The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is regarded as an examination for those who intend to enlist in the US military forces. Furthermore, Mechanical Comprehension which might differ from high school subjects is a subtest of ASVAB. Our article is published with the primary purpose of proposing the best comprehensive ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Study Guide which would fit your preparation needs for the armed services. Let’s get started. 

 

1. What is Mechanical Comprehension in ASVAB?

 

The Mechanical Comprehension test is a part of ASVAB, designed to gauge your aptitude for the understanding of mechanics in simple machines like levers and pulleys as well as more complex machinery like automobiles. 

This mechanical aptitude test doesn’t require you to learn about the various technical terms, however, you need to know the main driver behind the aptitude test regarding what happens in basic mechanics, how to make it function properly, and working principles. Unless you have much knowledge about mechanics and machinery, don’t sweat it because the successful study guide will be initiated in this article for you. 

Related Topics >> ASVAB Electronics Information Study Guide.

 

2. What kind of mechanical questions are on the ASVAB

 

There are two test delivery methods you can take including the CAT-ASVAB version and Paper-and-Pencil (P&P) one. The number of questions and allotted time will vary depending on the types of test you select as follows: 

  • The CAT- ASVAB: you will have 16 questions to answer within 20 minutes. 
  • The P&P ASVAB: you will have 25 questions to answer in 19 minutes. 

Here are two sample ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension test questions that might appear on your test: 

  • What is the mechanical advantage of a teeter-totter built so that each seat is 2 meters from the fulcrum? 
  • “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” best summarizes which of Newton’s Laws of Motion?

The ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension is a multiple choice test with 4 answer choices that requires you to select only the best correct one. The questions are structured in a way that will gradually increase in difficulty, thus you will warm up with the easy questions first and then deal with the hard ones later. 

Your knowledge of fundamental core mechanical principles and mechanisms is measured by the ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension test. Thus, in this section, you need to apply your math skills flexibly to answer the questions involving mechanical processes by taking calculations based on math formulas as fast and accurately as possible. Take the ASVAB Practice Test to familiarize yourself with its format right now

Further reading >> ASVAB General Science Study Guide

 

3. What is the average mechanical score on the ASVAB?

 

Mechanical comprehension is scored on a scale of 1 to 100. Besides, there is no fixed minimum mechanical score you are required to get on the ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension test because this subtest mark won’t be counted in your AFQT score. However,  if your goal is working for some specific military job such as a mechanic or an engineer, you must do well on this subtest with a good score.

Read More >>>ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge Study Guide

 

4. What is the ultimate ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Study Guide?

 

Many of them are wondering how to get the best study guide that matches their preparation needs, aren’t they? Therefore, in this part, we will help you clear this matter up. Keep reading and find the helpful information you need. 

As you know, the ASVAB  Mechanical Comprehension section tests your understanding of basic mechanical principles and mechanisms. Thus, to get 100% ready for the examination, you need to arm yourself with Fundamentals of Mechanics; Principles of Mechanics; Frictions, Energy, Work, Power, Machine, Gears, etc. Here are some core knowledge related to ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Test:

 

4.1. Fundamentals of Mechanics

 

Mechanics is a branch of physics that describes the forces and energies related to moving objects. There are 4 basic components of mechanics encompassing Mass, Velocity, Acceleration, and Force. 

  • Mass is the quantity that measures how an object changes its acceleration when being given an unbalanced force. Mass is measured in kilograms (kg). With the same unbalanced force, a large mass will result in more difficulty in changing acceleration than a small mass. 
  • Velocity refers to the direction and speed of moving objects.
  • Acceleration is an alteration of velocity on an object. Bear in mind that an object moving at a constant velocity has no acceleration.  
  • Force is an attribute of movement or physical action. Moreover, the force leads to acceleration while an alteration of velocity is an exhibition of force to an object.

 

4.2. Principles of Mechanics

 

There are 3 core principles that you should remember in applied mechanics including:

  • Newton’s 1st Law of Motion: The first law of motion or the Law of Inertia declares that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line if there is no external force that changes its state. Besides, the matter does not have velocity when it is left at rest.
  • Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion: The second law states that the greater the mass of an object, the greater the acceleration of the object. Newton’s second law of motion is often used extensively to calculate what happens in situations involving a force. Its formula is as follows: 

F=m *  a 

F=force

m=mass of an object

a= acceleration

  • Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion: The third law describes if 2 bodies exert forces on each other, these forces have the same magnitude but opposite directions.

asvab-mechanical-comprehension-test

 

4.3. Frictions

 

Friction, applied to engineering mechanics, is regarded as the retarding force that acts to oppose the motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. Here are several types of friction: 

  • Dry Friction: The force resists the relative lateral motion of 2 solid surfaces in contact. It is divided into Static Friction and Kinetic friction between non-moving and moving surfaces respectively. 
  • Fluid Friction: The friction between layers of a viscous fluid that are moving relative to each other. Moreover, Lubricated Friction which 2 solid surfaces are separated by a lubricant fluid is a kind of Fluid friction 
  • Skin Friction: The force is against the motion of a fluid across the body’s surface
  • Internal Friction: The force resists the motion among the elements constituting a solid material while it overcomes deformation.

 

4.4. Machine

 

mechanical comprehension asvab
Machines are used to reduce work and force while increasing the product.

Machines that apply the principles of mechanics are designed and produced to serve a particular type of work so as to reduce the workforce and increase productivity. We divide machines into 2 main types as follows:

  • Simple Machines: 

A simple machine consists of a tool, device, or object with few moving parts that assist humans in working. These simple machines have existed for a long time. For example, human ancestors use simple machines to push, pull, lift, divide, and crush things. 

Six types of simple machines include the inclined plane, the wedge, the screw, the lever, the wheel and axle, and the pulley, each of which has specific features and does unique jobs. Simple machines can transfer a force from one place to another, change the direction of a force, increase the magnitude of a force and increase the distance or speed of a force

Some outstanding features of simple machines are no electricity used, a mechanical advantage, making tough jobs easier by changing the force, direction, or speed of a movement, and inputs (force or effort) from a person required. 

  • Complex Machines

A complex machine can be a truck or wagon, or bicycle that uses many moving parts. Furthermore, complex machines are the combination of many simple machines such as levers, pulleys, and gears to get work done.

 

4.5. Gears

mechanical comprehension asvab study
Different types of current gears

Gears are simple mechanisms that have a wheel and axle that has teeth around them. Gears are typically mounted to other parts through a shaft or base. Furthermore, they are used to transmit rotary motion from one shaft to another to change the direction of forces. The radius and number of teeth are two important parameters used to define a gear. Bear in mind that the speed of its rotation depends on the gear’s size. 

Besides, there is a variety of different gear forms such as Spur Gear, Helical Gear, Double Helical Gear, Herringbone Gear, Bevel Gear, Worm Gear, and so on. Study more about gears to grasp their function, operation, and application. 

 

In a nutshell, we hope you guys will be exposed to the best ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Study Guide. Read carefully our blog and take as many ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Practice Tests as possible to take your ASVAB coming test with confidence and the highest score. Do your best!