IDENTIFIERS *Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

Six new forms of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) were developed. These new forms were equated to a standard reference test, ASVAB 8a, using normative data based on a 1980 weighted probability sample of American youth, ages 18-23. Equating allows the services to report the distributions of examinee ability on a common metric or standard regardless of which form of the test the examinees take. It also provides consistent meanings for cutting scores used in selection and classification. The new ASVAB forms were analyzed using data collected in Recruit Training Centers (HTCs) and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS). The subtests and items were analyzed using both conventional and item response theory procedures- For each form, linear and smoothed equipercentile equating tables were then developed for the 10 raw subtest scores, two raw-score composites, and 14 standard-score composites. The Join