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ASVAB Command Center

The Score That Determines Your Options

The AFQT gets you in the door. Line scores determine which door. Practice questions, job qualifier, AFQT calculator, and retake planner — all free, right here.

What your recruiter might not tell you about the ASVAB →
Tools
The Basics

AFQT: The Score That Gets You In

Your AFQT percentile is calculated from four subtests — but WK and PC combine into the Verbal Expression (VE) composite and each counts twice:

AR
Arithmetic Reasoning
MK
Math Knowledge
WK
Word Knowledge
PC
Paragraph Comp.
AFQT = AR + MK + 2×(WK + PC)→ converted to a percentile (1–99)

WK and PC have double the leverage of AR or MK per point gained. If you have limited study time, vocabulary and reading comprehension are your highest ROI.

AFQT Score Categories

Cat I
93–99
Every job open, officer pipeline, max bonuses, every branch
Cat II
65–92
Strong choices across all branches; most bonuses available
Cat IIIA
50–64
Good options; some competitive jobs need a retake
Cat IIIB
31–49
Eligible for most branches; limited job selection
Cat IV
10–30
Most branches will not accept; retake required
The CAT-ASVAB adapts to you. The computerized test most recruits take adjusts question difficulty based on your answers. Get one right and the next is harder. Get one wrong and it eases off. This means: (1) you cannot skip or go back — ever; (2) the first 5 questions in each section carry more weight; (3) guessing randomly hurts your score more than in a paper test. Treat the first questions in each subtest as the ones that matter most.

Minimum AFQT Score by Branch

Coast Guard
40
Highest minimum — most selective enlisted force
Air Force
36
Also Space Force; high-tech jobs require 60+
Space Force
36
Minimum only — actual intake averages much higher
Navy
35
Technical ratings often need 50+ composite scores
Marines
32
Highly competitive within eligible recruits
Army
31
Lowest minimum; most combat-support jobs need 50+

Minimums get you in. Scores 50+ get you choices. Aim for 60+ if you want any MOS on the table.

Know What You're Tested On

The 8 Subtests

WK and PC feed into your AFQT at double weight. The other four subtests build line scores that gate specific jobs. Click any subtest to jump straight into practice questions.

Study Smart, Not Hard

What to Study Based on What You Want

Don't study every subtest equally. Know what line scores your target MOS requires, then work backward to the specific subtests that move those numbers.

Intelligence, Signals & Cyber
GT 110+EL 107+ST 91+
Example jobs: 35F Intel Analyst, 17C Cyber, 25B IT, 18F SF Intel
Medical & Legal
ST 101+
Example jobs: 68W Combat Medic, 68D OT Specialist, 27D Paralegal
Electronics & Maintenance
EL 93+MM 99+GM 88+
Example jobs: 94E Radio Repairer, 91A Abrams Mechanic, 15T Blackhawk
Combat Arms
CO 87+GT 90+
Example jobs: 11B Infantry, 19K Armor, 13B Field Artillery
Admin & Finance
CL 90+GT 100+
Study:WKPCAR
Example jobs: 42A HR, 36B Finance, 27D Paralegal, 35F Intel

Verify specific line score requirements for your target MOS with the MOS Qualifier →

Beyond the AFQT

Line Scores: The Scores That Gate Your Job

A 70 AFQT won't qualify you for Signal Corps if your EL line score is too low. Each MOS has a composite requirement built from different subtest combinations. Deep dives below cover score context and improvement priorities.

GTGeneral TechnicalHigh Demand
Deep Dive →

The big one. Most combat MOS, officer programs, intel. Raise this first.

VE + AR·ARWKPC
ELElectronicsHigh Demand
Deep Dive →

Electronic warfare, cryptologic, signals, cyber.

GS + AR + MK + EI·GSARMKEI
STSkilled TechnicalHigh Demand
Deep Dive →

Medical, legal, religious affairs, intel.

GS + VE + MK + MC·GSMKMCWKPC
SCSurveillance & CommsHigh Demand
Deep Dive →

Signals, intel, communications.

VE + AR + AS + MC·ARWKPCASMC
CLClerical
Deep Dive →

Admin, finance, intelligence.

VE + AR·WKPCAR

Infantry, armor, field artillery.

AR + CS + AS + MK·ARMKAS
MMMechanical Maintenance
Deep Dive →

Heavy machinery, aviation maintenance.

AS + MC + EI·ASMCEI
GMGeneral Maintenance
Deep Dive →

Vehicle, weapons, equipment maintenance.

GS + AS + MK + EI·GSASMKEI
FAField Artillery
Deep Dive →

Field artillery MOS.

AR + CS + MK·ARMK
OFOperations & Food
Deep Dive →

Food service, supply, operations.

VE + MK + MC + CS·MKMCWKPC

Air Force composites (G, M, E, A) have their own deep dives: G, M, E, A.

Study Strategy

8-Week Study Plan

Week 1–2Baseline & Gap Identification
  • Take the full mock ASVAB here — 90 questions, all 9 subtests, timed. Get your real baseline. Mock Test →
  • Run your scores through the AFQT calculator to see which subtests give the best return on study time. WK and PC are worth twice as much per point. AFQT Calc →
  • Check the MOS qualifier with your current scores. See what's already open — then aim at what you actually want. MOS Qualifier →
Week 3–6Targeted Subtest Drilling
  • AR & MK: Khan Academy pre-algebra and algebra 1, 30 min/day. Focus on word problems, fractions, and solving equations. Khan Pre-Algebra →
  • WK: 15 new vocabulary words every day. Quizlet military ASVAB decks. The CAT-ASVAB rewards breadth over depth.
  • GS, EI, MC: After every study session, drill 10 topic-focused questions in your weakest subtest. Drill by Subtest →
  • End each week with a 20-question mixed session to reinforce retention across subtests. Mixed Practice →
Week 7–8Simulated Test Conditions
  • Two full mock ASVAB tests per week, all timed. Practice the CAT rule: answer fast, don't go back. Mock Test →
  • After each mock: review every wrong answer with the explanation. Understand why you got it wrong, not just what the right answer is.
  • Final check: run your projected scores through the MOS qualifier to confirm your target job is now reachable. MOS Qualifier →
Where to Study

Study Resources

HonestMOS Practice TestFreeBest Starting Point

540 original questions across all 9 subtests. Timed mode, topic breakdown, AFQT drills, technical drills, and a mock full test. No account needed.

Open →
Khan Academy — Pre-AlgebraFree

The best free foundation for AR and MK. Covers fractions, ratios, word problems, and percentages at the right level.

Visit ↗
Khan Academy — Algebra 1Free

Solving equations, graphing, and systems. Hits the MK material directly. Work through one unit per week.

Visit ↗
ASVAB For DummiesBook ~$20Affiliate

The gold-standard prep book. 6 full practice tests, subject-by-subject review, strategy sections. Library-available.

Visit ↗
Official ASVAB PracticeFree

Practice tests from the official DoD source. Good for format familiarity, though question variety is limited.

Visit ↗
Know Before You Retake

Retake Rules

First retake
1 calendar month after initial test
Second retake
1 calendar month after first retake
Third+ retakes
6 months after the previous test
Confirmation test
Triggered automatically if score jumps 20+ points within 6 months

Retake scores replace your original — including if you score lower. Recruiters cannot force you to retake. The confirmation test rule is the trap nobody tells you about.

Run the retake decision through the planner →
Deep Dives

Line Score Breakdowns

Formula, score context, improvement priorities, and every job that requires each composite — one page per line score.