What is a good ASVAB score?

Clear your branch minimum and you can enlist. Reach 50 or more and you are above average, with more jobs open to you. Here is what to aim for, and how to get there.

Free ASVAB practice test

  • 50 questions
  • 40 minutes
  • Instant score
Start test

By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts

31 to 40
typical branch minimums
50
the national median
65+
Category II or better
93+
Category I

AFQT minimums by branch

These are the minimums for applicants with a high school diploma, as commonly reported by recruiting guides. They are not published in one official place, and sources disagree for the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, so ask a recruiter for the current number.

Commonly reported minimums. Applicants with a GED or equivalency usually need a higher score, often about 50.
BranchMinimum AFQT (diploma)Note
Army31Some sources list lower with waivers
Marine Corps31 to 32Sources differ
Navy35
Air Force36Many jobs ask for far more
Coast Guard40One source lists 32; confirm

What the AFQT categories mean

Categories from the Department of Defense. A percentile of 50 means you outscored half the reference group.
CategoryAFQT percentileIn plain terms
I93 to 99Top 7% of the reference group
II65 to 92Above average
IIIA50 to 64Average to a little above
IIIB31 to 49Below average but qualifying
IVA to IVC10 to 30Limited eligibility; most branches limit these applicants
V1 to 9Not eligible

Why your AFQT is only part of it

The AFQT gets you in. Which jobs you can have depends on line scores, which combine other ASVAB subtests: for example, a technical job may weight General Science, Electronics Information and Mechanical Comprehension, while others lean on the verbal and math subjects. Each service names and weights them differently.

That makes a retest worth considering if you want a particular job. Ask your recruiter which line score your target job needs, then drill the subtests that make it up.

Where would your score land?

Enter your subject scores in the AFQT score calculator for an estimated percentile and branch eligibility, or take the free ASVAB practice test to see where you stand today.

Practice under real ASVAB timing

50 original questions, 40 minutes, scored the moment you finish. Free, no sign-up.

Start the free ASVAB test

Frequently asked questions

What is a good ASVAB score?

Above your branch minimum is enough to qualify to enlist. An AFQT of 50 is the national median, 65 or more is Category II, and 93 or more is Category I. Higher scores open more jobs.

Is an ASVAB score of 50 good?

Yes. It means you scored higher than half the national reference group, which clears every branch minimum for diploma holders.

What is the lowest ASVAB score you can get in?

Commonly reported minimums run from 31 (Army) to 40 (Coast Guard), higher for applicants without a diploma. Confirm with a recruiter, as services change them.

Is the AFQT the same as the ASVAB score?

No. The ASVAB reports several scores. The AFQT is the one percentile, built from four subtests, that decides whether you qualify to enlist.

Can I retake the ASVAB to raise my score?

Yes. You normally wait a calendar month before the first retest. Ask your recruiter for the rules that apply to you.

LifeScore is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or any military branch. ASVAB is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense. Our practice tests cover the four AFQT subjects with original questions and are not the official test. Reviewed October 2026 by the LifeScore Editorial Team.