2022 / 2023 ASVAB For Dummies. Angie Papple Johnston

A suffix can tell you what part of speech a word is, so when you encounter a word you don’t know, you’ll be able to eliminate possible answer choices that you do know by looking at the suffixes.

      Suffixes are usually only part of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. If the ASVAB asks you to define analogous, but you don’t know what it means, you can use your knowledge of the suffix to help you rule out answers that don’t make any sense. Because the suffix -ous typically modifies nouns and turns words into adjectives, you know that the correct answer probably won’t be a noun.

       Analogous most nearly means

      (A) inclusive.

      (B) danger.

      (C) write.

      (D) comparable.

Of those answer choices, inclusive and comparable are the only adjectives. Danger is a noun, and write is a verb. You can rule out Choices (B) and (C) to make a more educated choice — and improve your chances of answering the question correctly — if you know that the suffix -ous usually refers to adjectives. Choice (D) is correct here; analogous means comparable in certain respects, especially when it clarifies the relationship between two things that are being compared (“The relationship between a drill sergeant and a new recruit is analogous to the relationship between a hungry fish and a worm on a hook”).

       Cameron knew that the only viable option was to invest 10 percent of his savings.

      (A) succeed

      (B) glowing

      (C) reasonable

      (D) life

      The underlined word, viable, describes Cameron’s option; option is a noun in this sentence, so that makes viable an adjective. Look through the answer choices and figure out what part of speech each word is. Choice (A), succeed, is a verb because it describes an action (the action of succeeding). Choice (B), glowing, is an adjective because it modifies a noun (for example, “the glowing candle”), so that’s a possible answer. Choice (C), reasonable, is also an adjective because it modifies nouns (as in, “That’s a reasonable alternative”), so that’s another option. Choice (D), life, is a noun (and it wouldn’t make any sense in this sentence), so it’s off the table.

      Choices (B) and (C) are the most likely of the four to be correct. If you haven’t tried it yet, replace viable with each choice. You’ll see that Choice (C), reasonable, makes the most sense in the sentence.

      If all else fails, break your word

      If you’re stumped on a Word Knowledge question, you can resort to breaking apart the word (read about that in “Deconstructing words” earlier in this chapter). Even taking off a prefix or suffix can point you in the right direction, especially if you’ve studied Tables 4-2 and 4-3 and the extensive lists in Appendix C.

      Predict the meanings of these words to test your skills:

       Desensitize

       Decode

       Deplume

      These words all have something in common, and it’s the prefix de-. Knowing that de- usually means “away from,” you can guess what each word will mean.

      Predict the meanings of these words:

       Approachable

       Serviceable

       Governable

      The common theme with these words is the suffix -able, which typically signifies “capable of.” You can use that to your advantage when you’re taking the ASVAB, too.

      Guess what! It’s okay on the ASVAB

      In some cases, it’s okay to guess on the ASVAB — but only if you do it strategically.

You won’t be penalized for guessing on the paper-and-pencil version of the ASVAB (aside from choosing the wrong answers, that is). You can complete each section at your own pace within the time limits, and you’re allowed to review and change your answers in the current section. After time expires and the test proctor tells you to close your booklet, you won’t be permitted to go back to that portion of the test.

      You will be penalized for guessing on the CAT-ASVAB (the computerized version of the test) that new recruits take at MEPS. If you look at the clock and start clicking random answers in a rush because you’re almost out of time for that section, your score will go down. You can take the entire CAT-ASVAB at your own pace, but you can’t review or change any answers after you’ve submitted them. You can’t go back to the beginning of the subtest after you start. If you’re running out of time, do not guess! Keep trying to answer each question to the best of your ability, using the test-taking strategies outlined in this chapter.

       You’ll have 9 minutes to answer 15 questions if you’re taking the CAT-ASVAB and your subtest has no tryout questions, which leaves you about 36 seconds for each one. If you’re taking the paper-and-pencil version, you’ll have 11 minutes to answer 35 questions. That’s about 18 seconds per question (if you want to check the math, refer to Chapter 6).

       If you must guess on the ASVAB, eliminate choices that you know are incorrect first. You have a 25 percent chance of getting each question right without reading it, but you can increase those chances if you eliminate even one incorrect choice. That’s why these test-taking strategies are so important — the better you perform on the Word Knowledge section, the higher your score will be, which opens doors to more desirable jobs and helps you get your military career off to a good start.

You Are What You Speak: Improving Your Vocabulary, Improving Yourself

      Having an extensive vocabulary can help you do well on the Word Knowledge subtest. But even if you don’t have a huge vocabulary, the strategies in this section can help you make up for that.

       You can acquire vocabulary words in the short term as well as over a long period of time. Combining both approaches is best, but if you’re pressed for time, focus on short-term memorization and test-taking skills.

      Reading your way to a larger vocabulary

      In a world of constant social media updates and 17 billion streaming platforms, the pastime of reading for enjoyment is quickly fading. To build your vocabulary, you have to read — it’s that simple. Studies consistently show that those who read for enjoyment have a much larger vocabulary than those who dislike reading. You have to see the words in print, not just hear someone say them. Besides, people can read and understand many more words than they could ever use in conversation.

      That doesn’t mean you have to start with Advanced Astrophysics. In fact, if you don’t read much, you can start with your daily newspaper, a news magazine, or any type of reading material that’s just a notch or two above what you ordinarily read. Choose topics that interest you.