What is the ASVAB Time Limit?
The time limit for the ASVAB test varies depending on whether you take the computerized version (CAT-ASVAB) or the paper-and-pencil version (P&P ASVAB). Here’s a breakdown of the time limits for each version:
1. CAT-ASVAB (Computerized ASVAB)
The CAT-ASVAB is an adaptive test, meaning the number of questions and time for each section may differ slightly, but here are the general time limits for each subtest:
| Subtest | Number of Questions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Science (GS) | 15 | 8 minutes |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 15 | 55 minutes |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 16 | 8 minutes |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 11 | 22 minutes |
| Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | 15 | 20 minutes |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 15 | 8 minutes |
| Auto & Shop Information (AS) | 11 | 7 minutes |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 15 | 20 minutes |
| Assembling Objects (AO) | 15 | 17 minutes |
- Total number of questions: Approximately 145.
- Total time: Approximately 154 minutes (about 2.5 hours).
2. P&P-ASVAB (Paper-and-Pencil ASVAB)
The P&P-ASVAB has fixed questions and time limits for each section:
| Subtest | Number of Questions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Science (GS) | 25 | 11 minutes |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 30 | 36 minutes |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 35 | 11 minutes |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 15 | 13 minutes |
| Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | 25 | 24 minutes |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 20 | 9 minutes |
| Auto Information (AI) | 25 | 11 minutes |
| Shop Information (SI) | 25 | 11 minutes |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 25 | 19 minutes |
| Assembling Objects (AO) | 25 | 15 minutes |
- Total number of questions: Approximately 225.
- Total time: Approximately 149 minutes (about 2.5 hours).
Key Differences
- The CAT-ASVAB is adaptive and generally shorter in terms of both the number of questions and overall time.
- The P&P-ASVAB has more questions, but the overall test time remains around the same for both versions (approximately 2.5 hours).
The exact time you’ll spend on the test may vary depending on how quickly you answer questions, particularly in the adaptive CAT-ASVAB format.
