Army PiCAT: Full Guide to the Military Test You Take at Home
Learn all about taking the PiCAT. See how it compares to the ASVAB. Learn about the check test at MEPS. Get tips to score your best.
Written by James Torres
Military Careers Writer | 8 Years Army Recruiting Experience
1What Is the Army PiCAT?
The PiCAT (Pre-screening, Internet-delivered Computer Adaptive Test) is a kind of ASVAB you take at home. No one watches you take it. The Department of Defense started it in 2014. It lets you take your first skills test on your own time. You take it before you go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station).
The test covers the same nine subjects as the regular ASVAB:
AFQT Parts (Most Important)
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
- Word Knowledge (WK)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
Job Skill Subtests
- General Science (GS)
- Electronics Information (EI)
- Auto & Shop Information (AS)
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Assembling Objects (AO)
The Best Part of the PiCAT
The PiCAT is easy to fit into your day. You can take it on any computer with internet. You do not feel the stress of a test center. People who get nervous at tests often score better this way.
2PiCAT vs. ASVAB: How They Differ
The PiCAT and ASVAB test the same things. But they are given in different ways. What happens to your scores is different too.
| What | PiCAT | ASVAB (CAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Home or any computer | MEPS or MET site (a test office) |
| Someone Watches You | No | Yes |
| Time Limit | About 2 hours | About 3 hours |
| Changes to Match Your Skill | Yes | Yes |
| How Long Scores Last | 30 days (must check at MEPS) | 2 years |
| Check Test Needed | Yes, at MEPS | No |
Important Note
Your PiCAT score only lasts 30 days. You must take the check test at MEPS in that time. If you do not, you will need to take the full ASVAB instead.
3Who Can Take the PiCAT?
Anyone who works with a military recruiter can take the PiCAT. You must be thinking about joining a branch of the U.S. military. You cannot take the PiCAT on your own—a recruiter must set it up for you.
Who Can Take It
- You must work with a real military recruiter
- You must have a computer with good internet
- You cannot have taken the ASVAB or PiCAT in the last 30 days
- You must be able to go to MEPS for the check test within 30 days
All branches take the PiCAT: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. But Army recruiters offer it the most to people who want to join.
4How to Take the PiCAT
Taking the PiCAT has a few steps. It starts with your military recruiter. Here is what to expect:
Contact a Recruiter
Go to your local Army recruiting office or reach a recruiter online. Say you want to take the PiCAT as your first test.
Get Your Access Code
Your recruiter will give you your own code. You will also get steps to open the PiCAT test website.
Take the Test
Take the test on any computer with internet. You will have about 2 hours to finish all parts. You can take breaks between parts if you need to.
Go Over Results with Your Recruiter
When you finish, your recruiter gets your first scores. You will talk about which jobs you might get.
Set Up the Check Test
If you like your score, plan a MEPS visit within 30 days. There you take the check test to lock in your score.
Tips for Where You Take the Test
- Pick a quiet place where nothing will bother you
- Make sure your internet works well the whole time
- Have scratch paper and pencil ready for math problems
- Take the test when you are rested and awake
5The Check Test at MEPS
No one watches you take the PiCAT. So the military gives you a short check test, called the verification test. It makes sure you took the test yourself. It also makes sure your scores are right. This step is very important.
What the Check Test Is Like
Time: 25-30 minutes
The check test is much shorter than the full ASVAB. It has about 30 questions.
Score You Need to Pass
Your score must be close to your PiCAT score. How close can change. But if your scores are very different, you must take the full ASVAB.
Someone Watches You
You take the check test at MEPS. Staff watch the room, just like at the regular ASVAB.
What If You Do Not Pass the Check Test?
If your check test score is very different from your PiCAT score, you must take the full ASVAB at MEPS. Your PiCAT scores will be thrown out. Your ASVAB scores will be your real scores. So take the PiCAT honestly. Do not get help from anyone.
6How PiCAT Scoring Works
The PiCAT is scored the same way as the ASVAB. You get an AFQT score. It decides if you can join. You also get line scores. They decide which jobs you can get.
AFQT Score
Your Armed Forces Qualification Test score is a percentile from 1-99. It shows how you did next to others. It comes from four subtests: AR, MK, WK, and PC.
Line Scores
Line scores add up some of your subtest scores. They decide which Army jobs you can get. The Army calls jobs MOS (Military Occupational Specialties).
Higher line scores give you more job choices. For example, tech jobs like 25B (Information Technology Specialist) need a GT score of at least 95. Combat jobs may need lower scores.
7Study Tips for the PiCAT
You can take the PiCAT at home. But you still need to get ready. Here are tips that work to help you score your best:
Focus on AFQT Subjects First
Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension decide if you can join. Study these first.
Take Practice Tests
Practice tests show your weak spots. They help you get used to the questions. Time yourself so you learn to keep a good speed. Do this even though the PiCAT is less rushed than the ASVAB.
Learn New Words Each Day
Word Knowledge is one of the easiest parts to get better at if you keep at it. Learn 10-15 new words each day. Learn word parts too, like the start and end of a word.
Study for the Check Test Too
Remember, you will need to check your scores at MEPS. Do not get help during the PiCAT. If you cannot do as well again, you must take the full ASVAB.
Ready to Practice?
Try the sample questions above. Then take a free 10-question quiz. Or look at all 52 ASVAB practice tests to get ready for your Army PiCAT.
More Practice Tests8Common Questions
Can I retake the PiCAT if I'm not happy with my score?
You cannot take the PiCAT again. But you can pick the full ASVAB at MEPS instead of the check test. If you pass the check test and want a better score, the normal ASVAB retest rules apply. You wait 30 days for your first retest. Then you wait 6 months.
How long does a PiCAT score last?
Your PiCAT scores last 30 days from the day you finish the test. You must take the check test at MEPS in that time. If not, your scores run out. Then you will need to take the full ASVAB.
Can I use a calculator on the PiCAT?
No, you cannot use a calculator on the PiCAT. It is the same on the ASVAB. Practice math in your head and by hand. You can use scratch paper and a pencil during the test.
Is the PiCAT easier than the ASVAB?
It is just as hard—the questions come from the same set. But many people find the PiCAT less stressful. They take it in a place they know, without time stress. This often helps them do better.
What if I fail the verification test?
Is your check test score too far from your PiCAT score? Then you will take the full ASVAB at MEPS that same day. Your ASVAB scores will then be your real scores for joining.
Can I take breaks during the PiCAT?
Yes, you can take breaks between parts of the PiCAT. But once you start a part, finish it without stopping. The test saves your work between parts.
Ready to start practicing?
Start with a free quiz. It has 10 questions. You see why each answer is right. When you want more, Pro opens all 52 tests, 5 timed practice exams and 34 math lessons.
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