Key Takeaways
- 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.
AFQT Score and Military Eligibility
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:
Where VE (Verbal Expression) is calculated as:
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.