ASVAB Auto and Shop: What It Covers and How to Study
Auto Information and Shop Information, split on the CAT-ASVAB
July 5, 2026
Auto and Shop Information (AS) is the ASVAB material that tests your knowledge of automobiles, tools, and shop practices. On the CAT-ASVAB it is split into two separate subtests, Auto Information and Shop Information. On the paper-and-pencil version the two are combined into one AS subtest. AS does not count toward your AFQT, the score that decides whether you can enlist, but it feeds line scores that decide which mechanical and maintenance jobs you qualify for.
How is Auto and Shop split on the ASVAB?
The split depends on which version you take. Nearly everyone takes the computer version at MEPS.
| Version | Sections | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT-ASVAB | Auto Information | 11 | 7 min |
| CAT-ASVAB | Shop Information | 11 | 6 min |
| Paper-and-pencil | Auto and Shop combined | 25 | 11 min |
Whether the test shows two sections or one, the underlying score used for job qualification is Auto and Shop Information (AS).
What does Auto Information cover?
Auto Information tests how a car works. You do not need to be a mechanic, but you should understand the main systems and what their parts do.
- Engine systems: the four-stroke cycle (intake, compression, power, exhaust), pistons, crankshaft, and camshaft
- Cooling and lubrication: the radiator, water pump, thermostat, oil pump, and oil filter
- Combustion: fuel injectors, the ignition system, spark, and the catalytic converter for emissions
- Electrical: the battery, alternator (charges the battery), and starter motor (cranks the engine)
- Chassis: transmission, differential, suspension, and brakes
What does Shop Information cover?
Shop Information tests tools and shop practices, mostly identifying tools and knowing their use.
- Measuring tools: steel rules and tape measures for fractions of an inch, micrometers for thousandths, and calipers for inside and outside diameters
- Striking tools: ball-peen, claw, and sledge hammers, plus rubber mallets for delicate parts
- Fasteners: nails, screws, bolts, nuts, and rivets, and how they are installed
- Cutting and threading: chisels, files (a bastard file removes metal fast), and taps for cutting internal threads
- Turning tools: screwdrivers and the types of wrenches, plus torque
What are the high-yield Auto and Shop topics?
| Topic | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Engine energy | An internal combustion engine converts chemical energy into mechanical energy |
| Coolant | Engine coolant is a mix of water and ethylene glycol (antifreeze) |
| Alternator | The alternator charges the battery while the engine runs |
| Timing belt | The timing belt synchronizes the crankshaft and camshaft so valves and pistons stay in time |
| Micrometer | Use a micrometer when you need accuracy to the thousandth of an inch |
| Tap | A tap cuts internal threads into a pre-drilled hole |
What does an Auto and Shop question look like?
Here is a worked example from the auto side.
Question. An internal combustion engine converts chemical energy into which type of energy? The choices are electrical, mechanical, work, and sonic.
Answer. Mechanical energy. Burning fuel releases chemical energy, and the engine turns that into the mechanical motion that drives the wheels. The trap answer is electrical, which is what the alternator produces, not the engine’s core job. The engine’s purpose is motion, so the answer is mechanical.
Which jobs need Auto and Shop?
AS is a component of several Army line scores, which set job eligibility. These subtests build the line scores even though they never touch your AFQT. [NOTE: verify current line score formulas before publishing]
| Army line score | Formula includes AS |
|---|---|
| MM (Mechanical Maintenance) | NO + AS + MC + EI |
| GM (General Maintenance) | GS + AS + MK + EI |
| CO (Combat) | AR + CS + AS + MC |
| OF (Operators and Food) | VE + NO + AS + MC |
Mechanical maintenance, general maintenance, and vehicle operator jobs rely on AS. The other branches use their own composites, with mechanical and maintenance ratings weighting this material. Ask your recruiter which line score your target job requires. [NOTE: verify branch-specific composites]
ASVABDRILL is an ASVAB practice test platform focused on AFQT improvement, built for military recruits, covering ASVAB, PiCAT, and verification-style practice.
FAQ
Does Auto and Shop count toward my AFQT?
No. Only Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension feed the AFQT. AS affects line scores for mechanical and maintenance jobs, not your enlistment eligibility.
Is Auto Information separate from Shop Information?
On the CAT-ASVAB they are two separate timed subtests. On the paper-and-pencil version they are combined into one. Either way, the qualifying score used for jobs is Auto and Shop Information (AS).
How should I study for Auto and Shop?
Focus on how systems work rather than memorizing every part. Learn the four-stroke cycle, the main auto systems, and the common tools and their uses, then take a practice test to find gaps. Thinking about your own vehicle helps the auto material stick.
How many Auto and Shop questions are on the ASVAB?
The CAT-ASVAB has 11 Auto Information questions in 7 minutes and 11 Shop Information questions in 6 minutes. The paper version combines them into 25 questions in 11 minutes.
Related reading
- Complete ASVAB study guide for the full-test plan
- ASVAB line scores explained for how AS feeds job eligibility
- ASVAB mechanical comprehension guide
- ASVAB electronics information guide
Want to see how your auto and shop knowledge measures up? Take a full-length ASVAB practice test and check your AS sections.