What is a good asvab score?

A "good" ASVAB score is relative, depending on your goals. There's no single number that defines "good," but here's a breakdown:

• Minimum Scores for Military Branches: Each branch of the military has minimum ASVAB scores required for enlistment. These vary by job and branch. Meeting the minimum is sufficient for enlistment, but it severely limits your job options.

• Higher Scores = More Options: The higher your overall ASVAB score (AFQT - Armed Forces Qualification Test), and the higher your scores on individual subtests, the broader range of military occupational specialties (MOS) or job roles will be available to you. This means more choices in career paths and potential for advancement.

• AFQT Score Ranges: The AFQT score is the most important. Generally:

  • Below 31: Significant limitations on job choices, possibly ineligible for many roles.
  • 31-50: Limited job choices; often assigned to jobs with less training and advancement potential.
  • 51-60: More job options available, some technical fields may be accessible.
  • 61-70: Good range; access to a wider variety of jobs and potentially higher-demand roles.
  • 71-80: Excellent range; access to many high-demand and technical jobs with good advancement potential.
  • 81-100: Exceptional score, opening up nearly all career fields and significantly improving chances for leadership roles and faster advancement.

• Individual Subtest Scores: While the AFQT is crucial for overall eligibility, individual subtest scores matter significantly for specific job qualifications. A high AFQT score might still limit you if your scores on relevant subtests (like Arithmetic Reasoning or Mechanical Comprehension for technical jobs) are low.

• "Good" is Contextual: A score of 60 might be "good" for someone aiming for a less technical role, but insufficient for someone aspiring to be a pilot or cyber warfare specialist.

In short: Aiming for the highest possible score is always best. The higher the score, the more opportunities are open to you. Research specific military occupational specialties you're interested in to understand the required ASVAB scores for those roles. Contact a military recruiter to get detailed information on score requirements for specific jobs in the branch you're interested in.