All 10 CAT-ASVAB Subtests Explained

1. General Science (GS)

The General Science section tests your knowledge of physical science, earth science, and biological science at a high school level. Questions cover a broad range of topics and require factual recall rather than problem-solving.

Topics Covered

• Biology: cell structure, genetics, ecology, human body systems, nutrition
• Earth Science: geology, weather, astronomy, oceanography
• Chemistry: elements, compounds, reactions, states of matter
• Physics: force, motion, energy, waves, electricity basics

Study Tip

Focus on breadth over depth. Review high school science textbook summaries. Flashcards work well for memorizing facts like the periodic table groups, body systems, and basic physics laws.

2. Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) AFQT

Arithmetic Reasoning measures your ability to solve arithmetic word problems. This is one of the four AFQT subtests and is heavily weighted in your enlistment score. You will need to translate real-world scenarios into mathematical equations and solve them.

Topics Covered

• Basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Ratios and proportions
• Distance, rate, and time problems
• Work problems and interest calculations
• Multi-step word problems

Study Tip

Practice translating words into equations. Key phrases: "more than" = addition, "less than" = subtraction, "of" = multiplication, "per" = division. Always estimate your answer first to eliminate wrong choices quickly.

3. Word Knowledge (WK) AFQT

Word Knowledge tests your ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms. This is an AFQT subtest and is double-weighted in the AFQT formula (combined with PC as Verbal Expression). Building a strong vocabulary is one of the most effective ways to boost your AFQT score.

Topics Covered

• Synonym identification (most common format)
• Words in context (choose the word that best replaces the underlined word)
• Vocabulary at approximately 10th-12th grade reading level

Study Tip

Use our vocabulary flashcard system with spaced repetition. Learn 10-15 new words daily. Focus on Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes to decode unfamiliar words on test day.

4. Paragraph Comprehension (PC) AFQT

Paragraph Comprehension measures your ability to obtain information from written passages. This AFQT subtest is combined with Word Knowledge to form the Verbal Expression (VE) score, which is double-weighted in the AFQT formula.

Question Types

• Main idea: What is the passage mainly about?
• Detail: According to the passage, what/when/where/who?
• Inference: What can be inferred from the passage?
• Vocabulary in context: What does the word X mean in this passage?
• Purpose: Why did the author write this passage?

Study Tip

Read the questions before the passage so you know what to look for. For main idea questions, focus on the first and last sentences. Practice with newspaper articles and magazine excerpts daily.

5. Mathematics Knowledge (MK) AFQT

Mathematics Knowledge tests your knowledge of mathematical concepts and applications. Unlike Arithmetic Reasoning, these are direct math problems without word problem context. This is the fourth AFQT subtest.

Topics Covered

• Algebra: solving equations, inequalities, factoring, FOIL
• Geometry: area, perimeter, volume, angles, Pythagorean theorem
• Number theory: factors, multiples, primes, exponents
• Basic statistics: mean, median, mode, probability

Study Tip

Memorize key formulas: area of circle (πr²), volume of cylinder (πr²h), Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²), quadratic formula. Practice solving equations step by step. Know your order of operations (PEMDAS).

6. Electronics Information (EI)

Electronics Information tests your knowledge of electrical current, circuits, devices, and electronic systems. This section is important for electronics-related MOS in all branches.

Topics Covered

• Ohm's Law (V = IR), Watt's Law (P = IV)
• Series and parallel circuits
• Components: resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors
• AC vs DC current
• Electrical safety and wiring

7. Auto & Shop Information (AS)

Auto & Shop Information tests your knowledge of automotive maintenance, repair, and wood/metal shop practices. This section contributes to several composite scores for mechanical and maintenance MOS.

Topics Covered

• Engine systems: ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust, lubrication
• Automotive electrical systems
• Tools: hand tools, power tools, measuring tools
• Building materials and fasteners
• Shop safety practices

8. Mechanical Comprehension (MC)

Mechanical Comprehension tests your understanding of mechanical and physical principles. Many questions include diagrams of simple machines, gears, pulleys, and structural elements.

Topics Covered

• Simple machines: levers, pulleys, gears, inclined planes, wedges, screws
• Mechanical advantage and work
• Fluid dynamics and hydraulics
• Structural support and load distribution
• Properties of materials

9. Assembling Objects (AO)

Assembling Objects tests your ability to determine how an object will look when its parts are put together. This is a spatial reasoning section with two types of problems: connector problems and puzzle assembly.

Question Types

• Connector problems: Given points on shapes and a connector line, determine the correct assembled figure
• Puzzle assembly: Given separated pieces, determine what the assembled shape looks like

Study Tip

Practice spatial reasoning puzzles. For connector problems, focus on where the connection points are located on each shape. For puzzle problems, look at the overall outline first, then match individual pieces.