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ASVAB scores by branch
Updated October 4, 2026 · Published minimums for 2026
In short: with a high school diploma, the minimum AFQT is 31 for the Army, 32 for the Marine Corps, 35 for the Navy, 36 for the Air Force and Space Force, and 40 for the Coast Guard. GED holders need more. These are floors: most jobs and enlistment bonuses ask for higher scores, and recruiters can raise the bar when quotas are full.
Minimum AFQT by branch
| Branch | Minimum AFQT, diploma | Minimum AFQT, GED |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 | 50 |
| Marine Corps | 32 | 50 |
| Navy | 35 | 50 |
| Air Force | 36 | 65 |
| Space Force | 36 | 65 |
| Coast Guard | 40 | 50 |
The AFQT only decides whether you can enlist. Which job you get depends on your line scores, combinations of your subtest scores that each branch sets for its jobs. Strong Electronics, Mechanical or General Science scores open technical jobs that the AFQT alone does not.
The steps to enlist
Check the basic requirements
You must be at least 17 (17-year-olds need a parent's consent), a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and usually hold a high school diploma. Upper age limits vary by branch, and GED holders need higher AFQT scores.
Talk to a recruiter
A recruiter schedules your ASVAB, explains each branch's jobs and bonuses, and may offer the PiCAT, an unproctored version you take at home before a short verification test.
Know your target score
Minimum AFQT for diploma holders: Army 31, Marine Corps 32, Navy 35, Air Force and Space Force 36, Coast Guard 40. Most jobs and bonuses ask for more, so aim well above the minimum.
Take the ASVAB
Most applicants take the computer-adaptive CAT-ASVAB at a MEPS: 10 subtests in about 1.5 to 2 hours, and answers lock once submitted. Some MET sites still give a paper version, which takes about 3 hours.
Retest if you need to
After your first test, wait one calendar month to retest, and another month for a second retest. After that, the wait is six months. Scores stay valid for enlistment for two years.
Finish processing at MEPS
Complete the medical exam and job counseling, choose a job (MOS, rating or AFSC) your line scores qualify you for, and take the oath of enlistment.
Know where you stand before step four. The app estimates your AFQT from your answers and draws your branch's minimum on it.
Minimums, retest rules and eligibility are set by the Department of Defense and each branch and change over time; confirm them with a recruiter. ASVAB Test is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch.