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Presently, both the ASVAB and CAT-ASVAB are given in about 14,000 schools
and numerous METS (Military Entrance Testing Sites). About 900,000 students
and many others take them. The better your score on any of these exams ensures
the best selection of jobs to choose from for your service career.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
ASVAB began in 1968 as a joint military effort to standardize military entrance
testing. The ASVAB is largely a pencil and paper type of exam with several
categories or subtests. The ASVAB is still given in high school and at several
MEPS nationwide.
Computerized Adaptive Testing
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (CAT-ASVAB)
CAT-ASVAB began in 1997 and is largely an automated testing system. Several
of the MEPS are currently giving the CAT-ASVAB.
- What is the difference between the ASVAB and the CAT-ASVAB?
The straightforward pencil and paper test is just that?a set list of questions
that the candidate answers and then waits for military processing personnel
to correct and compute. The CAT-ASVAB not only corrects the answers immediately,
it is also adaptive to the candidate’s answers.
- CAT-ASVAB: How does it work?
Students are seated in front of a computer station and terminal. The test
is displayed on the screen. As the students answer the test questions,
the program
immediately scores and records the answers, including the subtests.
When the candidates have completed the CAT-ASVAB, the AFQT (Armed Forces
Qualification
Test, the math and verbal sections of the ASVAB) and composite scores
for all
the services are already computed.
Advantage (Alleged):
The CAT-ASVAB bases the next question you answer on the ability level
pattern you exhibited from the previous question’s answer.
In other words, if you answer the question correctly, you are given
a harder question.
If you answer the question incorrectly, you are then given an easier question.
This process is continued for each subtest until you have completed the
entire
CAT-ASVAB.
Disadvantage:
Unlike the ASVAB, the CAT-ASVAB does not allow candidates to go back and
change answers.
- Scoring
The straightforward pencil and paper test ASVAB raw score equals the total
number of questions answered correctly.
The CAT-ASVAB raw scores are not equal to the total number of correct answers.
The CAT-ASVAB subtest scores are computed using formulas that take into account
the difficulty level of the question and the number of correct answers. Because
the test is adaptive, a process called "equating" is used to compute
the standard scores, AFQT, and the service composites.
Although the CAT-ASVAB is designed so that individuals with no computer experience
can take the exam, it is highly recommended that a candidate practice using
a computer before taking the CATASVAB. A well?prepared candidate will always
do better than one who is not.
Tip: It is critical that you do well on either of these tests. The better
your score, the more military career choices you will have. These exams are
used to determine what military occupational specialties or opportunities you
qualify for. They can literally limit your future in the military. This author
strongly recommends that you study and practice before taking them.
Recommended Study Guides
ASVAB-How to Prepare for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (1997)
Pass Key to the ASVAB (1997)
Published by: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
250 Wireless Blvd.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(516) 434-3311
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