What Is on the ASVAB? All 10 Subtests, Times, and Formats
The ASVAB has 10 subtests measuring 4 domains: Verbal (Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension), Math (Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge), Science and Technical (General Science, Electronics Information, Auto Information, Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension), and Spatial (Assembling Objects). Only 4 of the 10 feed your AFQT enlistment score; the other 6 determine which specific jobs you qualify for.
(ASVAB HQ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or administered by the Department of Defense, officialasvab.com, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.)
The subtest list itself is identical no matter which branch you’re targeting. What changes between test-takers is the format: computer-adaptive (CAT-ASVAB) or paper-and-pencil (P&P), and that choice changes the question count, the timing, and even how many subtests get reported.
What are the 10 ASVAB subtests?
| Subtest | Abbrev. | Domain | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Science | GS | Science/Technical | Physical and biological science knowledge |
| Arithmetic Reasoning | AR | Math | Solving word problems |
| Word Knowledge | WK | Verbal | Synonyms and word meaning in context |
| Paragraph Comprehension | PC | Verbal | Extracting information from written passages |
| Mathematics Knowledge | MK | Math | High-school-level math principles |
| Electronics Information | EI | Science/Technical | Electricity and electronics concepts |
| Auto Information | AI | Science/Technical | Automobile technology |
| Shop Information | SI | Science/Technical | Tools and shop practices |
| Mechanical Comprehension | MC | Science/Technical | Mechanical and physical principles |
| Assembling Objects | AO | Spatial | Visualizing how parts fit together |
Source: officialasvab.com, “What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB”, accessed 2026-07-18. On the paper-and-pencil test, Auto Information and Shop Information are combined into one scored subtest (AS), so P&P reports 9 subtests total while CAT-ASVAB reports these two separately, for 10.
Why do only 4 subtests count toward my AFQT?
Because the AFQT was designed specifically to predict general trainability for enlistment, not job-specific aptitude. Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension were the four subtests found to best predict that general outcome, so those four (with Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension combined into a Verbal Expression score) build the AFQT. The remaining 6 subtests (General Science, Electronics Information, Auto Information, Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, Assembling Objects) exist specifically to predict job-specific performance, which is why they feed line scores instead. See our full breakdown of how the AFQT and line scores are calculated for the exact formula.
How many questions and how much time, by format?
CAT-ASVAB (proctored, computer-adaptive):
| Subtest | Scored questions | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Science | 15 | 12 min |
| Arithmetic Reasoning | 15 | 55 min |
| Word Knowledge | 15 | 9 min |
| Paragraph Comprehension | 10 | 27 min |
| Mathematics Knowledge | 15 | 31 min |
| Electronics Information | 15 | 10 min |
| Auto Information | 10 | 7 min |
| Shop Information | 10 | 6 min |
| Mechanical Comprehension | 15 | 22 min |
| Assembling Objects | 15 | 18 min |
| Total | 135 | 197 min |
Paper-and-pencil:
| Subtest | Questions | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Science | 25 | 11 min |
| Arithmetic Reasoning | 30 | 36 min |
| Word Knowledge | 35 | 11 min |
| Paragraph Comprehension | 15 | 13 min |
| Mathematics Knowledge | 25 | 24 min |
| Electronics Information | 20 | 9 min |
| Auto & Shop Information | 25 | 11 min |
| Mechanical Comprehension | 25 | 19 min |
| Assembling Objects | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 225 | 149 min |
Source: officialasvab.com, accessed 2026-07-18. Full CAT-ASVAB sessions run about 2 hours on average; full P&P sessions, including instructions and check-in, run 3 to 4 hours.
What actually makes CAT-ASVAB different from paper-and-pencil?
CAT-ASVAB is adaptive: every subtest starts you on a medium-difficulty question, then adjusts harder after a correct answer and easier after a miss. That’s why it reaches a reliable score in fewer questions (135 scored vs. 225 for P&P) even though both formats measure the same 10 subtests and the reported scores are statistically equated to mean the same thing either way. The tradeoff: once you move past a CAT-ASVAB question, you can’t go back and change your answer, while paper test-takers can review within a subtest before time expires. Our how long is the ASVAB breakdown covers the full timing picture including PiCAT, the unproctored take-home version.
Which subtests should I study first?
Start with the four that build your AFQT, since a weak AFQT can keep you from enlisting regardless of how strong your other subtests are. From there, move to whichever of the remaining six feed the line-score composites for your target job. Each subtest below has its own dedicated breakdown with original practice questions:
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AFQT subtest)
- Word Knowledge (AFQT subtest)
- Paragraph Comprehension (AFQT subtest)
- Math Knowledge (AFQT subtest)
- General Science (line-score subtest)
- Mechanical Comprehension (line-score subtest)
Run the free ASVAB HQ practice quiz to get a subtest-by-subtest score breakdown instead of one overall number, since “I did fine on the ASVAB” tells you nothing about which of the 10 subtests actually needs more work.
FAQ
How many subtests are on the ASVAB? 10 on the CAT-ASVAB (computer version). 9 on the paper-and-pencil version, since Auto and Shop Information combine into one scored subtest there.
Does the Assembling Objects subtest count toward my AFQT? No. Assembling Objects is a Spatial-domain subtest that feeds certain line-score composites but has no effect on your AFQT.
Is General Science hard? It covers general physical and biological science knowledge rather than job-specific technical training, so it’s approachable with broad review rather than deep specialization. See our General Science breakdown for original practice questions.
Do I take all 10 subtests no matter which branch I’m joining? Yes. The subtest content is identical across every branch. What differs is each branch’s AFQT minimum and which line-score composites it uses to assign jobs.
Is the Student Testing Program ASVAB the same as the enlistment version? Almost. The Career Exploration Program version given in schools uses the same subtest content except it omits Assembling Objects, and it reports three general composite scores (Verbal, Math, Science & Technical Skills) instead of an AFQT, since school test-takers aren’t enlisting.
Bottom line: 10 subtests, 4 domains, but only 4 subtests decide whether you can enlist at all; know which subtests build your AFQT versus your target job’s line scores before you decide where to spend your remaining study time.