The ASVAB is the test the United States military uses to determine eligibility for enlistment. All six branches — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard — use ASVAB scores to decide whether an applicant can enlist. It is a multiple-choice test administered by the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM) and used across every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The ASVAB has 10 subtests on the computer-adaptive (CAT-ASVAB) version. (The paper version combines Auto and Shop Information into a single subtest, for nine.) Four subtests combine to produce your AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score — the score that determines your basic eligibility to enlist. The four AFQT subtests are:
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
- Word Knowledge (WK)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
The AFQT is reported as a percentile from 1 to 99, which reflects how you performed compared with a national reference group of test-takers — not the number of questions you answered correctly. AFQT percentiles are grouped into eight categories:
| AFQT Category | Score Range (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| 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 Score Calculated?
Your AFQT score is built from the four subtests above using this formula:
AFQT = (2 × VE) + AR + MK
VE stands for Verbal Expression. It is not a separate section you take — it is derived by combining your Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension results into a single scaled score. That Verbal Expression score is doubled, then added to your Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge scores to produce a raw composite. Finally, that raw composite is converted into your 1–99 percentile using the Department of Defense’s current national norming tables.
This conversion happens automatically when you test at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) — you do not calculate it yourself. The exact conversion values are set by the DoD and are periodically re-normed, which is why the most reliable way to know your standing is your official score report, not a do-it-yourself chart.
Minimum AFQT Scores by Branch
Every branch sets a minimum AFQT score simply to be eligible to enlist. Keep in mind these are floors, not competitive scores — most applicants should aim well above them. Requirements are also higher for applicants who hold a GED instead of a high school diploma:
| Branch | High School Diploma | GED |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 | 50 |
| Navy | 31 | 50 |
| Marine Corps | 32 | 50 |
| Air Force | 36 | 65 |
| Space Force | 36 | 65 |
| Coast Guard | 32 | 50 |
A few important notes, because published minimums shift and vary by source — always confirm the current requirement with a recruiter:
- The Air Force and Space Force list 31 (diploma) and 50 (GED) as an absolute floor, but they operate to a higher practical standard of 36 and 65, and competitive applicants typically score far higher.
- The Coast Guard lowered its diploma minimum from 40 to 32 in November 2023. As the most selective branch, it remains very competitive in practice, so a score well above the floor is realistically what applicants need.
- The Navy’s current diploma minimum is 31. Older references citing 35 are out of date.
Background Education
Your education level affects the minimum AFQT you need. Recruiters strongly encourage finishing high school and earning a diploma, because GED holders face higher minimum scores and a limited number of enlistment slots. While the other ASVAB subtests matter for qualifying for specific jobs, clearing the AFQT with these four sections is what makes you eligible to enlist in the first place.
What Is an Average AFQT Score?
Because the AFQT is a percentile, the average score is 50 by design. The test is periodically re-normed so the median stays near the 50th percentile — meaning about half of test-takers score above 50 and half below.
What Is a Good AFQT Score?
Since the AFQT is a percentile, a score of 65 means you performed as well as or better than 65% of the reference group. Scores of 65 and above (Category II or higher) are generally considered strong and open the widest range of jobs, while scores in the 90s (Category I) are exceptional. Aim for at least 50 to stay competitive across branches and to qualify for more roles and enlistment incentives.
Why Are Good AFQT Scores Important?
Your AFQT score doesn’t just determine whether you can enlist — it also affects which jobs and enlistment incentives you qualify for. The military uses it both to gate eligibility and to help assign your initial career field, so a higher score keeps more options open. To see how your scores translate into specific jobs, visit our service branch pages, and prepare with a full ASVAB practice test.