ASVAB scores help determine which military job will be a good fit for you and your skillset, so it’s essential to know what to aim for to meet your ASVAB job score requirements. With specific scores, you can get into individual branches of the Military including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. In this article, we will cover ASVAB requirements for each branch and how they correlate to specific jobs, offering a comprehensive overview for those preparing for enlistment. As always, ASVAB prep will help you to achieve the score you seek.
ASVAB Subject Tests
Four ASVAB subject tests count toward your AFQT score, the score that determines eligibility for enlistment. The composite of the ASVAB subject tests is formed from the following:
- Word Knowledge (WK)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
The actual scores you get on your subject tests are considered raw scores. The military uses raw scores to compute scoring for specific purposes, such as the AFQT. The AFQT raw score is then converted into a percentile score and then subsequently composite scores.
ASVAB Sections
Overview of composite scores used
- General Sciences (GS)
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Word Knowledge (WK)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
- Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
- Electronics Information (EI)
- Auto and Shop Information (AS)
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Assembling Objects (AO)
- Verbal Expression (VE)
For a full overview of the ASVAB test content and ASVAB practice tests, study with Peterson’s ASVAB prep.
Composite Scores
The composite scores you receive are combinations of results of two or more parts of the ASVAB.
- Clerical (CL) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
- Combat (CO) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Electronics (EL) = General Science (GS) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK) + Electronic Information (EI)
- Field Artillery (FA) = Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- General Maintenance (GM) = General Science (GS) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mathematics Knowledge + Electronics Information
- General Technical (GT) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Mechanical Maintenance (MM) = Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Electronic Information (EI)
- Operators and Food (OF) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Surveillance and Communications (SC) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Auto & Shop Information (AS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Skilled Technical (ST) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC) + General Science (GS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
ASVAB Score Requirements Per Branch:
- Army: 31
- Navy: 35
- Air Force: 31
- Marine Corps: 35
- Coast Guard: 32
- Space Force: 46
Please note that ASVAB score requirements may differ depending on whether or not you have gotten your high school diploma or GED. GED holders will likely have to score higher than high school diploma holders, usually a 50.
If you have a General Education Development (GED) test or do not have a high school diploma, it is always a good idea to check with your recruiter for more details about the requirements of your branch as the minimum AFQT score will vary depending on the branch you enter.
Branch-Specific Requirements
Army Jobs
- Common ASVAB job score requirements
- Parachute Rigger: 88 General Maintenance (GM), 87 Combat (CO)
- Culinary Specialist: 85 Operators & Food (OF)
- Ammunitions Specialist: 91 Skilled Technical (ST) or 86 Skilled Technical (ST) & 85 General Technical (GT)
Navy Jobs
- Common ASVAB job score requirements
- Aviation Electronics Technician: 210 EL
- Culinary Specialist: 90 VE+AR
Air Force Jobs
Specific composite scores:
- Mechanical (M)
The Mechanical score is a percentile based on a combination of the following subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Auto & Shop Information (AS), Mechanical Comprehension (MC), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK). - Administrative (A). The Administrative score is a percentile based on a combination of the following subtests: Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK).
- General (G) The General aptitude score is a percentile based on a combination of the following subtests Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK).
- Electronics (E) The Electronics score is a percentile based on a combination of Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Electronics Information (EI), General Science (GS), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK).
For common jobs and score requirements, find more information in the career slider section of the linked page. Here are a few examples of scores necessary for certain jobs:
- Client Systems: E60
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot: G64 & E54
Marine Corps Jobs
Overview of composite scores (GT, MM, EL, etc.)
- Clerical (CL): VE+AR+MK
- Electronics (EL): GS+AR+MK+EI
- General Technical (GT): VE+AR
- Mechanical Maintenance (MM): NO+AS+MC+EI
- Skilled Technical (ST): GS+VE+MK+MC
Common ASVAB job score requirements
- Aircraft electronic countermeasures systems technician, helicopter: EL 105
Coast Guard Jobs
Common Common ASVAB job score requirements.
- Information Systems Technician: minimum AR 52, minimum overall score 171
- Port Security Specialist: minimum score of 101
Space Force Jobs
Common ASVAB job score requirements
- Space Systems Operator: Obtain a qualifying ASVAB score: electronics minimum score of 60
- Intelligence analyst: Obtain a qualifying ASVAB score: general minimum score of 46
- Geospatial intelligence analyst: Obtain a qualifying ASVAB score: general minimum score of 66
Improvements and Wrap-Up
It is important to understand ASVAB scores for job placement. Planning for a military career by focusing on score requirements can help you secure the job that you desire. Peterson’s ASVAB prep will help you improve your ASVAB test score with 900 interactive ASVAB lessons and videos for all nine sections of the ASVAB test; 1 Diagnostic ASVAB test and 2 full-length ASVAB practice tests; and over 400 ASVAB flashcards to help test your knowledge of ASVAB vocabulary, math concepts, and formulas. Whatever your military job goals are, we are here to help you achieve them!
