What is AFQT?

AFQT is the abbreviation for Armed Forces Qualification Tests. The AFQT is not a single test; rather, it is a composite of four core tests that measure knowledge in a group of typical high school level academic disciplines. The four core tests give one overall score. The overall test score, known as the AFQT, is used by the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force to assess minimum qualifications for new recruits, but it is by no means the only criterion for a successful enlistment in those services.

All of the services require a recruit to have completed and graduated from an American high school. The military services accept the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) in lieu of graduation only in a small percentage of cases. The U.S. Army accepts the highest percentage of enlistees with General Equivalency Diplomas. The U.S. Air Force accepts the smallest number of enlistees with General Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs). However, all the services attempt to limit the number of GED equivalencies they accept and all require minimum scores on the AFQT. The services differ in the percentage of General Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs) they accept. They also differ with regard to minimum AFQT scores.

The minimum AFQT score for U.S. Air Force recruits is 36.
The minimum AFQT score for U.S. Army recruits is 31.
The minimum AFQT score for U.S. Marines Corp recruits is 32.
The minimum AFQT score for U.S. Coast Guard recruits is 40.
The minimum AFQT score for U.S. Navy recruits is 35.

Exceptions to the minimum scores are made in rare circumstances by some services but are not at all common. The minimum scores are accurate approximations, but they are subject to change according to the enlistment needs of the services.

What is AFQT?

Variations of ASVAB/AFQT