Free ASVAB Practice Test (2026)
Try 20 free ASVAB practice questions from the four subtests that make up your AFQT score — Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge. Every question includes the correct answer and a short explanation. No sign-up needed.
Practice by subtest
Each page has 15 more questions, test-taking tips, and the time limit for that subtest.
Arithmetic Reasoning practice test
15 questions · 15 questions in 55 minutes on the CAT-ASVAB
Word Knowledge practice test
15 questions · 15 questions in 9 minutes on the CAT-ASVAB
Paragraph Comprehension practice test
15 questions · 10 questions in 27 minutes on the CAT-ASVAB
Mathematics Knowledge practice test
15 questions · 15 questions in 23 minutes on the CAT-ASVAB
AFQT practice questions
Work through each question, then open "Show answer" to check your work.
Arithmetic Reasoning
Question 1
A rectangular yard measures 40 feet by 25 feet. Fencing costs $12 per foot. How much will it cost to fence the entire perimeter?
- A.$780
- B.$1,560
- C.$12,000
- D.$1,200
Show answer
Correct answer: B. $1,560
Perimeter = 2 × (40 + 25) = 130 feet. Cost = 130 × $12 = $1,560.
Question 2
A field kitchen must serve 6-ounce portions of soup to 150 soldiers. The soup comes in 2-gallon containers, and 1 gallon equals 128 fluid ounces. What is the fewest number of containers needed?
- A.3
- B.5
- C.8
- D.4
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 4
The kitchen needs 150 × 6 = 900 ounces. Each container holds 2 × 128 = 256 ounces, and 900 ÷ 256 ≈ 3.5, so 4 containers are required.
Question 3
Jake spends 1/3 of his paycheck on rent and then 1/4 of what remains on groceries. He has $900 left. How much was his paycheck?
- A.$2,160
- B.$1,350
- C.$1,800
- D.$1,500
Show answer
Correct answer: C. $1,800
After rent he has 2/3 of the paycheck; after groceries he keeps 3/4 of that, or 3/4 × 2/3 = 1/2. Half the paycheck is $900, so the paycheck was $1,800.
Question 4
The average of five numbers is 24. When one of the numbers is removed, the average of the remaining four is 21. What number was removed?
- A.36
- B.3
- C.24
- D.27
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 36
The five numbers total 5 × 24 = 120, and the remaining four total 4 × 21 = 84. The removed number is 120 − 84 = 36.
Question 5
A square patio has an area of 144 square feet. How many 6-inch by 6-inch square tiles are needed to cover it?
- A.288
- B.576
- C.24
- D.48
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 576
Each tile is 0.5 ft × 0.5 ft = 0.25 square foot. 144 ÷ 0.25 = 576 tiles.
Word Knowledge
Question 6
The captain gave tacit approval to the plan; she never said yes, but she did nothing to stop it. Tacit most nearly means
- A.unspoken
- B.reluctant
- C.official
- D.enthusiastic
Show answer
Correct answer: A. unspoken
Tacit means understood or implied without being stated out loud. It comes from the same root as taciturn (inclined to stay silent).
Question 7
Ephemeral most nearly means
- A.eternal
- B.delicate
- C.valuable
- D.short-lived
Show answer
Correct answer: D. short-lived
Ephemeral means lasting a very short time, like a mayfly that lives for a day. Eternal is the opposite, and delicate describes fragility rather than duration.
Question 8
The inspector was known for being meticulous, checking every bolt on the aircraft twice. Meticulous most nearly means
- A.impatient
- B.suspicious
- C.thorough
- D.experienced
Show answer
Correct answer: C. thorough
Meticulous means showing great attention to detail, so thorough is correct. Checking every bolt twice describes carefulness, not suspicion or years on the job.
Question 9
The word gregarious is most opposite in meaning to
- A.unsociable
- B.talkative
- C.friendly
- D.cheerful
Show answer
Correct answer: A. unsociable
Gregarious means fond of company and sociable, so its opposite is unsociable. The root greg- means flock or herd, as in congregate.
Question 10
Despite losing their first two games, the players remained sanguine about their chances of winning the title. Sanguine most nearly means
- A.worried
- B.optimistic
- C.angry
- D.divided
Show answer
Correct answer: B. optimistic
Sanguine means cheerfully confident about the future, so optimistic fits. The word "despite" signals a positive attitude in spite of bad results, ruling out worried.
Paragraph Comprehension
Question 11
Before a long road march, experienced service members break in new boots by wearing them for short periods over several weeks. They also carry extra pairs of dry socks and check their feet at every rest stop. Small hot spots treated early with tape or padding rarely turn into painful blisters, while those that are ignored can make it difficult to finish the march.
Based on the passage, which statement is most likely true?
- A.New boots are more comfortable than broken-in boots.
- B.Paying attention to foot care early can prevent bigger problems later.
- C.Blisters only form when socks are wet.
- D.Rest stops are mainly used for eating.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Paying attention to foot care early can prevent bigger problems later.
The passage says hot spots treated early rarely become blisters while ignored ones can stop a march, implying early foot care prevents larger problems.
Question 12
Wetlands are sometimes viewed as wasted land, but they perform valuable work. Like a sponge, a marsh absorbs heavy rain and releases it slowly, which can mitigate flooding in nearby towns. Wetland plants also trap sediment and take up excess nutrients, improving the quality of water that flows into rivers and lakes. Many fish and birds depend on these areas for food and shelter during part of their lives.
In the passage, the word "mitigate" most nearly means
- A.cause
- B.predict
- C.measure
- D.lessen
Show answer
Correct answer: D. lessen
Because a marsh absorbs heavy rain and releases it slowly, it reduces flooding; "mitigate" therefore means lessen.
Question 13
Public parks are often judged by their size, but researchers who study how people use parks point to other factors. A small park with shade trees, benches, clear paths, and good lighting may attract more visitors than a much larger space that feels empty or unsafe. Easy access matters too: residents who live within a short walk of a park tend to visit it far more often than those who must drive.
Which statement best summarizes the passage?
- A.Larger parks are always more popular than smaller ones.
- B.Most people prefer driving to a park rather than walking.
- C.Features and convenience can matter more than size in how much a park is used.
- D.Parks should be closed after dark to keep visitors safe.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Features and convenience can matter more than size in how much a park is used.
The passage argues that shade, seating, lighting, safety, and nearness to homes can make even a small park well used, so size is not the most important factor.
Question 14
Changing a vehicle's engine oil follows a simple order. First, warm the engine for a few minutes so the oil flows easily, then turn it off. Next, place a pan under the drain plug and remove the plug to let the old oil drain out. After replacing the plug and the oil filter, pour in the correct amount of new oil and check the level with the dipstick.
According to the passage, what is the last step described?
- A.Removing the drain plug
- B.Checking the oil level with the dipstick
- C.Warming up the engine
- D.Replacing the oil filter
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Checking the oil level with the dipstick
The final sentence says to pour in new oil "and check the level with the dipstick," which is the last step listed.
Question 15
In many early American towns, the meeting house served more than one purpose. Residents gathered there not only for religious services but also to debate local issues, vote on town budgets, and choose officials. Because nearly every household was expected to attend, news and opinions spread quickly, and decisions were made in front of the whole community rather than by a few leaders behind closed doors.
The passage suggests that town meetings in these communities
- A.gave ordinary residents a direct role in local government
- B.were held only when there was an emergency
- C.were open only to elected officials
- D.focused mainly on matters outside the town
Show answer
Correct answer: A. gave ordinary residents a direct role in local government
Residents debated issues, voted on budgets, and chose officials in front of the whole community, which implies ordinary people took a direct part in local government.
Mathematics Knowledge
Question 16
What is the value of (3⁻²)(3⁵)?
- A.−27
- B.27
- C.3⁻¹⁰
- D.243
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 27
When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents: 3⁻² × 3⁵ = 3⁽⁻²⁺⁵⁾ = 3³ = 27.
Question 17
A square is drawn inside a circle so that all four corners of the square touch the circle. The circle has a radius of 5 units. What is the area of the square?
- A.100 square units
- B.25π square units
- C.25 square units
- D.50 square units
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 50 square units
The square's diagonal is the circle's diameter, 10. A square's area equals (diagonal²)/2, so the area is 10²/2 = 100/2 = 50 square units.
Question 18
What is the slope of the line that passes through the points (−1, 4) and (3, −8)?
- A.−3
- B.3
- C.−1/3
- D.−1
Show answer
Correct answer: A. −3
Slope = (change in y)/(change in x) = (−8 − 4)/(3 − (−1)) = −12/4 = −3.
Question 19
What is the measure of each interior angle of a regular octagon (an 8-sided polygon with all sides and angles equal)?
- A.120°
- B.45°
- C.135°
- D.1080°
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 135°
The interior angles of an n-sided polygon sum to (n − 2) × 180°, so an octagon's angles total 6 × 180° = 1080°. Dividing by 8 equal angles gives 135° each.
Question 20
A triangle has a base of 14 inches and a height of 6 inches. What is its area?
- A.84 square inches
- B.42 square inches
- C.20 square inches
- D.40 square inches
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 42 square inches
Area of a triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 14 × 6 = 42 square inches.
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