AFQT AFQT Score Calculation & Military Eligibility 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which four ASVAB subtests are used to calculate the AFQT score?
- Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Word Knowledge (Correct answer)
- General Science, Electronics Information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Auto Information
- Arithmetic Reasoning, General Science, Word Knowledge, and Assembling Objects
- Mathematics Knowledge, Electronics Information, Paragraph Comprehension, and Coding Speed
Correct answer: Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Word Knowledge
The AFQT score is derived exclusively from Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK).
Question 2: The AFQT score is expressed as a percentile. What does an AFQT score of 65 mean?
- You answered 65% of the questions correctly
- You scored higher than 65% of the reference group of 18–23 year old Americans (Correct answer)
- You need 65 more points to qualify for military service
- You are ranked 65th among all applicants who took the test that day
Correct answer: You scored higher than 65% of the reference group of 18–23 year old Americans
AFQT scores are percentile ranks based on a 1997 nationally representative sample of 18–23 year old Americans, so a 65 means you outscored 65% of that reference group.
Question 3: What is the minimum AFQT score required to enlist in the U.S. Army (for non-prior service enlistees with a high school diploma)?
- 26
- 31 (Correct answer)
- 36
- 50
Correct answer: 31
The U.S. Army requires a minimum AFQT score of 31 for high school diploma holders to qualify for enlistment.
Question 4: Which branch of the U.S. military generally requires the highest minimum AFQT score for enlistment?
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Air Force / Space Force (Correct answer)
Correct answer: U.S. Air Force / Space Force
The U.S. Air Force and Space Force typically require the highest minimum AFQT score (36–50 depending on diploma status), and in practice competition pushes effective scores even higher.
Question 5: How is the raw AFQT score initially computed before converting to a percentile?
- By averaging the four subtest scores directly
- By doubling the Verbal Expression (WK + PC) score and adding Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge (Correct answer)
- By summing all 9 ASVAB subtest scores and dividing by 9
- By multiplying Mathematics Knowledge by 2 and adding all verbal scores
Correct answer: By doubling the Verbal Expression (WK + PC) score and adding Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge
The raw AFQT score is calculated as 2×VE + AR + MK, where VE (Verbal Expression) is the sum of WK and PC scaled scores.
Question 6: What is the valid AFQT score range?
- 0 to 100
- 1 to 99 (Correct answer)
- 200 to 800
- 10 to 90
Correct answer: 1 to 99
AFQT scores range from 1 to 99 as percentile ranks; a score of 1 is the lowest possible and 99 is the highest.
Question 7: A recruit holds only a GED (General Educational Development) certificate. How does this typically affect the minimum AFQT score requirement?
- It has no effect; the requirement is the same as for high school diploma holders
- The requirement is waived entirely for GED holders
- GED holders usually need a higher AFQT score than high school diploma holders (Correct answer)
- GED holders are permanently ineligible to enlist
Correct answer: GED holders usually need a higher AFQT score than high school diploma holders
Military branches impose higher minimum AFQT score thresholds for GED holders to compensate for higher attrition rates historically associated with non-diploma enlistees.
AFQT AFQT Score Calculation & Military Eligibility 1
Which four ASVAB subtests are used to calculate the AFQT score?