ASVAB Test Help

[Occido]

Ok... Here's my dilemma.

I've done all the paper work to join the military. I need to take the ASVAB test since apparently the ASVAB scores are only good for 2 years, and I took this test 10 years back in high school.

The only portion of the test I'm worried about is the Math section. I've ALWAYS been horrible at math. Simple math is easy and I don't have an issue with that.

It's algebra I'm terrible at. Once they start throwing in the "x" into the problems my brain shuts down. I remember being taught this shit over and over in high school and I just can't get a grasp on it. Since the math portion of the ASVAB is a good chunk of the test I don't want to do too poorly on it.

I'm joining the Air Force and I need to get things done quickly. 27 is the cut off age for the Air Force and I'm...27. So I can't take months learning this shit. In fact... if I want to get in on time, I need to take the ASVAB this week. The required score is 36 to qualify.. which I'm not worried about on the practice tests I've taken I'm getting in the low to mid 50's outta 99.
But I want to get the best score possible and I know it's the math part that's screwing me out of 60+ score.

I'm pleading with the math people here to help me out.
I need to figure out how to do problems such as:

x + 23 = 3x + 45

Problems like above are like another language to me. I mentioned above I was horrible at this shit back in high school and now here it is 10 years later, I haven't retained one bit of algebra since I've never had a use for it in my life till now.
Can anyone please help me on how to do problems like this, a formula/explanation I can use for the test itself.

I very much appreciate any help in advance.

[Desidero]

x + 23 = 3x + 45
    -x       -x
23      = 2x + 45
    -45     -45
-22     = 2x
 /2           /2
-11    =   x

There's not much you can do besides practice. That's very basic algebra. You just want to get x by itself by manipulating the equation. If you do something to one side, you have to do it to the other. Knowing the little rules involved is something that just comes from reading a textbook.

Maybe you can check sites like this: Basic Algebra
algebasics™ Algebra Tutorials

*edit*Also, some kid came into the place I work at today looking for the ARCO ASVAB study guide. Apparently the Marines recommend that one over the others for whatever reason. It's about $18 at Barnes & Noble, so that might be something good to look into. We have a bunch of basic "painless algebra" and algebra for dummies books to look through as well. I honestly haven't flipped through the ASVAB study guides before, so I don't know how much they want you to know, but checking a study guide would be a smart thing to do.

[Araysar]

Just how fucking dumb do you have to be 27, not being able to do 9th grade algebra and scoring in the low 50s on ASVAB?

[Occido]

Originally Posted by Araysar

Just how fucking dumb do you have to be 27, not being able to do 9th grade algebra and scoring in the low 50s on ASVAB?

Gonna have to do better than that.

[Occido]

Originally Posted by Desidero

[code]
Maybe you can check sites like this: Basic Algebra
algebasics™ Algebra Tutorials

*edit*Also, some kid came into the place I work at today looking for the ARCO ASVAB study guide. Apparently the Marines recommend that one over the others for whatever reason. It's about $18 at Barnes & Noble, so that might be something good to look into. We have a bunch of basic "painless algebra" and algebra for dummies books to look through as well. I honestly haven't flipped through the ASVAB study guides before, so I don't know how much they want you to know, but checking a study guide would be a smart thing to do.

Thanks, I really appreciate this. I'll go check those books out tomorrow morning, been reading that site you linked.
Appreciate that some people are atleast willing to give some useful information unlike the.. cunt awning.. that posted after you.

Thanks much.

[Deris]

Originally Posted by Araysar

Just how fucking dumb do you have to be 27, not being able to do 9th grade algebra and scoring in the low 50s on ASVAB?

I'm 27 and pretty much in a similar boat with math. Math is for computers, not people.

[Erumaron]

ASVAB is a joke. If you got through high school and paid some attention there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get a 99 with a little catch up studying.

[ziggyholiday]

The national average for the ASVAB is 50, getting a 99 means you scored better than 99% of the people that took the test.

[Picasso]

After i took the asvab in high school the recruiter called and asked what it would take for me to join. I told him my own aircraft carrier. He said it wouldn't be a problem with my scores.

By the ripe age of 27, i would like to think your mind has developed so you can look at that and say "have 2 get x alone, subtract 1 x from the left end up with 2 x on the right, have to get x alone, subtract 45 end up with -22 on the left, have to get x alone divide by 2, -11" without any knowledge of algebra, just common sense.

And dont worry about all these assholes calling you stupid, i applaud your dedication to succeed by coming here and asking such a retarded question.

[Elurin]

I won't call you stupid, but I went into the ASVAB not even knowing what the test was and scored a 90 (I joined the Army on a whim). I don't remember there being any algebra, but maybe there was. The part that gave me trouble was the mechanical or whatever the fuck it was. Being an 18 year old living in a city, how the fuck am I supposed to know what a carburetor does?

What I do remember was that they said I wouldn't be able to finish any section, so don't worry about it. I then proceeded to finish every single section, and left feeling confused at why they thought it was such a hard test. If you graduated high school, you should be able to get at least a 70 I would imagine.

[tjac]

Good thing the lot of you douchebags aren't teachers.

Occido, if you want help, PM me. I think you should hook up with a tutor (a message board forum full of misanthropic personalities isn't going to help find out where you need to begin), but I can give you a link to some online resources that might help.

[Heylel Teomim]

I didn't realize many folks joined the army in their late 20s. Doesn't that sorta put you behind as far as a career?

[James]

Originally Posted by Elurin

I don't remember there being any algebra, but maybe there was.

Same. I remember it being mostly simple questions like 9x7, 15/3, 21-8, shit like that. Maybe there were some algebra questions near the end? I don't remember any question taking more than half a second to figure out, though, and that part of the test is timed to the point that they don't expect 99% of the people taking it to get through.

You're overthinking this by an incredible amount. Just go in and take the test.

[Fadaar]

I took the ASVAB 4 months ago after just glancing at what would be on there and scored a 99. To be honest I thought the test was too easy, but then again standardized tests like this have never been an issue for me. Got a 1300 on the SAT (the old 1600 max version) while hungover and nearly sleepless the night before (took the test the day after Halloween, on a year that Halloween happened to fall on a Friday). As far as my ASVAB score though, I guess it helps that I've been in college the last 5 years with the first 2 years being pretty much exclusively gen ed classes and calculus/physics courses.

[Agraza]

Yea, I've taken it twice and received a 99 both times. My brother did too. I don't have high school math down pat. When I went to community college I had to take remedial math classes. The ASVAB is easier than the GED. The first time I took the test when we got to the logic stuff with shapes I blazed through it while everyone in the room basically paused. That was enlightening.

I have an interest in the military, obviously, but I never have gone through with it. Sorry recruiters.