Current Events In Education

How To Solve Percentage Questions On The ASVAB Without A Calculator

As part of your military application process you will be required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB. While this exam covers many different topics, many students seem to struggle with math concepts the most given that you are not allowed to use a calculator. And so questions that would appear quite easy are suddenly very difficult to solve.
Once such topic is calculating percentages. In this article I will show you a shortcut to save you time and help you figure out the correct answer for a standard percent type question.
Picture this ASVAB style question:
1/8 is equal to approximately what percent value?
a) 8%
b) 10%
c) 22%
d) 13%
At first glance the question seems impossible. Let’s discuss the long and short way to solve this question.
The Long Way
The long way requires setting up an equation where (1/8) = (x/100) so that x is the value we are trying to solve for. You can write out this formula, the cross multiply to solve for x. This requires multiplying both sides by 100 to isolate ‘x’ leaving you with a new equation: x = 100 / 8. Then comes the long and tedious part. You have to draw out the long division to calculate 8 into 100 which may take you a good 30 seconds to a full minute. But you should wind up with the correct answer of 12.5 which is close enough to 13 and thus choice ‘d’
The Simpler And Faster Way
The quicker way to solve ASVAB style math questions is to find the approximate value through rounding and simplification. This will allow you to rule out the incorrect answer choices so that you can guess the correct answer by the process of elimination.
Since the number 8 is relatively close to 10, we can simplify this equation to read 1/10 which is 10%
This is found by multiplying both the top and bottom by 10, all in your head.
Therefor 1/10 is the same as 10/100 which is 10%
HOWEVER we rounded to get 10% which means that the answer choice giving you 10% is incorrect. Rule that out. And since we had to make the number BIGGER to get 10% any number smaller than this value will also be incorrect
If our answer has to be greater than 10% then both choice (a) 8% and choice (b) 10% can be ruled out
We are now left with just 2 choices, and still haven’t put pen to paper for calculations.
Since a small rounding gave us 10% our answer is expected to be close enough. 13% is a close value, 22% is a much larger value, but let’s justify this further
22% can be written as 22/100. This number is very close to 20/100.
Since both 20 and 100 end in at least one zero, these cancel leaving you with 2/10 which further simplifies to 1/5. Keep in mind that we rounded the number down, meaning the actual answer is really somewhere between 1/4 and 1/5
Now let’s apply a final bit of quick logic, ALL STILL IN YOUR HEAD
1/5 is close to 1/8 but THREE whole numbers away.
1/10 is a bit closer to 1/8 and comes from our previous rounding efforts. Therefor we expect the number 1/8 to be closer to 1/10 meaning closer to 10% and so we rule out choice (c) at 22% and instead settle with (d) 13% as the correct answer
Now it may appear that this line of thinking involved a great deal of steps to come to a conclusion, but that’s only because the steps had to be explained. If you keep practicing this way you will realize that this is a much faster way to solve percentage problems

Education Issues

The Word Knowledge ASVAB Test – What You Can Expect

If you’re about to take the ASVAB test, then it’s a good chance you’re considering joining the United States Armed Forces. The ASVAB or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test consists of nine sections, which consist of subjects like arithmetic reasoning, mechanical comprehension, automotive and shop information, general science, paragraph comprehension and more. But it’s the word knowledge ASVAB portion of the test that typically gives potential recruits the most anxiety. If you are stressed out about taking the word portion of the test, relax. By understanding more about the ASVAB and the word portion of the test, you’ll be much more relaxed and worry free in the days leading up to test.
ASVAB Scoring
Before you start freaking out about the word knowledge ASVAB or about any other portion of the test, you should understand why the test is taken and what test scorers are primarily looking for. Just like the SAT test, the ASVAB is timed and is primarily offered at high schools and other learning institutions all throughout the country. The test is meant to determine where the potential recruit’s strengths would lie as far as military job training and placement are concerned. If you get high scores on the word knowledge ASVAB test, for instance, you may qualify to go into linguistics or some other language based field. Of course, you might score higher in math or science based fields, which could alter your results drastically. But you won’t know until you take the test.
The Dreaded Word Portion
Now that you understand more about the test, it’s time to get over the fear of the word knowledge ASVAB portion of the test. The questions you’re likely to encounter with this portion of the test might include something like:
1. A souvenir is a great way to remember your vacation once you arrive home.
A. sacrifice
B. Emblem
C. Memento
D. Symbol
In this case, C. Momento would be the right answer. So you see that you only need to brush up on your vocabulary to tackle this portion of the test, but you have eight other categories to worry about. You can’t just focus on one aspect of the test, hurriedly trying to memorize the dictionary for fear that they’ll throw a word at you that you don’t know. Your best bet is to just give the test everything you’ve got, including the word knowledge ASVAB. Your strengths will shine through, whether they’re in mechanical engineering, computers or some other field. You’ve just got to have faith that the test will reveal the career path you were meant to follow once you actually do enlist.

Education News

The ASVAB Test Scores Unearthed

Here are the 3 versions of the ASVAB assessment:
• The MET-site ASVAB assessment
• The Student ASVAB assessment
• The Cat-ASVAB test
Break down of scoring methods with the ASVAB exam:
• The MET-site ASVAB assessment – This version of the ASVAB exam is utilized expressly for enlistment purposes. The test sites differ but could be found in most major cities. This test requires a referral from your military recruiter in order to be allowed the lucky chance of taking the examination. The examination is composed of eight sub-tests which will test your abilities in General Science (25 questions), Word Knowledge (35 questions), Arithmetic Reasoning (30 questions), Paragraph and Reading Comprehension (15 questions), Mathematics (25 questions), Auto Shop (25 questions), Electronics (20 questions) and Mechanical Comprehension (25 questions).
• Student ASVAB – This version of ASVAB is implemented as a tool in guiding students when it comes to their chosen career paths. This test is also used to determine eligibility for military service. There are 8 sub-tests on this kind of ASVAB examination. The assessment comprises of 8 sub-tests that test your capability on General Science (25 questions), Arithmetic Reasoning (30 questions), Word Knowledge (35 questions), Paragraph and Reading Comprehension (15 questions), Mathematics (25 questions), Electronics (20 questions), Auto Shop (25 questions), Mechanical Comprehension (25 questions).
• CAT-ASVAB – The ASVAB scores from this test are computed utilizing formulas, which rate the difficulty level in which you answered questions correctly. The raw ASVAB scores do not equal the number of correct answers. The results of this test are good for two years. The test consists of 9 sub-tests that will test your abilities on General Science (16 questions), Arithmetic (16 questions), Word Knowledge (16 questions), Paragraph and Reading Comprehension (11 questions), Mathematics (16 questions), Electronics (16 questions), Auto Information (11 questions), Auto Shop Information (11 questions), Mechanical Comprehension (16 questions).
Here are the allotted time frame and material you would be tested on:
General Science – This section of the test will check your skill for life, space, earth and physical sciences. The period allotted for this category is eleven minutes.
Word Knowledge – This assesses your capability to understand meanings of words. The assigned time for this category is eleven minutes.
Arithmetic Reasoning – Measures aptitude to resolve primary mathematical puzzles. Time frame appropriated for this category is 36 minutes.
Paragraph and Reading Comprehension – Appraises your ability of gathering information. Period given is thirteen minutes.
Mathematics – Checks your knowledge of mathematical applications & concepts. Time appropriatedis 24 minutes.
Auto Shop – Evaluates your know-how on auto maintenance methods, repair and metal and wood shop techniques. Time given is eleven minutes.
Electronics – Checks your aptitude for electrical circuits, devices, systems and currents. Time period given is 9 minutes.
Mechanical Comprehension – Calculates your skill to distinguish properties, structures and devices of mechanical equipment. Time allotted is nineteen minutes.