How to sign up for the ASVAB, and where you take it

Steps to get a test date

1. Contact a recruiter from the branch you’re interested in. Any branch can schedule your ASVAB.
2. Answer the recruiter’s screening questions honestly. They ask about your age, education, health, dependents, drug use and arrest record.
3. The recruiter may give you a short online AFQT Predictor Test to estimate your score.
4. Once you’re cleared, the recruiter books a time at the nearest MEPS or MET site.
5. Arrive on time with valid ID. Late arrivals are turned away and have to reschedule.

MEPS or MET site: what’s the difference?

There are 65 MEPS across the US and Puerto Rico. Most ASVAB testing happens there, always on a computer, and you may also have your enlistment physical during the visit.

If you live far from a MEPS, you can test at a MET site, a smaller location such as a federal office building, National Guard armory or Reserve center. Most MET sites use the computer test too. A handful still use paper.

Your recruiter can drive you there and back, but can’t come into the testing room.

Test dates and finding a test site

There’s no public calendar of ASVAB test dates. Once a recruiter decides you’re qualified to move on, they book you into the closest MEPS or an affiliated MET site and set the appointment time for you.

To find a recruiter near you, officialasvab.com points to the request form on todaysmilitary.com. Already serving and want to retest for a new job? The official site says to ask your base education office.

Computer or paper?

• CAT-ASVAB (computer): adapts to your level, can’t go back to a question once answered, about 2 hours, scores right away.
• Paper and pencil: fixed questions, you can review answers within a subtest, 3 to 4 hours with instructions, scores in a few days.
• Scores from both are equated, so neither version is easier. The official site says your score should be very similar either way.

Other ways to take it

• At school: the ASVAB Career Exploration Program is free for participating schools. Ask your counselor. You can use those scores to enlist within two years, but if school staff gave the test, you’ll need a short Verification Test first.
• PiCAT at home: if you’ve never taken the ASVAB, a recruiter can give you an access code for an unproctored online version. If your scores look eligible, you confirm them with a 25 to 30 minute Verification Test at a MEPS or MET site within 45 days.