The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, also called as ASVAB is a military aptitude test that will help determine whether an individual is qualified to enlist in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
It consists of 9 to 10 subtests. 4 out of the 10 tests make up the Armed Forces Qualification Test or AFQT. These are Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge.
For those who want to enlist, an important factor to consider is the AFQT score. If you can get the minimum score, then you will be deemed as eligible for enlistment.
After taking the test, you’ll receive your score report. It will include all of your standard scores in all of the subtests, your AFQT scores, and your composite scores. You need to pay particular attention to your AFQT scores because it will help you learn which branch in the military you can be eligible for.
Furthermore, all of your scores in the 10 subtests will be combined to get the composite scores or the line scores. The line scores will help determine which career is the most appropriate for you.
What do the ASVAB test scores mean?
To know how to read ASVAB scores, here is a breakdown of your ASVAB scores:
The standard score determines how close your score is to the mean by making use of standard deviation. For each of the subtests, your standard score will be computed.
As mentioned, you need to have passing scores in the 4 subtests to be eligible. The formula to get your AFQT scores is: AFQT = AR (Arithmetic Reasoning)+ MK (Mathematics Knowledge) + 2 x VE (Verbal Expression, which is the combined score of Paragraph Comprehension and Word Knowledge.)
Your AFQT scores are a very significant part of your ASVAB score. Moreover, each branch of the military has varying minimum ASVAB score requirements. The ASVAB score chart below depicts such:
| Military Branch | If with a High School Diploma | If with GED or any High School Equivalency |
| Air Force | 36 | 60 |
| Army | 31 | 50 |
| Coast Guard | 36 | Varies |
| Marines | 31 | 50 |
| Navy | 31 | 50 |
Note: (The score chart has been updated according to the recent changes in the scoring.)
Since there are different score requirements, you must know what is considered as the average ASVAB score for the AFQT. There are different categories for the AFQT, which in turn corresponds to its respective percentile score. They range from 1 to 99, and it represents your score compared to a reference group of test-takers.
| AFQT Categories | AFQT Percentile Score |
| I | 93–100 |
| II | 65–92 |
| III A | 50–64 |
| III B | 31–49 |
| IV A | 21-30 |
| IV B | 16-20 |
| IV C | 10-15 |
| V | 0-9 |
According to the book 2019/2020 ASVAB for Dummies, composite scores are also called as line scores. They are used to help determine job qualifications. To get these scores, you have to combine different combinations of the standard scores of the subtests. Each military branch has their own combinations and minimum score requirements.
To get your composite scores, you have to take note of the following:
GS – General Science
AR – Arithmetic Reasoning
WK – Word Knowledge
PC – Paragraph Comprehension
MK – Mathematics Knowledge
EI – Electronics Information
AS – Auto and Shop Information
MC – Mechanical Comprehension
AO – Assembling Objects
The Air Force has its own ASVAB score requirements. By looking at the score chart, you can see that you must have at least an AFQT score of 36 if with a high school diploma, and at least 60 if with an equivalency.
For your composite scores, the Air Force makes use of MAGE or Mechanical, Administrative, General Aptitude, and Electronics scoring. It will help figure out which specific qualities that you have are suited for the position. MAGE will be based on 8 subtests.
| Composite Score | Formula |
| Mechanical | GS + MC + 2AS |
| Administrative | NO (Numerical Operations) + CS + VE |
| General | VE + AR |
| Electronics | AR + MK + EI + GS |
For your Army ASVAB score requirements, to be eligible, you must at least have an AFQT score of 31 if with a high school diploma, and at least 50 if with an equivalency. For your composite scores, the Army utilizes OS or Occupational Specialties to determine which job is best for you.
| Composite Score | Formula |
| Clerical (CL) | WK + PC + AR + MK |
| Combat (CO) | AR + AS + MC + CS (Coding Speed) |
| Electronics (EL) | GS + AR +MK + EI |
| Field Artillery (FA) | AR +MK + MC + CS |
| General Maintenance (GM) | GS + AS + MK+ EI |
| General Technical (GT) | WK + PC + AR |
| Mechanical Maintenance (MM) | AS + MC + EI + NO |
| Operators and Food (OF) | WK + PC + AS + MC + NO |
| Surveillance and Communications (SC) | WK + PC + AR +AS + MC |
| Skilled Technical (ST) | WK + PC + GS + MC + MK |
The Navy ASVAB score requirements are similar to that of the ASVAB scores for Coast Guard jobs. They differ in the minimum scores required since, for the Navy, you will be required to get at least 31 if with a high school diploma, and if with an equivalency, you need at least 50. For Coast Guard, you will be required to get at least an AFQT score of 36 if with a high school diploma, and if with an equivalency, the minimum score varies.
For your composite scores, both the Navy and the Coast Guard makes use of the following:
| Composite Score | Formula |
| Engineman (ENG) | AS + MK |
| Administrative (ADM) | MK + VE |
| General Technical (GT) | AR + VE |
| Mechanical Maintenance ( MEC) | AR + AS + MC |
| Health (HM) | GS + MK + VE |
| Mechanical Maintenance 2 ( MEC2) | AO + AR + MC |
| Electronics (EL) | AR + EI + GS + MK |
| Nuclear Field (NUC) | AR + MC + MK + VE |
| Engineering and Electronics ( BEE) | AR + GS + 2MK |
| Operations (OPS) | AR + MK |
For marine jobs, the ASVAB score requirements are: you must at least have an AFQT score of 31 if with a high school diploma, and 50 if with an equivalency. The Marines make use of the Marine Corp Composite Scores or MCCS.
| Composite Score | Formula |
| Mechanical Maintenance (MM) | GS + AS + MK + MC |
| General Technical (GT) | VE + AR |
| Electronics (EL) | GS + AR + MK + EI |
The score requirements for the ASVAB varies for each military branch. The GT score is composed of different combinations of standard scores. That’s why it can be advantageous for you if you get a high score, such as 89. Your General Technical composite score will determine which specialty you are qualified for.
Yes, it is. If you look at the percentile score for the AFQT, you’ll belong at Category II. Furthermore, it is within the passing ASVAB score range since the Army requires you to at least get 31 or 50.
The different branches of the military have their own required test scores. You should research first, depending on the branch and position you are applying for.
You should practice for the ASVAB by making use of practice tests. You can find many free online tests that will make the exam more manageable and less complicated. You can check out our practice tests. We at Practice Test Geeks offer only the best study and test materials for your benefit.
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ASVAB Word Knowledge Practice Test 1
