ASVAB: Assembling Objects Review

This section of the test measures your ability to imagine the way an object will look when its pieces are joined together properly. The questions that make up this section will begin with a subdivided image that may have joined or disconnected sections. Some images may be marked with one or more points that may each be labelled with a letter. If there is a dotted line drawn from the letter to the object, this means that the letter corresponds to a place on the side of the object that cannot be seen.
Your task will be to imagine how the object will look when rearranged according to the question by assembling, rearranging, connecting, stacking, and reflecting the images.

Subdivided Objects



Joined Sections


Disconnected

Connecting and Stacking Points on Objects








Assembling
When assembling disconnected sections of a shape, process of elimination can be used to quickly reduce the number of possible answers. Start by counting the number of sides on each section and noting if any edges are rounded.



Section A


Section B


Section C


Section D



Whole Shape
For example, each subsection of the image above has a rounded edge. The section A has two straight edges, section B has three straight edges, section C has three straight edges, and section D has three straight edges. Then examine each assembled shape in the answer choices, eliminating choices with more or less than four total sections and those that have no rounded edges. Count the number of straight edges of each section or each shape, and quickly mark the number of sides on each. Eliminate answer choices with subsections with just one or four or more straight edges, as all of the sections above have two or three. If further answer choice elimination is still needed, match the specific subsections to those in the assembled shapes, starting with the most unique first (section D in this example).

There are a few things to keep in mind when considering possible solutions to an assembly problem. To begin with, remember that the pieces can be turned in any way. They may be rotated, spun, and flipped. They may not, however, be folded, bent, or twisted. Furthermore, they may not change in size; each piece should be the same size in the answer as it is in the original picture. Occasionally, the makers of the exam will place the pieces in the correct configuration but will drastically alter the sizes of one or more pieces. This automatically invalidates the answer. It is best to imagine the pieces as solid three-dimensional objects, which can be manipulated in all directions but cannot have their fundamental size and shape altered.
Similarly, make sure that the answer you select has the appropriate number of pieces. If there are five different components in the original drawing, there must be five connected parts in the answer. It is common for the exam to leave out a piece or include an extra piece in one or more of the possible answers; even if these answers are right in all other respects, they cannot be correct if they include more or fewer pieces than the original drawing.
If further elimination is needed, comparison of the types of angles in each shape may be necessary. Roughly assess which angles appear to be right, acute, and obtuse, and compare those findings to the answer choices.
It may also be necessary to compare relative side lengths, as with the example. The short ends of the four non-triangular sections of the shape on the left do not all appear to be equal as they do in the shape below image 1.






Note that rulers and protractors are not allowed, so differences between segment lengths and angles should be obvious.

Rearranging
If asked to rearrange an assembled object, process of elimination is also helpful. When approaching the following object, note that there are two smaller, elongated rectangles, two larger, right triangles, one larger, equilateral triangle, and four small squares. Quickly eliminate any answer choices that don't contain only and all of those shapes before moving on to more detailed examination.
Note that the overall shape below is a square, but the rearranged object may form a rectangle or more unusual shape. Don't eliminate any answer choices because they don't re-form the original silhouette.



Connecting
When connecting points on an object, note that objects may be rotated unless the question states otherwise. If point A is on the corner of a triangle and point B is roughly halfway between the corners of a square and a question asks for the resulting image if a line connected the two points, answer choices with point A on a line or point B on a corner can quickly be eliminated. If further answer choice elimination is needed, check for more specific markers. For example, if a point is on the side of a shape with edges of different lengths, note which side it is on and eliminate any answer choices that don't match. If a point is on a corner of a shape with corners of varying angles, eliminate any answer choices that don't match. A. this is a pattern-recognition exercise and not geometry, side lengths and angles will be visibly different to allow for selection and elimination of shapes.

Stacking
When stacking objects, first note which one should be on top and eliminate all answer choices that are not stacked in the correct order. Then note relative size of the objects and if they can be rotated or not. If they are stacked so that specific points match up, note how that positioning will impact the final image. If the circle below is stacked on top of the triangle at the indicated points, the long end of the triangle will project out from underneath the circle.



Reflecting
To reflect an object horizontally, flip it on its horizontal axis. To reflect an object horizontally, flip it on its vertical axis.

Vertical Reflection
Horizontal
























Once you have worked through the problem in this systematic manner and have selected your answer, go back and double-check your work. To begin with, make sure that all of the letters are joined properly in the answer you have chosen. Then, make sure that your answer has the right number of pieces. Finally, make sure that the pieces in the assembled object are similar in size to the pieces in the original drawing. If all of these factors check out, you can be comfortable that you have selected the right answer.
This methodical way of working through assembly problems may seem too time-consuming given the limits of the exam, but with a little bit of practice you can speed through the process within the time given. In fact, by adhering to this organized way of solving assembly problems, you will actually save time, since you will never get confused or lost in a problem and have to go back to the beginning. All it takes to master these problems is a little strategic knowledge and a little preparation.