Air Force ASVAB Scores: Questions and Answers (2024)
Last updated: September 2024
Are you aspiring to join the Air Force? The Air Force ASVAB scores are the highest required among all service branches, and knowing what to aim for should be your first step.
Like any other organization seeking the most qualified candidates, the Air Force ASVAB Test serves as the standardized exam used by the military to evaluate the aptitude of potential recruits.
–Or scroll down for more information about the US Air Force ASVAB score and chart–
Understanding the Air Force ASVAB Scores for Enlistment
If you want to know as much as possible about the Air Force ASVAB Scores before your application, you've come to the right place.
Key Goals of the ASVAB Score:
The score serves a dual purpose in your application journey:
- Determine Eligibility: The score evaluates your eligibility to join the esteemed Air Force, ensuring that candidates meet the necessary standards.
- Identify Career Paths: It pinpoints which career paths align best with your skills and aptitudes.
Requirements for Air Force Enlistment:
-
ASVAB AFQT minimum score as high school senior: 31
-
ASVAB AFQT minimum score with General Education Diploma (GED): 50
While these minimum scores may not seem challenging to some recruits, it is crucial to remember that for the high-end, prestigious roles, you will need much more.
Firstly, consider that the assessment you'll face when applying to the Air Force mirrors the one required for enlistment in other military units. However, the subbranches fit into four career opportunity areas: general, administrative, mechanical, and electronic.
Your scores on these specific subtests within the ASVAB Test determine your suitability to pursue Air Force careers further.
Comprehensive Assessment in 9 Subjects:
The ASVAB is a multiple-choice aptitude test designed to evaluate your proficiency across the following broad subjects:
- General Science (GS)
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)*
- Word Knowledge (WK)*
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)*
- Math Knowledge (MK)*
- Electronics Information (El)
- Automotive and Shop Information (AS)
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Assembling Objects (AO)
*Note: These four subtests, denoted with an asterisk, contribute to the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT score crucially determines your eligibility to join the Air Force.
US Air Force ASVAB Score and Career Opportunities
Decoding the ASVAB Test Scores
Interpreting your ASVAB results requires a nuanced understanding. The scores, ranging from 1 to 99, don't represent a percentage of correct answers. Instead, they measure how well you performed compared to other candidates. In other words, each subtest's performance is benchmarked against a reference group, allowing for a comparative assessment. For instance, a score of 80 indicates you performed as well as or better than 80% of your peer group.
Unpacking the AFQT Scores
As previously mentioned, the following four qualification areas Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK) collectively determine your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. These four ASVAB subtest scores amalgamate to form a singular raw score. A higher test score reflects your proficiency and unlocks plenty of additional opportunities in the Air Force. Your eligibility extends to diverse bonus enlistment incentives.
As a general rule of thumb, your ASVAB results fall into two primary categories: AFQT and Line Scores.
Air Force AFQT Score
The AFQT score is a crucial element of your future Air Force career. You can consider it the benchmark for eligibility to enlist. The official Air Force site argues that a minimum ASVAB AFQT score of 31 is required for high school diploma holders, while GED holders must aim for a score of 50.
AFQT Scores Breakdown:
Explore the ASVAB score chart below outlining the eight categories encapsulated in the AFQT scores:
Your ASVAB journey holds the key to attractive job opportunities in the military. And a stellar performance on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) propels you towards highly sought-after and prestigious roles - within AFQT categories 1 and 2. Keep in mind that a score between 0-9 closes the door to enlistment opportunities.
Air Force Line Scores (MAGE)
Moving beyond eligibility, the Air Force Line Scores, commonly known as MAGE (Mechanical, Administrative, General Aptitude, and Electronics), delineate the diverse air force job opportunities you qualify for within the branch. These scores are percentiles ranging from 0 to 99, which measure your performance in specific ASVAB subtests. The breakdown of MAGE scores and the corresponding ASVAB subtest scores used in their calculation is detailed below:
| Qualification Area | ASVAB Sub-Tests | Line Score Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | General Science (GS), Mechanical Comprehension (MC), and two times Auto & Shop Information (AS) | GS + MC + 2 x AS |
| Administrative | Verbal Expression (VE)* | VE |
| General Aptitude | Verbal Expression (VE)*, Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | VE + AR |
| Electronics | General Science (GS), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Electronics Information (EI) | GS + AR + MK + EI |
*Verbal Expression (VE) = Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
A higher MAGE score directly translates into more job opportunities or, more accurately, Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC). Recruits can choose from approximately 120 AFSCs - where the mechanical area boasts the highest number of available AFSCs.
If you wish to discover which Air Force jobs (AFSC) align with your ASVAB score, refer to the chart provided on this page.
As you aspire to join the Air Force, recognize that your score is not merely a number—it's a gateway to a world of opportunities within this esteemed military branch.
Begin your preparation with our FREE Air Force ASVAB Practice Test (+ Full Solutions) to start getting used to the actual test.
ASVAB Scores Minimum Requirements by Military Branch
|
Military Branch |
Score (High School Diploma) |
Score (GED) |
|
31 |
50 |
|
|
31 |
50 |
|
|
40 |
50 |
|
|
35 |
50 |
|
|
35 |
50 |
Study with more sample questions with our Free AFOQT Practice page. You can also visit our Free PiCAT Test.
Are you ready to practice more? Complete the brief mock ASVAB diagnostic test we crafted to assess your preparedness level and identify the extent of prep time you require with our additional practice questions.
ASVAB Air Force FAQs
There's not one definite good ASVAB score! What constitutes a good score varies greatly depending on individual goals. When an applicant aspires to join the military, they often set specific score targets according to their preferred service branch and a specific desired job.
First, you must pass the minimum AFQT score of 31 (for high school seniors) or 50 (for GED holders).
Second, besides overall AFQT, you will need to reach a MAGE score that fits the type of role you are interested in. MAGE scores are calculated based on your scores in the different ASVAB subjects.
To qualify for the Air Force as a high school senior, the minimum requirement is to achieve an overall score of 31. Another option is for GED holders, requiring 50 at your AFQT.
If once you've completed the test, you consider that your test results were unsatisfactory, a waiting period of 30 days is necessary before you can attempt a retake of the ASVAB test.
Subsequently, you'll have to wait 30 additional days for a third attempt. Following the third try, a waiting period of six calendar months is mandatory before considering a fourth retake of the ASVAB. Notice that your score remains valid for enlistment purposes for up to two years from your last test's date.
It most certainly does! Your air force job will be according to the AFQT and MAGE scores you achieve, so study appropriately.
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