On 27 October 2026, the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps sites each listed a minimum AFQT score of 31 for diploma holders. The Air Force and Marine Corps list 50 for GED holders. We couldn't confirm a minimum for the Navy, Coast Guard or Space Force on their own sites, so we don't give one. Ask a recruiter for those. A minimum is only one requirement: meeting it doesn't mean you'll be accepted, and a recruiter can tell you which other requirements apply to you.
Minimum AFQT score by branch (checked 27 October 2026)
Each Service sets its own minimum and can change it. This table shows what the branch sites said on the date above.
| Branch | Diploma | GED or nontraditional credential | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 | Not stated on the page we checked. Ask a recruiter | goarmy.com |
| Air Force | 31 (high school seniors and graduates) | 50 | airforce.com |
| Marine Corps | 31* | 50 or more (GED or nontraditional diploma) | marines.com |
| Navy | Not confirmed on the branch site. Ask a recruiter | Ask a recruiter | Not confirmed |
| Coast Guard | Not confirmed on the branch site. Ask a recruiter | Ask a recruiter | Not confirmed |
| Space Force | Not confirmed on the branch site. Ask a recruiter | Ask a recruiter | Not confirmed |
*marines.com calls this the minimum ASVAB score.
The AFQT is the score used to decide enlistment eligibility for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, according to the ASVAB FAQs. For what the score means and how it is built, see our AFQT score guide.
Why websites list different numbers
You will find different minimums for the same branch on different pages. Three things are worth knowing when that happens.
- Each Service sets its own minimum and can change it. A page that was right once may be out of date now.
- A page that doesn't show when it was checked can't tell you which version of a rule it describes.
- Other requirements also apply, so a number on its own doesn't describe who gets in.
If a figure you see elsewhere doesn't match the branch's own page, go with the branch page and confirm with a recruiter.
Army
The Army page says you need an ASVAB (AFQT) score of at least 31 to enlist. The page we checked doesn't state a separate GED minimum, so ask a recruiter if you hold a GED.
The Army also describes the Future Soldier Preparatory Course. Applicants who score 21 or higher can enter its academic track, which runs 90 days and includes retest opportunities. For scores of 31 to 49, the page describes a 30-day option. Ask a recruiter whether you qualify and how the course fits your situation.
Air Force
The Air Force page lists 31 for high school seniors and graduates and 50 for GED holders.
Marine Corps
The Marine Corps page lists a minimum of 31, and 50 or more for GED or nontraditional diploma holders.
Navy, Coast Guard and Space Force
We couldn't confirm a minimum for these three on the branch's own site. Numbers for them on other websites don't agree with each other, so we don't repeat them. Ask a Navy, Coast Guard or Space Force recruiter for the current number before you plan around one.
Which branch has the hardest ASVAB?
Here, "hardest" can only mean the minimum score each Service sets. On the three branches we could verify, the diploma minimum is the same: 31 for the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. For GED holders, the Air Force and Marine Corps both list 50. The Army page we checked didn't state a GED number. So none of these three comes out harder than another on diploma minimums, and we can't rank GED rules across all three.
We can't compare the Navy, Coast Guard or Space Force yet, because we haven't confirmed their numbers.
Who has the lowest ASVAB score to join?
Among the branches we verified, the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps list the same diploma minimum, 31. The Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course accepts applicants scoring 21 or higher into its academic track. That is a course, not the standard enlistment minimum, so ask a recruiter how it works for you. We can't say whether another branch is lower, because we haven't confirmed the others.
Is 35 a bad ASVAB score?
Not by the verified minimums. A 35 is in category IIIB, which covers 31 to 49 on the AFQT categories. It is above the 31 that the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps list for diploma holders. It is below the 50 that the Air Force and Marine Corps list for GED holders.
Is 42 a low ASVAB score?
A 42 is also in category IIIB (31 to 49). It is above 31 and below 50.
Is a 70 on the ASVAB good?
A 70 is in category II, which covers 65 to 92. It is above both the 31 diploma minimum and the 50 GED minimum listed by the branches we verified. Jobs can still set their own requirements.
How rare is a 93 or a 99?
An AFQT of 93 means you did as well as or better than 93% of the reference group, which is 18 to 23 year olds from a 1997 national norming study, according to officialasvab.com. A 93 is the bottom of category I, which runs from 93 to 99. A 99 is the top of the scale. These are percentiles, not percent correct.
What ASVAB score do Navy SEALs need?
We couldn't confirm a figure for the Navy on its own site, so we don't give one. Ask a Navy recruiter.
Check the number, then work on your score
Retests have waits, so it helps to prepare before you test. You can try free ASVAB practice to see where you stand. The Prepanchor AFQT Core Pack for the ASVAB covers the four subtests the AFQT draws on. Its score readout is an estimated practice range, which is not a prediction of an official score. For the full category table and retest waits, see the AFQT score guide. To read your report, see the ASVAB score chart. For job-specific scores, see the GT score guide.
FAQ
What is the minimum ASVAB score to join the military?
It depends on the branch. The Army, Air Force and Marine Corps list 31 for diploma holders. We couldn't confirm the Navy, Coast Guard or Space Force numbers.
Is the GED minimum higher than the diploma minimum?
On the Air Force and Marine Corps pages, yes. Both list 50 for GED holders, against 31 for diploma holders. The Army page we checked didn't state a GED number.
Do all branches use the AFQT?
The ASVAB FAQs say AFQT scores determine eligibility for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. We didn't confirm how the Coast Guard or Space Force use it.
How often will this table change?
Each Service can change its minimum at any time. The check date in the heading shows when we last compared these numbers to the branch pages. Confirm with a recruiter before you rely on one.