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Recruits/ASVAB Guide/SC
Army/Marines·Line Score Deep Dive

ASVAB SC Score

Surveillance & Communications

FormulaVE + AR + MK + MC= WK + PC + AR + MK + MC

What SC Measures

SC covers signals, surveillance, and communications MOS that require both verbal and technical aptitude. It's a bridge between the language-heavy GT and the math-heavy ST — you need solid verbal ability AND strong quantitative skills. SC jobs typically involve operating and maintaining communications equipment, collecting and analyzing surveillance data, and coordinating operations across units.

Communications work requires you to understand written orders precisely (VE), perform calculations for frequency planning and signal analysis (AR + MK), and visualize the mechanical operation of radio systems and antennas (MC).

Score Benchmarks

95Communications and surveillance MOS entry requirements (SC 95)
100Solid for most SC jobs
110Competitive for advanced signals intelligence MOS

How to Improve Your SC Score

Subtests ranked by impact on your SC score. Improving the top-ranked subtest first maximizes cross-composite benefit.

#1WKWord Knowledge

VE is in SC formula — every WK point also improves GT and other VE-dependent scores.

#2MKMathematics Knowledge

Signal math, frequency calculations, electronics. MK feeds ST, EL, GM.

#3ARArithmetic Reasoning

Word-problem arithmetic. AR feeds GT, EL, FA, CO.

#4MCMechanical Comprehension

Understanding how radio systems, antennas, and mechanical assemblies work.

The Insight

SC is uniquely balanced — if you score well on SC, you likely also score well on GT and ST. Study SC by studying the overlap: WK + PC (shared with GT), MK + MC (shared with ST). That leaves AR as the isolated SC-specific leverage point.

Related Composites — Improve Together

GTGeneral TechnicalSTSkilled TechnicalELElectronics
MOS Qualifier →Enter your scores and see every job you qualify forPractice Test →Free practice questions for all 9 subtests