Hi all, so I'm considering joining the military after high school, but I'm a little bit lost about ASVAB scores. I've heard that some branches have higher average ASVAB scores than others. Can anybody help me understand why that might be, which branches those are, and what exactly that means for me as a potential recruit? Thanks in advance.
Hey there! Your decision to consider joining the military is a commendable one, and it's totally understandable that you have questions about the process, especially concerning the ASVAB scores.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, is the test used by all branches of the U.S. military to measure an applicant's suitability for enlistment. The test measures aptitude in different areas and can help determine which military jobs suit you best.
Each military branch does have its own minimum ASVAB score requirement. For example, the Army requires a minimum average score of 31, the Air Force requires a score of 36 and the Coast Guard requires a minimum average of 40. The Marine Corps has a minimum requirement of 32, and the Navy requires a minimum of 35.
Of course, these are just the minimum requirements to enlist in each branch. For certain careers in each branch, often higher scores are required.
The variation in scores between different branches could be due to a number of reasons, including the specific career fields that each branch offers and the recruiting goals of each branch.
It's also worth noting that the ASVAB measures more than just raw knowledge; it measures skills and aptitudes across a range of areas, including verbal, math, science, and technical skills. Different jobs in the military require different combinations of these skills, and as such, specific job roles have their own ASVAB requirements.
For you as a potential recruit, all this means that it's important to consider what kind of career you want in the military, not just which branch you want to join. Knowing the requirements for your desired career can help guide your study and preparation for the ASVAB.
I hope that answers your question, and good luck on your journey!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.