PiCAT

The unproctored version of CAT-ASVAB is called PiCAT (short for Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test) and can be taken from anywhere that has an internet connection. Unlike the ASVAB, it doesn’t need to be taken at a MEPS or MET site and there are no time limits for the individual subtests. Once an applicant’s PiCAT score is verified, it becomes the ASVAB score of record. Taking the PiCAT may be a convenient alternative for those who live far away from a MEPS or MET site.

How to Take the PiCAT

An applicant must contact a military recruiter for an access code to take the PiCAT, which expires 30 days after it is issued. Once an applicant begins taking the PiCAT, it must be completed within 48 hours. It should take an applicant 2 to 3 hours to take the test. PiCAT can be taken only once and is available only to those who have never taken the ASVAB. Applicants can use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Firefox Mozilla, or Samsung Internet browsers to take the PiCAT. To obtain the best results, applicants should use a screen that is at least 7 inches diagonally (i.e., tablets, such as the iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and Microsoft Surface, are permissible).

Verifying PiCAT Scores

An applicant will not have access to scores immediately. Only the recruiter who registered the applicant may view the scores. Scores are reported in the same format as ASVAB scores. To learn more about ASVAB scoring, visit the Understanding ASVAB Scores page. If an applicant’s PiCAT scores suggest they may be eligible for military service, they will be required to go to a MEPS or MET site to take a proctored Verification Test (VTest) to confirm the legitimacy of the PiCAT scores.

The VTest was designed to assess consistency of test performance across two occasions (i.e., proctored and unproctored). It must be taken within 45 days of when the PiCAT was taken. It is much shorter than the PiCAT and generally takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete. Applicants are not provided a score on the VTest. Instead, the VTest is simply used to validate the accuracy of the PiCAT scores. If the VTest is successful, then the PiCAT scores will become the official ASVAB scores of record and can be used to determine enlistment eligibility.

Important Considerations when Taking the PiCAT

The following are general tips and guidelines to help the applicant perform at their best on the PiCAT. Following these steps will also help ensure the scores accurately reflect an applicant’s abilities, resulting in a successful VTest:

  • Get plenty of rest prior to taking the test.
  • Use stable and high-speed internet.
  • Take the test in a quiet place that is free of interruptions.
  • Try to finish the test without stopping.
  • Have access to scratch paper and a pencil/pen.
  • Take the test WITHOUT receiving ANY assistance, such as asking someone for help looking up or posting information on the internet or using a calculator.