AFOQT study guide, subtest by subtest
The Air Force’s own pamphlet says the AFOQT “is a test of your general knowledge in a large number of subject areas,” so “there is no ‘best way’ to study for it.” [Air Force AFOQT pamphlet] What follows is each subtest as Pearson VUE describes it, the time you get per question, and free books to read.
How to use this
Time per question is our arithmetic: the subtest’s minutes divided by its questions, using the numbers Pearson VUE lists. [Pearson VUE AFOQT page] The books are the ones our practice questions cite for that subtest. We are not saying the AFOQT is written from them.
Verbal Analogies
25 questions, 8 minutes: about 19 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Verbal Analogies “is meant to evaluate the test-taker’s skills with English, and how words can be used to establish assertions or illustrate certain principles (such as time or comparisons).” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Work out the relationship between the first pair in your own words before you read the choices.
Free reading: Webster’s Unabridged (1913), on Project Gutenberg.
Arithmetic Reasoning
25 questions, 29 minutes: about 70 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Arithmetic Reasoning “tests your ability to solve word problems. Test-takers will have to rely on their knowledge of geometry, proportions, ratios, mixtures, integers, percentages, and time-distance.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Free reading: OpenStax Prealgebra; OpenStax Elementary Algebra.
Word Knowledge
25 questions, 5 minutes: about 12 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Word Knowledge “will focus on the test taker’s capability to define and understand the words used within written language. Questions featured on the subtest will generally offer a word, then ask test-takers to find a synonymous word within the answer choices.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Free reading: Webster’s Unabridged (1913), on Project Gutenberg.
Math Knowledge
25 questions, 22 minutes: about 53 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Math Knowledge “centers on the basics of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and arithmetic.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Free reading: OpenStax Elementary Algebra; OpenStax Intermediate Algebra.
Reading Comprehension
25 questions, 24 minutes: about 58 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Reading Comprehension “measures your ability to read a passage and understand its meaning, including the implied meaning.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Our free practice test has no Reading Comprehension questions.
Situational Judgment
16 questions, 35 minutes: about 131 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Situational Judgment “measures your ability to respond to interpersonal issues and serve as a leader.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
We have no practice questions for it.
Self-Description Inventory
240 questions, 45 minutes: about 11 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Self-Description Inventory “gauges the test-taker’s personality. Questions on this subtest are not graded.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
There is nothing to study for it.
Physical Science
20 questions, 10 minutes: about 30 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Physical Science “tests your knowledge of high-school-level physical science concepts. You can expect to see questions relating to force relationships, physical laws, and simple machines.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Free reading: OpenStax College Physics 2e; OpenStax Chemistry 2e.
Table Reading
40 questions, 7 minutes: about 11 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Table Reading “evaluates how well a test-taker can interpret a simple xx–yy-axis graph.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
A speed subtest. Our free practice test cannot show tables, so it has no Table Reading questions.
Instrument Comprehension
25 questions, 5 minutes: about 12 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Instrument Comprehension “deals with the test-taker’s comprehension of how to calculate where an airplane is in the sky through the use of altitude indicators and magnetic compasses.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
It needs pictures of instruments, so our free practice test has none.
Block Counting
30 questions, 5 minutes: about 10 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Block Counting “addresses how well the test-taker understands the concept of spatial awareness.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
It needs pictures of blocks, so our free practice test has none.
Aviation Information
20 questions, 8 minutes: about 24 seconds each.
Pearson VUE’s page says Aviation Information “concentrates on one’s comprehension of flight mechanics and aviation concepts.” [Pearson VUE AFOQT page]
Free reading: FAA, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, FAA-H-8083-25C.
Sources
- Pearson VUE, Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), last updated 2026-08-06
- U.S. Air Force, AFOQT Information Pamphlet (airforce.com PDF)
- FAA, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, FAA-H-8083-25C
Every fact on this page was checked against these sources on . noshu is not affiliated with the U.S. Air Force or Pearson VUE, and this is an unofficial study aid: the Air Force and your recruiter or test control officer are the authority on the test. If something here is wrong, tell us at a@noshu.net.