Minimum ASVAB Scores for Military Branches

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ASVAB test is one of the most coveted exams for enlistment in the US Military services. Created originally for the enlisted workforce, this was later improvised for Military recruitment. ASVB test scores are the measures of the career scope in various domains. Clearly, it involves extensive preparation to achieve the minimum ASVAB Scores for the Military branches.

The DoD formulated the ASVAB test for classes 10 and above for determining a career in the US military services. Inherently, this test is also an influential element in analyzing the key strengths and weaknesses of a candidate, thereby helping them choose their career pathway. Let us know more about the ASVAB test, the minimum ASVAB scores for Military Branches, and how to interpret these scores for various roles.

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What is ASVAB Test?

 ASVAB or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test is one of the prevailing tests among the mass for a promising career in the US military. And, This test encompasses multi-aptitude questions from ten subjects. There is no pass or fail in this test, although there is a minimum ASVAB score value for enlistment in the military and better scores open up wider scope and opportunities. Also, you can retake the exam as per the criteria imposed by the DoD. There are two variants of the ASVAB test. They are

• ASVAB CEP ( Career Exploration Program)- for high school students for career exploration.
• ASVAB Enlistment version – which is given at MEPS ( Military Entrance Processing Stations).

Know the 10 subjects to prepare extensively for the exam: (Minimum ASVAB scores for Miltary Braches)

1. Mathematics Knowledge ( MK)
2. Secondly, Word Knowledge ( WK)
3. Paragraph Comprehension ( PC)
4. Arithmetic Reasoning ( AR)
5. General Science (GS)
6. Electronic Information ( EI)
7. Assembling Objects (AO)
8. Mechanical Comprehension ( MC)
9. Auto Information( AI) and,
10. Lastly, Auto and Shop Information( AS)

 

The score and apparent enlistment and career path depend on how well you prepare for the test. So, the different branches of the military prescribe different minimum ASVAB score requirements. Furthermore, the ASVAB score is a reflection of your skills and capabilities in various domains as well.

The ASVAB tests are available in two modes: the CEP ( Computer Based)-ASVAB and the conventional P&P( Pen and Paper ) tests. The CEP-ASVAB is an adaptive test, meaning a question’s difficulty depends on how you answer the previous question. So, adopting a strategy for attempting the test contributes to improving the scores. 

Below are the details of the minimum ASVAB scores required for various careers in the different branches of the Military:

Minimum ASVAB scores for Military Branches

Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematical Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension collectively constitute the AFQT ( Armed Forces Qualification Test). As mentioned earlier, the AFQT score determines the qualification for a career in Military service. The minimum required score in this category for different branches are

Air Force-  31

Army-    31

Marines-  32

Navy-  35

Coast Guard- 40

The candidates must gain knowledge of the minimum qualifying scores for each category to excel in the ASVAB test. Much can be deducted from practice tests during the ASVAB preparation, and this helps them to know their ace points and weak points. Additionally, the other ASVAB Composite test also plays an important role in qualifying for the various branches.

The highest score for the ASVAB Test is 99. This is generally the percentile score in the AFQT. the lowest possible score is 1.

More about the ASVAB scores and various Military jobs  

The scoring process in the ASVAB test follows a particular pattern. If a candidate receives a score of 65, he/she performed better than 65% of a controlled sample of scores of individuals who appeared in the ASVAB test in 1997. This way the scores are in quantitative relation to a set of sampled scores.

ASVAB score for Army Jobs:

Most of the ASVAB aspirants know about the Army Line Scores. Therefore, the Army converts your ASVAB results into 10 calculations known as the Army Line Scores as shown below:

Occupational Specialities	Subject concerned
Combat – CO	AS, AR, CS, and MC
Clerical- CL	AR+ MK+ VE.
Electronics- EL	AR+ GS+ EI+ MK
General Maintenance- GM	AS+ GS+ EI+ MK
Field Artillery- FA	AR+ CS+MK+ MC
Mechanical Maintenance- MM	AS+ EI+ MC+ NO
General Technical- GT	AR+ VE
Operators and Food- OF	AS+ MC+ NO+ VE
Skilled Technical- ST	GS+ MC+MK+ VE
Surveillance and Communications- SC	AR+ AS+ MC+ VE

the minimum line scores for a few of the Army job titles are as follows: 

Job	Minimum ASVAB Score
US ARMY Commissioned Officer Candidate	GT- 110
Translator/ Interpreter	ECLT-50
Combat Engineer	CO-87
Infantryman	CO-87
Firefighter	GM-88
Technical Engineer Specialist	ST-101
Automated Logistical Specialist	CL-90

In addition to the above, there are many other opportunities, and the minimum ASVAB scores for each are different.

ASVAB SCORE for Marine Corps Jobs

The Marine Corps line scores, like the Army Line Scores, are the criteria for various job roles and are as follows:

Occupational specialties	Subject concerned
Electronics- EL	AR+ EI+ GS+MK
Clerical- CL	AR+ MK+ VE
Mechanical Maintenance- MM	AS+ EI+MC+NO
General Technical- GT	AR+ VE
Skilled Technical- ST	GS+MC+MK+VE

 

Similarly, The minimum line scores for some of the designations in the Marine Corps are

Job role	Minimum ASVAB Score
Administrative Specialist	CL-100
Aircraft Electrical SystemsTechnician	EL-105
Aircraft Ordnance Technician	GT-105
Rifleman	GT- 90
Machine Gunner	GT-90
Landing Support Specialist	MM-100, GT-95
Intelligence Specialist	GT-110
Postal Clerk	CL-100

ASVAB Scores for Navy Jobs

Navy Enlisted classification Is the code given to each Navy Job. Consequently, the Navy enlistment is based on the scoring pattern below

Job role	Minimum ASVAB Scores
Cryptological Technician Interpretive	GS+MK+VE= 162 DLAB= 100
Intelligence Specialist	AR+VE= 107
Hospital Corpsman	GS+ MK+VE= 156
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians	MC= 51, AR+ VE= 109 or EI+ MC+ GS= 169
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman	AR+ VE= 102

The above is the list of top-preferred Navy jobs in terms of promotions and high bonuses.

ASVAB Score for Air Force Jobs

• Air Force Paralegal– AR+ VE= 51

• Command and Control Operations-  CS+ NO+ VE= 55
• Logistics Planners- CS+ NO+ VE= 56
• Safety Personnel- AR+ VE= %%
• Intelligence Applications- CS+ NO+ VE= 64
• Air Traffic Control- AR+ VE= 55
• Aerospace Medical Servuces- AR+ VE= 50
• Cyber Warfare- AR+ VE= 64
• Air Transportation-  2* AS+ GS+ MC= 47.

Interpretation of the ASVAB Scores

The ASVAB scores for various sections indicate the potential of the candidate for different career pathways. Hence, being proficient in a section can tell a lot about the roles they can fit in and flourish. Scoring high in various subjects means the following

• Arithmetic Reasoning– This suggests a prolific career in Electronics, Communication, Technical field, Clerical, and Artillery field.
• General Science–  This indicates a promising career in Skilled Technical, Electronics, etc.
• Verbal Expression– suggests a career in Combat, Surveillance, or Skilled Technical, and Operations and Food.
• Mechanical Comprehension– Combat, Operations and Food, and Artillery.
• Auto and Shop– Mechanical maintenance, Surveillance, Communications, Combat, etc are the befitting careers.
• Electronic Information– As is perceptible, a career in Electronics or any general and Mechanical Maintenance.
• Mathematics Knowledge–  Suggests a career in Electronics, Clerical Work, Artillery, or Skilled Technical.

The military is not all about brutelike sturdiness, but skills in Math, arts, and science have also become a vital element. Hence, knowing your strengths can help you propel yourself on the right path to the most satisfying career in the military. 

Conclusion

ASVAB test is pivotal in enlistment to various Military occupations, in tandem with inferring the right future career path. Customarily, the Minimum ASVAB scores for various Miltary Branches are calculated based on the 10 subject areas covered in the test. These scores are different for different military branches and also vary with the job title to boot.

But, the AFQT score obtained from the ASVAB score determines the eligibility for Military Service. Extensive preparation is the key to success and a good score on the ASVAB test, and this can be accomplished through a strategic ASVAB study plan. Bearing that in mind, there are many ASVAB Prep courses available online that help the candidates prepare comprehensively for the test. 

FAQ for Minimum ASVAB scores for Miltary Branches

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