How to Check Your ASVAB Score

Co-authored by Ted Coopersmith, MBA

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 References

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a test usually taken in high school that determines your eligibility for certain military services.^{[1]
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Ted Coopersmith, MBA
Academic Tutor

Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.} It is also meant to show your strengths and weaknesses in areas like math, science, and reading, which can help determine your aptitude for different career paths. You can obtain your scores from your guidance counselor 2 weeks after the test, or request the scores from the ASVAB program any time between 3 months and 2 years after taking the test.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Obtaining Your ASVAB Scores

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Request your scores online if you don’t receive them after 30 days. You should receive your scores within 2 weeks of taking the test. However, if it's been over 30 days and you haven't received your scores yet, you can request them online. Just visit https://www.asvabprogram.com/faq and click on "I took the test at my high school, when do I get my scores?" Then, click on "Click here to request your scores" and fill out the form.
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Check with your school counselor to see if they've received your scores. Typically, your scores should be sent to your school within 2 weeks. Talk to your guidance counselor to see if they have received your scores and are available to discuss them with you yet.^{[2]
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- It may be a good idea to make an appointment with your counselor ahead of time, so that you can meet with them at a time that is convenient for both of you and avoid being rushed when you discuss your scores.
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Do not try to request scores if you took the test more than 2 years ago. ASVAB only keeps your scores for 2 years, so you will not be able to obtain them after that. However, you can arrange to take the test again either at your high school or at a Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS).^{[3]
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- The ASVAB tests offered at MEPS are more specifically geared toward military enlistment, and will include a sub-test called Assembling Objects.^{[4]
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- If you don’t live near a MEPS, you may be able to take the test at a Military Entrance Test site, which is a type of MEPS satellite location.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Understanding What Your Scores Mean

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Read the information that came with your scores. When you receive your scores, they should come with some instructions on how to interpret them. Scores are based on national samples of test participants aged 18 to 23, with 50 being the average score.^{[6]
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- About 16% of the population scores 60 or higher.^{[7]
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Angie Papple Johnston, Military Expert and Author

Understanding your ASVAB score provides insight into your aptitudes and potential military occupations. The subtest scores show your strengths and can guide you toward aligned careers. Your ASVAB score is a tool to help chart your military future, so take time to comprehend what it means.
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Talk to your guidance counselor about your scores. Part of the reason that ASVAB testing is conducted through high schools is that counselors are available to discuss the results and implications of test scores. ASVAB tests are meant not only to test for military eligibility, but for aptitude in other career paths as well.^{[8]
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- Talk to your counselor about which sub-tests you got the highest scores in, and discuss career options that are well suited to someone with your strengths.
- If you already know what type of career you are interested in, ask your counselor if your scores show any areas where you need to improve in order to be qualified for that career.
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Look at your scores for each sub-test. Your ASVAB scores will be divided into individual scores for each sub-test, or category. These sub-tests measure your abilities in various categories that apply to military service and also to a variety of career options, including math, science, reading comprehension, and mechanical knowledge. Take a look at your scores and note which categories you are strongest in.^{[9]
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- Consider your low scores as indications of where you need to improve, and your high scores as indications of what career paths you may be well suited for.
- For instance, if you got a 34 in Word Knowledge but a 63 in General Science, you may want to work on your reading skills and also look into careers in science.
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Check your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. This is a composite of your scores in 4 sub-tests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Ted Coopersmith, MBA
Academic Tutor

Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.} It should be listed along with your other scores, so you don’t need to calculate it yourself.^{[11]
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- This is the score that will determine your eligibility for military enlistment.
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Find out what scores are required for the services you are interested in. Different services have different requirements for AFQT scores. Most require a score somewhere in the 30s, and the lowest required score is 31.^{[12]
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- In some cases, requirements may be higher for certain individuals. For instance, if you have a GED instead of a high school diploma, your requirement may be higher.
- Requirements are sometimes higher for women because of limited housing availability.^{[13]
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Ask a recruiter whether you are eligible for any waivers. If you are interested in military services but have a low AFQT score, talk to a recruiter about your options. Let them know what your score is, and find out if you might qualify for any waivers that would lower your score requirement.
- For instance, if you speak a foreign language or have other special skills, you may be eligible with a low score.^{[14]
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After you take the ASVAB test for the 1st time, you can take it again 1 calendar month later. After that, you will have to wait another 6 calendar months before taking it again. Make the best use of your time while you wait and prepare yourself to do well on the test.^{[15]
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