Updated January 2016
When taking the ASVAB test, each branch has different standards as to what your scores will mean, and the Marine Corps is no different.
The Marine Corps ASVAB enlistment requirements is a 32 on the AFQT portion of the test. The AFQT score is compiled from scores on the Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning subtests and, unless you score at least a 32, you won’t qualify for enlistment in the Marine Corps.
If you have a GED instead of a high school diploma the AFQT score requirement is 50 but the Marines are one of the most accepting service branches for GED recruits as they make up five to ten percent of each year’s recruitment class, but if this is the case, the minimum score of 50 is required to be able to qualify for the incentive programs such as bonuses and the MCCF.
There are five composite line scores the Marine Corps uses to measure one’s military potential. The AFQT is the only composite score the Marine Corps uses that is shared by all branches of the Armed Services. While all Services have a General Technical (GT) composite score, each service uses a different formula to compute these scores; therefore, be careful not to confuse the Marine Corps GT score with that derived by other services. When a Marine tests at another Service’s testing facility, all scores posted on the testing memorandum are generally done under the guidelines of that service. The composite scores will change once graded by the Marine Corps.
| Line Score | Standard Scores Used | Formula Used |
| AFQT | Verbal (VE) * 2, Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | VE+VE+AR+MK |
| General Technical (GT) | Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | WK+PC+AR+MC |
| Mechanical Maintenance (MM) | Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Electronics Information (EI), Mechanical Comprehension (MC), and Auto and Shop Information (AS) | AR+EI+MC+AS |
| Electronics Repair (EL) | Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Electronics Information (EI), and General Science (GS) | AR+MK+EI+GS |
| Clerical (CL) | Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | WK+PC+MK |
The Maximum Composite Scores are:
• AFQT – 99
• GT – 151
• MM – 161
• EL – 151
• CL – 141
The ASVAB subtests are designed to measure aptitudes in five domains: Verbal, Math, Science, Technical, and Spatial. The table below describes the content of the ASVAB subtests. The subtests are presented in the order in which they are administered. The eight ASVAB subtests are:
• General Science – GS
A 25-item test measuring knowledge of life science, earth and space science, and physical science
• Arithmetic Reasoning – AR
A 30-item test measuring ability to solve basic arithmetic word problems
• Word Knowledge – WK
A 35-item test measuring ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms
• Paragraph Comprehension – PC
A 15-item test measuring ability to obtain information from written materiel
• Mathematics Knowledge – MK
A 25-item test measuring knowledge of mathematical concepts and applications
• Electronics Information – EI
A 20-item test measuring knowledge of electrical current, circuits, devices, and electronic systems
• Auto and Shop Information – AS
A 25-item test measuring knowledge of automotive maintenance and repair, and wood and metal shop practices
• Mechanical Comprehension – MC
A 25-item test measuring knowledge of the principles of mechanical devices, structural support, and properties of materiel
• Verbal – VE is simply the sum of the Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension subtests
Source: MARINE CORPS ORDER 1230.5C dated February 4, 2014
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