ASVAB Score for Air Force Jobs
Updated November 20, 2023
The minimum Air Force ASVAB scores vary according to the type of role.
In general, those with a high school diploma must attain a minimum ASVAB score of at least 31 in the AFQT to be considered for any role within the Air Force.
The higher the score attained, the more roles individuals are eligible for. Those with a GED must attain a score of 50 or higher.
For those interested in enlisting in the US Air Force, the requirement to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) can be a daunting prospect.
This article explores the ASVAB in more detail and what the test comprises.
We look at the minimum ASVAB score for Air Force roles and provide some examples of the types of roles available.
We also consider what you must do to ensure you perform to the best of your ability in this rigorous and essential assessment.
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What Are the ASVAB Scores for Air Force?
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a pre-employment screening assessment taken by all individuals applying to the US Military.
The test is a standardized assessment that evaluates the aptitude and abilities of individuals in nine separate subtests:
- Auto and Shop Information (AS)
- Electronics Information (EI)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
- Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- General Science (GS)
- Word Knowledge (WK)
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
- Assembling Objects (AO)
One of the most critical scores on the ASVAB is the AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score.
This score is calculated from individual results in four of the ASVAB subtests. These include:
-
Word Knowledge (WK) – Evaluating your vocabulary and understanding of word meanings
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Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) – Assessing your ability to solve fundamental arithmetic word problems, such as calculating percentages, ratios and proportions
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Mathematics Knowledge (MK) – Testing your knowledge of high school-level mathematics, including algebra, geometry and basic mathematical concepts
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Paragraph Comprehension (PC) – Evaluating your ability to understand and interpret written information, including reading comprehension and inference skills
The scores attained on the AFQT determine which type of role in the military you are eligible to be considered for.
Each area of the US military has its own minimum score requirement on the AFQT that individuals must meet to be considered for enlistment.
The Air Force has its own specific AFQT score requirement that potential recruits must meet to qualify for enlistment.
Roles within the US Air Force require one of the highest AFQT scores.
In addition to this, specific roles within the Air Force have additional minimum score requirements on other subsets within the ASVAB.
For example, roles requiring individuals to have strong technical skills will specify higher scores in subsets such as mechanical comprehension or assembling objects.
Individuals applying for roles in the Air Force must be aware of what is required and the scores needed for their area of interest.
In doing so, they can adequately prepare.
What Is the Minimum ASVAB Score for Air Force?
The minimum Airforce ASVAB depends on the specific career field or job you are interested in pursuing within the Air Force.
The scores are calculated as a percentile ranging from 1 to 99.
The percentile scores indicate how well an individual scores compared to other test takers.
Roles in the Air Force require one of the highest AFQT scores of all roles in the military.
To be considered for a position in the Air Force, individuals must attain a percentile score of at least 31 and have achieved their high school diploma.
Individuals with a GED must earn an Air Force ASVAB score of at least 50 on the AFQT to be considered for roles in the Air Force.
Air Force Jobs ASVAB Scores
The Air Force, like other branches of the United States military, sets specific score requirements for consideration into the Air Force.
In addition, the US Air Force also has additional composite score requirements based on each subset for particular jobs within the service.
These Air Force jobs ASVAB scores are calculated by combining ASVAB subjects into four categories:
- Mechanical
- Administrative
- General
- Electronics
These composite scores determine which field within the Air Force an individual is most qualified in. These are represented by an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) and corresponding job title.
The Air Force ASVAB score chart below includes some examples of roles and required composite scores:
| Qualification Minimum Score | Job Titles | AFSC |
|---|---|---|
| G55 | Air Traffic Controller | 1C1X1 |
| G64 | Cyber Warfare Operations | 1B4X1 |
| A56 | Logistics Plans | 2G0X1 |
| G64 | Computer Systems Programming | 3D0X4 |
| G33 | Military Working Dog Handler | 3P0X1A |
| M60 and G57 | Special Missions Aviation | 1A9X1 |
The Air Force ASVAB score chart above is just a small sample of available positions.
You should thoroughly research different roles to get an idea of what positions might interest you and what their minimum score requirements are.
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How to Achieve the Required Air Force ASVAB Score
Understanding what is required and thoroughly preparing are essential steps to attaining the required AFQT and ASVAB score for your preferred area of the Air Force.
Here are some tips to help with preparation.
Step 1. Know Your Target Score
Ensure you know the minimum AFQT score for Air Force jobs you're interested in. Knowing your target score will give you a clear goal to work toward.
Step 2. Understand the Essential Topics
Familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the ASVAB. Ensure you have refreshed your memory on the subject areas covered in the four subtests contributing to your AFQT score.
Step 3. Use Online Practice Tests
Use online resources such as practice tests that can help you become familiar with the format and types of questions on the ASVAB.
These tests give you an idea of what to expect in the actual test and help you identify areas where you may need improvement.
Step 4. Identify Weaknesses
Identify your strengths and weaknesses after taking practice tests. Focus your study efforts on the areas where you struggle the most. However, make sure not to neglect your areas of strength.
Step 5. Develop a Study Plan
Create a realistic study plan that includes reviewing study materials, practicing with sample questions and taking full-length practice tests. When devising your study plan, consider any work commitments or relaxation time.
Step 6. Look After Your Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Adequate sleep, proper nutrition and stress management are essential for effective studying and test performance. Ensure you're well-rested and maintain a healthy lifestyle during your preparation. On test day, make sure you have eaten and are well hydrated.
By starting your preparation early and staying committed to your study plan, you can improve your ASVAB scores and increase your chances of qualifying for your desired Air Force career.
Scores on the AFQT and ASVAB determine which branches of the US Air Force you are eligible to enlist in. Scores are presented as percentile scores. Individuals must attain at least a score of 31 to be considered for Air Force roles.
The ASVAB score needed for the Air Force is at least 31. It is worth noting that scores can vary by military branch, so achieving an average Air Force ASVAB score may not be sufficient for your desired role. The higher the ASVAB score, the more branches of the Air Force an individual will be eligible to be considered for.
An individual's highest score on the Air Force ASVAB is 99. Scores are given as percentile scores. These scores show how well an individual has performed on the ASVAB test compared to the other test taskers.
AFQT and ASVAB scores determine the jobs an individual is eligible for in the Air Force. Each role has a specific job title and a minimum qualification score. For full details of the minimum Air Force jobs ASVAB scores, visit the US Air Force website.
Rather than aiming for an average Air Force ASVAB score, you should aim to score as highly as possible to increase your chances of securing your desired role.
Fortunately, there are several ways to improve your ASVAB score. These include understanding the topic areas being assessed in each ASVAB subtest, preparing by taking practice tests and creating a study plan to help you work on your weaker topic areas.
Understanding the ASVAB scores depends on understanding the different subtests, composite scores and percentiles that make up the overall ASVAB score.
The AFQT score is calculated from scores on the four main subsets of the ASVAB. This score determines whether you are eligible to enlist in the Air Force. Each role within the Air Force has a composite score taken from the nine different subtests in the ASVAB.
ASVAB scores can be checked on the Air Force website. The website details information on the different composite scores needed for different roles and branches of the US Air Force.
Some of the highest Air Force ASVAB score jobs include diverse positions such as Special Missions Aviators, Airborne Cryptologic Language Analysts and Scientific Applications Specialists. It is important to check the minimum score requirements of the position you are interested in so you can prepare effectively.
Final Thoughts
The ASVAB test determines an individual's potential for enlistment and success in roles within the US Air Force.
The test comprises nine subtests, each focused on a specific topic area. Four subtests within the ASVAB are used to calculate an individual's AFQT score.
Scoring well on the AFQT is essential for individuals to take up a position in the US Air Force.
Each job role within the US Air Force requires individuals to have attained a specific composite score derived from each of the nine ASVAB subtests.
To give yourself the best chance of scoring highly, ensure you know the score requirements for your preferred role(s).
Research Air Force jobs and ASVAB scores and ensure you thoroughly prepare by taking practice tests, refreshing your memory of weaker topic areas and taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing.
Creating a study plan ensures you can stay on track with your preparation and cover all topic areas assessed in the ASVAB.
