Hey folks, I've been thinking about joining the military after high school, and I know the ASVAB score matters a lot. Does anyone know what scores I should be aiming for, for each branch? I'm not really sure which one I want to join yet, so any info would be appreciated!
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a test that all military recruits in the US have to take, and achieving a high score is crucial for ensuring that you have a wider range of job opportunities in the military.
Generally, the ASVAB test is scored from 0 to 99 and is divided into a number of categories, but the most significant score is the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score, which includes scores from four sections: Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning.
Here's some data on the minimum qualifying AFQT scores needed for each branch:
- Army: The minimum AFQT score required to be accepted into the Army is 31 for high school graduates, and 50 for GED holders.
- Navy: The Navy requires a minimum AFQT score of 31.
- Air Force: The Air Force requires a minimum AFQT score of 31, but, in actuality, most recruits entering this branch have AFQT scores of 50 or higher.
- Marine Corps: The Marine Corps requires a minimum AFQT score of 31.
- Coast Guard: This branch has the highest minimum AFQT score, at 40.
Bear in mind, these are the minimum requirements – higher scores may give you access to more job opportunities and benefits within each branch. Additionally, the ASVAB covers many skill areas outside of the AFQT (such as Mechanical Comprehension and General Science), and higher scores in these areas can open up more specialized career options. Ensure you prepare thoroughly for the test to get the broadest range of opportunities!
It's worth noting that each branch of the military is looking for different skillsets and abilities, so while your scores are important, they're not the only factor the military considers when deciding on job placement.
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