Your “S.M.A.R.T.” ASVAB New Year’s Resolution

It is common to think about self-improvement at the start of a new year. This often leads to setting goals to get into better physical shape. If your resolution to work out more rarely lasts long enough to reach success, perhaps a “S.M.A.R.T.” resolution is better for this year?

A permanent self-improvement goal to enhance your income and future career in the military all starts with achieving a high ASVAB score.

Resolve to study more and use convenient online education to prepare for the ASVAB test so you can get your ideal military occupational specialty (MOS).

Just like any resolution, it takes commitment to follow through and improve your ASVAB score. This resolution is probably easier to achieve than getting into shape. Once you get started, achieving your ASVAB goal score will seem even easier as you progress. Getting into shape is a lifetime commitment that may not be as satisfying as a clear educational resolution.

Here are steps on how to set a S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Related) New Year’s Resolution:

• S – Specific: What exactly do you need to study to accomplish your goal? Who needs to be involved? Where will this take place? Why should you accomplish this?
• M – Measurable: What score determines that you have succeeded? How many subjects (Mathematics Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning and Word Knowledge) do you need to study to achieve this score?
• A – Attainable: Are there any steps missing in your plan to help reach your goal? Do you need to save up financial resources for study materials or will family help?
• R – Realistic: Can you commit to this goal? If your ASVAB score goal is really high, have you given yourself a long enough period of time to study before you take your test? Don’t let others set your goals for you as this will lead to low motivation and high anxiety.
• T – Time-Related: When is your deadline to achieve this goal? Is there a certain length of time each day that you will need to commit to studying for a set duration of time (two weeks, one month, two months, etc.)? For example, two hours per night for one month or eight hours each weekend for two months.

Here is an example of a poorly defined goal: I will take the ASVAB test within a month and start studying tomorrow.

Here is an example of a well-defined goal: I will register for Word Knowledge and Mathematics Knowledge ASVAB online study courses and practice tests because those two sections are keeping me from achieving my goal ASVAB score. I will study for two hours every day beginning January 1, 2015. I will sign up to take the ASVAB by the end of February 2015.  My goal ASVAB line score is a 91 because I want to be eligible for a Military Police job.

What’s next?

1. Write down your goals.
2. Meet with a recruiter to discuss your goals and learn what ASVAB line score you need to achieve to get your ideal job in the military.
3. Develop a personal action plan with deadlines.