SE Campus offering military test
by Eric Hooker, reporter

    Students pursuing a career in the military or non-civilian jobs can take a free Armed Serviced Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, mandatory before enlisting on SE Campus.

   The test is Thursday, April 19, 5-8:30 p.m. in the Ballroom.

   The ASVAB is an aptitude test, administered by the Department of Defense, that predicts the potential of each applicant’s career success.

   Melissa Kinkel, career counselor, will administer the test.

   High school and college students may take the test.

   Individuals who take the test to enlist in the military should contact a recruiter prior to taking the test.

   Tom Burgh of the Dallas military base said the test is similar to the TAAS test that students take before graduating high school.

   The complexity level of the test is equivalent to the eighth grade, Burgh said.

   “A student who excels in academic success in high school can do well on the test,” he said.

   The ASVAB consists of 10 short individual tests.

   It judges arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, general science, auto and shop information, mechanical comprehension, electronics, numerical operations, paragraph comprehension and coding speed.

   Students may take the test as early as their sophomore year in high school, Burgh said.

   Preparing applicants to enter the military, the ASVAB gives individuals career choices, based on their overall scores.

   Each section of the ASVAB will be timed; the test is three hours long.

   The highest score that students can achieve is 99 percent. Any scores below 10 percent is considered failing.

   Students who obtain a low score can retake the test within 30 days.

   However, if students wish to take the test a third time, they must wait six months before retaking, Burgh said.

   “Students who score between 10 and 30 percent and lower should retake the test,” Burgh said.

   Kinkel said results will be mailed to the applicant within three weeks. Then scores are sent to the military as well.

   “The career center will also receive test scores,” she said.

   Students scoring from 93 to 99 percent are considered above average, he said.

   Leon Walters, an Air Force recruiter in the Dallas area, said students retaking the test should consider the importance of the test and its reflection of the individual’s long-term career goals .

   The job market in the military is highly competitive.

   “Therefore, students who take the test can develop into highly remarkable individuals,” Walters said.

   After serving in the military, students are successful in obtaining careers even in the civilian job market,” he said.

   To make a reservation for the test, students should contact Kinkel in the career center at 817-515-3036.