Title of lesson: All About ASVAB

Grade(s): 9-10
Duration: 40 minutes
Group size: Small to large
Learning Objective: Students will gain a better perspective on the testing requirements
needed to enlist in the military. Students will also be able to identify the potential military
and civilian careers of interest.
ASCA/NYSSCA National Standards and Competencies:
Academic Development
Standard A
Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to
effective learning in school and across the life span.
A: A1: 2. Display a positive interest in learning
Competency A2: Acquire Skills for Improving Learning
A: A2: 1: Apply time management and task management skills
Standard B
Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to
choose from a wide range of substantial postsecondary options,
including
college.
A:B1.3 apply the study skills necessary for academic success at each level
Common Core State Standards
Career Development and Occupational Studies
Standard 1: Career Development
Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options,
and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions
Standard 3b: Career Majors
Students who choose a career major will acquire the career specific technical
knowledge/skills necessary to progress toward gainful employment, career
advancement, and success in postsecondary programs.
NOSCA Component:
1. Build a college-going culture based on early college awareness by nurturing in
students the confidence to aspire to college and the resilience to overcome
challenges along the way. Maintain high expectations by providing adequate
supports, building social capital and conveying the conviction that all students can
succeed in college.
2. Advance students planning, preparation, participation and performance in a
rigorous academic program that connects to their college and career aspirations
and goals.

4. Provide early and ongoing exposure to experiences and information necessary

to make informed decisions when selecting a college or career that connects to
academic preparation and future aspirations.
5. Promote preparation, participation, and performance in college and career
assessments by all students.
Materials:
ASVAB Handout
Internet Access for students to take Army career assessment
1. Introduction (5-10 minutes) : This lesson is for students who have previous
expressed interest in the military to the school counselor. The school counselor
should start by exploring the levels of interest of the military in the classroom.
Ask for a show of hands: how many people know someone in the military? Ask
volunteers to share information about people they know in the military: what
branch and rank, if they have family members in the military, etc. Then ask how
many students think they may be interested in enlisting in the military after they
graduate from high school. If you wish, have students talk in small groups to
discuss their goals for life after high school, focusing on allowing those with an
interest in the military to share their ideas and plans with other students.
2. Procedure (5-10 minutes): Introduce the ASVAB. Next, ask students if just
anyone can join the military. Note their answers, then explain that before someone
can join the military they must take an exam called the ASVAB. The ASVAB
stands for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It tests both academic
and career related skills. Ask students to call out the subjects they think might be
on the ASVAB. Note their answers on the board. Then, distribute and review the
ASVAB handout. It is important to note that the ASVAB includes: general
science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension,
mathematics knowledge, electronics information, auto information, shop
information, and mechanical comprehension. Discuss why this range of skills
might be helpful for placement in the military.
3. Use Army web site to explore career interests (15-20 minutes): Next, explain
that those who join the military, just like those who go to college, need to select a
career interest. Based on their interests and aptitudes, new recruits receive training
for a specific military career. With students working at the computer either
individually or in small groups, have them go to
www.goarmy.com/goarmywebapp/GetAdvicceResults.do and take the Armys
career interest survey to determine the types of military and civilian careers they
might want to pursue.
Closure/Evaluation (5 minutes): Wrap up the career interests on the computer and have
the students. Ask them to complete the handout as a way to help them understand their

interests best. They should keep the handouts as a resource for themselves, but encourage
the students to speak to the school counselor if they have further questions.

Adapted from:
Secondary education (n.d.). Sparking the future curriculum: lesson plans for grades 7-12.
Retrieved from
http://www.k12.wa.us/secondaryeducation/careercollegereadiness/sparkin
gfuture.aspx