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Auto & Shop Information (AS)

The Auto & Shop Information (AS) subtest checks what you know about how vehicles work and how tools and materials are used in a shop. It does not count toward your AFQT score, but it opens the door to mechanical and maintenance jobs across every branch.

Practice questions

Original Auto & Shop Information questions in the ASVAB style. Pick an answer for instant feedback and an explanation, then keep going in the app.

  1. In a four-stroke gasoline engine, the spark plug fires to ignite the fuel-air mixture at the end of which stroke?

    1. Intake
    2. Compression
    3. Power
    4. Exhaust

    The spark plug fires near the end of the compression stroke, igniting the compressed fuel-air mixture. The rapid burn then forces the piston down during the power stroke.

  2. What is the primary purpose of the thermostat in an engine's cooling system?

    1. To pump coolant through the radiator
    2. To regulate coolant flow so the engine reaches and maintains operating temperature
    3. To store extra coolant when the engine is hot
    4. To cool the coolant using outside air

    The thermostat stays closed until the engine warms up, then opens to let coolant flow to the radiator, keeping the engine at its proper operating temperature. The water pump moves the coolant and the radiator cools it.

  3. A mechanic needs to tighten a bolt to an exact, specified tightness. Which tool should be used?

    1. Ratchet
    2. Torque wrench
    3. Breaker bar
    4. Impact wrench

    A torque wrench measures and applies a precise amount of rotational force so a fastener is tightened to the manufacturer's specification. The other tools tighten or loosen but do not measure torque.

  4. In a vehicle's electrical system, what is the main job of the alternator while the engine is running?

    1. To start the engine
    2. To generate electricity and recharge the battery
    3. To store electrical energy
    4. To convert AC voltage to a higher DC voltage for the spark plugs

    The alternator is driven by the engine and produces electrical power to run the vehicle's systems and recharge the battery. The starter motor cranks the engine, and the battery stores energy.

  5. A file with a series of straight, parallel teeth cut in a single direction across its face is called a:

    1. Double-cut file
    2. Single-cut file
    3. Rasp
    4. Rat-tail file

    A single-cut file has one set of parallel teeth and is used for finishing and sharpening. A double-cut file has two crossing rows of teeth for faster, coarser material removal.

  6. When a manual-transmission driver presses the clutch pedal, what happens?

    1. The engine is disconnected from the transmission so gears can be changed
    2. The engine speed automatically increases
    3. The wheels are locked to prevent rolling
    4. The transmission shifts into a higher gear by itself

    Pressing the clutch pedal disengages the clutch, separating the engine from the transmission so the driver can change gears without grinding. Releasing the pedal re-engages engine power to the drivetrain.

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What it measures

Auto & Shop Information (AS) tests your practical knowledge of automotive systems, hand and power tools, shop materials, and common repair and building procedures. It measures whether you already understand how a car engine, brakes, and electrical system work, and whether you can identify the right tool for a job and use it safely.

AS is not one of the four AFQT subtests, so it does not directly affect the score that determines whether you qualify to enlist. Instead, it feeds the line scores (also called composite scores) that decide which jobs you can be assigned. A strong AS score helps qualify you for mechanic, vehicle maintenance, construction, welding, powertrain, and many other hands-on military occupations. If a career like that interests you, AS matters a lot.

On the computer-adaptive version of the ASVAB, Auto Information and Shop Information are given as two separate short sections that are combined into one AS score. On the paper version they appear together.

What's on it

Automotive topics

  • Engine basics: the four-stroke cycle (intake, compression, power, exhaust), cylinders, pistons, and valves
  • Fuel and ignition systems: fuel injectors, spark plugs, the distributor, and how a mixture is ignited
  • Electrical systems: the battery, alternator, starter, and how they work together
  • Cooling and lubrication: the radiator, thermostat, water pump, coolant, and oil
  • Drivetrain: transmission, clutch, driveshaft, differential, and axles
  • Brakes, steering, suspension, and tires
  • Common warning signs and basic diagnosis of problems

Shop topics

  • Hand tools: wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, chisels, files, and clamps
  • Power tools: drills, grinders, saws, and sanders
  • Measuring and layout tools: tape measures, calipers, micrometers, feeler gauges, and levels
  • Fasteners: nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, and washers
  • Materials and their uses: types of wood, metal, and adhesives
  • Shop procedures and basic safety practices

How to study it

The single biggest advantage on AS is hands-on exposure. If you have ever changed your own oil, rotated tires, built something with power tools, or watched a mechanic work, lean on that. If you have not, spend time with clear car-repair and tool videos so the parts become familiar by sight and function, not just by name. Being able to picture what a component looks like and what it does is worth more than memorizing a definition.

Build a simple mental map of each major system: what problem it solves, its main parts, and how those parts connect. For example, the charging system is the battery, alternator, and starter working as a team. When you can explain a system in one plain sentence, questions about its parts become easy.

Learn tools by their job, not just their name. Know which tool measures a small gap, which loosens a bolt to an exact tightness, and which cuts metal versus wood. Flashcards with a picture on one side and the tool's use on the other work well here.

Two common mistakes to avoid: first, do not confuse similar-sounding parts, like the alternator (charges the battery) versus the starter (cranks the engine) versus the generator. Second, do not overthink questions. AS rewards practical, real-world knowledge, so the straightforward, common-sense answer is usually right. If you are stuck, eliminate the options that clearly do not fit and pick the most sensible remaining choice. Because AS does not affect your AFQT, prioritize it only if you are targeting a mechanical or technical job, but if you are, a little focused study can move your score quickly.

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