Rod Powers

Article / Updated 10-18-2023

After you’ve identified which ASVAB subjects you’re the weakest in, concentrate on boosting your abilities in those areas to improve your overall success on the exam. These tips can point you in the right direction as you study: Check out library books about the specific subject you’re struggling with, such as human anatomy or beginner’s electronics. Review reliable online sources related to ASVAB subjects. Ask someone in your community to tutor you. For example, get your Uncle Joe to show you the parts under the hood of his prized Camaro. Study with a buddy. Saying things out loud can help with memorization. Not to mention, studying with someone else makes you more accountable and can even make learning fun.

Article / Updated 10-18-2023

Many subtests in the ASVAB, such as General Science, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, and Auto and Shop Information, are hard to ace because you probably didn’t learn much about them in high school. So you may need to memorize facts and illustrations to do well in the areas of the ASVAB that you aren’t familiar with. Use these ten study methods to trick your brain into remembering all the things you need to know to get an excellent score on the ASVAB: Acronyms: An acronym uses the initial or important letters of a phrase to create an easily memorable abbreviation, such as PEMDAS to help remember the order of operations in mathematics (parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction). Acrostics: This mnemonic device uses a group of words that start with particular letters to convey a meaning, such as the newly revised acrostic “My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nothing,” to help you remember the eight planets (sans Pluto): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Categorizing: Mentally dividing information into categories can help you remember similarities and differences. For example, studying plants and animals separately may help you remember photosynthesis, which occurs in plants, not animals. Chunking: Especially helpful with numbers, chunking is the process of breaking big chunks of information into smaller segments. For example, you can break larger numbers into shorter segments to help you remember them. That’s why you memorize phone numbers by saying “five, five, five, (pause) one, two, three, four.” Loci method: This mnemonic device helps you remember something if you can associate that thing with a familiar place (loci means “location”). For example, if you visualize E = MC2 spray-painted on your bedroom wall, you’re sure to see that picture when you close your eyes, which helps you memorize that formula. Q and A: Question-and-answer practice is a good study tool for memory if you have more than one person available to quiz you. Get the most out of this study technique by using it together with the re-review method later in this list. Recording: Recording yourself reviewing information (such as vocabulary definitions) and then playing it back aids in memory retention. Re-review: Reviewing new information more than once in the same day helps set that information in your brain more effectively than waiting a few days to look over it. Rhymes: Rhyming with catchy phrases and sentences is an easy way to retain information. For example, “i before e except after c” is a popular rhyme used to help spell some words in the English language. Visualizing: Creating mental pictures of different concepts you want to memorize makes remembering them easier. For instance, picturing yourself running a marathon, exhausted and out of breath, may help you remember that the exhaust of a car is the tailpipe that blows out the smoke.

Article / Updated 10-18-2023

An ASVAB study schedule is imperative to your success. No matter how many days are left until test day, you can use this guide to help structure your plan. If you’re a few months out, use this study guide and take your time to really pinpoint the areas that need the most attention. If you don’t have much time to spare, jump to the end of this schedule, pump out that extra effort, and eat, sleep, and breathe ASVAB from now until test day! One month before test day You have 30 days until test day. Let the studying begin! Take an ASVAB practice exam and score yourself on each subtest. Rank each subtest: 1 through 4 for each AFQT subtest (Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning), and 1 through 5 for the specialty subtests, with 1 being the lowest rank. Spend the most time studying for the areas you ranked the lowest, giving special attention to the AFQT subjects, such as Mathematics Knowledge and Arithmetic Reasoning. For the remainder of your time, concentrate on the specialty subjects, such as Electronics Information, especially if you know your desired military jobs require a specific score, or if you want to ace the ASVAB. Two weeks before test day You’re in the home stretch. Try not to get nervous if you don’t know some of the material as well as you’d like. Use these strategies to boost your confidence: Take the same ASVAB practice exam you took at the beginning of your study plan, scoring each subtest the same way as before. Compare your new (and hopefully improved) practice test scores to the original scores. Note any improvements you’ve made within each subtest. Note the struggles you’re having in specific areas and write them down. For example, you may still have a hard time dividing fractions, memorizing planets, identifying vehicle parts, or learning suffixes. Spend the next two weeks fine-tuning the areas that need improvement. If you scored very high on any specific subtest (as in, you missed only one or two questions), set aside your review of that material in favor of spending time on topics that you still feel shaky about. Periodically check your ASVAB growth by trying out another practice test so you can see your progress. Feel confident that your hard work will pay off and don’t give up. Note: If you’re just now starting to study for the ASVAB, don’t panic. Take a practice exam and score each subtest to see where you need to focus your time in the next two weeks. Then get studying! One day before test day If there were ever a time not to stress, this is it. Follow these suggestions to prepare for the big day: Relax and enjoy your day because the last thing you need is built-up anxiety. Pack up everything you need to take the test, such as your ID card, any necessary paperwork, directions to the test site, lip balm, reading glasses, car keys, and so on, and be sure to set your alarm. Break down your final study review into two one-hour sessions: During the first hour, concentrate on your weak subjects. Read over the types of questions and the work you’ve done to prepare for them. Then take a break. During the second hour, look over the highlights and any notes you have for each subtest. Stay hydrated with plenty of water. Get at least eight hours of rest.

Article / Updated 10-18-2023

Some math problems on the ASVAB AFQT will require you to apply formulas to solve real-world problems. It's important to not only be familiar with these formulas, but also to know when and how to apply them. Practice exercise In the following practice exercise, you need to match the word problem to the appropriate formula. (You don't actually need to solve the problems—this exercise is just to test your ability to choose the right formula.) When you're finished, check the "Answers and explanations" that follow. Answers and explanations The correct answer is Choice E.The problem asks you to find the circumference of a circle, and the formula for that is where C represents circumference and r represents the circle's radius. Remember, the radius of a circle is half its diameter. The correct answer is Choice C.The formula to solve a work problem that asks you how long it will take two people together to accomplish a task is The correct answer is Choice A.Investment and loan problems can typically be solved with the interest formula, which is I = prt. I stands for interest, p represents the principal, r represents the interest rate, and t represents the amount of time you're evaluating. The correct answer is Choice B.When a problem asks you, "How many square feet … ," it's looking for an area. The formula for the area of a rectangle is A = lw, where A represents area, l represents length, and w represents width. The correct answer is Choice D.In this problem, you need to use the formula for the volume of a cube, which is V = s3, where V represents volume and s represents the length of a side.

Article / Updated 10-18-2023

The Word Knowledge subtest of the ASVAB AFQT will contain some questions that ask you to define an underlined word in a sentence. Even if you don't know the word's meaning, you should be able to figure it out based on its context within the sentence. If you're unsure about your context skills, try the following practice exercise to test them. Practice exercise The following chart contains five sentences, each of which contains an underlined word. Copy the chart onto a sheet of paper. Then, based on each sentence, write your definition in the "Your Definition" column. Then look up the word in the dictionary (or check the definitions under "Answers and explanations") to find out how close you were. In the "Dictionary Definition" column, write the official definition; this will help you to remember it. Sentence Your Definition Dictonary Definition 1. Smoking has deleterious effects on your health. 2. The topic was too serious for her to be so facetious. 3. The English lexicon contains hundreds of thousands of words. 4. She told him not to plagiarize, but he copied the text anyway. 5. The commander didn't want to capitulate, but the general told him to surrender. Answers and explanations Deleterious is an adjective that means causing harm or damage. Facetious is an adjective that means treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor. Lexicon is a noun that means the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge. Plagiarize is a verb that means to take someone else's work or idea and pass it off as one's own. Capitulate is a verb that means to cease to resist or to surrender.

Article / Updated 10-18-2023

Anything that saves you time and brain power on the ASVAB AFQT Mathematics Knowledge subtest is useful for two reasons: first, because you're working on a limited time budget, and second, because you can't use a calculator. That's where math properties, like the commutative and associative properties, can help. The commutative and associative properties let you break the rules about adding or multiplying from left to right: The commutative property of addition says you can rearrange the numbers you're adding without changing the result. Similarly, the associative property of addition lets you decide how to group the numbers you're adding. Together, these properties let you add a string of numbers in whatever order you like. For example, you can make calculations easier by pairing up numbers whose ones digits add up to 10 before adding other numbers in the list. Because subtracting is essentially the same thing as adding a negative number, you can extend these addition properties to subtraction problems, too — just be careful to keep track of the negative signs. The following example shows how smart groupings can let you add and subtract figures faster. Notice which calculations are easier to do in your head. Similarly, the commutative and associative properties of multiplication let you multiply numbers in any order you like. Check out how switching the numbers around can make mental math easier: You can even use these multiplication properties with division, as long as you remember that division is the same thing as multiplying by a fraction:

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-06-2023

The key to success for any method of study is having one. So if you’re preparing to take the ASVAB, set up a structured study plan using the following guide, and stick to it. Before you put your study plan into action though, be sure to review the tips included here on how to fine-tune your studying experience for success and kick-start your memory retention powers.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-25-2022

Before you head off to basic training, you should be familiar with a few basic items, such as military ranks, chain of command, and military time. You also want to make sure that you know the rules of being sentry.

Article / Updated 07-06-2021

Military travel is a top benefit for veterans. Many veterans and their family members can travel for free on military aircraft by using the space-available travel program, often referred to as space A. Although this is a valuable benefit, space-A travel can often be frustrating, unless you follow these tips. Departure terminal choices for veterans Generally speaking, military air terminals on the West Coast have more scheduled flights to Pacific locations, such as Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Korea, Australia, and Guam, while terminals on the East Coast have the most flights to Europe and the Middle East. You need to plan your travel itinerary accordingly. Also keep in mind that military terminals located in commercial airports are mostly contract flights, and the military generally fills those with space-required passengers. You have a much better chance of “catching a hop” from a terminal located on a military base than from a terminal located in a commercial airport. Time your veteran travel wisely If possible, travel during off-peak space-A travel periods. Historically, February through March and October through November are low travel periods, and your chances to get out quickly on a space-A hop are much greater. (Peak periods are the summer months when school is out and during the Christmas holiday season.) Sign up for veteran travel from home Don’t waste your time standing in line at the terminal to sign up for a space-A flight. Most terminals now allow remote signup, which allows you to put your name on the space-A waiting list via fax, and sometimes even by e-mail. The advantage of this system is that your name stays on the waiting list for up to 60 days, getting closer and closer to the top every day. Consider signing up for a space-A flight three to four weeks before your desired date of travel. You can call the terminal at any time to find out where you stand on the waiting list. Keep your veteran travel plans flexible When you want to travel around the world, you can often get where you want to go by any number and combination of routes and stops. You may feel like you’re playing a game of connect the dots, but with a little patience and flexibility, you will reach your destination. For example, if you want to get to Japan, consider listing Korea as one of your destination choices. You can then sign up for a flight to Japan at the military air terminal in Korea. Both Osan and Kunsan air bases in Korea generally have several flights per week to Japan. Double-check your veteran travel documents Although active-duty military members can travel to most countries by using their military ID card and leave (vacation) orders, family members and veterans usually need a valid passport. Some countries require a visa or may require that certain vaccinations be current. Use the State Department’s website to check for required travel documents. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at the military flight terminal, having your name called for a space-A flight, and then discovering that you can’t board because you don’t have the right travel documents. Veterans should pack lightly for travel As a space-A traveler, you can check two pieces of luggage, weighing up to 70 pounds each, per person. Family members traveling together can pool their baggage allowance as long as the total doesn’t exceed the total allowance. Still, take only what is essential for your trip because you can’t check your bags until your name is called for your flight. Although some terminals have baggage lockers, many don’t. So chances are good you and your bags will be stuck waiting overnight somewhere. So take only what you truly need. Arrive for veteran travel ready to go Call the terminal to find out when the space-A showtime is for your flight. Don’t confuse showtime with departure time. The space-A showtime is the listed time that they plan to select passengers from the space-A list. If you’re not there to accept when your name is called, they move on to the next person on the list, and you miss your chance for that flight. Arrive at least one hour before the scheduled showtime. Sometimes they call for space A earlier than scheduled. Also, when your name is called, sometimes it’s only minutes until you go through security for boarding, so be all set and ready to go. Be financially prepared for veteran travel Remember, you may not travel on the same day you arrive at the terminal. You need to have funds available to stay overnight, or possibly for several days because most military terminals close at night. Sometimes veterans can stay at an on-base lodging facility for a relatively inexpensive fee. But you can’t count on these being available, so you may need to seek commercial lodging off-base. Additionally, if you have to return home before a certain date, remember that your return travel is also space available. If you can’t get a return space-A flight that fits your schedule, you need to be prepared to purchase a commercial airline ticket. Purchase an in-flight meal with veteran travel Meals on most commercial airlines leave much to be desired these days, but thankfully that can't be said about the in-flight meals available for a nominal fee on military aircraft. Often called “boxed lunches” or “boxed meals,” these munchies are very good. Options include a healthy-heart menu, breakfast menu, snacks, and a sandwich meal. You can also bring your own food and drinks aboard. Sorry, alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed. With veteran travel, sign up immediately for a return flight As soon as you get to your destination, take a few moments before you leave the terminal and sign up for your return flight. Your name remains on the waiting list for 60 days, which means that while you’re out and about taking in the sights and eating too much rich food, you’re getting closer and closer to the top of the list for your return flight. It’s often more difficult for veterans and family members to return to the United States than to depart from it. That’s because those traveling on passports must enter the States through designated customs and immigration points, whereas active-duty members can enter the United States at virtually any military terminal.

Article / Updated 07-02-2021

Tricare is a health insurance program available to veterans, and it comes in four varieties: Tricare Prime, Tricare Extra, Tricare Standard, and Tricare for Life. Tricare, the military's health insurance plan, actually covers everyone — active-duty members, retirees, and their families. Check your eligibility for veterans health insurance (Tricare) You’re eligible for Tricare benefits if you: Are a retired active-duty member. Are retired from the reserves or National Guard and are age 60 or older. Served in the military (for any length of time) and were awarded the Medal of Honor. Are the spouse or child of an eligible veteran, including: Unmarried children under the age of 21 Children under the age of 23 attending college and whose parent(s) provide at least 50 percent support Severely disabled child whose condition existed prior to his 21st birthday, or between the ages of 21 and 23 while the child was enrolled in college A surviving spouse of a military member who died on active duty. These Tricare benefits expire three years after the death of the active-duty member. An ex-spouse of a military member or retiree, if — as of the date of the divorce — you were married to the member or veteran for at least 20 years, and your ex was in the military for at least 20 years of the marriage. An ex-spouse of a military member or retiree, if — as of the date of the divorce — you were married to the member or veteran for at least 20 years, and your ex was in the military for at least 15 years, but less than 20 years, of the marriage. These Tricare benefits expire one year after the date of the divorce. If you are a surviving spouse or a former spouse and you remarry, you lose your Tricare benefits. Unlike many veterans benefits, you do not regain Tricare if that subsequent marriage later ends. Enroll for veterans health insurance (Tricare) In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria for Tricare, veterans and family members need to ensure they are enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). If you’re eligible for Tricare, you’re probably already enrolled in DEERS, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure the information is up to date. Mistakes or outdated information in the DEERS database can cause problems with Tricare claims. You can verify and update your DEERS information n several ways: In person: To add or remove family members, or to change your mailing address, phone number, or email address, visit a local ID card office. ID card offices are located on all military bases. By phone: Call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 800-538-9552 to update your mailing address, email address, and phone number. You can’t add or remove family members over the phone. By fax: Fax any mailing address, email address, or phone number changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 831-655-8317. To add or remove family members, you have to fax supporting documentation (marriage certificate, birth certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate). By mail: Mail changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office. You must also mail supporting documentation if you are adding or removing a family member. The address is Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office, Attn: COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771. Online: Visit the DEERS website and follow the steps to update your mailing address, e-mail address, and phone numbers online. You can’t add or remove family members online.