ASVAB Scores Explained: AFQT Percentile and Categories

“Scores on the individual ASVAB subtests are reported as Standard Scores.”

“Standard Scores are scores that have a meaning relative to a national sample of youth aged 18 to 23. About half the population scores at or above a Standard Score of 50 and about 16% of the population scores at or above a Standard Score of 60.”

“AFQT scores are computed using the Standard Scores from four ASVAB subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK).”

“AFQT scores are reported as percentiles between 1-99. An AFQT percentile score indicates the percentage of examinees in a reference group that scored at or below that particular score.”

“For current AFQT scores, the reference group is a sample of 18 to 23 year old youth who took the ASVAB as part of a national norming study conducted in 1997.”

“ASVAB scores are used primarily to determine enlistment eligibility, assign applicants to military jobs, and aid students in career exploration.”

“When you take the ASVAB entrance test, you’ll be scored in ten different subject areas and you’ll receive two types of ASVAB scores. First, your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score determines your eligibility to join and requires a score of at least 31 to enlist. Second, your ASVAB category scores—also called line scores—determine job opportunities across different career categories.”

“To enlist, you need an ASVAB score of at least 31. However, if you have a minimum score of 21, there’s an academic track of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course to help you better your score. This 90-day program provides training on all the subjects covered on the ASVAB, as well as opportunities to retake the test. If your ASVAB score is between 31 and 49, you could qualify for a second option of the course that’s 30 days of classes with one chance to improve your score. You may select a new MOS based on your higher score depending on the needs of the Army.”

“To meet these requirements and qualify, aspiring Marines must achieve a minimum ASVAB score of 31 or higher—or 50+ if holding a GED or nontraditional diploma.”

“The minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score for entrance depends on your current education level and ranges from 31 to 65. Alternatively, if you do not possess any of the education requirements you may enter with a minimum score of 65 on the ASVAB.”

“To enlist, you’ll also need to meet a minimum score on the Navy placement exam, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). It’s recommended you check the requirements of your preferred job, since some specific jobs also require minimum scores.”

“ASVAB retest policy requires a one-month wait between administration of the initial ASVAB and a retest.”

“To retake the ASVAB a second time, another one-month wait is required. For any additional retests, a six-month wait is required between retests.”

“Applicant has obtained a Critical AFQT Gain (e.g., gain of 20 or more points on AFQT in a 6-month period). In this case, the applicant is required to take a confirmation test (C-Test). The applicant may retest immediately and is NOT required to wait one month before administration of the C-Test. If the applicant is a C-Test No-Show, he/she may return for a standard retest six months from the date of the Critical Gain Retest.”

“You can take the ASVAB test multiple times, but there are rules regarding how frequently. After your first attempt, you must wait one calendar month to retake the test. Your third attempt can be administered no earlier than six calendar months after your second test. It’s important to remember that your most recent score—not your highest—will be used to assess your performance.”