Updated January 2016
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPS), used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. In addition to determining eligibility, the test also determines jobs available to you in each service and enlistment bonus incentives, so you will want to do your best when taking the ASVAB, and before you enlist.
The ASVAB is one of the most widely used, multiple aptitude tests in the world, developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. More than half of all high schools nationwide administer the ASVAB test to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 (sophomores cannot use their scores for enlistment eligibility). Students may also take the test at another school or through a recruiter and may retake the test at any time.
How To Prepare For The ASVAB
First, the ASVAB measures your accumulated knowledge in different areas. So if you are currently in school, stay focused and study hard. Your overall knowledge gained in school will most likely be reflected in your ASVAB score. Second, though accumulated knowledge is important, you may be able to raise your score by preparing specifically for the ASVAB, especially in areas where you are weak. Various study guides are available for this purpose:
- ASVAB Secrets Study Guide
- Free ASVAB Practice Test Questions
- ASVAB Flashcard Study System
- ASVAB Career Exploration Program
ASVAB Minimum Scores To Enlist
To enlist in the military you must achieve a certain score on the ASVAB to be eligible for enlistment, though a waiver may be granted in some circumstances. Required ASVAB entrance scores for high school graduates by service:
- Air Force: 36
- Air National Guard: 31
- Army: 31
- Coast Guard: 45
- Marines: 32
- Navy: 31
GED holders who earn 15 college credits 100 level or greater are considered equivalent with those holding high school diplomas. This would result in only needing the minimum score to enlist.
ASVAB Test Versions/Categories
There are three versions for the ASVAB test:
1. High School/Student Version
The test is offered at high schools throughout the United States to help students and teachers assess verbal, math, science and technical skills.
The Eight Student ASVAB Test Areas Are:
- General Science
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Paragraph Comprehension
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Electronics Information
- Auto and Shop Information
- Mechanical Comprehension
2. CAT-ASVAB (Computer Adaptive Test)
Most potential military recruits now take this version, which is taken on a computer. Computer adaptive testing means that if you get a question right, then the next question is harder, and if you get a question wrong, then the next question is easier.
The Ten CAT-ASVAB Test Areas Are:
- General Science
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Paragraph Comprehension
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Electronics Information
- Auto Information
- Shop Information
- Mechanical Comprehension
- Assembling Objects
3. The Paper and Pencil ASVAB
The paper and pencil ASVAB (called the P&P-ASVAB) is a traditional test, which means that everyone takes the same set of questions at the same pace. In all, it takes about 3 hours to complete the P&P-ASVAB.
You are allowed to review your answers on the P&P-ASVAB. However, you cannot go back to an earlier test section, or proceed to the next test until instructed to do so. If you run out of time on the P&P-ASVAB, it is to your advantage to fill in random guesses for the remaining items, as there is no penalty for guessing.
The Nine P&P-ASVAB Test Areas Are:
- General Science
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Paragraph Comprehension
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Electronics Information
- Auto and Shop Information
- Mechanical Comprehension
- Assembling Objects
ASVAB Test: Format and Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there two entrance exams — ASVAB and AFQT?
No, there is only one exam — the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery — ASVAB for short. The ASVAB has 10 tests. Your scores from four of the tests — Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK) — are combined to compute your score on what is referred to as the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT). Scores on the AFQT are used to determine your eligibility for enlistment in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Scores on all of the ASVAB tests are used to determine the best job for you in the military.
My AFQT score is 62. What does this mean?
AFQT scores are reported as percentiles between 1-99. An AFQT percentile score indicates the percentage of examinees in a reference group who scored at or below that particular score. For current AFQT scores, the reference group is a sample of 18 to 23 year old youth who took the ASVAB as part of a national norming study conducted in 1997. Thus, your AFQT score of 62 indicates that you scored as well as or better than 62% of the nationally-representative sample of 18 to 23 year old youth.
How often can I take the ASVAB?
After you take your initial ASVAB, you must wait one calendar month to retake the test. You must wait an additional calendar month to retest a second time. After that, you must wait six calendar months to retake the ASVAB. Your scores may be used for enlistment for up to two years from the date of testing.
I’ve heard that the ASVAB administered on the computer is harder/easier than the paper and pencil ASVAB. Is this true?
The CAT-ASVAB may seem harder or easier than the P&P-ASVAB because the CAT-ASVAB is tailored to your specific ability level. The P&P-ASVAB contains some very easy and very hard questions, but most are of average difficulty. The CAT-ASVAB software adjusts to your ability level and administers questions that are best suited for you. If you are above average ability, you will receive questions that are above average difficulty. Hence, the CAT-ASVAB may appear more difficult than the P&P-ASVAB. If you are below average ability, you will receive questions that are below average difficulty. Hence, the CAT-ASVAB may appear easier than the P&P-ASVAB. Even though the questions differ in difficulty across the CAT-ASVAB and P&P-ASVAB, the reported scores are statistically linked across the two methods of administration. Thus, you would be expected to receive a similar score regardless of whether you take the CAT-ASVAB or the P&P-ASVAB.
