ASVAB Scores Required For Navy Ratings (Jobs)

ASVAB Sub-Tests for Navy Jobs

Recruits at MEPS
By
Stewart Smith
Stew Smith
Full Bio

Stew Smith, CSCS, is a Veteran Navy SEAL Officer, freelance writer, and author with expertise in the U.S. military, military fitness, and its traditions.

Learn about our editorial policies
Updated on June 25, 2019

If you are going to join the Navy or any other branch of service, you'll be required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB Test).

The Navy uses each individual's results for the ASVAB subtest score areas to determine whether or not a person qualifies for a certain job, or rating.

The Subtest Sections

The ASVAB subtests are comprised of the following sections, number of questions, and time limit:

  • General Science (GS): General principles of biological and physical sciences - includes 25 items that are to be completed in 11 minutes.
  • Arithmetic Reasoning (AR: Simple word problems that require simple calculations - includes 30 items that are to be completed in 36 minutes.
  • Word Knowledge (WK):  Correct meaning of a word (synonyms); occasionally antonyms (opposite meaning of a word) - includes 35 items that are to be completed in 11 minutes.
  • Paragraph Comprehension (PC): Questions based on the information of several paragraphs that you read - includes 15 items, which are to be completed in 13 minutes.
  • Assembling Objects (AO): Assembling objects questions test your ability with spatial relationships between objects that typically work together. There are 16 questions on this section and you will be given 16 minutes to complete them all.
  • Auto and Shop Information (AS): Knowledge of automobiles, shop terminology, and tool use - includes 25 items that are to be completed in 11 minutes.
  • Mathematics Knowledge (MK): High school level math, including geometry, trigonometry, and algebra - includes 25 items that are to be completed in 24 minutes.
  • Mechanical Comprehension (MC): Basic mechanical and physical principles - includes 25 items to be completed in 19 minutes.
  • Electronics Information (EI): Electronic principles, basic electronic circuitry, and electronic terminology - includes 20 items that are to be completed in 9 min and measure knowledge of electric principles and electronic terminology.

The VE and the AFQT Scores

The VE Score is comprised of two of the above sub-tests:  

Paragraph Comprehension (PC) and Word Knowledge (WK) make up the Verbal Expression Score of the ASVAB.  You can say that the AFQT is comprised of the VE score plus the math sections. 

Specifically, the sub-tests used to make the AFQT are Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Word Knowledge (WK), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), and Arithmetic Reasoning (AR).

Combining related subtests that match the requirements of the Navy ratings is how the recruiters will determine if you have the ability/aptitude for certain jobs.

ASVAB Requirements for Ratings

While these requirements are subject to change, the list below provides useful examples of the individual ASVAB score requirements for the following Navy enlisted jobs:

Rating (Job) ASVAB Scores Required
ABE - Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Equipment VE+AR+MK+AS=184
ABF - Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Fuels VE+AR+MK+AS=184
ABH - Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Handling VE+AR+MK+AS=184
AC - Air Traffic Controlman VE+AR+MK+MC=210 -OR- VE+MK+MC+CS=210
AD - Aviation Machinist Mate VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210
AE - Aviation Electronics Mate AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222
AG - Aviation Aerographer's Mate VE+MK+GS=162
AIRC/AIRR - Aircrew Program AR+2MK+GS=194
AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210
AME - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Equipment VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210
AMH - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Hydraulics VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210
AMS - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Structures VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210
AO - Aviation Ordnanceman VE+AR+MK+AS=185 or MK+AS+AO=140
AS - Aviation Support Equipment Technician VE+AR+MK+AS=210 or VE+AR+MK+MC=210
AT - Aviation Electronics Technician AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222
AV - Avionics Technician AR + MK + EI + GS = 218
AW - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator VE+MK+GS=152
AZ - Aviation Maintenance Administrationman VE+AR=102
BM - Boatswain's Mate None Established
BU - Builder AR+MC+AS=145
CE - Construction Electrician AR+MK+EI+GS=201
CM - Construction Mechanic AR+MC+AS=162
CS - Culinary Specialist VE+AR=88
CS (SS) - Culinary Specialist (Submarine) AR+MK+EI+GS=200 or VE+AR+MK+MC=200
CTA - Cryptologic Technician - Administration VE+MK=102
CTI - Cryptologic Technician - Interperative VE+MK+GS=162
CTM - Cryptologic Technician - Maintenance AR+MK+EI+GS=223
CTO - Cryptologic Technician - Communications VE+AR=102
CTR - Cryptologic Technician - Collection VE+AR=109
CTT - Cryptologic Technician - Technical VE+MK+GS=162 (CCT AEF Program: AR+MK+EI+GS=223)
DC - Damage Controlman VE+AR+MK+AS=200 or MK+AS+AO=150
ND - DIVER - Navy Diver Program AR+VE=103 -AND- MC=51
EA - Engineering Aid AR + 2MK + GS = 210
EM - Electricians Mate VE+AR+MK+MC=209
EN - Engineman VE+AR+MK+AS=195 or VE+AR+MK+AO=200
EO - Equipment Operator AR+MC+AS=145
EOD - Explosive Ordinance Disposal AR+VE=109 and MC=51 or GS+MC+EI=169
ET - Electronics Technician AAR+MK+EI+GS=223
ETN - Electronics Technician (Submarine) AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222
FC - Fire Controlman AR+MK+EI+GS=223
FT - Fire Control Technician (Submarine) AR+MK+EI+GS=222
GM - Gunner's Mate AR+MK+EI+GS=205
GSE - Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Electrical VE+AR+MK+MC=209
GSM - Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Mechanical VE+AR+MK+AS=195 or VE+AR+MK+AO=200
HM - Hospital Corpsman VE+MK+GS=146
HT - Hull Technician VE+AR+MK+AS=200 or MK+AS+AO=150
IC - Interior Communicationman VE+AR+MK+MC=209
IS - Intelligence Specialist VE+AR=107
IT - Information System Technician AR+2MK+GS=222 or AR+MK+EI+GS=222
LN - Legalman VE+MK=102
LS Logistics Support VE + AR = 108
MA - Master at Arms AR+WK=98 and WK=43
MC - Mass Comminication Specialist VE + AR = 110
MM - Machinist Mate VE+AR+MK+AS=195 or VE+AR+MK+AO=200
MM - Machinist Mate (Submarine) VE+AR+MK+MC=210
MN - Mineman VE+MC+AS=161
MR - Machinary Repairman VE+AR+MK+AS=200 or MK+AS+AO=150
MT - Missile Technician AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222
MU - Musician None established
ND Navy Diver AR+VE= 103 and MC=51
NF - Nuclear Field VE+AR+MK+NAPT = 290 (with minimum 50 NAPT score) or AR+MK+EI+GS+NAPT = 290 (with minimum 50 NAPT score) or VE+AR+MK+MC = 252 (No NAPT required) or AR+MK+EI+GS = 252 (No NAPT required).
OS - Operations Specialist VE+MK+CS=157 or AR+2MK+GS=210
PS - Personnel Specialist VE+MK=105 or VE+MK+CS=157
PR - Aircrew Survival Equipmentman VE+AR+MK+AS=185 or MK+AS+AO=140
QM - Quartermaster VE+AR=97
RP - Religious Program Specialist

VE + MK = 105 OR VE + MK + CS = 157
SECF - Submarine Electronics AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222
SH - Ship's Serviceman VE+AR=95
SB - Special Boat Operator AR+VE= 103 and MC=51
SO - Special Operator GS+MC+EI=170 or VE+MK+MC+CS=220 or VE+AR=110 MC=50
STG - Sonar Technician - Surface AR+MK+EI+GS=223
STS - Sonar Technician (Submarine) AR+MK+EI+GS=222 or VE+AR+MK+MC=222
SW - Steelworker AR+MC+AS=145
UT - Utilitiesman AR+MK+EI+GS=201
YN - Yeoman VE+MK=105 or VE+MK+CS=157
YN - Yeoman (Submarine) AR+MK+EI+GS=200 or VE+AR+MK+MC=200