Many people think that the ASVAB test is solely used for those who want to enter a branch of the military. While the ASVAB is used for those entering a U.S. military branch, it is also used to see what jobs would be best suited for you.
The ASVAB exam tests your individual strengths and weaknesses in subjects such as reading, math, and science. It also tests your knowledge and skills in specific areas such as electronic, mechanical, automotive, and shop concepts.
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While the ASVAB determines which career area you will be best suited for, there are scores that you’ll need to achieve in order to enlist in the U.S. military.
How is the ASVAB Scored?
Each branch of the military has its own standards and minimum scores required for the ASVAB that are needed for enlistment. The score that you receive on the test will determine which branch and which military jobs you are eligible to work.
AFQT
There are ten sections on the ASVAB exam. Your ASVAB score includes your AFQT score which is calculated by combining four sections of the exam. Scores that are on the individual subtests are reported as ASVAB Standard Scores.
• Word Knowledge
• Paragraph Comprehension
• Arithmetic Reasoning
• Mathematics Knowledge
Your score on these four areas will determine your eligibility for enlistment into the military. The scores you receive on the other six content areas of the ASVAB are used to determine which job in the military would be best suited for you.
Your AFQT scores are reported as percentiles which range 1-99. Your percentile score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly compared to other test takers. If you receive a percentile score of 95, you have scored as well or better than 95% of other test takers.
Each branch of the military has a different minimum AFQT score requirement:
• Air Force: 36
• Army: 31 (a minimum score of 50 is required to qualify for certain enlistment incentives)
• Marine Corps: 32
• Navy: 35
• Coast Guard: 50
Composite Score
A composite score is used to help determine which military job would be best suited for you. Certain jobs and branches of the military require certain composite scores. Each branch determines which skills are the most important to that branch and uses the scores from the other subtests to choose a candidate that has knowledge of those particular skills. For example, the Army uses your combined score from the subtests Verbal Expression (VA) and Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) if you’re interested in being a General Technician (GT).
What is the Highest ASVAB Score?
When you receive your ASVAB scores, you’ll receive ten scores that have been calculated from the composite score categories. These scores are also called ASVAB Line Scores.
• Clerical (CL) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• Combat (CO) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Electronics (EL) = General Science (GS) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK) + Electronic Information (EI)
• Field Artillery (FA) = Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• General Maintenance (GM) = General Science (GS) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK) + Electronic Information (EI)
• General Technician (GT) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Mechanical Maintenance (MM) = Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Electronic Information (EI)
• Operators and Food (OF) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Surveillance and Communication (SC) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Skilled Technical (ST) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + General Science (GS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
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