What is a GT score on the ASVAB? What is the highest GT score you can receive? These are likely two questions that you may have if taking the ASVAB is in your near future. You must understand how the ASVAB will be scored before taking it and what you can expect when you receive your results.
The GT, which stands for the general technical score on the ASVAB is a score that is used in an abundance of calculations. These calculations are also essential in determining what jobs you will be eligible for in the near future. To do well on your GT Score there are several tips and tricks to aid in increasing your score.
If you are looking to maximize your studying and gain as much information as possible about the ASVAB, you are in the right place. Keep reading to find some of the most helpful information and tips for you.
How Does GT Score Determine Your Eligibility for Military Service?
How Does GT Score Determine Your Eligibility for Military Service?The General Technical (GT) score is a critical component of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). It is used by all branches of the U.S. military to evaluate the qualifications of individuals wishing to enlist.
The GT score, specifically, plays a crucial role in determining an individual’s eligibility for various military occupational specialties (MOS) and can influence the type of careers available to enlistees within the military.
The GT Score is one of nine major line items used to determine eligibility in the service. These decide what occupations the individual is qualified to perform. More specifically, the GT score is also used to determine if you have what it takes to become an officer.
Role of the GT Score in Military Eligibility
The role of the GT score in military eligibility is varied and encompasses numerous aspects, including:
- Determining MOS eligibility: The GT score directly influences which MOSs a candidate is eligible for. Higher GT scores open the door to a wider range of specialties, including those that are more technical or require higher cognitive abilities, such as intelligence and cyber operations.
- Enlistment eligibility: Also, the GT score helps to determine a candidate’s overall eligibility for enlistment. The U.S. military sets minimum ASVAB score requirements for enlistments, which is often around 31.
- Special programs and advancements: High GT scores can also qualify you for certain advanced training programs and educational opportunities within the military. Examples include Officer Candidate School (OCS) or specialized technical training.
The Impact of the GT Score
Understanding the GT score is crucial. Achieving a GT score above 110 on the ASVAB greatly enhances eligibility for specialized and high-priority roles within the U.S. military, such as contracting, intelligence, and engineering positions. This benchmark is crucial for those aspiring to roles that demand advanced skills.
High GT scores not only open the door to these demanding positions but also set the foundation for greater career growth and advancement chances within the military. Specialized roles in intelligence or engineering offer pathways to leadership and technical expertise, highlighting the importance of a strong GT score.
How to Calculate Your GT Scores?
The GT score is derived from two sections of the ASVAB: the Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and the Verbal Expression (VE) scores. The VE score itself is calculated from two other subsets: Word Knowledge (WK) and Paragraph Comprehension (PC).
Therefore, the GT score is a composite that reflects both quantitative and verbal aptitudes. In practice, the formula for calculating the GT score may vary, but we further discuss it in a separate section below.
The formulas for calculating your GT score are readily available to you. It may be helpful when taking your practice exams for the ASVAB to determine what combination of scores may be needed to reach the score you desire.
There are two types of GT scores that can be calculated. This includes the Army GT score and the Marine Corp GT score.
To begin calculating your score, you will need several of your other subtest scores. To begin calculating your GT score, you will need to locate the following scores from your results:
- Word Knowledge (WK)
- Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
- Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC) This score is used only to calculate the Marine GT score.
Below is a more concise and detailed analysis of the GT score and how to calculate it. This will help you with how to read ASVAB scores:
| Component | Description | Note |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | Measures the ability to solve basic arithmetic problems presented in word problem format. | Directly contributes to the GT score. |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | Assesses vocabulary knowledge through synonym questions. | Contributes to the VE scores, which is part of the GT score calculation. |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | Tests the ability to understand written material. | Contributes to the VE score, which is part of the GT score calculation. |
| Verbal Expression (VE) | Derived from WK+ PC scores, sometimes with adjustments. | Used along with AR to calculate GT score. |
| General Technical (GT) Score | Calculated from AR + VE scores. | Reflects quantitative and verbal aptitudes. |
Hence, in a gist, the GT score is calculated by adding the AR score to the calculated VE score:
GT = AR + VE
What is the Highest GT Score?
The highest GT score one can achieve on ASVAB is generally considered to be 130, but a score of 144 has been attained before. This ceiling is due to the scoring methodology and the standardization of the test results across the population of test-takers.
The ASVAB scores are standardized on a scale where the mean is set to 50 and the standard deviation to 10. However, when it comes to calculating the GT score, we already mentioned that the score is derived from the sum of the AR and VE components. This can lead to a theoretical maximum exceeding the typical standardized scores for individual subsets.
The GT score is particularly important for those seeking to enlist in branches of the U.S. military because it is a key component in determining qualification for many high-skill occupations. A higher GT score can open chances for more technical and advanced roles, such as intelligence, electronics, and mechanical maintenance.
How to Get a 110 GT Score on the ASVAB?
This is the question that you may have been wondering about the most. Since 110 is the minimum that you should be striving for, how do you get it? The answer is simple – study!
If you are currently not enrolled in the military, there are several things that you can do to get creative with your studying. The following are just a few activities to help you when studying for the ASVAB and, more specifically, the GT score.
Create a study plan or calendar
Having a study guide is an excellent idea if you are looking to keep your studies organized and hit on several subjects. It can be helpful to separate your studies by subject and make sure that you leave yourself enough time to do things like taking practice exams and study the items you are still struggling with.
This calendar should allow for at least two months of study time to ensure that you can hit all of the ASVAB subjects. If needed, it may be helpful to carve out a specific week dedicated to studying only GT specific items and questions.
Purchase or create GT specific flashcards
Flashcards can be a great aid when studying for standardized exams. These cards can be a helpful aid in memorizing concepts on the fly and can also be useful for studying with friends. You can create your own GT flashcards or use options that are available online.
Barron’s Test Prep has created a set of flashcards to help you on the ASVAB specifically. These flashcards have specific subtest reviews for Word Knowledge and Paragraph comprehension. The cards also focus on other areas specific to getting a better AFQT score. The set includes over 400 flashcards.
Take a diagnostic test
A diagnostic test is extremely helpful for having a baseline of your current knowledge. This can be used to build your knowledge and pinpoint areas where you may need improvement. Once you have studied for a considerable amount of time, it can be helpful to take another practice exam to determine how far you are from your baseline.
Practice questions specific to arithmetic reasoning, verbal expression, and paragraph comprehension.
These areas of the exam all focus on your GT score and directly impact it. Doing well in these areas is a sure-fire way to improve your GT score. Doing well in these areas would also significantly increase your overall AFQT score.
Use outside resources
Even if you aren’t currently enlisted in the military, there are several external options available that you can use to score a higher GT score. This includes an abundance of websites that offer free practice exams and tips. Several paid options provide ample practice exams and an abundance of questions and exercises to help you do better on the exam.
Some of the websites that can be used include:
- Official ASVAB Website: Offers official practice questions and test information directly from creators of the ASVAB.
- Khan Academy: Khan Academy provides lessons on math, science, and English that can improve your foundational knowledge for the test.
- 4Tests.com: Provides free practice tests for the ASVAB, allowing you to simulate the test-taking experience.
- ASVAB Practice Tests: A resource offering free practice tests, including detailed explanations of answers.
5 Helpful Tips to Boost Your GT Scores on the ASVAB
Improving your GT score significantly enhances your eligibility for various desirable military occupational specialties. The GT score requires a focused approach for improvement. Here are five specific tips to help boost your GT scores:
1. Strengthen your vocabulary and reading comprehension. Use vocabulary builder apps, flashcards, or word-of-the-day calendars. Also, practice reading comprehension by summarizing articles, identifying main ideas, and inferring meaning.
2. Enhance your math skills. The Arithmetic Reasoning section assesses your ability to solve problems using basic operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, and simple algebra. Brush up on these concepts using high school math review books or online tutorials. Practice with timed quizzes to improve both accuracy and speed. Some examples of materials to utilize include:
- ASVAB Math Workbook 2020-2021
- McGraw-Hill Education ASVAB, Fourth Edition
- Kaplan ASVAB Premier 2017 with 6 Practice Tests.
3. Take practice tests. Taking full-length ASVAB practice tests under timed conditions can help you get accustomed to the pressure of the actual exam. Websites like the official ASVAB site, 4Tests.com, and Union Test Prep offer free practice tests.
4. Develop effective test-taking strategies. Learn to manage your time effectively by practicing with timed tests. This helps ensure that you have ample time to address every question, potentially increasing your score.
Since the ASVAB does not penalize for wrong answers, it is beneficial to answer every question, even if you have to guess. Learn to eliminate obviously wrong answers to increase your chances of guessing correctly.
5. Use quality study materials. Invest in reputable ASVAB study guides that cover all sections of the test. Supplement your study with online resources, educational videos, and mobile apps designed for ASVAB preparation. Mometrix and Kaplan are known for their comprehensive preparation materials.
These are only a few tips that you can use to do well and ultimately boost your GT score. There are several methods, videos, and classes to aid in your preparation process. It is important to find the resource which works best for your learning style and even potentially your budget.
Wrapping Things Up: What is a GT Score on the ASVAB?
In conclusion, understanding and maximizing your GT score on the ASVAB is pivotal for anyone looking to join the U.S. military. This score, crucial for determining your eligibility for various military occupational specialties, influences the type of career paths available to enlistees.
This article provides an in-depth exploration of the GT score’s importance, how it’s calculated, and its impact on military service eligibility. It also offers practical advice and resources for improving your GT score. With the right prep, aspiring service members can enhance their chances of qualifying for their desired roles in the military.
