The ASVAB test is the test used by the United States military to determine eligibility for enlistment. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard all use ASVAB scores to decide whether or not an applicant is able to enlist within their services. The ASVAB is a multiple choice test which is administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command. It is utilized by all branches of the United States Armed Forces.
There are 10 sub-tests within the ASVAB. Within those 10 tests, there are 4 sub-tests which generate an AFQT score. The AFQT score stands for Armed Forces Qualification Test. The sub-tests that compromise the AFQT are the
Arithmetic Reasoning
Mathematics Knowledge
Word Knowledge
Paragraph Comprehension
The AFQT scoring matrix is reported as percentiles between 1-99. Percentile scores are determined by how that test taker performed as compared to the reference group within that score. AFQT scores are divided into 8 different percentiles. The AFQT score chart with the categories and score ranges looks as such:
| AFQT Category | Score Range |
|---|---|
| I | 93-99 |
| II | 65-92 |
| IIIA | 50-64 |
| IIIB | 31-49 |
| IVA | 21-30 |
| IVB | 16-20 |
| IVC | 10-15 |
| V | 1-9 |
How is the AFQT Calculated?
AFQT percentile scores are determined by a formula that is: AFQT=2VE+AR+MK
The VE score is the Verbal Expression score. This is calculated by adding together the test taker’s Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension scores. Then this is placed into a bracketed weighted VE Score. An example chart looks like this:
| 0-3 | 20 |
| 4-5 | 21 |
| 6-9 | 22 |
| 8-9 | 22 |
| 10-11 | 25 |
| 12-13 | 27 |
| 14-15 | 29 |
| 16-17 | 31 |
| 18-19 | 32 |
| 20-21 | 34 |
| 22-23 | 36 |
| 24-25 | 38 |
| 26-27 | 40 |
| 28-29 | 42 |
| 30-31 | 44 |
| 32-33 | 45 |
| 34-35 | 47 |
| 36-37 | 49 |
| 38-39 | 50 |
| 40-41 | 52 |
| 42-43 | 54 |
| 44-45 | 56 |
| 46-47 | 58 |
| 48-49 | 60 |
| 50 | 62 |
Once the VE score is calculated, it is multiplied by 2. Then, that score is added to by the Mathematics Knowledge and Arithmetic Reasoning scores. These scores are then placed into the following chart to map out the ASVAB test taker’s AFQT Score percentile from the 99th percentile to the lowest, 1st percentile.
| Calculated Score | Percentile (AFQT) |
|---|---|
| 80-120 | 1 |
| 121-124 | 2 |
| 125-127 | 3 |
| 128-131 | 4 |
| 132-134 | 5 |
| 135-137 | 6 |
| 138-139 | 7 |
| 140-142 | 8 |
| 143-144 | 9 |
| 145-146 | 10 |
| 147-148 | 11 |
| 149-150 | 12 |
| 151-153 | 13 |
| 154 | 14 |
| 155-156 | 15 |
| 157-158 | 16 |
| 159-160 | 17 |
| 161-162 | 18 |
| 163-164 | 19 |
| 165 | 20 |
| 166-167 | 21 |
| 168-169 | 22 |
| 170-171 | 23 |
| 172 | 24 |
| 173-174 | 25 |
| 175 | 26 |
| 176-177 | 27 |
| 178 | 28 |
| 179-180 | 29 |
| 181 | 30 |
| 182 | 31 |
| 183-184 | 32 |
| 185 | 33 |
| 186 | 34 |
| 187-188 | 35 |
| 189 | 36 |
| 190 | 37 |
| 191 | 38 |
| 192 | 39 |
| 193 | 40 |
| 194 | 41 |
| 195-196 | 42 |
| 197 | 43 |
| 198 | 44 |
| 199 | 45 |
| 200 | 46 |
| 201 | 47 |
| 202 | 48 |
| 203 | 49 |
| 204 | 50 |
| 205 | 51 |
| 206 | 52 |
| 207-208 | 53 |
| 209 | 54 |
| 210 | 55 |
| 211 | 56 |
| 212 | 57 |
| 213 | 58 |
| 214 | 59 |
| 215 | 61 |
| 216 | 62 |
| 217 | 63 |
| 218 | 64 |
| 219 | 65 |
| 220 | 66 |
| 221 | 67 |
| 222 | 68 |
| 223 | 69 |
| 224 | 70 |
| 225 | 71 |
| 226 | 72 |
| 227 | 73 |
| 228 | 74 |
| 229 | 75 |
| 230 | 76 |
| 231 | 77 |
| 232 | 78 |
| 233 | 79 |
| 234 | 80 |
| 235 | 81 |
| 236 | 82 |
| 237 | 83 |
| 238-239 | 84 |
| 240 | 85 |
| 241 | 86 |
| 242 | 87 |
| 243 | 88 |
| 244 | 89 |
| 245 | 90 |
| 246 | 91 |
| 247 | 92 |
| 248 | 93 |
| 249 | 94 |
| 250 | 95 |
| 251 | 96 |
| 252 | 97 |
| 253 | 98 |
| 254-320 | 99 |
Background Education
Your level of background education can determine minimums necessary to qualify for specific branches of the armed forces as well as jobs within the armed forces. All military recruiters will encourage you to complete your high school education and get your diploma, as your minimum AFQT score will need to be higher if you do not complete your high school education and obtain a GED.
While other sections of the ASVAB are important, it is critical to pass these four sections in order to be eligible for each branches of the military.
Each branch of the US military have minimum AFQT score requirements simply to be eligible for enlisting. Please keep in mind that these would not be considered high or good AFQT scores and you should try to score much better on the ASVAB.
What Are The Minimum AFQT Scores for Each Branch of the Military?
Each branch of the United States military has a different AFQT scores. These scores can range from 0-99. A passing score for a high school graduate is about 35, however each military branch has different minimums for high school graduates for those looking to enlist:
- Army – 31
- Navy – 31
- Marines – 32
- Air Force – 36
- Coast Guard – 40
For those with a GED, the minimum AFQT scores needed for enlistment in each branch get slightly higher:
- Army – 50
- Navy – 50
- Marines – 50
- Air Force – 65
- Coast Guard – 50
What is an average AFQT Score?
An average AFQT score is a median score of 50. The ASVAB is refined on an annual basis to have a median score of about 50. This means that of all people taking the ASVAB test the average score will be about 50.
What is an Excellent AFQT Score?
About 16% of the population will get a ASVAB score of 60 or higher.
Why Are Good AFQT Scores Important?
Scores on various sections of the ASVAB and your overall AFQT score are important not just to be eligible for enlistment but in order to get a more desirable job once in the military. The military uses AFQT scores to determine eligibility and to assign initial positions once accepted into the military.