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ASVAB · Vocabulary Strategies

On the ASVAB Word Knowledge subtest, if you do not know a word and cannot decode it, what is the best approach?

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Correct answer

Use elimination to remove clearly wrong choices, then make your best guess, since there is no penalty for wrong answers

  1. A Always choose the longest answer
  2. B Always choose the first answer
  3. C Use elimination to remove clearly wrong choices, then make your best guess, since there is no penalty for wrong answers
  4. D Leave it blank

Why this is the answer

The ASVAB does not penalize wrong answers, so you should never leave a question blank. The best strategy for an unknown word is to first eliminate any choices you can tell are wrong — including obvious antonyms or words unrelated to the apparent meaning — then guess among what remains. Decoding by prefix, root, and suffix can also narrow the options. Because a blank scores the same as a wrong answer (zero) but a guess has a chance of being right, answering every question maximizes your score. Strategic guessing after elimination is a key vocabulary tactic.
Source: ASVAB Word Knowledge — Vocabulary Strategies

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About this topic: Vocabulary Strategies

Vocabulary strategy questions cover how to approach the section itself — elimination, word parts, part-of-speech matching and pacing — the habits that lift a score without memorising a dictionary. This is one of 2 Word Knowledge questions on vocabulary strategies, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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