{"id":23168,"date":"2019-02-09T16:03:45","date_gmt":"2019-02-09T16:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=23168"},"modified":"2026-02-09T22:04:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T22:04:25","slug":"asvab-technical-subtest-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/asvab\/asvab-technical-subtest-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"ASVAB Technical Subtest Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Passing the <a title=\"asvab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/asvab\/what-is-the-afqt\/\">AFQT<\/a> is essential for enlisting in the armed forces. However, perhaps you don\u2019t just want to enlist\u2014you may want to enlist and to qualify for a specific job. There are many varieties of specialized job opportunities in the armed forces, which could form the foundation for a lifelong military career or could prepare you for a successful career in civilian life after you\u2019ve completed your military service. Doing well on the <a title=\"asvab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/asvab\/books\">ASVAB<\/a>\u2019s technical subtests, in addition to the AFQT, is important for qualifying for many of those specialized jobs.<\/p>\n<p>There are six technical subtests:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>General Science<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Electronics Information<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Automotive Information<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Shop Information<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Mechanical Comprehension<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Assembling Objects<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be sure to speak with a recruiter, do your research, and form a sense of which subtests are most important for your goals. That knowledge will tell you which topics you need to study most.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[ RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/asvab\/what-is-the-asvab\/\">What&#8217;s tested on the ASVAB?<\/a>\u00a0<strong>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you aren\u2019t sure which career path you are interested in, pay attention to your strengths and the parts of the ASVAB you enjoy. If there is a particular topic that is of interest to you and you would like to learn more about it, you can use that passion to help you decide a potential career path. Conducting online research and speaking to a recruiter can help you determine which paths would help you pursue your interests in the best way. This information can help focus your study time on the most beneficial sections of the test for your ideal path.<\/p>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >The Kaplan Method for ASVAB Technical Subtest Questions<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 1: Identify what you are being asked for.<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nJust as with math questions, it\u2019s very important to figure out what your task is. Does the right answer represent the value of a variable? The name of a planet? The definition of a unit of measure? The name of a type of tool? How much force is required to move an object? and so on.<\/p>\n<p>Often, a quick glance at the answer choices can help point you in the right direction. Don\u2019t read them in depth at this point\u2014save that for Step 4. Simply use them to get a sense of what your task is. If all the answer choices are numbers followed by \u201cmHz,\u201d you will be calculating the frequency of a wave and expressing that frequency in megahertz. If all the answer choices are the names of planets, your job is to identify a planet. If it\u2019s an Auto Information question and all of the answer choices start with verbs, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll be describing how to go about some type of auto repair.<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 2: Simplify or Solve.<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nThis step varies quite a bit depending on the subject matter. Therefore, this section will discuss a variety of approaches depending on the information you are given.<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h5    avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h5 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Diagrams<\/h5><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nSome technical subtest question may include a diagram. On those questions, ask yourself:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What does the diagram represent?<\/li>\n<li>Are there any important relationships depicted in the diagram?<\/li>\n<li>How does the diagram help me to answer the question?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h5    avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h5 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Numbers, Variables, or Formulas<\/h5><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nSome technical subtest questions resemble math questions. You may be asked to perform calculations, manipulate variables, or apply a formula (especially on Mechanical Comprehension, but on other tests as well). You can often approach these questions using the same tactics you use for the <a title=\"asvab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/asvab\/asvab-math-strategies\/\">math subtests<\/a>. For each technical subtest question involving math, ask yourself:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How can I simplify the information I\u2019m given?<\/li>\n<li>Am I given a formula or expected to recall one out of my own knowledge?<\/li>\n<li>Can I backsolve, pick numbers, or guess strategically using logic, or should I simply do the math?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h5    avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h5 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Charts, Graphs, or Tables<\/h5><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nSome technical subtest questions may include a graphical representation of data. If you see a chart, graph, table, or other visual arrangement of data, ask yourself:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How does the graph relate to the information in the question?<\/li>\n<li>What are the units?<\/li>\n<li>What do the axes represent?<\/li>\n<li>Is there a trend or pattern in the data?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h5    avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h5 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Written Information<\/h5><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nIf a technical subtest question includes a few sentences of introductory text, take a moment to paraphrase them to ensure that you understand before you move on to Step 3.<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4    avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 3: Make a Prediction.<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nJust as on Paragraph Comprehension and Word Knowledge, having a prediction is a great strategy for finding the right answer efficiently and not being distracted by tempting wrong answer choices. After all, it\u2019s easier to recognize the correct answer if you already have a good idea what it is. Always try to predict unless you\u2019re using a strategic math approach such as Backsolving or Strategic Guessing; those strategies do not require making a prediction. As you practice, put a sticky note or your hand over the answer choices as you\u2019re working through Step 2, above, to get into the habit of predicting. By Test Day, making a prediction will be second nature, and you will not need to cover the answer choices.<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4    avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Step 4: Evaluate the choices strategically.<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nGot a solid prediction? Look for it among the choices.<br \/>\nIf you don\u2019t have a solid prediction, seek to discard wrong answer choices that do not make sense. You might be able to eliminate choices that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>contain numbers that are obviously too large or too small<\/li>\n<li>are expressed using the wrong units \u00b7 belong to a different category than that you were asked for. For example, if you are asked to name a planet, \u201cSirius\u201d would be a wrong answer, since it is a star rather than a planet.<\/li>\n<li>are synonyms: each ASVAB question has only one right answer, so two answer choices that mean the same thing cannot be correct. For example, if you are working on a shop information question and two of the answer choices are \u201cVise Grips\u201d and \u201clocking pliers,\u201d cross both those choices off. They both refer to the same tool, so it cannot be the case that one of those answer choices is right and the other is wrong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4    avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_promobox  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Bringing It All Together<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nMemorize these\u00a0steps\u00a0as soon as possible. You don\u2019t want to put off learning it. You\u2019ll have lots of content review to do before you take the technical subtests, and you will want the method in place so that you can use what you learn about the subject matter to your advantage on ASVAB questions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[ KEEP STUDYING:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/asvab\/asvab-strategies\/\">ASVAB Strategies<\/a>\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/asvab\/asvab-math-strategies\/\">ASVAB\u00a0Math Strategies<\/a>\u00a0<strong>]<\/strong><br \/>\n\t<div   class='av_promobox  avia-button-yes   avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_heading  avia-builder-el-last '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><p>\n<em><strong>Want more tips like this? Check out Kaplan&#8217;s ASVAB Total Prep Book!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><div  class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-right ' ><a href='https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/ASVAB-Total-Prep-2025-2026-Kaplan\/dp\/150629720X?crid=37TVIAKCBKVLZ&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jGI7BoCiebg-zubp7JWt4Y150_Rq5T_2Ce2URvMJlImYbMc2tBi_5nQqSGmSZxpUblztrYCMTLuS6RLU2eqP_LEZOCh9YWsEQFhcoNDmmYypIxaBfceDGSl708OTCcr5I37m-a6y87ED-PuZPidl7WsKjQC00y-jAOqIIN-vhSnvDnyTNTmkVfnaOAIZWcq0pqFyjspu5OtoB9qJvx1gRqlJF3yIAcMZoOU4YbACNdU.2HPpqWa_feymFVZXkOjDkk0cde8emtu4bOpPWxkAMu8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=kaplan+asvab+prep+plus+2025-2026&amp;qid=1769193894&amp;sprefix=Kaplan+ASVAB%2Caps%2C239&amp;sr=8-2&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=kaptest-asvab-product-page-20&amp;linkId=ef8d500350fbfb7c8781631e5eb2bdec&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl '  class='avia-button  avia-color-theme-color   avia-icon_select-no avia-size-large avia-position-right '   ><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >ASVAB Total Prep Book<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Passing the AFQT is essential for enlisting in the armed forces. However, perhaps you don\u2019t just want to enlist\u2014you may want to enlist and to qualify for a specific job. There are many varieties of specialized job opportunities in the armed forces, which could form the foundation for a lifelong military career or could prepare [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49234,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[302],"tags":[303],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23168"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23168"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49236,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23168\/revisions\/49236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}