AFQT Score and Military Eligibility

ASVAB Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

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1 Introduction

About the ASVAB AFQT Score and Military Eligibility Line Scores and Military Jobs (MOS) How to Use This Guide

2 Verbal Domain (WK + PC)

Word Knowledge Basics Word Knowledge Practice Paragraph Comprehension Basics Paragraph Comprehension Practice

3 Mathematics Domain (AR + MK)

Number Operations Word Problems Algebra Geometry Test Strategies

4 Science & Technical Domain (GS + EI + MC)

Life Science Physical Science Electronics Fundamentals Mechanical Principles Applied Science Questions

5 Technical Skills Domain (AI + SI + AO)

Automotive Basics Automotive Systems Shop Tools and Practices Shop Safety and Materials Assembling Objects

AFQT Score and Military Eligibility

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score determines basic enlistment eligibility.

AFQT uses only 4 subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension.

Formula: AFQT = 2VE + AR + MK, where VE = WK + PC (Verbal Expression).

AFQT is a percentile (1-99) comparing you to a reference population of 18-23 year olds.

Minimum AFQT: Army/Marines/Navy 31, Air Force 36, Space Force 36, Coast Guard 40.

Last updated: January 2026

The AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score is the most important score from the ASVAB. It determines whether you can enlist in the military at all.

What Is the AFQT?

The AFQT is not a separate test—it's calculated from four ASVAB subtests:

• Subtest Abbreviation What It Measures
• Arithmetic Reasoning AR Math word problems
• Mathematics Knowledge MK High school math concepts
• Word Knowledge WK Vocabulary
• Paragraph Comprehension PC Reading comprehension
• AFQT Calculation Formula

The AFQT raw score is calculated using this formula: AFQT = 2 VE + AR + MK \text{AFQT} = 2\text{VE} + \text{AR} + \text{MK} AFQT = 2 VE + AR + MK

Where VE (Verbal Expression) is calculated as: VE = WK + PC \text{VE} = \text{WK} + \text{PC} VE = WK + PC

Important : The verbal component (VE) is weighted double, making Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension especially important!

AFQT Percentile Score

Your raw AFQT score is converted to a percentile score from 1 to 99 :

• Your Percentile What It Means
• 50 You scored better than 50% of the reference group
• 75 You scored better than 75% of the reference group
• 90 You scored better than 90% of the reference group
• 99 You scored at the top of the reference group

The reference group is a nationally representative sample of 18-23 year olds from the 1997 Profile of American Youth study.

Minimum AFQT Scores by Branch

• Military Branch Minimum AFQT With GED
• Army 31 50
• Marine Corps 31 50
• Navy 31 50
• Air Force 36 65
• Space Force 36 65
• Coast Guard 40 50

Note : Having a GED instead of a high school diploma typically requires a higher AFQT score. Each branch has limited GED enlistment slots.

AFQT Categories

Military recruiters classify AFQT scores into categories:

• Category Percentile Range Trainability
• I 93-99 Outstanding
• II 65-92 Excellent
• IIIA 50-64 Above Average
• IIIB 31-49 Average
• IV 10-30 Below Average
• V 1-9 Not Eligible
• Category I-IIIA : Highly desired recruits with priority for job selection
• Category IIIB : Eligible but may have limited job options
• Category IV : Limited enlistment (Congress restricts to 4% of recruits)
• Category V : Not eligible for military service
• Retake Policy

• Attempt Waiting Period
• 1st to 2nd 1 month
• 2nd to 3rd 1 month
• 3rd and beyond 6 months

ASVAB scores remain valid for 2 years for military enlistment purposes.

Minimum AFQT Score by Military Branch

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