ASVAB Score Chart & Guide – Everything You Need to Know

If you are applying for a role in the US military, you will need to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery ASVAB to ensure that you have the necessary abilities, skills and competencies to be selected.

The assessment lasts for about two and a half hours and consists of nine different sections that look at aspects of your knowledge in different areas.

There are 225 questions to answer in the assessment, and it is important that you score as highly as you can – a low score might mean that you are not selected for service.

The higher your score, the more likely you will be able to get onto the military career path that you have chosen.

In this guide, you will learn how the ASVAB is scored, and what that means for you as a candidate, so you know what you need to achieve to start your military career.

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Calculating ASVAB Scores

The ASVAB is structured with nine sections, as previously mentioned.

Each section of the test has a time limit.

The questions on the test have multiple-choice answers, and the layout is as follows:

• Arithmetic Reasoning: 39 minutes to answer 15 questions
• Word Knowledge: Eight minutes to answer 15 questions
• Paragraph Comprehension: 22 minutes to answer 10 questions
• Mathematics Knowledge: 20 minutes to answer 15 questions
• Electronics Information: Eight minutes to answer 15 questions
• Automotive and Shop Information: Seven minutes to answer 10 questions
• Mechanical Comprehension: 20 minutes to answer 15 questions
• Assembling Objects: 40 minutes to answer 10 questions
• General Science: Eight minutes to answer 15 questions

All the questions in the ASVAB count towards your final score, which means that you need to provide an answer for each question – even if you are not sure.

A blank answer counts as a wrong answer, which means that you will lose marks for not answering.

Calculating ASVAB scores is not as simple as a adding up the amount of correct answers – the score is based on Item Response Theory, which means that question difficulty is a factor in allocating points for correctly answered questions.

When you take the ASVAB, you will usually complete it on a computer; this means that your score is automatically calculated based on the relevant algorithm.

All examinees take every part of the ASVAB prior to entry into the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Coast Guard and the Army.

Each branch of the military has its own benchmarks for scores that are relevant for entry to that branch, and for specialisms within it the benchmarks are different again.

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The Different ASVAB Scores

Raw Score

Every candidate taking the ASVAB will have a raw score for each section.

This score is not produced on your report or shared with you, but it is used as part of the formula to calculate your other scores.

The raw score is simply the points given for each correct answer in the test.

Standard Score

The standard scores are given in each of the sections of the ASVAB, and these are incredibly important when you are applying for your dream role.

The standard score is determined using an algorithm; this places each test taker on a spectrum with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10 (the ASVAB score range is one to 100).

A standard score of 40 in Word Knowledge would mean that you are one standard deviation below the mean, while a score of 70 would establish that you are two standard deviations above it.

Composite Score

The composite score is sometimes referred to as the line score or (ASVAB line scores), and this is set by each branch of the military to be relevant for the skills and abilities needed for specific types of roles.

The composite score is the score that you need to achieve or beat to get into the training program for the role you want to have; it is the target to aim for so that you can get your dream role.

Military recruiters use the composite score as part of the classification and matching process so they can hire for the skills that are most important in their area of the Armed Forces.

There is a specific formula used to calculate the composite score, and this is based on your standard scores from the relevant test areas – for example, a combat role in the US Army would take into account your score in Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Automotive and Shop Information and Mechanical Comprehension.

But a role in Surveillance and Communication would need Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning, Automotive and Shop Information and Mechanical Comprehension.

Percentile Score

The percentile score is used to compare test takers with peers; the percentile represents how well you have performed compared to the norm group of test takers.

The ASVAB was normed against a reference group of 18 to 23 year olds who took the test as part of a study in 1997.

The percentile score is used to describe your performance in the AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test).

How to Read Your ASVAB Test Scores

Career Exploration Scores

The Career Exploration Score is used to highlight your strengths in different areas.

High scores in a particular area will indicate the type of career that will most likely align with your career aspirations, talents, and abilities – whether that is verbal skills, math skills or in science and technology.

The Career Exploration Scores are mostly used when students are exploring their post-education possibilities and can help identify possible career paths that might be suitable.

ASVAB Subtest Scores

Each section of the ASVAB has a standard score, and these are likely to vary in your own results based on where your skills and abilities lie.

The importance here is that you go for the highest possible scores in all areas; this is the best way to ensure that you achieve the score that you need for the role you want to have. This is especially important when it comes to choosing a career.

AFQT score

The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) is the assessment that determines whether you are suitable for entry to the US Military. You need to pass this part of the ASVAB to even be considered for a role.

The AFQT score is calculated using the first four sections of the ASVAB – Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Mathematics Knowledge.

Each branch of the military has a specific benchmark for entry, using the standard score from the AFQT.

The percentile result you get from your AFQT section will place you in the relevant AFQT category, as follows:

• 93rd – 99th percentile – Category I
• 65th – 92nd percentile – Category II
• 50th – 64th percentile – Category IIIA
• 31st – 49th percentile – Category IIIB
• 21st – 30th percentile – Category IVA
• 16th – 20th percentile – Category IVB
• 10th – 15th percentile – Category IVC
• 1st – 9th percentile – Category V

A general rule to remember is that those in Category I will effectively have the choice of how and where they want to specialize, whereas those in the lower categories will not have as much choice.

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What ASVAB Test Scores Are Required for Each Branch of the Military? And What Is the Average ASVAB Score?

The ASVAB sections are all marked individually, which makes it easier for your composite score to be recorded.

This means that you will be able to see which areas you should specialize in according to your skill set (the highest scores) and what areas you can qualify for.

What Is the Average ASVAB Score?

Well, the standard scores apply to all sections of the ASVAB, which means that a score of 50 is truly average.

This is different from other assessments; it is not comparable to only scoring 50% in a test, for example.

You can see how these scores work by looking at the required scores for each branch of the military in the below table.

It demonstrates the minimum AFQT score (from the first four sections of the ASVAB) to be considered for a role.

As you can see, if you do not have a high school diploma, you will need to get a higher score in the AFQT to qualify for a position in the US Armed Forces.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ASVAB test scores?

The ASVAB scores are used to determine whether you are eligible to join any branch of the US Military, and to pinpoint your specific skills and abilities that will show which area you should specialize in.

The better your score, the more choices you will have about where your career will lead.

How long do ASVAB test scores last?

Your ASVAB scores will be held on record for up to two years. Most people will take the ASVAB as part of their application process, but it can be taken before enlisting.

How do I get my ASVAB scores?

If you are taking the ASVAB as part of the Careers Exploration Process, your scores will be sent to your school.

If you are taking them at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), your scores will be discussed with you by a military career counselor so you can choose your path.

How do ASVAB scores work?

The ASVAB is a vocational test battery that is used to establish whether you have the basic skills and abilities needed to join the US military, and to help match you to the right career area in the most appropriate branch of the military.

Refer to the ASVAB score chart above to determine the minimum ASVAB score for the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force.

How do I read my ASVAB scores?

There are many scores on the ASVAB, but the main ones that you will need to know is your AFQT score, which is used to determine whether you are able to enlist in the Armed Forces, and the percentile score, which shows how you have performed when compared to the norm group.

For the careers service, your composite scores will show which area of the military you are qualified for.

Refer to the ASVAB score chart above to determine the minimum ASVAB score for the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force.

When do ASVAB scores come out?

If you take the ASVAB as part of the Careers Exploration Program, you will usually receive your scores within a couple of weeks. If you are taking the test at a MEPS center, you will get your score immediately.

Which jobs in the military will my ASVAB scores qualify me for?

There are many different jobs in the military, and your ASVAB score will determine if you have what it takes to be successful.

The scores required all vary – the ASVAB scores for Army jobs will be different to those for the Navy, for example.

You can find the details of the scores you will need in the specific sections of the ASVAB – but the best thing to do is to aim for the best score you are capable of so that you can have the choice.

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Final Thoughts

The ASVAB is an essential part of enlistment to the US military, and every person who wants to join up will need to take the test.

The ASVAB is a vocational test to ensure your suitability for a particular branch of the military, as well as a tool used to match you to a specific role that suits your skills, abilities and competencies.

Getting a good score on the ASVAB as a whole will give you the best chance of getting the role you want in the military so that you can start your career.