Job Opportunities Assessment

What questions are on the JOA?

The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is a test consisting of 51 questions divided into three main categories: abstract reasoning, verbal reasoning, and numerical reasoning. In the following paragraphs, we will further break down these three main categories into eight subcategories. Each subcategory will be explained in detail, along with an example question.

Verbal Reasoning

Odd word out

Odd word out question example:
Which two words are the odd ones out?
A) Car
B) Train
C) Airplane
D) River
E) Bus
F) Motorcycle

Explanation:
Select your answer to display explanation.

River is not a mode of transportation, and Airplane is air-based, while the others are land-based vehicles.

Word Analogy

Explanation: Select your answer to display explanation.

A book is typically stored or displayed in a library, while a painting is typically displayed in a gallery. The relationship is about where the items are commonly housed or exhibited.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonym and antonym questions primarily assess a person’s vocabulary strength and their understanding of word meanings and relationships.

You are given two words and you have to determine if they are synonyms, antonyms, or neither.

Explanation: Select your answer to display explanation.

The word “obscure” means something that is difficult to understand, hidden, or not clearly expressed, while “clear” means something that is easy to understand or free from confusion. Therefore, these words have opposite meanings.

Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning is the process of understanding one or more statements and reaching a logical conclusion.
For deductive reasoning questions, you must draw conclusions based only on the information given in the question and not your own knowledge. If the conclusion cannot be drawn from the information given, then the conclusion does not follow.

You will be presented with a list of (usually 5) statements. You are required to find the two statements that together will allow you to reach a certain conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning question example:
Based on the statements below, select the two statements that together allow you to conclude: “Sarah will arrive at work on time.”

A) Sarah’s car is in good working condition.
B) If Sarah leaves her house by 7:30 AM, she will arrive at work on time.
C) Sarah’s commute to work takes 30 minutes.
D) Today, Sarah left her house at 7:25 AM.
E) Sarah’s car has a flat tire.

Explanation:
Select your answer to display explanation.

Statement B establishes that Sarah will arrive at work on time if she leaves her house by 7:30 AM.
Statement D confirms that Sarah left her house at 7:25 AM, which satisfies the condition in Statement B.
These two statements together logically lead to the conclusion that Sarah will arrive at work on time.

Numerical Reasoning

Numerical reasoning questions assess your ability to understand numerical relationships and concepts, and your ability to reason using numbers. These three types of numerical questions can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment:

Number Series

In number series questions, you will be presented with a series of numbers with one or more numbers missing; you will then need to find the missing number(s).

Explanation: Select your answer to display explanation.

The differences between the numbers in the series are: 10, 12, 14, 16 This is an arithmetic sequence where the difference increases by 2 each step. So, the difference between the last number and the unknown number must be 18: 72 + 18 = 90

Number Matrices

In the number matrices questions, you are presented with a 3 x 3 matrix with numbers. You have to find the number that is represented by a question mark. Number matrices assess your logical thinking ability and they resemble number series.

Number Matrices question example:

Explanation: Select your answer to display explanation.

Horizontal rule: 2 is added with every step to the right. Vertical rule: 2 is subtracted with every step down.

Mathematical Word Problems

The mathematical word problems in the JOA are mathematical questions presented in a verbal format. The questions will assess your mathematical ability and your logical reasoning.

Some questions will only require mathematical ability to solve, others will require logical reasoning as well.

Explanation: Select your answer to display explanation.

Step 1: Calculate the total seeds for each flower type.

• Roses: 6 packs × 10 seeds = 60 seeds
• Tulips: 5 packs × 10 seeds = 50 seeds
• Daisies: 4 packs × 10 seeds = 40 seeds

Abstract Reasoning

The abstract reasoning questions assess your ability to see relationships and patterns in shapes and diagrams.
You are shown 5 or 6 shapes/items and you are required to identify the rules and similarities between them, in order to find the correct answer. You will be asked to find either one or two items that does not belong with the rest.

Try a JOA-style Abstract reasoning question below:

Explanation: Select your answer to display explanation.

In all other items, the two small circles are positioned inside of the large star. In options A and D they are positioned outside.

Free JOA practice test

Want to try more JOA practice questions? Try our free Job Opportunities Assessment practice test with 20 questions.

How does JOA scoring work?

Your performance on the Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) determines your eligibility for various military occupations. Upon completing the JOA, you will be provided with information about the career options available to you.

The required scores for each occupation are not publicly disclosed, and your individual score will not be shared with you.

You may retake the JOA up to three times; however, a minimum waiting period of six months is required between attempts.

How to prepare for the JOA

If you do not prepare for your Job Opportunities Assessment, you will have a significant disadvantage compared to other applicants.
Preparation is essential in obtaining a good score on the JOA. In reading our guide to the JOA, you have already covered the first point on our list of tips for preparing “Well in advance of the test day”.

Well in advance of the test day

• Know what to expect of the test.
• Familiarize yourself with the type of test questions on the JOA test.
• Practice sample JOA questions. Use the sample questions to find your weak areas, and make sure you brush up on your skills within these areas.
• A healthy body is important for a healthy mind. Therefore, eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Doing so will make a positive difference not only in your everyday life but also in your test results.

The day before the test

• Have had a good night’s sleep and are feeling well.
• Have not consumed alcohol within the 24 hours prior to the test
• Are unlikely to be interrupted.
• Are most likely to perform at your best (e.g., if you know you perform best in the early morning, schedule your test during that time).

Tips for taking the JOA test

• On the day of your test, eat a good breakfast, even if you normally skip it. You need to keep your mental focus on your test and not on your hunger. If you really cannot stomach food, then try having a protein shake or smoothie.
• Read the directions for the test carefully before you begin the test.
• Read each question carefully before selecting your answer. It is not uncommon for test-takers to fail a question, simply because they read the question too quickly.
• Pay attention to the time. Avoid spending too much time on one question, if that means you won’t have time to answer later questions. Remember you can always skip a question and return to it later.
• When you don’t know the answer to a question, try using the method of elimination: rule out as many incorrect choices as you can, and then make an educated guess from the remaining answers.
• If your time is running out it is better to guess the remaining questions instead of leaving them blank, there is no penalty for a wrong answer.
• If you have spare time, make sure to revisit all test questions, in an exam situation it is easy to make small mistakes such as misreading a question or choosing a wrong option by mistake.
• It is also important to note that all questions on the test are weighted the same. So, a question that you find difficult has the same value as an easier one.
• Again, you can not use a calculator during your test, use a pen and paper instead.

Preparation can significantly impact your test results. We firmly believe that our JOA (ADF) test preparation platform provides the best JOA preparation available on the market.
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