The AFOQT, or Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, is a multiple-choice test administered by the United States Air Force. It aims to determine eligibility to join the Air Force by measuring your aptitudes in aviation-related topics.
A deep understanding of the test and practice is essential for you to fulfill your potential and receive a high score in the AFOQT, opening luxurious career paths in the US Air Force. This page offers a free AFOQT practice test with sample questions from all sections, including tips and valuable techniques to answer correctly and quickly.
You can find more information and contact a recruiter in the US Air Force website.
Note: Many components of the Air Force Officer Qualifying test bear resemblance to those found in the ASVAB test. To initiate a interactive ASVAB exam simulation, click the "practice" button and start practicing.
The AFOQT Test is made up of 12 sections: Verbal Analogies, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Math Knowledge, Reading Comprehension, Situational Judgment, Physical Science, Table Reading, Instrument Comprehension, Block Counting, Aviation Information, Self-Description Inventory.
Each section makes up different composite scores, all of which are of percentiles of 1-99. The higher a composite score is, you'll have more chances of being accepted for specific commissioned roles in the US Air Force. We will cover the main composite scores later, but for now, let's begin with the first section – Verbal Analogies.
This section assesses your verbal reasoning and comprehension skills. It tests your ability to recognize relationships between words.
1. Dog : Kennel :: Chicken : ?
A. Cage
B. Coop
C. Nest
D. Barn
E. House
Answer:
The correct answer is B.
A dog is typically kept in a kennel, and a chicken is typically kept in a coop.
2. Sedentary : Active :
Auspicious : ?
A. Lucky
B. Unfavorable
C. Favorable
D. Exciting
E. Active
Answer:
The correct answer is B.
"Sedentary" is the opposite of "active," and "auspicious" means favorable, so the opposite would be "unfavorable."
If you are not familiar with any of the words in the question, you can work your way through the answers, finding different relationships that may help you eliminate questions until either concluding what the correct answer is or at least making an educated guess.
Verbal analogy questions assess both your vocabulary, as well as your reasoning abilities to find the relation between different words and apply the relation to the answers to see which is correct. The section usually includes about 25 questions to be answered in about 8 minutes. You have less than 20 seconds for each question – and you must practice different analogy questions to be best prepared. You can find hundreds of Analogies questions in our AFOQT PrepPack.
From verbal to math, let's take a look at the first mathematical section of the AFOQT test, the Arithmetic Reasoning section.
This section gauges your ability to solve arithmetic word problems. You'll be required to perform basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
3. It took Sarah six minutes to drive to the post office, eight minutes to find parking and five minutes to choose stationery; she then waited on line for seventeen minutes. How many minutes passed from the time Sarah left her house until she completed her errand at the post office?
A. 39
B. 33
C. 36
D. 31
Answer:
The correct answer is 36.
If we add up all of the time that it took Sarah from the time she left her house until she completed her errand, we will find that 6+8+5+17 = 36.
4. What was its original price if a shirt costs $20 after a 20% discount?
A. 24$
B. 25$
C. 28$
D. 30$
Answer:
The correct answer is B.
Let's assume the original price is X. 80% of X (because there's a 20% discount) is $20. So, 0.8X = $20. Dividing both sides by 0.8 gives X = $25.
Let's return to another verbal section, this time the vocabulary-focused Word Knowledge.
For more scoring methods, you can observe our ASVAB Scores guide.
Each commissioned position may require more than one composite score. The minimum for Verbal is a score of 15, and for quantitative is 10 (in percentiles). Pilots, I.e., require a minimum of 25 in the Pilot Composite Score but only 1- in the CSO Composite Score, and the other way around. While practicing most sections is useful since many scores are calculated, it is useful to focus your practice based on your preferred role. Continue reading to see scores of other sections.
For a price starting at 79$ you can begin practicing all of the different AFOQT sections, learning valuable solving techniques, and fulfill your potential.
If you are interested in joining more advanced teams such as the Air Force Cybersecurity, you will also have to pass the EDPT Test and the Air Force ASVAB Test. Visit our Free ASVAB Practice page to study sample questions and explanations.
This section tests your vocabulary and your ability to understand the meaning of words. You may be required to pick a synonym for each given word.
5. The synonym of " belligerent" is:
A. Friendly
B. Cautious
C. Aggressive
D. Curious
E. Passive
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
"Belligerent" refers to someone who is hostile or warlike. The term closest in meaning is "aggressive," which denotes a propensity for confrontational or forceful behavior.
6. The synonym of "meticulous" is:
A. Indifferent
B. Disorganized
C. Negligent
D. Irresponsible
E. Careful
Answer:
The correct answer is E.
"Meticulous" describes someone who pays very close attention to details and is careful in their actions. The term closest in meaning is "careful," which denotes taking pains to avoid error or oversight.
Word Knowledge questions are straightforward synonym questions – assessing your vocabulary. The section includes around 25 questions, to be answered in 5 minutes – the second shortest of all sections, with 12 seconds for each question. You must be well prepared – reading and practicing your vocabulary ahead. Practice our Synonym questions with explanations in our AFOQT PrepPack.
Let's drift again to quantitative sections – this time the Math Knowledge section.
This section gauges your understanding of fundamental high school mathematical principles. The problems you encounter may include equations, word problems, and geometric shapes.
7. If y=2x+3, what is the value of y when x = 5?
A. 10
B. 13
C. 15
D. 25
E. 28
Answer:
The correct answer is B.
Plugging in x = 5, we get y=2(5)+3=10+3=13.
8. What is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with one leg of 6 and another leg of 8?
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 14
E. 9
Answer:
The correct answer is A.
Explanation: According to the Pythagorean theorem, c2=a2+b2, where c is the hypotenuse and a and b are the legs of the right triangle.
Thus, c2=62+82=36+64=100
c=10.
As can be seen, Math Knowledge assesses basic arithmetic operations, mathematical formulas, working with units of measurement, and more. With 25 questions in 22 minutes, you have less than a minute to calculate and answer each question quickly. That means you must demonstrate knowledge of mathematical formulas and perform quick calculations. Mathematical questions are best improved by repetitive practice – and you can find many practice tests, simulations, and guides in our AFOQT PrepPack.
Next is the final verbal section of the AFOQT – Paragraph Comprehension, where you will be presented with a text and the following questions.
Paragraph Comprehension delves into an individual's ability to interpret and understand written information.
Read the text to answer the questions below.
Railroad Transport
Europe has long benefited from a dense railway network and is the world leader in the supply of railway systems. Employing 1 million people in rail operations and another 250,000 in manufacturing, the European railway sector has a 60% share of the world market and an annual turnover of €95 billion.
Rail transport offers a viable and competitive means of shifting more cargo traffic away from the continent’s crowded roads, thus improving traffic circulation and cutting vehicle-emitted pollution. The EU places particular emphasis on stimulating new investment in trans-European transport infrastructure such as rail, and supports research efforts to create new methods of interoperability, higher safety standards and the reduction of rail-related noise levels.
One of the main advances in the EU's railway system is the recently launched MODTRAIN project. The project brings together, for the first time, all the main European rail system manufacturers, sub-system suppliers and rail operators. Working towards interoperability of national rolling-stock systems, MODTRAIN offers a radical approach to rolling-stock construction. Its goal of reducing the number of single components in a railway carriage from 1,200 to 120 parts and cutting construction time by more than 50% should give a huge boost to the sector’s competitiveness.
9. Regarding the railway system, which of the following is not suggested by the passage?
A. Reduces vehicle-emitted pollution.
B. Provides large-scale employment.
C. Reduces traffic from roads.
D. Stimulates new investments.
E. Generates high revenue.
Answer:
The correct answer is (D).
The question concerns ‘the railway system’, referring to the EU railway system. Note that this is a negatively phrased question, so we are asked to identify four features of the EU railway system and one that is not a feature of the system. The question is based mainly on the first two paragraphs of the passage, as the first paragraph deals with the EU railway system specifically, while part of the second paragraph deals with rail transport in general (including the EU railway system).
A: It is a feature of railroad transport and thus a feature of the EU railway system: ’…cutting vehicle-emitted pollution’.
B: It is a feature of the EU railway system: ’Employing 1 million people in rail operations and another 250,000 in manufacturing’.
C: It is a feature of railroad transport and thus a feature of the EU railway system: ’…improving traffic circulation’.
D: It is a feature of the EU and not the railway system: ’the EU places particular emphasis on stimulating new investment in trans-European transport…’
E: It is a feature of the EU railway system: ’the European railway sector has a 60% share of the world market and an annual turnover of €95 billion’.
The only statement that is neither a feature of railroad transport in general nor a feature of the EU railway system is: statement D.
10. Which ONE of the following does the passage suggest about railway transport?
A. It has an annual turnover of €95 billion.
B. It reduces air pollution.
C. It has high safety standards.
D. It is a good economic investment.
E. It employs 1.25 million people worldwide.
Answer:
The correct answer is (B).
The question deals with railroad transport in general, as opposed to Europe's railway. It is based on the following section in the passage: ‘Rail transport offers a viable and competitive means of shifting more cargo traffic away from the continent’s crowded roads, thus improving traffic circulation and cutting vehicle-emitted pollution’. Now that we understand the question and have identified the corresponding section in the passage let us eliminate distractors:
Statement A follows from the passage but addresses only the European railroad system.
Statement B follows from the passage and addresses rail transport in general.
Statement C does not follow from the passage; the passage says that the EU supports research to ensure high safety standards.
Statement D does not follow from the passage as it is not mentioned in the text.
Statement E follows from the passage but addresses only the European railroad system.
The only statement that follows from the passage and concerns the railroad system, in general, is statement B.
In the test, you will have around 38 minutes to answer 25 questions, meaning a minute and a half for each question. While that seems like a long time compared to other sections – you must consider the fact that reading the text alone will consume much of the time. To be more efficient when answering questions regarding a text – we recommend beginning with the questions – and then trying to find the relevant context in the text. Not only do you already know what to look for when reading, but you also save valuable time, as you don’t have to read the text more than once.
We have finished covering the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the AFOQT test. We will now start covering specific sections included in different composite scores. The first is unique – and while not presented directly in any composite score, is mandatory for all US Air Force officers – the Situational Judgement section.
This section assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to make sound judgments in social situations.
Read the following scenario and possible actions and then answer the questions.
Scenario: You are a team leader responsible for a critical project. The deadline is approaching in two weeks. One of your team members, Alex, has consistently been underperforming and making mistakes that others must correct. Alex's mistakes are affecting the team's morale and the project's progress. Other team members have expressed their concerns to you privately.
Possible Actions:
A. Publicly criticize Alex during the next team meeting to send a strong message.
B. Speak privately with Alex to understand the reasons behind the underperformance and find a solution.
C. Reassign Alex to a less critical role without discussing the issue with them.
D. Ignore the complaints and continue to allow Alex to work as-is, hoping they will improve.
E. Document Alex's mistakes meticulously and submit them to HR without discussing them with Alex.
11. Which action would be the most effective response to address the situation?
Answer:
The correct answer is B.
Addressing the issue directly and privately with Alex allows you to understand any underlying issues that may be contributing to the poor performance. This proactive, respectful approach provides the best chance for improvement while maintaining team morale.
It is the absolute answer, as it is the only one that demonstrates a communicating, calm approach that attempts to understand the underlying circumstances while not escalating the situation.
12. Which action would be the least appropriate response to handle the situation?
Answer:
The correct answer is A.
Public criticism can be demoralizing and counterproductive, as it could lead to a hostile work environment. It's generally ineffective for improving performance and may adversely affect Alex and the entire team's morale.
In this question, there are a few candidates – such as option C and E (option D is passive and therefore not recommended, yet it does not escalate the situation).
Option C is negative since it does not show good, brave leadership but instead, it demonstrates cowardness by transferring Alex without speaking to him. However, it is not public and would have less of an impact on the rest of the team, and therefore, it is not the least effective response.
Option E is negative since it represents bad leadership by not speaking directly to Alex and going immediately to HR. Once again – it is not done publicly and therefore is not the least effective response.
For the Situational Judgement questions – you will have 35 minutes to answer 50 questions, including 25 scenarios with ‘Most Effective’ and ‘Least Effective’ questions. In this case – time is not a challenge – but understanding how to respond to questions with no absolute answer. For that, we have devised a study guide with key values that should be addressed in each scenario, how to identify different values, and many questions with detailed explanations. You can find all of these in our AFOQT PrepPack.
From behavioral to Personality – let’s continue to the second section with no ‘absolute’ answers – Self Description Inventory.
This section aims to provide personality descriptors for psychological evaluation, although it's not always included in the overall score.
13. It doesn't bother me a great deal if others make fun of me and taunt me.
A. Strongly Disagree
B. Disagree
C. Neutral
D. Agree
E. Strongly Agree
Answer:
This question refers to the Self-Consciousness trait. While having no absolute answer – since questions accumulate to a specific score among a range for each trait, it is negative when considering the trait (answering a or b will increase the overall score of the trait).
Let's look at another personality question. Try to think which trait is reflected in the statement, and then read the explanation.
14. During discussions, I usually lead most of the conversation
A. Strongly Disagree
B. Disagree
C. Neutral
D. Agree
E. Strongly Agree
Answer:
This question refers to the Assertiveness trait. While having no absolute answer – since questions accumulate to a specific score among a range for each trait, it is positive when considering the trait (answering d or e will increase the overall score of the trait).
The Self-Description Inventory section generally includes about 220 personality questions, which are built to assess different traits in your personality. Time is not an issue in this section – you will have 40 minutes to complete the section, and it will usually take less time. However, we recommend using your time appropriately, thinking about the underlying trait and how well it serves an officer’s position in the US Air Force. You can find a full personality test, with guides and detailed explanations regarding the test and the different traits, in our AFOQT PrepPack.
Once completed with the behavioral and personality section, we will move on to the specific sections – which measure different skills relevant to US Air Force officers. We remind you to make sure which are more relevant to you according to the Composite Scores Table.
This section assesses your understanding of basic scientific principles, including chemistry, physics, and earth science. Questions may involve basic principles of the scientific method, theories, and laws governing natural phenomena.
15. Which of the following elements is a Noble Gas?
A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Argon
D. Carbon
E. Hydrogen
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
Noble gases are elements found in Group 18 of the periodic table. Their low reactivity with other elements characterizes them. Argon is a Noble Gas, while the other options (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, and Hydrogen) are not.
16. Which of the following best describes the principle behind Newton's Third Law of Motion?
A. An object at rest stays at rest.
B. Force equals mass times acceleration.
C. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
D. Acceleration is constant for objects in freefall near the Earth.
E. Energy in a closed system is conserved.
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that any force exerted on a body will create an equal force in the opposite direction. Option C accurately describes this law, while the other options describe other physical principles or different Newtonian laws.
Physical Science questions vary and require vast, yet basic, knowledge in the physical, chemical, and other common scientific fields. With around 20 questions in 10 minutes, you should be confident and answer quickly to avoid severe time pressure. The meaning is – that the more knowledge you have in different fields, the easier it will be to either quickly answer or narrow down options to provide a calculative guess if you are unsure of the answer. You can find many Physical Science questions with explanations in our AFOQT PrepPack.
The next section, Table Reading, is unique and probably different from any question type you have seen. You must be able to quickly orient yourself in large table of data and provide answers. Let’s continue.
This section tests your ability to read and interpret tabulated data quickly and accurately.
This is a smaller version of the real table that will be found in the AFOQT Table Reading section and our AFOQT PrepPack. It is meant to give you an understanding of the concept and the section's difficulty. Attempt to answer each question in no more than ten seconds – which is the average time given for each question in the real test.
For each question, select the number that appears in the given coordinates of the table. The first number in the pair represents the column number (top row), and the second number represents the row number (left-most column). I.e., the pair (-4,3) refers to the number in the -4 column and the number 3 row and is 398 in the table.
|
-5 |
-4 |
-3 |
-2 |
-1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
-5 |
236 |
512 |
758 |
109 |
873 |
762 |
284 |
936 |
412 |
187 |
651 |
-4 |
591 |
863 |
147 |
935 |
482 |
758 |
214 |
390 |
561 |
825 |
938 |
-3 |
346 |
702 |
416 |
957 |
398 |
295 |
173 |
843 |
610 |
942 |
120 |
-2 |
475 |
832 |
295 |
740 |
905 |
214 |
538 |
124 |
351 |
974 |
284 |
-1 |
620 |
913 |
389 |
241 |
798 |
163 |
852 |
204 |
976 |
715 |
537 |
0 |
471 |
367 |
265 |
842 |
734 |
906 |
117 |
236 |
468 |
827 |
152 |
1 |
713 |
581 |
630 |
461 |
528 |
194 |
257 |
349 |
529 |
418 |
703 |
2 |
182 |
472 |
739 |
642 |
137 |
853 |
315 |
529 |
726 |
904 |
361 |
3 |
265 |
398 |
519 |
803 |
271 |
740 |
386 |
594 |
952 |
736 |
613 |
4 |
847 |
630 |
716 |
256 |
791 |
610 |
194 |
952 |
135 |
517 |
829 |
5 |
513 |
428 |
192 |
315 |
730 |
469 |
847 |
295 |
621 |
736 |
904 |
15. (3,-2)
A. 739
B. 519
C. 726
D. 351
E. 803
Answer:
The correct answer is D.
Note that the answers are as follows:
a. 739 = (-3,2)
b. 519 = (-3,3)
c. 726 = (3,2)
d. 351 = (3,-2)
e. 803 = (-2,3)
You can tell that understanding the question’s instructions is crucial since that there are four possible combinations for 3 and 2, and even if you pay close attention to the negative marks, there are two possible combinations, and you must be aware of which is the row number and which is the column number.
16. (-4,4)
a. 863
b. 630
c. 825
d. 517
e. 906
Answer:
The correct answer is B.
As mentioned earlier, the Table Reading section included about 10 seconds per question, translating to 40 questions in 7 minutes. The next section, Instrument Comprehension, is also short on time – and requires unique spatial orientation required of pilots and other Air Force officers. Let’s proceed.
So far, we have covered nine of the AFOQT’s eleven sections. Excluding the Situational Judgement and the Self-Description Inventory, all other sections have a time pressure component. Some, like Arithmetic Reasoning or Physical Science, require prior knowledge and focus to handle the time pressure component. In others, like Word Knowledge or Table Reading, time plays a key role and maybe the section's greatest challenge.
💡Here are a few tips to deal with time pressure more efficiently:
— Remain calm: it might seem obvious, but crucial. Remind yourself that stress can do only harm and that your chances of solving questions correctly when you are calm are far higher.
— Make educated guesses: that tip was explained in the Word Knowledge section. If you are unsure of the correct answer, follow steps that will allow you to eliminate distractors you are at least 95% certain are incorrect, and you can answer questions with a higher probability that they are correct without wasting too much time.
— Be methodical: from early in your practice, find a rhythm that allows you to work efficiently and accurately and stay on course. That can be utilized in the Table Reading section, where you can scan the rows, the columns, or any other method that suits you best – just stick with what works for you.
— Practice, a lot: you should practice each section (to an extent according to your desired position and the composite scores) accurately, review your results, understand the right and wrong answers, and keep improving.
For a price starting at 79$, you can begin your accurate and extensive AFOQT practice today, practicing dozens of practice tests from all of the different AFOQT sections with hundreds of practice questions.
Not what you were looking for? Contact us, and we will do our best to ensure you get the most accurate preparation for your upcoming assessment. Or learn more about other Civil Service Exams and positions.
This section assesses your understanding of aircraft instruments and flight data. You must assess an airplane’s orientation according to different components.
17. Determine the correct orientation of the airplane according to the following instruments.
A.
C.
D.
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
According to the COMPASS, the airplane is flying North-West. According to the ground rules, North means that you see the airplane’s rear end, and West is always on your left. Therefore, the starting point is having the airplane facing diagonally – to the page and to the left.
According to the ARTIFICIAL HORIZON, the airplane is slightly climbing since the Airplane Indicator is located between the Horizon Line and the Black Pointer, and the distance between the Airplane Indicator and the Horizon Line is relatively small.
The White and Black Pointers interface. Therefore, the airplane is not banked. Therefore, the only correct option is C.
The Instrument Comprehension section is rather unique and requires very specific abilities. You must be able to orient in 2D and 3D, using instruments and concepts from aerial navigation and flight. You will have 6 minutes to complete 20 different questions, meaning that a deep understanding of each component and methodical work to answer each question are the keys to success. You can find a comprehensive Instrument Comprehension guide with multiple answering methods, practice questions, and detailed explanations in our AFOQT PrepPack.
From one orientational section to another, we will move on to Block Counting. You must picture the image in 3D and determine how many blocks touch the marked block. Let’s continue.
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This section tests your spatial visualization and orientation skills. You'll be shown a three-dimensional block of smaller blocks and asked how many blocks touch another block.
18. How many blocks come in contact with block 1?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
Box 1 comes into contact with six boxes, as can be seen in the picture below. The colored boxes, except those in the same shade of blue as Box 1, come into contact with it.
19. How many blocks came in contact with block 3?
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 1
Answer:
The correct answer is A.
Box 3 comes into contact with the three boxes on the floor above it and Box 1, which lies ahead of it.
When approaching different orientational questions, start by quickly reading the instructions and swiftly move on to understand exactly what you are asked about. I.e., for the Counting Blocks questions, you were asked first regarding block 1 and later block 3. In neither question, you should’ve looked at block 2, which, despite being marked, is a distractor. If you have a hard time counting how many blocks touch the block you are asked about, work the other way around – imagine as if blocks from all angles encompass the block, and then eliminate which are not, to reach the correct result.
Note that this tip may be more time-consuming and is recommended when you feel un-oriented or confused and can help you get back on track. However, following up by counting the exact number of blocks is recommended.
We are now reaching our final section – Aviation Information. While Block Counting, with 20 questions in no more than 3 minutes – the shortest of all sections and similar to Table Reading and Instrument Comprehension in terms of time pressure, Aviation Information is similar to Physical Science, meaning you must have prior knowledge to succeed, and the time is a secondary challenge. Let’s complete our Free AFOQT Test!
This section gauges your general knowledge of aviation and aircraft components. Questions may cover topics like basic aerodynamics, flight principles, and aircraft components.
20. What is the term for the force that opposes an aircraft's motion through the air?
A. Thrust
B. Lift
C. Weight
D. Drag
E. Torque
Answer:
The correct answer is D.
In aerodynamics, drag is the force that opposes an aircraft's motion through the air. It results from the aircraft's interaction with the air molecules and works against the direction of motion. Thrust is the force that propels the aircraft forward, lift is the force that allows the aircraft to rise, weight is the force due to gravity, and torque is a twisting force.
21. What is the primary function of ailerons on an airplane?
A. Control roll
B. Control yaw
C. Control pitch
D. Generate lift
E. Generate thrust
Answer:
The correct answer is A.
Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. They are used primarily for balancing and steering the aircraft by controlling its roll. The ailerons work in pairs: when one goes up, the other goes down, creating a rolling motion for the airplane. The rudder controls the yaw, the elevators control the pitch, the wings primarily generate the lift, and the engines generate thrust.
Aviation Information includes 20 questions in 8 minutes. These questions are highly critical for aspiring pilots and Air Battle Managers, among other positions. The only proper way to improve this section is by study and practice. Many Aviation Information questions with detailed, explanatory answers can be found in our AFOQT PrepPack.
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