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Although all potential military recruits take the ASVAB same test, how each branch of service uses the test scores differs significant. This article examines the Air Force and how your ASVAB test scores are evaluated for qualification for recruitment and employment.
For starters, the AFQT score (ASVAB overall score) needed only to enlist in the Air Force is the second highest of all military branches (second from the Coast Guard). In addition, the Air Force rarely accepts candidates with a general education rather than a high school diploma – GED recruits to less than 1% of each year class of recruits.
If you do not score high enough on the ASVAB Air Force enlist, your scores are then calculated by four different "zones aptitude called MAGE (mechanical, administrative, general, and electronics). Each aptitude area score is calculated from your scores on the ASVAB subtests using the following formulas:
- Mechanical 2 x General Science (GS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Auto & Shop Information (AS)
- Administrative numerical operations (NO) + coding speed (CS) + the verbal (VE)
- Arithmetic Reasoning General (AR) + the verbal (VE)
- Electronics Science (GS) + arithmetic reasoning (AR) + math skills (MK) + Electronics Information (EI)
You will need a minimum of one or more of these skill areas in order to qualify for the position of the Air Force of your choice.
If you must take the ASVAB test and Air Force did not meet the minimum requirements for enrollment you can talk with the flight leader recruitment may give approval for you to take another test. Your first retest can arrive 30 days after challenge initial which is then retest every six months.
If you are eligible for enrollment, but does not score highly enough to win the MAGE the job you want, you can test again to try to improve your subtest scores subject to the same 30 days / 6 months above requirements.
Make sure you know the minimum MAGE scores you need on the Air Force ASVAB before taking it so you know which subtests are most important to earning the job you want. To help you prepare, take these free ASVAB tests online.
