ASVAB Auto and Shop Information: format, topics and how to prepare
Last checked October 14, 2026 · Sources: Department of Defense What to Expect page, Fact Sheet and sample questions; Army and Air Force ASVAB pages
ASVAB Auto and Shop Information (AS) tests what you know about automobile technology and about tools, shop terms and shop practices. On the computer version it is two short subtests, Auto Information and Shop Information, reported as one combined AS score. It isn’t part of the AFQT, but it feeds many Army combat and maintenance job scores.
What Auto and Shop Information tests
The Department of Defense describes Auto Information as knowledge of automobile technology and Shop Information as knowledge of tools and shop terminology and practices. Both sit in the Science and Technical domain. The Air Force sums up the combined content as automotive maintenance and repair, and wood and metal shop practices.
On the computer version you take them as two separate subtests, seventh and eighth in order, but the scores are combined into a single AS score. On the paper version they are one combined subtest. Either way, AS is the score branches see and use.
Format and timing
| Computer: Auto | Computer: Shop | Paper: Auto and Shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scored questions | 10 | 10 | 25 |
| Time limit | 7 minutes (18 with tryouts) | 6 minutes (17 with tryouts) | 11 minutes |
| Reported as | Combined AS score | Combined AS score | AS score |
Source: officialasvab.com What to Expect page and Fact Sheet, checked October 14, 2026.
Some prep books still show the computer version as 11 Auto Information and 11 Shop Information questions. The Department of Defense’s current pages say 10 of each, in 7 and 6 minutes. That is well under a minute per question, so this subtest rewards knowing the material rather than reasoning it out.
Where Auto and Shop counts
| Branch | Job scores that use Auto and Shop |
|---|---|
| Army | Combat, General Maintenance, Mechanical Maintenance, Operators and Food, and Surveillance and Communication line scores |
| Air Force | Mechanical MAGE score |
Sources: goarmy.com and airforce.com ASVAB pages, checked October 14, 2026.
Five of the Army’s ten line scores include Auto and Shop, including the Combat score used for infantry, armor and scout jobs. If you’re aiming at a combat or maintenance job, this subtest matters even though it isn’t in the AFQT. See our Army and Air Force score guides.
Auto topics to review
Focus on how the main vehicle systems work and what each part does. In a gasoline engine, spark plugs ignite the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders. The alternator charges the battery while the engine runs, and the starter motor turns the engine over to start it. The cooling system uses a radiator and coolant to carry heat away from the engine. Brakes usually work through hydraulic fluid that presses pads against discs or shoes against drums. Also review the drivetrain (transmission, driveshaft, axles), the exhaust system and common warning signs, such as overheating or a dead battery.
Shop topics to review
Shop questions center on choosing the right tool and using it correctly. A hacksaw cuts metal, while a coping saw makes curved cuts in wood. A torque wrench tightens a bolt to a set force. A level checks whether a surface is horizontal, and a square checks for right angles. Know the common screwdriver heads (flat and Phillips), the difference between nails, screws and bolts, basic measuring with rulers and calipers, and fasteners such as washers and nuts. Wood and metal working terms, such as grain, drilling and filing, also come up.
Practice questions
Our own examples, not real ASVAB questions:
- Which part charges a car’s battery while the engine is running? The alternator.
- What ignites the fuel-air mixture in a gasoline engine? The spark plugs.
- Which saw is designed to cut metal? A hacksaw.
- Which tool tightens a bolt to a specific force? A torque wrench.
- What carries heat away from an engine? The cooling system, through coolant and the radiator.
How to prepare for Auto and Shop
Try the Department of Defense's free Auto Information and Shop Information sample questions; they are listed separately on the official site.
Learn one vehicle system at a time: ignition, fuel, cooling, brakes, electrical and drivetrain.
Make flash cards that pair each tool with its use, and each car part with its job.
If you can, look at a real engine bay or tool bench and name what you see. Recognizing parts helps more than memorizing lists.
Practice 10 questions in 6 or 7 minutes to match the computer version's pace.
Our free ASVAB resources page lists no-cost practice.
Mistakes that cost Auto and Shop points
- Assuming it doesn’t matter because it isn’t in the AFQT, then falling short on a combat or maintenance job’s line score.
- Confusing similar parts, such as the alternator and the starter.
- Mixing up tools with similar names or shapes.
- Spending too long on one question when the pace is under a minute each.
Common questions about ASVAB Auto and Shop
How many questions are on ASVAB Auto and Shop?
On the computer version, 10 Auto Information questions in 7 minutes and 10 Shop Information questions in 6 minutes. On the paper version, 25 combined questions in 11 minutes.
Are Auto and Shop one test or two?
Both. On the computer version they are two subtests, but the scores are combined and reported as one AS score.
Does Auto and Shop count toward the AFQT?
No. It feeds job scores, not the AFQT.
Which jobs need a good Auto and Shop score?
In the Army, Combat, General Maintenance, Mechanical Maintenance, Operators and Food, and Surveillance and Communication jobs. In the Air Force, Mechanical jobs.
Do I need to be a mechanic to pass Auto and Shop?
No. It tests knowledge of how vehicles work and how tools are used, which you can learn from study and hands-on practice.
See also our Electronics Information and General Science guides, or go back to the ASVAB overview. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any service branch.