What Is the ASVAB? Full Guide to the Military Test
Did you type "ASVAN," "ASFAB," or something close? This guide tells you all about the ASVAB. This test decides if you can join the U.S. military. It also decides which jobs you can get.
Written by Marcus Rodriguez
Education Content Specialist | Former Military Recruiter Assistant
A Quick Note
There is no test called "ASVAN." The right name is ASVAB. It stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Lots of people spell it wrong. Do not worry. You are in the right place to learn about the military test.
1What Is the ASVAB?
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a multiple-choice test. The United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) gives it. It has two main jobs:
If You Can Join
Your AFQT score decides if you can join the military. Each branch has a lowest score it will take.
Which Jobs You Can Get
Your line scores decide which jobs you can get in each branch. The Army calls jobs MOS (Military Occupational Specialties). The Navy calls them ratings.
The ASVAB is not really a pass or fail test. Instead, your scores are compared to a big group of other test takers. This is called a percentile. A score of 50 means you did better than 50 out of 100 people in that group.
2Who Takes the ASVAB?
Anyone who wants to join the U.S. military takes the ASVAB. This includes:
- People Joining the Military — You need it to join the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force
- High School Students — Many schools give the ASVAB to help students find jobs they might like
- National Guard & Reserve — They take the same test as full-time troops
Over one million people take the ASVAB each year. It is one of the most used skills tests in the world.
3The 9 ASVAB Subtests
The ASVAB has nine parts, called subtests. Each one has its own time limit. They cover school subjects and job skills:
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
Word problems you solve with math
Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
Algebra, shapes, and math ideas
Word Knowledge (WK)
What words mean
Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
Reading and understanding short texts
General Science (GS)
Science about matter, energy, and living things
Electronics Information (EI)
Electricity and circuits
Auto & Shop Information (AS)
Cars and shop tools
Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
How machines and forces work
Assembling Objects (AO)
Picturing shapes and how parts fit together
The Four AFQT Subtests
Your AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score comes from four subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension. This score decides if you can join.
4How ASVAB Scoring Works
You get ASVAB scores in two main ways:
AFQT Score (1-99)
A percentile score that decides if you can join. It comes from AR, MK, WK, and PC.
Line Scores
Scores made by adding some subtests together. They decide which jobs you can get.
5Lowest AFQT Score Each Branch Takes
Each branch sets its own lowest AFQT score to join. These are the scores for people with a high school diploma today:
| Branch | Lowest AFQT | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 | One of the lowest scores to join |
| Navy | 31 | 35 for some programs |
| Marine Corps | 32 | Hard to get into |
| Air Force | 36 | One of the hardest to get into |
| Space Force | 36 | Same as Air Force |
| Coast Guard | 40 | Highest score to join |
Important Note
These are the lowest scores to join. But most of the best jobs need much higher line scores. Try to get the highest score you can. Then you will have more jobs to pick from.
6How to Get Ready for the ASVAB
Getting ready the right way can raise your ASVAB scores a lot. Here are tips that work:
Take Practice Tests
Start with a practice test to find your weak spots. Then practice often with a timer. This helps you get faster and feel sure of yourself.
Focus on AFQT Subjects
Study Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension first. These decide if you can join.
Learn New Words Each Day
Learn 10-15 new words each day. Learn word parts too, like the start, middle, and end of a word. They help you figure out new words on the test.
Go Over Math Basics
Go over algebra, fractions, percents, ratios, and basic shapes. Practice without a calculator. You cannot use one on the test.
Start Your Path to the Military
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