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Sample questions from our AFOQT Physical Science practice tests. Each question comes with a detailed explanation so you understand the reasoning, not just the answer.
20 questions in 10 minutes. Master physics and chemistry fundamentals to boost your Academic Aptitude composite score.
The Physical Science subtest presents 20 questions covering physics and chemistry in just 10 minutes (~30 seconds each). Questions test conceptual understanding of mechanics, energy, waves, electricity, atomic structure, and chemical reactions. It feeds into the Academic Aptitude composite. The fast pace rewards knowledge recall over lengthy calculations.
Sample questions from our AFOQT Physical Science practice tests. Each question comes with a detailed explanation so you understand the reasoning, not just the answer.
Physical Science tests your knowledge of fundamental physics and chemistry concepts. Unlike the math subtests, this section focuses on scientific principles rather than computation. Questions ask you to understand how the physical world works.
The content covers the same material taught in high school physics and chemistry courses. At 30 seconds per question, the test is designed to measure what you already know rather than your ability to work through complex problems under pressure.
This subtest contributes to the Academic Aptitude composite, which is valued across all Air Force officer career fields.
| Questions | 20 |
| Time Limit | 10 minutes |
| Time per Question | ~30 seconds |
| Format | Paper-based, multiple choice (5 options) |
| Calculator | Not allowed |
| Composite Scores | Academic Aptitude |
The Physical Science subtest spans two major domains: physics and chemistry.
Newton's laws of motion, force, mass, acceleration, gravity, friction, momentum, and projectile motion. Understanding cause-and-effect relationships between forces and motion.
Kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, work and power calculations, simple machines, and mechanical advantage.
Properties of waves (frequency, wavelength, amplitude), sound waves, light (reflection, refraction, diffraction), electromagnetic spectrum, and color theory.
Electric charge, current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's law, circuits (series/parallel), magnets, electromagnetic fields, and conductors vs. insulators.
Protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, periodic table organization, periodic trends (electronegativity, ionization energy, atomic radius).
Types of chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic), balancing equations, acids and bases, pH scale, states of matter, and phase changes.
Academic Aptitude Composite: Verbal Analogies + Arithmetic Reasoning + Word Knowledge + Math Knowledge + Reading Comprehension + Physical Science
Physical Science contributes only to the Academic Aptitude composite. It does not feed into the Pilot, CSO, Quantitative, or Verbal composites. See the full composite breakdown on the AFOQT guide.
At 30 seconds per question, most problems test understanding rather than computation. Know why things happen (why objects float, why circuits fail) rather than memorizing complex formulas.
Know the organization: metals vs. nonmetals, groups and periods, trends (atomic radius increases down a group, electronegativity increases up and to the right). You don't need to memorize every element.
Physics questions lean heavily on mechanics. Be able to apply all three laws in different scenarios: objects at rest, objects accelerating, and action-reaction pairs.
Understand the difference between kinetic and potential energy, how energy transforms (potential to kinetic and back), and that energy is conserved in closed systems.
With only 30 seconds per question, guessing and moving on is better than spending a minute on one question. Mark your best guess and return if time allows.
Physical Science is one of 12 AFOQT subtests. You have 20 questions and 10 minutes to answer questions on physics and chemistry. Topics range from mechanics and optics to atomic structure and chemical reactions. It contributes to the Academic Aptitude composite score.
With 20 questions in 10 minutes, you have approximately 30 seconds per question. This is one of the fastest AFOQT subtests, so questions test recall and conceptual understanding rather than multi-step calculations.
No. Physical Science contributes only to the Academic Aptitude composite. It does not factor into the Pilot, CSO, Quantitative, or Verbal composites. However, a strong Academic Aptitude score supports overall officer selection.
Review high school physics (Newton's laws, energy, waves, electricity) and chemistry (atomic structure, periodic table trends, chemical bonding, states of matter). Focus on conceptual understanding over memorization.
Prepare for the AFOQT with our study guides and free practice tests.