Calculating ASVAB Score: Scoring Computation

_{December 10, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Military}

How do I calculate my ASVAB score? Learn how to calculate your ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score. This article explains the scoring method used in the ASVAB test.

How do I calculate my ASVAB score?

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test used by the United States military to assess the aptitude of individuals for various military jobs. The ASVAB consists of several subtests, and your scores on these subtests are used to determine your eligibility for different military occupations. Here's how the ASVAB scoring works:

ASVAB Subtests:

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR):
- Tests your ability to solve arithmetic word problems.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 96.
Word Knowledge (WK):
- Measures your ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 96.
Paragraph Comprehension (PC):
- Assesses your ability to understand written information.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 96.
Mathematics Knowledge (MK):
- Tests your understanding of mathematical concepts and principles.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 96.
Electronics Information (EI):
- Measures your understanding of electrical systems.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 94.
Auto and Shop Information (AS):
- Assesses your knowledge of automotive maintenance and repair and woodworking.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 94.
Mechanical Comprehension (MC):
- Tests your understanding of basic mechanical principles.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 94.
Assembling Objects (AO):
- Measures your ability to visualize spatial relationships.
- Scored on a scale of 0 to 92.

ASVAB Composite Scores:

AFQT Score (Armed Forces Qualification Test):
- The AFQT score is the most important score on the ASVAB. It is a composite of your scores on the Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge subtests.
- It is calculated as a percentile score, with a score of 50 representing the mean (average) score. A score of 50 means you scored as well as or better than 50% of the reference group.

ASVAB Score Categories:

Standard Scores:
- Each ASVAB subtest is converted to a standard score, with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.
- Standard scores are used for the individual subtests.
Composite Scores:
- Composite scores are calculated based on combinations of the individual subtest scores.
- For example, the General Science (GS) composite score is based on the Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge subtests.

How to Calculate Your AFQT Score:

Convert Raw Scores to Standard Scores:
- For each of the four AFQT subtests (AR, WK, PC, MK), convert your raw score to a standard score using the ASVAB tables.
Add Standard Scores:
- Add the standard scores for AR, WK, PC, and MK to get your AFQT standard score.
Determine Percentile Score:
- Your AFQT standard score corresponds to a percentile score, indicating the percentage of test takers you performed as well as or better than.

Keep in mind that the scoring system and requirements may change, so it's always best to consult the most recent information provided by the military recruitment offices or official ASVAB resources.

How is the ASVAB score calculated?

The ASVAB score is calculated in two ways, depending on the specific score being assessed:

1. AFQT Score:

The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score is a composite score used to determine eligibility for enlistment in the military. It is calculated using the standard scores from four subtests:

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)

Mathematics Knowledge (MK)

Paragraph Comprehension (PC)

Word Knowledge (WK)

Here's the formula for the AFQT score:

2VE + AR + MK

where:

VE is the Verbal Expression score, calculated as the sum of the standard scores from the WK and PC subtests, doubled.

AR is the standard score from the Arithmetic Reasoning subtest.

MK is the standard score from the Mathematics Knowledge subtest.

2. Subtest Scores:

Each individual subtest of the ASVAB also receives a standard score ranging from 20 to 62. This score represents the test-taker's performance relative to the national average for their age group.

Here's how the subtest scores are calculated:

Raw scores are converted to scaled scores.

Scaled scores are then converted to standard scores using a statistical process called "equating." This process ensures that scores are comparable across different test forms and administrations.

It's important to note that the ASVAB is a standardized test, and the scoring procedures are designed to be fair and objective. The scores are not influenced by factors such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Here are some resources for further information: