Air Force ASVAB Score Requirements
Last checked: September 2026
The Air Force has some of the most confusing score information online. Some sites say 31, others say 36. Here's the full picture.
Sources report the Air Force minimum AFQT as 31 to 36 for diploma holders and 50 to 65 for GED holders. The numbers conflict across sites, so confirm with a recruiter. Your MAGE scores (Mechanical, Administrative, General, Electronic) decide which jobs you qualify for.
- Reported diploma minimum: 31 to 36; sources disagree.
- Reported GED minimum: 50 to 65; sources disagree.
- MAGE scores decide your Air Force job (AFSC).
- Scoring 50 or higher keeps you safely above the reported diploma minimums.
Minimum AFQT Score
Some sources describe 36 as the usual standard and 31 as an exception. Others list 31 as the standard. Either way, most people who enlist in the Air Force score well above both numbers.
Why Websites Give Different Numbers
If you've searched this before, you've probably seen two or three different minimums for the same branch. There are three common reasons: 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 sites copy each other without checking. That's why we show the range sources report and tell you exactly what's confirmed.
Don't aim for the minimum. Aim for 50 or higher. It clears every reported minimum for diploma holders, puts you in AFQT Category IIIA or above, and opens far more jobs.
MAGE Scores Decide Your Job
| Area | Stands For | Leans On |
|---|---|---|
| M | Mechanical | Mechanical Comprehension, Auto and Shop |
| A | Administrative | Verbal skills |
| G | General | Verbal and Arithmetic Reasoning |
| E | Electronic | Electronics, General Science, math |
Each Air Force job (AFSC) lists minimums in one or more MAGE areas. See ASVAB Scores for the Air Force for how to build each one.
If You Have a GED
Every branch sets a higher bar for GED holders than for diploma holders. For the Air Force, sources commonly report anywhere from 50 to 65. Many sources also report that earning about 15 college credits can move a GED holder into the same education tier as diploma holders. Ask your recruiter how this applies to you, and see How to Pass the ASVAB With a GED.
How to Prepare
- Take a practice test to see where you stand: the free AFQT test takes about 12 minutes.
- Study your weakest AFQT section first. Verbal counts double, so Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension pay off fast.
- Ask your recruiter which line scores your target jobs need, then practice those sections.
- Read the full guide: ASVAB Scores for the Air Force.
Find Out Where You Stand
Estimate your AFQT in about 12 minutes, free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum ASVAB score for the Air Force?
Sources report 31 to 36 for diploma holders. Confirm with an Air Force recruiter.
What ASVAB score does the Air Force need with a GED?
Sources report 50 to 65. Confirm with a recruiter.
What does MAGE stand for?
Mechanical, Administrative, General, and Electronic: the Air Force's four composite areas.
Is the Air Force harder to get into?
It's often described as one of the more selective branches, so aim well above the minimum.
- Official ASVAB program, "Enlistment Eligibility" and "Understanding ASVAB Scores" (officialasvab.com): minimum AFQT scores vary by branch
- Third-party sources reviewed September 2026; where they disagree, we show the range