WK tests vocabulary — knowing word meanings and selecting synonyms. It is the largest contributor to your VE and AFQT scores.
Vocabulary breadth and the ability to determine word meaning from context. Feeds into the Verbal Expression (VE) composite.
The policy was ambiguous, or unclear, to most readers.
Word Knowledge rewards vocabulary, but it also rewards method. Break unfamiliar words into roots and affixes, test each choice in context, and eliminate choices whose tone or degree does not match.
Use meaningful word parts to estimate an unfamiliar word before looking at the choices.
Choose the option closest in meaning and degree, not merely a word from the same broad category.
Use contrast, examples, definitions, and cause-effect clues in the sentence.
Match emotional tone and exact usage when two choices have similar dictionary meanings.
Learn words through retrieval and repeated encounters rather than one-time rereading.
Open a question to review the choices, correct answer, and a short explanation.
Why: To alleviate something is to make pain, difficulty, or a problem less severe—to relieve it.
Why: Frugal describes careful, economical use of money or resources.
Why: To mitigate damage is to make it less severe or harmful—to reduce it.
Why: Candid means honest and straightforward; frank is the closest synonym.
Why: Ambiguous language has more than one possible meaning and is therefore unclear.
Baseline: Answer a vocabulary set and collect every unknown or uncertain word.
Prefixes: Learn common negative, directional, quantity, and degree prefixes.
Roots and suffixes: Study high-frequency Greek and Latin roots plus part-of-speech suffixes.
Context clues: Practice definition, example, contrast, and cause-effect clues in sentences.
Synonym precision: Compare close synonyms for strength, tone, and usage.
Retrieval: Review missed words from memory and write a sentence for each.
Timed set: Complete 15 questions in 9 minutes and add misses to spaced review.
Try Word Knowledge questions in the free AFQT practice test and review every explanation.
Free ASVAB study cheat sheet
Key formulas, composite scores, and score benchmarks in one printable PDF.