The change would put the ASVAB on par with how test-taking has evolved in the past decade, with calculators being widely used in math classes and on college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.

Pentagon Set to Allow Calculator Use on Military Entrance Exam as Recruiting Slumps::The change would put the ASVAB on par with how test-taking has evolved in the past decade, with calculators being widely used in math classes and on college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldEnglish
    30·
    1 year ago

    I don’t know about this. I would think there would be a lot of military applications, such as judging ranges, where being able to do arithmetic in your head would be pretty vital at times. Maybe I’m wrong?

    • SatanicNotMessianic@lemmy.mlEnglish
      15·
      1 year ago

      It’s really a test of aptitude rather than knowledge per se. It’s highly correlated with IQ. It’s used to help decide the kinds of roles a person may be qualified for on the basis of ability, rather than knowledge. They will train a person in whatever specific skills are needed.

    • BrisaLuna@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      1 year ago

      I agree, although I think their main concern at this time is to recruit bodies for following orders than math their way into their careers.

      No military strength if no military numbers.

      • foggy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        16·
        1 year ago

        Yeah but we can pretty much make borderline sentient robots now. idk

    • Edgelord_Of_Tomorrow@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      1 year ago

      If you’re doing the kind of ranging that requires arithmetic you’ve probably specialised and received training in it.

      Regular man with gun ranges by sight.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldEnglish
        31·
        1 year ago

        Sure, but it was just one example. Is basic arithmetic really not ever needed for regular soldiers?

      • Astroturfed@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Pen and paper readily available in a warzone isn’t common I believe… Just guessing, never been in an active warzone. Have tried to keep track of stuff doing multi days backpacking hiking trips. Finding a pen and paper in a hurry would suck.

  • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.worldEnglish
    35·
    1 year ago

    Imagine bringing your calculator when you go out to the battlefield…

    In truth, you would bring a mobile phone or maybe a smartwatch. They can act as a calculator. And then at night, when things become serious, these toys run out of power :-)

    • chaorace@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      Uh, why wouldn’t they? Calculators check a lot of boxes that militaries care about: cheap, light, compact, durable, easy to manufacture, easy to use. I’d think that they’d be standard issue for any personnel regularly tasked with doing important calculations under logistically difficult scenarios.

      Setting that aside… you are aware that modern battle tactics are completely, hopelessly reliant on battery operated devices, right? If a unit gets unintentionally separated from the grid long enough to start running out of power, there will be far greater fish to fry than a few botched arithmatic problems.