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Mental Math Drill

You can't use a calculator on the ASVAB, and Arithmetic Reasoning gives you about a minute and a half per question. Fast, automatic number facts leave that time for working out the problem. Pick an operation and a level, then answer as many as you can in 60 seconds.

How the drill works

• Type the answer. It checks itself as soon as you've typed enough digits, so you never press Enter. A wrong answer moves you on and is added to your list of facts to practise.
• Skip a fact you don't know. On a keyboard, press Enter or Space to skip.
• Ranks go from Recruit to General by how many you get right in one round: Private at 5, Sergeant at 20, Captain at 50 and General at 75.
• Free account: your best score is kept on this device. With a free account, every round is saved and the drill shows the facts you keep missing.

Why mental math matters on the ASVAB

Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge both count toward your AFQT score, the score that decides whether you can enlist. Most of their questions need only basic operations, but you have to do them on scrap paper under time pressure. Students who know their times tables to 12 × 12 without thinking finish the math subtests with time to check their work.

A 10-minute daily routine

1. Two rounds of the operation you find hardest, on Standard.
2. Write down the facts in your "Facts to practise" list and say them out loud three times.
3. One round on Mixed to finish.

Then try real ASVAB-style word problems in the Arithmetic Reasoning guide, and keep the formula sheet handy.