AFOQT Practice Test

The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, or AFOQT, is a standardized test used by the United States Air Force to measure the aptitudes of candidates for officer commission programs and specific officer training programs. If you are interested in attending Officer Training School, Air Force ROTC, or being selected into programs like pilot and navigator training, you must perform well on this exam.

The test covers 12 different subsets of information, has 516 questions, and takes approximately 5 hours to complete. Your score results from the different sections will be used to measure your aptitude for Air Force officer commissions. You should try to find AFOQT practice tests that tackle the most important test sections.

AFOQT Question Types

There are 12 sections on the AFOQT. Some measure basic skills, and you must pass those questions to be considered for any type of commission. They are verbal analogies, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, math knowledge, and reading comprehension.  The additional seven sections, which are situational judgment, self-description inventory, physical science, table reading, instrument comprehension, block counting, and aviation information, are used to determine your capabilities and skills. 

There are a total of 516 questions on the AFOQT. 

Subject	Number of questions	Time limit	Time per question
Verbal Analogies	25 questions	8 minutes	19 seconds
Arithmetic Reasoning	25 questions	29 minutes	69 seconds
Word Knowledge	25 questions	5 minutes	12 seconds
Math Knowledge	25 questions	22 minutes	52 seconds
Reading Comprehension	25 questions	38 minutes	91 seconds
Situational Judgment Test	16 questions	35 minutes	131 seconds
Self-Description Inventory	240 questions	45 minutes	11 seconds
Physical Science	20 questions	10 minutes	30 seconds
Table Reading	40 questions	7 minutes	10 seconds
Instrument Comprehension	25 questions	5 minutes	12 seconds
Block Counting	30 questions	5 minutes	10 seconds
Aviation Information	20 questions	8 minutes	24 seconds

Most of the test is given in multiple-choice format, with the exception of the Self-Description Inventory. 

The different sections are combined to measure your skills in 7 different areas: Pilot, Combat Systems Officer, Air Battle Manager, Academic Aptitude, Verbal, Quantitative, and Situational Judgment. For more on this, please see the Results Scale and Interpretation section.

Verbal Analogies

In this section, you will have 8 minutes to answer 25 multiple choice questions, each with 5 possible answers. There are 5 types of verbal analogies in this test, which measure your ability to reason and see relationships among words. They are:

• Synonym/Definition
• Antonym
• Functional/Relationship
• Classification
• Part-to-Whole

Your Verbal Analogies score will be used as part of the following composites: Air battle manager, academic aptitude, and verbal.

Winning Tip for Verbal Analogies

Identify the parts of speech or the tense in each analogy, and ensure that your answers align. For example, if the analogy shows the relationship between a verb and an adjective, the correct answer will show the same relationship in the same order. 

Arithmetic Reasoning

In this section, you have 29 minutes to answer 25 multiple-choice questions, each with 5 options for answers. The questions are word problems, and the directions include a formula sheet where needed. 

Your Arithmetic Reasoning scores will be used as part of the following composites: academic aptitude and quantitative.

Winning Tip for Verbal Analogies

Read each question carefully to identify what is being asked of you. Some questions can be confusing.

Word Knowledge 

This section measures your knowledge of words and their meanings. You will be given a word and asked to choose which of the five options is closest in meaning to the original word. You will have 5 minutes to answer 25 multiple-choice questions. 

Your Word Knowledge score will be used as part of the following composites: combat systems officer, academic aptitude, and verbal.

Winning Tip for Word Knowledge 

There is no context for the words in this section. If you aren’t immediately familiar with a word, imagine using it in a sentence and see if any of the options fit into the sentence. 

Math Knowledge

You have 22 minutes to complete 25 multiple-choice math questions. This section measures your knowledge of mathematical terms and principles. Make sure to learn the definitions of the following terms: 

• Tangent
• Parallel
• Perpendicular
• Integer
• Rational/irrational number
• Mixed number
• Fraction
• Reciprocal

You should also be familiar with the following concepts:

• Working with trinomials
• Multiplying and factoring
• Mixed numbers with fractions and decimals
• Order of operations
• Division with decimals
• Standard mx+b equation for a line

Your Math Knowledge score will be used as part of the following composites: Pilot, combat systems officer, air battle manager, academic aptitude, and quantitative.

Winning Tip for Arithmetic Reasoning

When possible, try to eliminate potential answers, making it easier to find the right answer. If needed, work out problems on scratch paper.

Reading Comprehension

You will have 38 minutes to complete 25 multiple choice questions in this section. You will be asked to read 5 passages that are 500-600 words long and answer 4-6 questions for each passage.

Your Reading Comprehension score will be used as part of the following composites: Academic aptitude and verbal.

Winning Tip for Reading Comprehension

Read the questions first so you know what information to pay attention to while reading the material. However, double-check your answers against the paragraph before submitting your test. 

Situational Judgment

This section evaluates your judgment compared to an officer in the Air Force. For each situation described, you will be asked to identify which of the five options listed is the best response to the situation, and which one is the least effective response. 

You will have 35 minutes to answer these 50 scenarios. 

Your Situational Judgment score will be used as part of the following composite: Situational judgment.

Winning Tip for Situational Judgment

Before starting this section, imagine yourself as an officer in the Air Force, and base your answers on how an officer should react in these circumstances.

Self-Description Inventory

This section measures your personal style and attitudes. You will be given a statement and asked how you feel about the statement, based on a Strongly Agree – Strongly Disagree scale. You will have 45 minutes to respond to 240 statements.

A	B	C	D	E
Strongly Disagree	Moderately Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Moderately Agree	Strongly Agree

The Self-Description Inventory is not used in the composite scores.  

Winning Tip for Self-Description Inventory

While there are no wrong answers, you can use this section to your advantage. Imagine yourself in the role you want, and base your responses on the way you would feel while in that role. 

Physical Science

In this section, you have 10 minutes to answer 20 multiple-choice questions. Physical science includes astronomy, physics, chemistry, and earth sciences (meteorology and geology).

Your Physical Science score is not used in the composites.

Winning Tip for Physical Science

To do well in this section, you will need a broad understanding of astronomy, chemistry, physics, and meteorology. Remember, this section isn’t used to determine whether you are qualified to serve but to help determine your eligibility for different Air Force jobs.

Table Reading

This section measures your ability to read a table quickly and accurately. You will have 7 minutes to answer 40 questions. 

Your Table Reading score will be used as part of the following composites: Pilot, combat systems officer, and air battle manager.

Winning Tip for Table Reading

The layout of these questions on the test can be confusing. Practice on a few simulated tests to familiarize yourself with the format so you can move through this section quickly. 

Instrument Comprehension

You will have 5 minutes to answer 25 questions in this section, which measures your ability to determine the position of an airplane in flight. The section contains rules which need to be used throughout the section. 

Each question shows the artificial horizon and a compass. You will be asked to determine which of the four planes matches the instruments. 

Your Instrument Comprehension score will be used as part of the following composites: Pilot and air battle manager.

Winning Tip for Instrument Reading

While studying, familiarize yourself with the relationship between the artificial horizon and the compass.

Block Counting 

This section measures your ability to see into a 3-dimensional pile of blocks. You will be asked to identify the number of blocks that touch the block you are being asked about. You have 5 minutes to answer 30 questions. 

Your Block Counting score will be used as part of the following composites: Combat systems officer and air battle manager.

Winning Tip for Block Counting

You don’t have much time in this section, so count quickly. Make sure not to forget about blocks that may be beneath the block you are counting. 

Aviation Information

This section measures your knowledge of aviation. You will either answer questions or fill in the blank for questions relating to flying a plane. You must answer 20 questions in 8 minutes. 

Your Aviation Information score will be used as part of the following composites: Pilot and air battle manager.

Winning Tip for Aviation Information

You have some time in this section, so read the questions carefully and answer as quickly as you can.

AFOQT Preparation Strategies

The twelve sections in the AFOQT fall into three different categories. 

Category 1

Five sections – Verbal Analogies, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Math Knowledge, and Reading Comprehension – are required for you to commission – you have to pass them to move forward with the process.

Category 2

The Table Reading, Instrument Comprehension, Block Counting, and Aviation Information sections are used in your composite scores, so doing well is instrumental in opening doors to become a pilot, air battle manager, or other commissioned role.

Category 3

The self-description inventory, situational judgment, and physical science are not part of the composite scores. 

Therefore, your preparation focus should be on the five required sections and the sections that you need to pass to get the commission you want. 

1. Know the Test

Test takers have reported that the time constraints are part of what makes the AFOQT so difficult. One way to save time is by familiarizing yourself with the different sections and instructions. This will give you additional time to focus on the questions rather than trying to understand what is being asked of you. 

2. Practice and Repetition

Take practice tests that simulate test conditions. With the new AFOQT, that means finding online courses and practice tests, like those offered by iPrep. If you are going to take a paper version of the test, you can still use online resources to study, as well as buy a study guide book with practice tests included. 

3. Create Flashcards

Flashcards help build your knowledge base in a few ways. First, when writing out the cards you commit information to memory. Second, reviewing the cards will build muscle memory, and help you on test day.

4. Take it Seriously

The test is one obstacle in your way to becoming a commissioned officer, so take it seriously. Schedule blocks of time every day in preparation for the test, so you are ready on test day. 

5. Use Practice Results as a Guide

After reviewing your practice test results, pay close attention to areas where you struggled. Those should be the areas that you focus your attention on so that you can consistently improve your practice test scores as you get closer to taking the test.

Test Features

AFOQT Test Facts (tl;dr)

• Total of 516 questions
• The test is timed and takes approximately 5 hours to complete, including admin time and breaks
• You must pass the first five sections to be considered for a commissioned officer
• You may retake the test after 6 months. Additional retakes require a waiver.
  • Your highest score in any section is the score that is used, regardless of whether it is from your first attempt or any subsequent attempt
• The test is used to determine whether you should be in an officer commissioning program

AFOQT vs. ASVAB

Both the AFOQT and the ASVAB are standardized tests used by the military. However, they are used for different purposes. 

The ASVAB is used to determine one’s fitness for the military. It is required for any branch that you may enlist in, including the Air Force which requires a score of 36 or higher. 

The AFOQT is an Air Force-specific test, used to determine whether you should be in an officer commissioning program.

Validity of AFOQT Scores

As of now, AFOQT Form T scores don’t expire. Tests taken before the updated Form T test were converted and used in personnel decisions. However, at this point in time S From tests are no longer valid. 

S Form vs Form T

The AFOQT S Form test was replaced by the Form T test in 2015. For consistency purposes, S Form results have been converted into Form T scores, allowing military personnel to compare scores and use old test scores to make decisions.

eAFOQT

In response to COVID-19, the Air Force recently announced the availability of the electronic Air Force Qualifying Test, or eAFOQT. The eAFOQT covers the same materials as the traditional paper version of the test but is taken on a computer.

AFOQT vs. TBAS test

The Test of Basic Aviation is a test that Air Force pilots and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) candidates have to take. It measures psychomotor skills learning, spatial ability, and multitasking. 

	AFOQT	TBAS
Time frame	Approximately 5 hours	75 minutes
Questions	516	48 questions plus tasks that you must complete on a computer
Sections	12	5
Audience	All Commissioned officer candidates	Pilots and RPA candidates
Format	Paper	Computer

Technical Facts

Registering for the AFOQT 

There are two ways to register for the AFOQT test. 

If you are already enrolled in Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), you will be required to take the test when you start the Professional Officers Course, during your second year in Air Force ROTC. 

If you are not enrolled in Air Force ROTC, you must contact your Air Force recruiter. (To find one near you, visit the official Air Force website.) Your recruiter will determine if you meet the Air Force requirements to take the AFOQT, and if you do, will help you register for the test. 

Passing and Failing

Officially, there is no such thing as failing the AFOQT test. However, if your scores don’t meet the minimum threshold, you will not be able to become an officer. 

Results Scale and Interpretations

In the AFOQT, your raw score is based on the number of correct answers you had in each section. Those scores are then normalized into a score, allowing military personnel to determine your fit for a role. 

When you have finished the test, your scores will be combined, and you will receive scores in five categories. They are:

• Quantitative
• Pilot
• Verbal
• Academic Aptitude
• Navigator Technical

SUBTEST	Items	Pilot	CSO	ABM	Academic	Verbal	Quantitative	Situational judgment
Verbal Analogies	25			✓	✓	✓
Arithmetic Reasoning	25				✓		✓
Word knowledge	25		✓		✓	✓
Math Knowledge	25	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓
Reading Comprehension	25				✓	✓
Situational Judgment Test	50							✓
Table Reading	40	✓	✓	✓
instrument Comprehension	25	✓		✓
Block Counting	30		✓	✓
Aviation Information	20	✓		✓

Your Verbal score is made up of results from Verbal Analogies, Word Knowledge, and Reading Comprehension. Your Quantitative score is based on results from Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge. 

You will need a minimum score of 15 for Verbal and 10 for Quantitative. 

How Scores are Used

Your AFOQT score is used by military evaluators in making personnel decisions. Your scores in the different sections are used to create composite scores. As seen in the table above, your scores in Math Knowledge, Table Reading, Instrument Comprehension, and Aviation Information form your Pilot Composite Score. That score is then combined with your Navigator Verbal and Quantitative Composite Scores to give you your AFOQT Pilot score.    

For pilots, the AFOQT is just one component of the Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM). The AFOQT is combined with the TBAS scores and the total number of flight hours to produce a PCSM score. 

Scores are normalized against other candidates and presented on a scale of 1-99. A PCSM score of 99 means your score is higher than all other candidates. 

PCSM Score	TBAS Test Date	Flight Hours	AFOQT Pilot	AFOQT Test Date	AFOQT Version
81	4/10/2019	64	94	4/9/2019	T/1

Minimum Scores

The following tables show the minimum scores you need for specific roles. However, it’s important to remember that the Air Force selects candidates based on several factors. Scoring above the minimum requirements should enhance your candidacy. 

	Pilot	Combat Systems Officer (CSO) /Navigator	Air Battle Manager (ABM)
Verbal Composite	15	15	15
Quantitative Composite	10	10	10
Pilot Composite	25	10	N/A
CSO/Navigator Composite	10	25	N/A
ABM Composite	N/A	N/A	25

When Do I See My Score?

Scores are typically available 8-19 days after completing the test. 

AFOQT FAQs

AFOQT Test Tips

The AFOQT takes over 5 hours to complete. You’ll have 2 breaks during the test, but the extended time period means you’ll need to be at your best for quite some time. Here are some tips to help you perform your best on test day. 

1. Don’t leave blank answers

You don’t lose points for getting answers wrong, so if you don’t have a clue, try to eliminate some options. That way, you’ll increase the chances that your guess is correct.

2. Follow your strengths

Try to answer the questions you know first, and then come back to the questions where you are unsure. However, you need to be really careful with this strategy. Remember, most versions of this test use pen and pencil, so if you are jumping around from one question to the next, make sure to fill your answers into the answer sheet on the correct line. 

3. Take care of yourself

Get a good night’s sleep before taking the test, and eat a sensible, healthy meal. You want your brain operating at its peak, and you don’t want to spend the test waiting for a bathroom break.  

4. Take a prep course and an AFOQT practice test

Even if you think you know the material, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the style and content of the test beforehand. That way you will feel comfortable as you move through the twelve sections of the test. 

Administration

• Test Location: Cadets in an ROTC program take the AFOQT as part of their coursework. Those who are not in the military but would like to join will take the test at the nearest Military Entrance Processing (MEPs) location.
• Test Schedule: Cadets in an Air Force ROTC program will take the AFOQT during their sophomore year. Civilians looking to take the test will be advised by their recruiter. 
• Test Format: Pencil and paper. Due to COVID-19, the Air Force has announced an e-AFOQT which is done on a computer.
• Test Materials: Pencil and scratch paper
• Cost: Covered by the recruiter
• Retake Policy: Once after 150 days. An additional retake requires a special Air Force waiver. 

Test Provider

The test was developed and is administered by the United States Air Force. The AFOQT is taken at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or as part of an Air Force ROTC curriculum.

Information Sources

• Pearson VUE / AFOQT
• U.S. Air Force ROTC

Disclaimer – All the information and prep materials on iPrep are genuine and were created for tutoring purposes. iPrep is not affiliated with the U.S. Air Force, which is the owner of the AFOQT, or any companies or trademarks that were mentioned above.