This is it! You’ve registered for the ASVAB exam now all there is left to do is study, right? Wrong. Before you can truly begin to study, you must know what you are reaching for. This means that you must understand what it means to pass the ASVAB.
What is a passing score on the ASVAB? What is a good ASVAB score? These are likely two questions that you are currently asking yourself. Having these questions is perfectly normal and great information to have before walking into the exam. We will provide you with all of that information and more.
If you’re taking the ASVAB, this article is a must-read for understanding the scores that you need and how the scores on the ASVAB are calculated. All you have to do is keep reading for more info.
What Does Your Score Mean on the ASVAB?
If you are unfamiliar with the ASVAB, it is a timed, multiple-choice exam that can be administered via computer or in a traditional format. The scores from this exam are then used to determine a potential recruit’s eligibility for enlistment into the various branches. Depending on which version of the exam you take, there will be 9 or 10 subtests included with the exam.
The first thing you need to understand is precisely what your ASVAB means. To do this, you must understand how your score is calculated. As you know, your ASVAB includes several subtests. These subtests all yield a score that can be referred to as the Standard Score. These scores are then utilized to calculate the ASVAB score.
Standard Scores
These standard scores are derived from your raw scores. The raw score is how many you answered correctly out of the total number of questions for a given subtest. The ASVAB standard score you are given is based on a standard distribution. This distribution has a deviation of ten and a mean or average of 50. These are used to calculate your AFQT as well as your other Composite Scores.
AFQT Scores
One score that you have likely heard a lot about it the AFQT score. That is because this is the score used to determine your eligibility for enlistment into the service. This is also the ASVAB’s overall score, with the maximum being a 99. The AFQT score is composed of 4 different subtests. This includes the Paragraph Comprehension (PC) subtest, the Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) subtest, the Mathematics Knowledge (MK) subtest, and finally, the Word Knowledge (WK) subtest.
Your AFQT scores can easily be calculated using the steps below.
1. After you have located all of the needed subtest scores, you will need to compute the Verbal Expression (VE) score. You can do this by adding the Word Knowledge score and the Paragraph Comprehension Score together. This equation is represented in the expression below.
VE = PC + WK
2. Next, you will need to take the newly computed Verbal Expression (VE) score and multiply it by 2.
3. The next step in manually computing your score is to add the Arithmetic Reasoning score and the Mathematics Knowledge score together. Once you have done that, take the sum and add it to the new VE score from step 2. This is represented, as shown below. This will give you your raw score.
2VE + MK + AR
4. This score will then need to be converted into a percentile.
It’s important to remember that this raw score would then be converted into a percentile score. This score lets you know where you fall in relation to several other ASVAB test takers. The higher your percentile score, the better chance you have at enlistment, and the more likely you are to excel in the service.
Composite Scores
Composite Scores are often referred to as your line scores. These scores are calculated based on each branch. The various subtests are often associated with a particular position to reach a score. These scores are your composite score. These scores are then used to see what jobs you are eligible for.
How to Pass the ASVAB Test?
You may have anxiety about taking the ASVAB; however, there are several things that you can do to ensure that you pass the exam. These things will happen long before test day and adequately prepare you for your shooting score.
Take the Pre-ASVAB
If you are signing up with a recruiter to enlist in the military, it would be extremely beneficial to contact them and express your interest in taking the Pre-ASVAB exam. This can be used as a baseline and ultimately gauges your knowledge and exposes areas you may need to work on before the real exam. This can also be an excellent option for high school students who know they want to go into the service.
Use Tutoring Websites
ASVABTutor.com is one free alternative that allows you to practice several tests for the exam without the hassle of paying and registering. It is available on a multitude of devices, and users have unlimited attempts on practice exams. It allows you to study from virtually anywhere you can connect to the internet.
Know Your Learning Style
It’s essential to understand how you study and retain information. If you need to split information in small junks to make them digestible, do that. If you are someone who likes to study with a mobile device, there are several options, even in your phone’s app store that can help you study during your idle time. Find methods that work for you. If you are not someone who can sit still for hours at a time reading a book, get creative with your studying.
Give Yourself Time to Study
Regardless of whether you are a good test taker, you should leave yourself ample time to study. You should make sure that you do not have to cram, but instead, you allow ample time to study and genuinely understand the test.
Sample Questions
Think back to when you took the ACT or the SAT. Did you take an abundance of practice exams or spend time answering sample questions? If your answer is yes, you can expect to do the same thing for the ASVAB. Working through different types of specific questions is essential when preparing for what to expect on test day. If this is done, there will be no question types that come as surprises, and it will allow you to move quickly through the exam.
Know What to Expect
Knowing what to expect is an excellent way to ensure that you pass the exam. This includes not just knowing what to expect on the ASVAB exam, content-wise, this also means knowing what to expect on your test day. You should know exactly where to go and when to arrive. There should be no issues surrounding getting to the exam and sitting for the allotted amount of time needed.
How Do You Get a Good Score on the ASVAB?
I’m sure you understand how vital the ASVAB is, therefore doing everything in your power to get a good score is likely what you are trying to do. These tips will help you get a good score on the ASVAB and adequately prepare you for the exam.
Create a Schedule
Creating a schedule is an excellent idea to keep you on track with your studies. It also helps to ensure that you are touching on all areas that you need to. A schedule also ensures that you are providing yourself enough time to study.
Familiarize Yourself with the Exam’s Format
Knowing how to handle the format of the exam is essential to doing well on the exam. You should not only be preparing for the content but for how you will handle the various question types with the allotted amount of time. It’s also essential to practice the exam in the same way that you will be taking it. For example, if you are taking the written version of the test, you should not spend too much time doing computer-based practice exams and vice versa.
Get Your Rest
Another important thing that you will need to do before your exam is to get adequate rest. The last thing you should do is stay up cramming for the exam. Don’t cram. The night before the exam, it may be helpful to review concepts that you need the most help, but don’t overdo it. Get your rest, and try your best.
Use Reference Material
Outside of online resources, there are several printable guides and books available for purchase. These books, similar to that of an ACT or SAT prep guide, provide reviews, sample questions, and even practice exams. Some texts even include diagnostic exams.
What is Considered a Good Score on the ASVAB?
When taking the ASVAB, everybody wants to do well, but what does doing well actually entail. As you’ve probably heard time and time again, there is no pass or fail for the ASVAB. Instead, it is a measure of your general knowledge needed to do well in the military. However, there are minimum scores that will allow you to be eligible for enlistment.
What is the average ASVAB score? This is an excellent question. The average ASVAB score is generally a 50. Only a small percentage of individuals score typically over 60. Now that you are aware of the average, it’s vital to familiarize yourself with the minimum achievable ASVAB score. The scores listed below are the minimum accepted for each branch.
Army: 31
Navy: 35
Coast Guard: 50
Marines: 32
Air Force: 36
If you can score above this threshold, you will have an excellent chance to secure a place in your designated branch.
Getting a higher score ensures that there are several options available to you. If you are wondering what positions are open based on the scores you receive, goarmy.com has a helpful indicator. All you have to do is type in your actual or predicted scores, and you will be shown a list of positions that correspond to your scores.
How Long Does it Take to Get the ASVAB Results?
Getting the results from your ASVAB is not immediate. You will need to wait a few weeks, depending on where you took the actual exam. However, it is crucial, regardless of where you took the exam, to remember when it was taken. If you need to inquire about your results, you will need the date that you took the exam.
Generally, you will receive your scores within 2 to 3 weeks from your test date if they were taken in a high school setting. Usually, your guidance counselor will get your scores first and administer them to you. If you need to get another copy of your scores for any reason, you can easily request ASVAB scores online from the ASVAB program. This can be done anytime up to 2 years after your initial exam date.
If you have taken the ASVAB at an MEP or MET location and have taken the computer test, your score will immediately be available. You will not have to wait the allotted 2 to 3-week span. If you have taken the written version of the exam, your scores will need to be sent off and scored.
Wrapping Things Up: Passing Score on the ASVAB
Getting a good score on the ASVAB is attainable; all you have to do is put the needed work in. Even though the exam is not graded with a pass or fail, it is still essential that you try your hardest to get the best score possible. Your AFQT score is what is used to determine your enlistment eligibility.
Getting a great AFQT opens you up to endless possibilities within the military. The higher your score, the more things that you will have access to. It can also help you familiarize yourself with the minimum scores needed to get into your top area.
Though scoring is essential, don’t spend too much time obsessing over scores. You should be spending more time doing things like creating a study schedule, practice sample questions, and looking at examples. Studying diligently is the only surefire way to ensure that you get the best passing ASVAB score.
If you’re wondering about the difference between ASVAB and AFOQT, check out our comparison post here.
All of our armed services reviews of study guides can be found here.
