Test day is a big day. It’s time to take the ASVAB test and hopefully get the scores you need to qualify for the military branch and military job of your dreams.

One key to doing well on this challenging exam is to know what to expect before you sit for it. This will help you get more confident and then you could do your best.

So let’s take a closer look at what test day is like and then we’ll provide some helpful tips you can use to ensure the best test performance possible.

What to Expect on ASVAB Test Day

As we know, the ASVAB test may be administered at a school, Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), or at a Military Entrance Test (MET) site, which is frequently in federal government buildings or National Guard armories or reserve centers.

On the day you take the ASVAB test, the very first thing you will need to do is show valid proof of identification. Unless you do have a valid ID, you will not be allowed to take the exam and will have to reschedule for a later date.

You can take the ASVAB either by paper and pencil or on a computer. Testing procedures depend on which version of the test you are taking. You will not be allowed to bring any items into the testing room with you. That means no water bottles, no snacks, no cell phones, no calculators, no pens, no pencils, no paper, etc.

If you take the test at an MEP location, you can consider also take other required tests for admission into the military, such as vision, hearing, blood, and blood pressure tests, pregnancy test (for women), a physical exam, a height and weight check, urinalysis, breathalyzer test, and a psychological/background exam.

If you are deemed qualified for military service you can meet with a service counselor. During this time, you can enlist and swear or affirm your entrance oath. You do not have to enlist at this time, though.

Tips for the day you take the ASVAB

Don’t be late!

You must arrive on time for your ASVAB test or you will not be allowed to take the test, obviously. For this situation, be sure you know how to get to the testing location and plan to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early.

You can even take a practice drive to the location beforehand so that you know the route and are aware of any potential traffic issues.

Arriving late or feeling rushed out of the house can distract you and result in you performing poorly on the test. So, let’s be sure to arrive early or at least on time so that you are calm, confident, and prepared to pass.

Get lots of rest the night before

People are often so nervous before tests. But it’s always better to rest than spend the night cramming for the test and so tired on the big day. Your recall knowledge will be much better when you are well-rested as opposed to being tired from staying up all night studying.

There are some statistics showing that people who got enough sleep the night before performed better on a math test than those who stayed up studying.

Listen and follow closely to instructions

Don’t let your nerves cause you to lose any focus at all. Listen carefully to any instructions before the test and also be sure to read any test instructions before the big day. Being clear about what to do will help prevent you from making any silly mistakes that could damage your score.

Go question by question

Be sure to concentrate on each question as you come to it. Don’t look ahead and don’t let your mind wander to questions you’ve already answered. If you’re not sure about an answer, skip over it and come back to it later.

Answer all the questions

Unanswered questions are apparently counted as incorrect so you have nothing to lose by answering each question, even if you are not sure of the answer. While guessing, try to first eliminate answers that are obviously wrong.

Relax

If you find yourself getting tense during the test, take a few deep breaths and relax. You may even wiggle your fingers and toes as if to help relax. The more you stress the easier it is to forget important things. You need to stay relaxed during the test to ensure your best performance. But, remember, you can take this test again so doing poorly is not the end of the world. Just try your best and see what happens.

Review once again

If you finish the test early, remember to go back and review the questions you were not sure about. Rescanning and reading a question when you know you have completed that section and are no longer in a rush may be what you need to provide the correct answer.

Hope you will do your best on the big day with these tips. We also provide various comprehensive practice questions that are divided into specific ASVAB sections. That will help you easily understand where is your weakness and the strength to improve it. After familiarizing yourself with test questions, you can take our free ASVAB practice test to know the full test format.

Let’s check it out now and be fully ready before you take the ASVAB. You can do it!