Minimum ASVAB Score for Marines – Requirements & Jobs

There are several steps in the process of becoming a US Marine, and you will need to prove that you have what it takes to get the coveted Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

Marines need to demonstrate that they have physical, mental, and moral toughness – but before you get to the 13 weeks of Marine Corps training that culminates in the 54-hour Crucible, you will need to achieve the right score in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to be considered.

In this article, you will learn more about the ASVAB and how it is relevant for applications to join the Marine Corps, and what your Marines ASVAB test scores should look like so that you can select your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) – the job role that you will have in the Marine Corps.

What Is the ASVAB Score for Marines?

The ASVAB is a lengthy test that is used to establish whether potential recruits have the aptitudes needed to be successful in the US Military.

Everyone who wants to join the military, in any branch, needs to complete the ASVAB.

Taking the ASVAB

When you complete the ASVAB, you will usually be in a Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) or potentially taking it as part of a Career Exploration Program towards the end of high school.

Either way, most people will take the computerized version of the test, which is designed to adapt to your performance as you move through the questions.

This means that if you are answering the questions correctly, the next question will be more challenging – but if you are struggling, the next question will be easier.

The test is split into nine sections, each individually timed and marked. The sections are as follows:

General Science (GS)

• 15 questions
• 12 minutes

In the GS section of the assessment, you will be asked questions related to life sciences (human health and nutrition, as well as basic biology), elementary chemistry and physics, geology, meteorology and astronomy.

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)

• 15 questions
• 55 minutes

This is a section all about your ability to solve word problems using basic mathematical functions. Problems are described in words.

You’ll need to make reasoned decisions using high-school level mathematics.

Word Knowledge (WK)

• 15 questions
• 9 minutes

This is one of the shortest sections of the ASVAB in terms of time.

You will need to demonstrate that you know the meaning of different words, using synonyms and sentence structure to help.

Paragraph Comprehension (PC)

• 10 questions
• 27 minutes

This is similar to a verbal reasoning assessment, in that you will be given a passage of text to read and understand, then answer questions about.

You will need to demonstrate that you can gain information from this written material to make decisions.

Mathematics Knowledge (MK)

• 15 questions
• 31 minutes

This section is just a series of math questions, based on the operations and principles that you will have learned in high school.

It includes things like basic geometry and algebra.

Electronics Information (EI)

• 15 questions
• 10 minutes

In this section, you will be assessed on your knowledge of how electricity works, the components in an electrical circuit, and also radio principles.

Auto & Shop Information (AS)

• 20 questions
• 14 minutes

This section focuses on your knowledge of automobiles, as well as the terminology and practices you might find in a shop.

Mechanical Comprehension (MC)

• 15 questions
• 22 minutes

In this section of the test, you will be given images of mechanical devices, usually everyday items that you might have at home.

You will then be required to use mechanical principles and basic physics to answer questions about them.

You will need to understand things like structural support and the properties of different materials.

Assembling Objects (AO)

• 15 questions
• 18 minutes

This section of the assessment is about your spatial awareness and ability – how you can imagine objects in space.

You will need to be able to identify assembled shapes from their net and work out how objects are connected.

The Different Scores on the ASVAB

Standard Score

The standard score is a simple way to ensure that every test taker’s score is treated the same.

To do this, the raw score is scaled so that a score of 50 is the mean – so that is the average Marines ASVAB score in the assessment.

Unlike other aptitude tests, where a score of 50 is usually considered a failure, in the ASVAB, that would be bang on the average expected.

The standard score uses a standard deviation of 10, so 60 is above average, and 40 is below average. A good ASVAB score for the marines is above a 31.

Percentiles

To compare your score against the norm group, and against other test takers, your score will be translated into a percentile.

This is a simple way to describe how well you have performed.

If your percentile in one of the ASVAB sections is 75, that means that you have performed better than 75% of the norm group.

AFQT

The Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) is the initial assessment that is used to ensure that you have the necessary skills and aptitudes to be considered for a role in the military.

The AFQT comprises of four sections of the ASVAB:

• Word Knowledge
• Paragraph Comprehension
• Arithmetic Reasoning
• Mathematical Knowledge

Each branch of the military has a benchmark score consisting of a combination of points from these four sections that will make you eligible for a role.

This number will differ depending on the branch you are applying for, and whether you have a high school diploma or a GED.

Composite Score

The Composite Score is also known as the line score, and it is this that will determine which career in the military is most suitable for you.

These scores are a combination of your score in different sections, depending on where your career focus will be – whether that is something to do with engineering, a specialism or something more clerical in nature.

If you want to join the Marine Corps, you will need to choose a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Your line score will help you decide which type of role is most suited to you based on your skills and aptitudes.

In this way, the line score is the most important factor in your career decisions, after you have achieved the relevant score in the AFQT.

The Minimum ASVAB Score for the Marines

To be considered for a role in the Marine Corps, there are several general requirements. You will need to have:

• A high school diploma
• Legal US residency
• Reached the age of 17 and be younger than 28.
• No felony convictions on a criminal background check
• Completed the Initial Strength Test (which involves pull ups or pushups, a plank hold, and a 1.5-mile timed run.
• Reached the relevant score on the AFQT

You will also need to have a certain ASVAB score to join the Marines.

The minimum ASVAB score for the Marines is at least 31 with a high school diploma.

The lowest ASVAB score for Marines (or the minimum score you need) if you have GED is 50.

These scores take into account your performance in the Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning sections of the ASVAB, which are known as the AFQT.

If you do not reach this benchmark score in the AFQT section of the ASVAB, you will not have reached the required competencies to start training.

ASVAB Score for Marine Jobs

After the AFQT score is considered and you have reached the minimum required to join the Marine Corps, the next important numbers to look at are the line or composite scores.

These are a combination of scores from different sections of the ASVAB that point to a career area that you have proficiency in.

For the Marine Corps, the composite score groupings are as follows:

• Electronics Repair, Missile Repair, Electronics and Communication (EL): GS, AR, MK, EI
• General Maintenance, Construction, Utility and Chemical Maintenance (MM): GS, AS, MK, EI
• General Tactical, Special, and Officer Programs (GT): Verbal Expression (combination of WK and PC), AR
• Clerical (CL): VE, AR, MK
• Skilled Technical (ST): GS, VE, MK, MC

Each MOS will have a minimum composite score that you will have to achieve to be able to apply for the career area you want.

Some of the minimum Marine Corps ASVAB jobs scores are below:

• Intelligence specialist: GT = 100
• Machine gunner: GT = 80
• High frequency communication central operator: EL = 100
• Machinist: MM = 105
• Finance technician: CL = 110
• Aviation supply clerk: CL = 100
• Weather observer: GT = 105
• Cryogenics equipment operator: MM = 105
• Combat correspondent: GT = 105
• Telephone technician: EL = 115
• Field artillery cannoneer: GT = 90
• Rifleman: GT = 80

Essentially, the higher you score on the ASVAB as a whole, the more choice you will have when you come to choose your career path.

You can find a Marines ASVAB score chart on the Military.com website.

This outlines the ASVAB score for Marine jobs.

How to Achieve the ASVAB Score for Marines

Know Which Topics Weigh the Most

If you know which career you want to have when you join the Marine Corps, then you will know which sections are particularly important to qualify you for entry.

Every person who wants to join the Marines will need to score well in the AFQT sections (WK, PC, AR, and MK) initially, but you will want to be sure that you are getting the highest score possible in the composite sections needed for your role.

Use Online Practice Questions to Your Advantage

Practice makes perfect, and, while the questions in the ASVAB are designed to test your aptitudes and natural vocational abilities, getting familiar with the test, the types of questions that you will face and how the assessment is structured will make you feel more comfortable when you come to take the real thing.

You can take a practice test early in your preparation for the ASVAB – this is particularly useful to highlight any areas where you might need a bit more revision (the questions you answered incorrectly).

Sticking to a Realistic Study Schedule

Studying for any assessment usually works better if you do not cram – so set up a study schedule that gives you ample time to focus on the areas you need to improve on, but also gives you space and time to live your life.

Start studying as soon as you can, but just be realistic and remember that you still have other commitments and need free time, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Marine Corps ASVAB score?

The ASVAB is a test used to establish whether you are suitable for a career in the military, and what sort of specialism you should have. It is a nine-section assessment that covers different vocational aptitudes.

What is the lowest ASVAB score for Marines?

To be considered for the Marine Corps, you need to score 31 in the AFQT, which is part of the ASVAB test used before enlisting.

What is the highest Marines score on ASVAB?

The highest standard score on the ASVAB for the marines is 100, or the 99th percentile.

Each section has a raw score that is translated into a standard score between 0 and 100, with 50 as the mean and a standard deviation of 10.

Why is the ASVAB score important for joining the Marines?

You will not be able to join the Marines unless you have completed the ASVAB and achieved the minimum score required in the AFQT section.

So the higher your score, the more choice you will have when it comes to choosing your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Can the Marine Corps ASVAB score requirements vary for different roles within the Marines?

Every Marine recruit is required to complete every section of the ASVAB as a requirement for enlisting, but different sections can have more importance depending on the role you want.

You will need to score at least 31 on the AFQT section, but the composite (or line) scores are used to determine your suitability for a different role.

Can I retake the ASVAB if I don't meet the required score for the Marines?

You can retake the ASVAB as many times as you like, but you need to wait a minimum time period before you can retake.

The second attempt has to be at least 30 days after the first, and if you take it a third time or more, then you will need to wait at least six months.

Can a high Marine Infantry ASVAB score lead to more opportunities and incentives within the Marines?

The better your Marine Infantry ASVAB score, the more choice you will have when it comes to a career path in the Marines – and this means you will have more opportunities for advancement and even consideration for an officer role. So Marine jobs and ASVAB scores are directly linked. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you already know which career path you want to take when you join the Marine Corps or not, getting a good score in the ASVAB is more than just acing the AFQT.

You will need to focus your revision and studying on the other areas of the assessment so that you can have the choice of job roles.

The better your overall score, the more chance you have of getting the Marines specialism that you want to start your military career with.