ASVAB Scores by Branch
Last checked: September 2026
Every branch sets its own minimum AFQT score. Here's every branch side by side, with what's officially confirmed and what's only reported, so you know exactly how much to trust each number.
Each branch sets its own minimum AFQT. The Army's official minimum is 31. For the other branches, sources report diploma minimums between 31 and 40, and GED minimums between about 50 and 65. Confirm with a recruiter, and aim for 50 or higher.
- Army: 31, confirmed on the Army's official site.
- Other branches: sources report different numbers, so we show ranges.
- GED holders need higher scores in every branch.
- A 50 or higher clears every reported diploma minimum.
Minimum AFQT Scores by Branch
| Branch | Diploma | GED | How Sure Are We? |
|---|
A score of 50 or higher clears every reported minimum for diploma holders and puts you in AFQT Category IIIA or above. That's the number to aim for.
Why Websites Give Different Numbers
Branches adjust standards when recruiting needs change. Some sites list a waiver floor (the lowest score accepted in special cases) as if it were the standard, and many copy each other without checking. We only call a number confirmed when the branch's own official site publishes it. Right now, that's the Army.
Your AFQT Gets You In. Line Scores Get You the Job.
Meeting the minimum makes you eligible. Your line scores (also called composite scores) decide which jobs you can choose, and every branch combines them differently. See ASVAB Line Scores Explained.
Scout tip: Before you study, ask a recruiter two things: the current minimum for your situation, and the line scores your target jobs need. Then practice those sections first.
Find Out Where You Stand
Estimate your AFQT in about 12 minutes, free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lowest ASVAB score to join the military?
The Army's official minimum is 31. Other branches report similar or higher minimums, and requirements change over time.
Which branch has the highest ASVAB requirement?
Sources most often list the Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard as having the highest minimums, but numbers vary. Confirm with a recruiter.
Do GED holders need a higher ASVAB score?
Yes, in every branch. Sources commonly report about 50, and up to 65 for some branches.
Why doesn't ASVAB Scout list one exact number for every branch?
Because most branches don't clearly publish their current minimum, and other sites disagree. We'd rather be accurate than falsely precise.
- U.S. Army, "ASVAB Test & Preparation" (goarmy.com), checked September 2026
- Official ASVAB program, "Enlistment Eligibility" (officialasvab.com): minimums vary by branch
- Third-party sources reviewed September 2026; where they disagree, we show the range