The Army helps you identify and build upon your strengths, so you can launch a rewarding career that keeps you learning and thriving.
Understanding the ASVAB
The ASVAB is a standardized test that reveals areas of strength and ability in science, math, and language. Taking the test is one of the first steps before you enlist.
Once it’s over, you’ll get to find a job that matches up to your strengths.
- You’ll need to take the ASVAB test to enlist
- You'll work with your recruiter to schedule the test when you're ready
- You'll take the test at a registered testing site or nearby MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station)
Subjects Covered on the ASVAB
The ASVAB tests you in these ten different subject areas. Your score will help reveal which career path is right for you.
- General science
- Arithmetic reasoning
- Word knowledge
- Paragraph comprehension
- Mathematics knowledge
- Electronics information
- Auto and shop information
- Mechanical comprehension
- Assembling objects
- Verbal expression
Why Your Scores Matter
There are two types of ASVAB scores. First, your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score determines whether you’re eligible to join and you'll need to score at least 31 to enlist. Second, your ASVAB category scores, called line scores, determine job opportunities based on your knowledge and skills in these ten different areas.
CLERICAL:
Clerical careers are ideal if you earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Mathematics Knowledge sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
COMBAT:
Combat careers are ideal if you earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Auto and Shop, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
ELECTRONICS:
Careers in electronics are ideal if you earn high scores in General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, and Electronic Information sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
FIELD ARTILLERY:
Careers in artillery are ideal if you earn high scores in the Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
GENERAL MAINTENANCE:
Careers in maintenance are ideal if you earn high scores in the General Science, Auto and Shop, Mathematics Knowledge, and Electronics Information sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
GENERAL TECHNICAL:
Technical careers are ideal if you earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, and Arithmetic Reasoning sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE:
Maintenance careers are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the Auto and Shop, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electronic Information sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
OPERATORS AND FOOD:
Operations careers are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Auto and Shop, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
SURVEILLANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Surveillance careers are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the Verbal Expression, Arithmetic Reasoning, Auto and Shop, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
SKILLED TECHNICAL:
Careers requiring more technical skills are ideal for individuals who earn high scores in the General Science, Verbal Expression, Mechanical Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge sections of the ASVAB.
Related Jobs:
Find the Army Career That’s Right For You
After you receive your ASVAB scores, you’ll have a better idea of which job opportunities you can pursue. You may even discover new career paths you hadn’t considered.
Discover Your Strengths
Your ASVAB line scores help indicate the job areas you’d excel in after you join as an enlisted Soldier.
Unlock Job Opportunities
You’ll review which jobs are available to you out of more than 200+ opportunities.
Choose Between Available Jobs
Work with us to find a job opportunity from the options that are available to you.
Helpful Tips as You Prepare
Every enlisted Soldier has taken the ASVAB—rest assured that you, too, have all the tools you need. As with any test, there are some things to keep in mind to make your test experience go smoothly.
Talk to Your Recruiter About What to Expect
Your recruiter can give you a better sense of what’s on the ASVAB and how scoring works. While they can’t help you study, they can direct you to the tools and resources needed to succeed.
Practice Taking the Test
Get familiar with testing topics by requesting to take the pre-ASVAB test or downloading the free U.S. Army ASVAB Challenge app.
Download for Apple
Download for Android
Make a Plan for Your Test Day
Be sure you know the testing location, your test time, and how long it takes to get there. Also, plan to get enough rest the night before. This will help ensure a successful test day.
Common Questions About ASVAB Test and Preparation
How many times can I take the ASVAB?
You can take the ASVAB test multiple times, but there are rules regarding how frequently. After your first attempt, you must wait one calendar month to retake the test. Your third attempt can be administered no earlier than six calendar months after your second test. It's important to remember that your most recent score—not your highest—will be used to assess your performance. Talk to your recruiter if you have any questions or concerns.
What can I do to improve my ASVAB score?
To enlist, you need an ASVAB score of at least 31. However, if you have a minimum score of 21, there's an academic track of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course to help you better your score. This 90-day program provides training on all the subjects covered on the ASVAB, as well as opportunities to retake the test.
If your ASVAB score is between 31 and 49, you could qualify for a second option of the course that's 30 days of classes with one chance to improve your score. You may select a new MOS based on your higher score depending on the needs of the Army.
Additionally, there's an expanded course that allows you to first take the academic track to improve your ASVAB score and then move into the fitness track of the course to help you meet the physical requirements if your body fat percentage exceeds the Army standard.
Find out more about the ASVAB placement exam and work with your recruiter to see which Future Soldier Preparatory Course option is right for you.
Is the ASVAB available in Spanish?
The ASVAB test is only administered in English. Applicants need to demonstrate English language comprehension and fluency to complete tasks and understand commands.
What is the difference between the paper and online version of the ASVAB?
The computer adaptive test (CAT-ASVAB) adjusts to your knowledge level in real-time. Note that around 70% of military applicants take the test online, and on average, it takes about half the time as the paper version.
Is there an alternative test for the ASVAB?
Yes, the Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test (PiCAT) is an alternative to current ASVAB testing procedures. It is an unsupervised, full version of the ASVAB you may take on your own time. Contact your recruiter to learn more about taking it and validating your results on your visit to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).
Do commissioned Army Officers take the ASVAB?
If you attend Officer Candidate School after you enlist, you will have taken the ASVAB as part of the enlistment process. But, you do not take the ASVAB if you join the Army through a direct commission as an Officer, or through ROTC or U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where you graduate with a college degree and as a commissioned Army Officer.
Don’t worry, there’s no obligation if you reach out.
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
What is the time commitment for part-time service?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?
How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can I join ROTC at my age
Can I join as an Officer?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out, .
We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.
Questions you may have right now
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you
- How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?
Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- What are the ways to serve part-time?
You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- How do I become a health care provider in the Army?
You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.
- What types of medical careers are available in the Army?
There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- What are the benefits of joining ROTC?
ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.
- How do I prepare to join ROTC?
When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.
- Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?
Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.