Navy ASVAB Practice Test: Your Full Guide to Joining the Navy
Here is what you need to know about the ASVAB to join the Navy. Learn the lowest scores the Navy takes to enlist (the minimum score requirements) and how to get the Navy job you want. Get study tips that work to raise your score.
Written by Michael Rodriguez
Military Education Writer | Former Navy Recruiter, 12 Years in the Navy
2Navy ASVAB Minimum Score Requirements
Do you have a high school diploma? Then you need an AFQT score of at least 31 to join the Navy. With a GED, you need at least 50. But these are just the lowest scores. People who get picked often score much higher. Many popular Navy jobs need AFQT scores of 50 or more.
| Group | AFQT Score Range | What You Can Get in the Navy |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | 93-99 | Can get any job and join special programs |
| Category II | 65-92 | Can get most tech jobs |
| Category IIIA | 50-64 | Can get many jobs; GED holders can join |
| Category IIIB | 31-49 | Lowest score with a diploma; fewer jobs |
| Below 31 | 1-30 | Can't join the Navy |
Good to Know
31 is the lowest score, but the Navy is picky. When lots of people want to join, people who score below 50 may wait longer. They may also have fewer jobs to pick from. Aim for 50 or higher to get the best choice of jobs.
4The Parts of the ASVAB
The ASVAB has many subtests. Each one checks a different skill. Learn what each part tests. It will help you get more out of each Navy ASVAB practice test.
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) - 15 questions, 55 minutes
These are word problems that use basic math. You will work out distances, percents, and ratios. You will solve real-life math problems. This part counts a lot toward your AFQT score and most Navy line scores.
Mathematics Knowledge (MK) - 15 questions, 23 minutes
Tests algebra, geometry, and basic math ideas. Expect questions on solving equations, finding areas, fractions, and exponents. You need it for Navy tech jobs.
Word Knowledge (WK) - 15 questions, 9 minutes
A word test where you pick what a word means. Some questions ask for a word that means the same thing. Others ask for a meaning. Reading and studying words will raise this score a lot.
Paragraph Comprehension (PC) - 10 questions, 27 minutes
You read short passages. Then you answer questions about main ideas, details, and what the passage hints at. Practice reading how-to guides and finding key facts fast.
The four parts above make up your AFQT score. That score decides if you can join the Navy. The other subtests are General Science, Electronics Information, Auto & Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Assembling Objects. They count toward line scores, which decide your Navy job.
5ASVAB Math Practice Tips
The math parts (Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge) make up half of your AFQT score. They also matter a lot for Navy tech jobs. Here are tips that work. They will help your math on the Navy ASVAB practice test and the real test.
Learn These Basics First
- Order of operations (PEMDAS: which step comes first)
- Fractions (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
- Changing decimals to percents and back
- Ratio and proportion problems
- Basic algebra (solving for x)
- Area and perimeter formulas
- Distance, rate, and time problems
- Interest and discount (sale price) problems
Word Problem Strategy: RTFQ
For Arithmetic Reasoning word problems, use the RTFQ steps:
6Make Your Navy ASVAB Study Plan
You need a study plan to do well on the ASVAB. You may have a few weeks or a few months. Either way, practicing often will raise your scores. Here is how to plan your Navy ASVAB practice test study.
Step 1: See Where You Start
Take a full practice test to find your strong and weak spots. Don't just guess at random. Answer what you know and skip what you don't. Your results show which subjects need the most work. Spend your study time on weak spots, and keep your strong spots strong.
Step 2: Set Score Goals for the Job You Want
Look up the line scores the Navy jobs you want need. A Hospital Corpsman needs VE+MK+GS ≥ 156. Nuclear Field needs much higher scores. Set goals that push you but that you can still reach.
Step 3: Study at the Same Time Each Day
Short study times where you really focus work better than cramming. Aim for 45-60 minutes a day, five days a week. Switch between subjects. This keeps your mind fresh and helps you learn a bit of everything.
Sample Week:
- Monday: Arithmetic Reasoning practice
- Tuesday: Word Knowledge and learning new words
- Wednesday: Mathematics Knowledge review
- Thursday: Paragraph Comprehension and reading practice
- Friday: Tech subjects (if the job you want needs them)
- Weekend: Full practice test or review your weak spots
Step 4: Track Your Progress and Adjust
Take a practice test every week or two to see how much you have improved. Is one subject not getting better? Try a new way to study. Watch videos, use flash cards, or work with a study partner. Change your plan based on what works.
7What to Expect on Test Day
Knowing what happens on test day makes you less nervous. It helps you do your best. Most Navy recruits take the ASVAB at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Some take it at a Military Entrance Test (MET) site.
Before the Test
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep the night before. Being tired can hurt your score a lot.
- Eat a good breakfast, like eggs and whole-grain toast, so your energy lasts
- Bring a valid ID and any papers your recruiter asked for
- Leave phones, calculators, and study materials at home or in your car
During the Test
- The CAT-ASVAB is on a computer. It changes to match your level.
- You can't skip questions or go back. Answer each question before you move on.
- Take your time on the first questions. They matter most for your score.
- Never leave a question blank. A smart guess is better than no answer.
Tip: The Test Changes as You Go
The CAT-ASVAB changes how hard the questions are based on your answers. Get the first questions right, and you get harder questions worth more points. Do the questions suddenly seem easier? Don't worry. The test is just adjusting. Stay focused and do your best on every question.
8Common Questions
How long do Navy ASVAB scores last?
ASVAB scores last for two years from the test date. If you don't join in that time, you will need to take the test again. But what if you are in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) when your scores run out? Then your old scores usually still count until you leave for boot camp.
Can I retake the ASVAB if I'm not happy with my score?
Yes, you can take the ASVAB again. After your first test, you must wait 30 days for the first retest. After that, you must wait six months between retests. The Navy uses your newest scores, even if they are lower than before. So make sure you are ready before you retest.
What's a good ASVAB score for the Navy?
31 is the lowest score, but a “good” score depends on your goals. An AFQT of 50+ opens most Navy jobs and helps you stand out. Scores of 65+ let you get tech jobs. Do you want Nuclear Field or another top program? Then aim for 80+ with strong math and science scores.
Can I use a calculator on the ASVAB?
No, you can't use a calculator on any ASVAB. You will get scrap paper to work out math problems. So practice math in your head. Also practice with pencil and paper.
Is the Navy ASVAB different from other branches?
The ASVAB is the same test for every military branch. But each branch uses the scores in its own way. The Navy adds up its own line scores to pick jobs. It also has a different lowest AFQT score than some branches. The questions and the test are the same no matter which branch you join.
What if I fail the ASVAB?
You can't really “fail” the ASVAB. You just get a score. But if your AFQT is below 31, you can't join the Navy. You can take the test again after the wait. Use that time to study hard. Many people raise their scores a lot when they study.
Ready to Keep Practicing?
Try the sample questions above. Then check out practice tests for all nine ASVAB subjects to get ready for the Navy.
More Practice TestsReady to start practicing?
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