Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery


The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. It is often offered to U.S. high school students when they are in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade, though anyone eligible for enlistment may take it.
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History

The ASVAB was first introduced in 1968 and was adopted by all branches of the military in 1976. It underwent a major revision in 2002. In 2004, the test's percentile rank scoring system was renormalized, to ensure that a score of 50% really did represent doing better than exactly 50% of the test takers.

Categories

Format

The ASVAB contains nine sections and takes three hours to complete. The duration of each section varies between 7 and 39 minutes, the longest being for Arithmetic Reasoning. The test is typically administered in a computerized format at Military Entrance Processing Stations or in a written format at satellite locations called Military Entrance Test sites. Testing procedures vary depending on the mode of administration.

Computerized test format (CAT-ASVAB)

The tests are presented in the order in which they are administered.

Written test format (P&P-ASVAB)

Navy applicants also complete a Coding Speed test.

Previous

  • "Numerical Operations"
  • "Space Perception"
  • "Tool Knowledge"
  • "General Information"
  • "Attention to Detail"
  • "Coding Speed"

Armed Forces Qualification Test

The Armed Forces Qualification Test is not a test, rather, it is the score obtained by taking the ASVAB. The AFQT is used to determine basic qualifications for enlistment.
The AFQT scores are divided into the following categories
  • Category I: 93–99%
  • Category II: 65–92%
  • Category III A: 50–64%
  • Category III B: 31–49%
  • Category IV A: 21–30%
  • Category IV B: 16–20%
  • Category IV C: 10–15%
  • Category V: 0–9%
- The formula for computing an AFQT score is: AR + MK +.
- The VE score is determined by adding the raw scores from the PC and WK tests and using a table to get the VE score from that combined PC and WK raw score.
- AFQT scores are not raw scores, but rather percentile scores indicating how each examinee performed compared with the base youth population. For example, if someone receives an AFQT score of 55 that means they scored higher than 55 percent of all other members of the base youth population. The highest possible percentile score is 99.
- The minimum score for enlistment varies according to branch of service and whether the enlistee has a high school diploma.
Tier ITier II
Branch≥ HS Diploma= GED
Army3150
Marines3150
Air Force3150
Navy3150
Coast Guard4050 with 15 college credits
*Army National Guard3150
*Air National Guard5050

GED holders who have earned 15 college credits in courses at the 100 level or higher are considered equivalent to those holding high school diplomas, so they need only the Tier I score to enlist. However, eligibility is not determined by the score alone. Depending on current recruitment goals an applicant may be required to achieve a higher score than the required minimum AFQT score in order to be considered for enlistment. Up-to-date information about eligibility requirements can be obtained from local recruiting centers.
Applicants in Category V are legally ineligible for enlistment. Applicants in Category IV must be high school diploma holders. The law limits the percentage of accessions who can fall between Categories IV and V.

Composite scores

In addition to the ASVAB's AFQT, each branch has military occupational specialty, or MOS, scores. Combinations of scores from the nine tests are used to determine qualification for a MOS. These combinations are called "aptitude area scores", "composite scores", or "line scores". Each of the five armed services has its own aptitude area scores and sets its own minimum composite scores for each MOS.
CLClericalVE+AR+MK
COCombat OperationsVE+AS+MC
ELElectronicsGS+AR+MK+EI
FAField ArtilleryAR+MK+MC
GMGeneral MaintenanceGS+AS+MK+EI
GTGeneral TechnicalWK+PC+AR
MMMechanical MaintenanceAS+MC+EI
OFOperators and FoodVE+AS+MC
SCSurveillance and CommunicationsVE+AR+AS+MC
STSkilled TechnicalVE+GS+MC+MK
* SFSpecial ForcesGT≥110 CO≥100

GTGeneral TechnicalAR+VE
ELElectronicsAR+EI+GS+MK
BEEBasic Electricity and ElectronicsAR+GS+2*MK
ENGEngineeringAI+EI+MK
MECMechanical MaintenanceAR+AI+SI+MC
MEC2Mechanical Maintenance 2AO+AR+MC
NUCNuclear FieldAR+MC+MK+VE
OPSOperations SpecialistWK, PC, AR, MK, AO
HMHospital Corpsman GS+MK+VE
ADMAdministrativeMK+VE
* SEALsSpecial OperationsGS+MC+EI≥165 or VE+MK+MC+CS≥220

AETAviation Electrical TechnicianMK+EI+GS≥172 & AR≥52 or AFQT≥65
AMTAviation Maintenance TechnicianAR+MC+AS+EI≥220 & AR≥52 or AFQT≥65
ASTAviation Survival TechnicianVE+MC+AS≥162 & AR≥52 or AFQT≥65
BMBoatswain's MateVE+AR≥100
DCDamage ControlmanVE+MC+AS≥155
EMElectrician's MateMK+EI+GS≥153 & AR≥52
ETElectronics TechnicianMK+EI+GS≥172 & AR≥52 or AFQT≥65
FSFood Service SpecialistVE+AR≥105
GMGunner's MateAR+MK+EI+GS≥209
HSHealth Services TechnicianVE+MK+GS+AR≥207 & AR≥50
ISIntelligence SpecialistVE+AR≥109
ITInformation Systems TechnicianMK+EI+GS≥172 & AR≥52 or AFQT≥65
MEMaritime Enforcement SpecialistVE+AR≥100
MKMachinery TechnicianAR+MC+AS≥154 or VE+AR≥105
MSTMarine Science TechnicianVE+AR≥114 & MK≥56
OSOperational SpecialistVE+AR≥105
PAPublic Affairs SpecialistVE+AR≥109 & VE≥54
SKStorekeeperVE+AR≥105 & VE≥51
YNYeomanVE+AR≥105

Air Force/Air National Guard Composite Scores
MMechanicalGS + MC + AS
AAdministrativeVE
GGeneralVE + AR
EElectricalAR + MK + EI + GS

CLClericalVE+AR+MK
ELElectronicsGS+AR+MK+EI
GTGeneral TechnicalVE+AR
MMMechanical MaintenanceNO+AS+MC+EI
STSkilled TechnicalGS+VE+MK+MC
* MARSOCSpecial OperationsGT=105

Class "A" schools

Class "A" Schools are naval service schools in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard where basic technical knowledge required for job performance in a given naval rating is taught. Enrollment is usually done after boot camp or a tour of duty at sea depending on the individual's enlistment contract and the manpower needs of the service.