AFQT Plan

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR): practice questions

5 original questions · 0 editor-approved · every choice explained.

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Blueprint-mapped questions with full rationales for every choice.

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Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Difficulty 2/5

A crew paves 3/4 of a mile of road in 6 hours. At the same rate, how many miles will it pave in 10 hours?

  1. A1.25
  2. B1.5
  3. C0.9
  4. D2.0
Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. Rate = 0.75 mi ÷ 6 h = 0.125 mi/h. Over 10 h: 0.125 × 10 = 1.25 miles.

  • B — 1.5 would need a rate of 0.15 mi/h.
  • C — 0.9 mixes up the ratio.
  • D — 2.0 assumes 0.2 mi/h.
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Difficulty 2/5

A jacket priced at $80 is marked 25% off. Sales tax of 5% is then added to the sale price. What is the final cost?

  1. A$60.00
  2. B$63.00
  3. C$64.00
  4. D$66.00
Show answer and rationale

Correct: B. 25% off $80 = $60 sale price. 5% tax on $60 = $3. Final: $63.00. Watch for the intermediate answer ($60) among the choices.

  • A — $60 is the sale price before tax.
  • C — $64 applies tax to $80 then subtracts $20.
  • D — $66 adds 10% instead of 5%.
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Difficulty 3/5

The ratio of trucks to cars in a lot is 2:5. If there are 84 vehicles in total, how many are trucks?

  1. A60
  2. B12
  3. C24
  4. D30
Show answer and rationale

Correct: C. 2 + 5 = 7 parts; 84 ÷ 7 = 12 per part; trucks = 2 × 12 = 24.

  • B — 12 is one part, not two.
  • D — 30 would be 2.5 parts.
  • A — 60 is the number of cars.
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Difficulty 3/5

Four test scores average 82. What score on a fifth test raises the average to 85?

  1. A88
  2. B91
  3. C94
  4. D97
Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. Total needed for average 85 over 5 tests = 425. Current total = 4 × 82 = 328. Fifth score = 425 − 328 = 97.

  • A — 88 gives an average of 83.2.
  • B — 91 gives 83.8.
  • C — 94 gives 84.4.
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Difficulty 2/5

A recruit runs 2.5 miles in 20 minutes. What is the pace in minutes per mile?

  1. A8
  2. B10
  3. C12.5
  4. D6
Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. 20 minutes ÷ 2.5 miles = 8 minutes per mile.

  • D — 6 min/mi would cover 2.5 miles in 15 minutes.
  • B — 10 min/mi would take 25 minutes.
  • C — 12.5 divides the wrong way (miles ÷ minutes × 100).

Primary references

  1. What to Expect — CAT-ASVAB and paper-and-pencil subtests, counts and time limits — Official ASVAB (U.S. Department of Defense) · government · retrieved 2026-09-21, verified 2026-09-21