The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized, multi-aptitude test used by the United States military to evaluate a potential recruit’s abilities. This examination serves two distinct purposes in the enlistment process. First, it determines eligibility to join the military services. Second, the ASVAB results provide the foundation for matching a recruit’s strengths and aptitudes to the technical requirements of specific military occupations. Understanding the complex scoring system, which includes multiple subtests and derived scores, is essential for navigating the process and securing a desirable job assignment.
The Subtests of the ASVAB
The overall measurement of aptitude is derived from performance across ten distinct subtests administered on the computerized version of the test. These sections are grouped into four domains: Verbal, Math, Science/Technical, and Spatial, and each measures a specific skill set. The Verbal Expression score combines a candidate’s performance in Word Knowledge (vocabulary) and Paragraph Comprehension (reading comprehension).
Mathematical sections include Arithmetic Reasoning (solving word problems) and Mathematics Knowledge (high school-level concepts like algebra and geometry). Other technical and mechanical sections cover General Science, Electronics Information (electrical principles and circuitry), Auto and Shop Information (tools and automotive technology), Mechanical Comprehension (physical principles), and Assembling Objects (spatial reasoning).
The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) Score
The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score is the single most significant result derived from the ASVAB, as it is the primary factor determining eligibility to enlist in any military branch. This score is calculated using only four specific sections of the ASVAB: Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Mathematics Knowledge.
The calculation process heavily weights the verbal sections. Scores from Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension are added together and effectively doubled before being combined with the scores from Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge. This combined raw score is then converted into a percentile rank, which is the official AFQT score reported to the recruit. A score of 50, for example, means the test-taker scored as well as or better than 50% of the reference population used to set the scoring standard.
Each military service sets a minimum required AFQT percentile for enlistment, which varies by branch and whether the applicant holds a high school diploma or a GED. For example, the minimum required score for most branches is around 31, though the Air Force requires 36, and the Coast Guard often requires 40. Meeting this minimum threshold opens the door to military service, but the AFQT score alone does not determine the specific job a recruit is qualified to perform.
Understanding ASVAB Composite Scores (Line Scores)
ASVAB Composite Scores, often called Line Scores, determine the specific military occupation for which an applicant qualifies. These Line Scores are calculated by grouping and combining the standard scores of several different ASVAB subtests that relate to a particular vocational area. This structure allows the military to assess a recruit’s aptitude for a specific job field.
Each military branch develops its own set of composite scores tailored to the needs of its unique job specialties, designated by two-letter acronyms. For example, the General Technical (GT) score, used by all services, is a combination of the Verbal Expression and Arithmetic Reasoning scores. A high GT score is frequently required for administrative, instructional, and leadership roles.
Other common composite scores include Electronics (EL), which combines General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, and Electronics Information to assess suitability for technical roles. The Mechanical Maintenance (MM) score combines Auto and Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electronics Information to identify aptitude for repair and maintenance jobs.
How Your Scores Determine Job Eligibility
Line Scores serve as the direct qualification criteria for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) in the Army and Marines, Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC), and similar job classifications in the Navy and Coast Guard. Every military job has a set of minimum Line Scores that a recruit must meet to be considered for that position. A recruit who achieves a high score in the Electronics (EL) composite, for instance, immediately qualifies for a wide range of specialized careers involving radar, communications, and avionics maintenance.
Conversely, a low score in a particular composite area will disqualify a candidate from jobs that rely heavily on those skills, regardless of a high AFQT score. Since each branch uses slightly different combinations of subtests to calculate their Line Scores, a recruit’s eligibility for a specific job can vary from one service to another. The minimum required scores for certain technical or highly specialized jobs can be significantly higher than the score required simply to enlist.
Practical Steps After Receiving Your Scores
After completing the ASVAB, a potential recruit receives an official score sheet that details their performance across all subtests, their AFQT percentile, and their various Line Scores. The score sheet lists standard scores for each subtest, which are scaled from 1 to 100 (with 50 being the average). The AFQT score is presented as a percentile, confirming basic enlistment eligibility.
The most important step after receiving these results is to schedule a detailed discussion with a military recruiter. Recruiters have access to the most current list of job openings and the precise minimum Line Score requirements for each position within their branch. They can translate the raw scores and composite scores into a list of specific, currently available job opportunities for which the recruit is qualified. ASVAB scores are typically valid for use in the enlistment process for a period of up to two years from the test date.
Retaking the ASVAB
Applicants who are unsatisfied with their initial ASVAB results or who failed to meet the minimum AFQT or Line Score requirements may retest. The military maintains clear rules regarding retesting. A candidate must wait one calendar month following the initial test before being permitted to take the ASVAB again.
If a second retest is necessary, another one-month waiting period is required after the first retest. Any subsequent attempts after the second retest are subject to a longer waiting period of six calendar months. While retesting can improve a score, the benefit is usually realized after preparation during the waiting period, as scores do not generally change dramatically without focused study.