How to Read AFOQT Scores?

If you’re considering going into the armed forces, you may have looked at some of the different qualifying tests that are a part of the process. When it comes to the Air Force, your qualifying test is the AFOQT. And if you’ve ever looked at the results of this test, you might see why we have a whole article on just how to read AFOQT scores. It can be a little tricky.

So, what should you do if you’re looking to enter into the Air Force, and you’re trying to determine what you need on your AFOQT? Well, we’re going to look at the AFQOT scores explained, so you can figure out just what you need, and whether your current scores are going to cut it.

How are Your AFOQT Scores Calculated?

The overall score that you get from the AFOQT is calculated based on several different scores put together. There will be other areas that are tested and additional categories of testing, but they are not included in the score. This is also not the full representation of the PCSM score that you may also see on your results. That score also includes things like your basic skills scores and your level of higher education to give you a final result.

The specifics of how these tests are scored and what your scores represent are considered proprietary. What we do know is that the percentage of questions right is not directly correlated to the score that you receive, so it’s possible that some scores are rated heavier than others or that there is some other form of scoring mechanism. The following categories are the tests that are used in some way to calculate your total score.

AFOQT Pilot Subscore

This part of the exam tests your math skills, table reading, instrument comprehension, and aviation information knowledge.

AFOQT Navigator Subscore

This part of the exam tests your word knowledge, math knowledge, table reading, and block counting.

AFOQT ABM Subscore

This part of the exam tests your verbal analogies, math knowledge, table reading, instrument comprehension, block counting, and aviation information.

AFOQT Academic Aptitude Subscore

This part of the exam tests your verbal analogies, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, math knowledge, and reading comprehension.

AFOQT Verbal Subscore

This part of the exam tests your verbal analogies, word knowledge, and reading comprehension.

AFOQT Quantitative Subscore

This part of the exam tests your arithmetic reasoning and math knowledge.

For the most part, these sections are scored based on how well you perform compared to other people within your group or others who are taking the same tests. You want to do as well as possible not because it will give you a better score on its own, but because it gives you a stronger chance of a high score compared to your peers.

What are AFOQT Composite Scores?

Your composite scores on the AFOQT are created based on a total of 12 different testing sections that give five different scores. As you may have noticed, there were not 12 sections mentioned above, but that’s because not all of the sections that are tested are actually used to create your scores.

That doesn’t mean you should ignore the other sections, however. You should give them just as much attention, focus, and energy because they may play a role in the assignments you are given and the specific positions you are offered within the Air Force. That means they are still just as important as any other portions of the exam.

Those scores that you do get from the five sections of the exam are then combined in some fashion in order to create a composite score. But those scores are only partially related to the score that you will get for your composite.

The individual scores for the sections of the AFOQT are ranked from 1 to 99, with the numbers not corresponding to the number of questions answered correctly. There are also only five scores but 12 sections on the exam, so these scores are related to only the sections that we have mentioned above, not the other sections.

The composite score is actually a reflection of your scores relative to the rest of the people who have taken the exam. This means it is a percentile score related to the number of people who scored better and worse than you on the different areas of the exam. This score will affect the type of position that you are eligible for within the Air Force.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to get a specific score to get into the Air Force. These scores will primarily affect what type of role you will be offered once you do get in. Those who score higher will have the opportunity for more advanced officer positions and more. Those who do not score as high may not be offered officer positions at all. The better your score compared to the rest of your peers, the better the options you will have.

Where to Check Your AFOQT Scores?

If you’ve already taken the AFOQT, then checking your scores is actually quite simple. All you need to do is go to the Air Force Personnel Center Website approximately 8-10 days after you take your test. This means you don’t have to wait a long time, and you don’t have to worry about tracking down your results or waiting for them to arrive in the mail.

The AFOQT results page will ask for information like your social security number, your last name, and your testing center number in order to provide you with your score. If you don’t know any of this information, make sure that you look it up before you attempt to log into the website. This will make it easier for you to access your scores quickly.

When it comes to your actual scores, there is some vital information to keep in mind. First, remember that the majority of your score is based on how you do compared to your peers. It’s not necessarily about how much you know, though knowing more will give you a bit of a competitive edge when it comes to those percentile scores.

You also need to hit a minimum passing score for the AFOQT in certain sections. These are the verbal section, where you need at least a 15, and the quantitative section, where you need at least a 10. If you don’t get these scores, you will not be able to get into the officer program. If you do, then you have a chance.

Now, if you’re looking to get into a program and you want to get into the best programs or be selected as a pilot, you need to get good scores. In fact, there are some specific score averages that you might want to hit or exceed because they are typically the scores that people have to get that position as a pilot.

Pilot – 90

Navigator – 85

Academic – 82

Verbal – 77

Quantitative – 82

While getting these scores in each of these categories is not a guarantee that you will be selected as a pilot, these scores will give you a bit of a competitive advantage. Those who do go on to become pilots tend to average around these scores, which means you would be better than some but not as good as others.

If you’re looking at the AFOQT OTS, you’ll want to achieve slightly different averages. These are generally:

OTS Pilot – 77

OTS Navigator – 77

OTS Academics – 82

OTS Verbal – 76

OTS Quantitative – 81

There are also other score requirements if you are interested in specific positions, such as those who would like to be a pilot must mean specific minimums as well as wanting to reach toward the averages we mentioned above. A 25 in the pilot section, 10 in navigator, and 50 combined between pilot and navigator are required to even be considered for a pilot. This means it’s essential for you to take the test and all components seriously.

Wrapping Things Up: How to Read AFOQT Scores

Anyone who is looking to take the AFOQT should make sure they understand not only how to read AFOQT scores, but what scores they need in order to get what you’re looking for. If you want to attend officer training school or you want to be a pilot or any other specific role within the Air Force, you want to have a good understanding of this exam and just how the scores are calculated so you can get off to the right start. That way, you may just get into what you want most for your time in the Air Force.

Read our post here if you want to know how long AFOQT scores are valid.

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