4, 4)
    Show answer

    B: (4, -4). Average the coordinates: x = (3 + 5) ÷ 2 = 4, y = ((-1) + (-7)) ÷ 2 = -4.

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Frequently asked questions

Are these real ASVAB questions?

No. Real ASVAB questions are not public. These are original questions in the same style, covering the same AFQT subjects.

What types of questions are on the ASVAB?

The four AFQT subjects are Word Knowledge (word meanings in context), Paragraph Comprehension (short passages), Arithmetic Reasoning (word problems) and Mathematics Knowledge (algebra and geometry). The full ASVAB adds science, electronics, mechanical and auto and shop subjects.

How hard are ASVAB questions?

Individually most are high-school level. The difficulty comes from the time limit and from the computer-adaptive CAT-ASVAB serving harder questions as you answer correctly.

LifeScore is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or any military branch. ASVAB is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense. Our practice tests cover the four AFQT subjects with original questions and are not the official test. Reviewed October 2026 by the LifeScore Editorial Team.