High ASVAB Scores: Military Jobs That Demand High Performance

Acquiring a high ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score can open up numerous career opportunities within the military. The highest score you can achieve is 99, representing the 99th percentile of test-takers. Certain specialized military roles require exceptionally high scores, particularly in specific subtests.

What is the ASVAB and How is it Scored?

The ASVAB is a multiple-choice test that assesses a candidate's aptitude in various areas, including arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, general science, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and more. The test is scored on a percentile basis, with 99 being the top score. If you score a 60, it means you scored better than 60% of test-takers. The score that counts most for military purposes is your line score, typically a sum of several subtests such as the General Technical (GT) line score, which is the sum of your Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Arithmetic Reasoning scores.

A high GT score (often 110 or higher) is required for many jobs, though there are some outliers, such as the 25S satellite maintainer job, which had the highest requirements as of 2010. For a breakdown of scores, an ASVAB score of around 80 is typically sufficient to qualify for most positions. However, the higher your ASVAB score, the higher your line scores are likely to be.

Jobs That Require High ASVAB Scores

Technical and Engineering Roles

Roles within the Navy and Air Force often require high scores in math and science. For example:

Navy Nuclear Program: Requires high scores in math and science. Air Force Technical Jobs: Often involve higher scores in Mathematics Knowledge and Electronics Information.

Intelligence and Cybersecurity

Intelligence and cybersecurity roles may require strong scores in general science, arithmetic reasoning, and verbal sections. For instance:

Military Intelligence: May need high scores in General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Verbal sections. Cyber Operations: Typically requires strong technical scores.

Healthcare Roles

Healthcare roles such as Navy Hospital Corpsman and Air Force medical positions may benefit from higher scores in science and math sections. Some examples include:

Navy Hospital Corpsman: Higher scores in science and math sections are beneficial. Air Force Medical Positions: Generally require good scores in relevant areas.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

EOD is a multifaceted job that covers a wide range of duties, and is known for its high ASVAB score requirements. It includes:

Linguistics: Involves training troops on weapon safeguarding and responses to weapons of mass destruction. Piloting: Although this is an officer role, EOD linguists are enlisted personnel. CN/Tactical Nuclear/Radiological/Biological and Chemical (CBRN) Defense: Involves training and advising on the management and deployment of protective gear and materials to mitigate the effects of weapons of mass destruction.

While EOD is an interesting and important role, it's crucial to remember that the goal should be to discover what you want to do, study, and achieve a good score to pursue your desired career, rather than solely focusing on which jobs require higher scores.

In conclusion, high ASVAB scores provide numerous opportunities within the military. Whether you're interested in technical roles, intelligence and cybersecurity, healthcare, or specific enlisted jobs like EOD, a high score can unlock a wide range of career pathways. Focus on your interests and aspirations to maximize your chances of success in your military career.