PiCAT

General Science tests knowledge of life science, earth science, and physical science concepts you would learn in high school.

• Life Science: Cell biology, genetics, human body systems (circulatory, nervous, digestive), ecosystems, classification
• Earth Science: Weather, geology, tides, atmosphere layers, rock cycle, plate tectonics
• Physical Science: Atomic structure, periodic table, chemical reactions, states of matter
• Space Science: Solar system, moon phases, stars, gravity, light-years

AR presents word problems requiring you to identify the right operation and solve. It is one of the four AFQT subtests.

• Percentages, ratios, proportions
• Rates (speed = distance ÷ time)
• Averages and mixtures
• Work and interest problems
• Geometry word problems (area, perimeter, volume)

WK tests vocabulary through synonyms and words used in context. Strong vocabulary directly boosts your AFQT score.

• Identify the closest synonym for an underlined word
• Use context clues when a word appears in a sentence
• Know common prefixes: pre-, anti-, sub-, inter-, trans-
• Know common suffixes: -tion, -ous, -ful, -less, -ment
• Latin and Greek roots: bene (good), mal (bad), aud (hear), vis (see)

PC gives you a short passage and asks questions about its meaning, main idea, tone, or implied information.

• Main idea questions: ask what the whole passage is about
• Detail questions: ask about specific facts mentioned
• Inference questions: ask what is implied but not stated
• Vocabulary-in-context: ask the meaning of a word as used in the passage

MK tests high school math concepts. Unlike AR, these are direct math problems, not word problems.

• Algebra: solving equations, inequalities, systems, factoring
• Geometry: angles, triangles, circles (area = πr², circumference = 2πr)
• Number theory: prime numbers, factors, multiples, exponents, roots
• Probability and basic statistics

EI tests basic electrical and electronic principles including circuits, components, and safety.

• Ohm's Law: V = I × R (Voltage = Current × Resistance)
• Series vs. parallel circuits; total resistance formulas
• Electronic components: resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors
• AC vs. DC current; frequency and amplitude
• Electrical safety and grounding procedures

AS covers automotive systems and shop/woodworking tools and procedures.

• 4-stroke engine cycle: Intake → Compression → Power (combustion) → Exhaust
• Vehicle systems: cooling, braking (drum vs. disc), transmission, suspension
• Common fluids: motor oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid
• Shop tools: types of saws, drills, screwdrivers, wrenches, measuring tools
• Fastener types: bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, and their applications

MC tests understanding of physical and mechanical principles as they apply to practical situations.

• Simple machines: lever (3 classes), pulley, inclined plane, wheel-and-axle, screw, wedge
• Mechanical advantage: output force / input force
• Pressure: P = F / A  |  Pascal's principle for hydraulic systems
• Gears: large gear → small gear = increased speed, decreased torque
• Fluid dynamics: Bernoulli's principle, buoyancy (Archimedes)

AO tests spatial visualization — your ability to mentally manipulate and assemble shapes and patterns.

• Connector problems: identify which completed figure correctly joins two shapes with a line at specified points
• Shape assembly: determine which figure is produced when given pieces are assembled
• Visualize rotation, flipping, and arrangement mentally
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers first; focus on key angles and orientations