u/Far_Giraffe_8957

Hi guys, took the Picat and ASVAB and got a 99. I wanted to give some advice because I scoured Reddit before I took my exam.

To preface, I finished high school, am almost done with college, and math has always been my strongest subject.

I recommend ASVAB for dummies for overall content. I used it to refresh my knowledge on certain math formulas and science. I also did all of the practice tests within that book. It helped me learn the necessary basics for mechanical and technical sections of the exam.

I also utilized Gemini to create mock exams. This was an awesome tool and helped me become familiar with difficult topics.

Grammar hero was AWESOME. I watched the majority of his videos from the past year and made sure I understood all of the content in them.

Prior to starting this process, I had no knowledge on electronics, auto, or shop, and limited on mechanical. After 3 weeks of studying using these methods, I was able to score high across all sections.

I hope this helps :)

I’m currently in the process of enlisting in the Air Force. I spoke with my friend in the Air Force and they highly recommended that I switch to apply as an officer.

I’ve always heard how competitive the process is, so when he was adamant on me applying as an officer it threw me off.

Now I’m not sure what to do. My current recruiter is awesome, but I also don’t want to miss any better opportunities.

Just got back from meps. I need 2-3 waivers.

The first is for IBS, which I didn’t know I was formally diagnosed with. In 2025, I was dealing with constipation. The GI doctor (which I visited Oct 2025) thought it might be IBS, and prescribed me a trial of Linzess. However, I found out that the constipation was a result of too much fiber. I was eating 1-2 Quest bars a day (18 g of fiber each) plus a bunch of fruits and vegetables. This isn’t an issue for me anymore, and I never continued with the medication. I’m planning on meeting with the doctor in 2 weeks to get a note clarifying it was a misdiagnosis, is that okay?

The second is for irregular menstrual cycles. I didn’t have my period from August 2025-February 2026 because I was unknowingly over exercising and under eating. I went to the OB and ended up going on birth control for a couple weeks, but I stopped. I’ve had 2 normal menstrual cycles. Idk how that waiver process will go.

The last is kind of up the air. They left my psych portion open and it is in a 5 day review because it was in my record that I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I didn’t even know. The depression was noted for early 2019, but the only thing I can find in my record is 1 positive depression screening in mid 2020. The anxiety is because I was nervous about the mysterious constipation so the doctor wrote that I have anxiety. There might be some other earlier notes about me being nervous, but I’m not sure.

Does anyone have any advice on this stuff?

I’m taking my verification test at meps on Wednesday. I scored a 98 on the Picat. I’m wondering whether I should actually put down the same answers I wrote on the Picat. I feel like I should answer correctly, just in case I get a bunch of random questions on the verification test.

Does anyone have any advice on this?

So I took the PICAT and did really well. It was significantly easier than I anticipated.

I’m prepared to go to MEPS and verify or take the entire ASVAB again. However, I’m worried that the ASVAB is going to be harder.

Did anyone who took both notice a difference between the two?

I just took the Picat, studied for hours on the electronics section and I felt so confident. I was most nervous for the science and word knowledge sections.

The science and work knowledge sections were SO EASY.

I got to the electronics section and I knew basically none of it.

Has anyone else had this experience?