ASVAB guideASVAB in 2027
ASVAB Score Too Low for 2027 Enlistment? Retests and Prep Course Options
Below the AFQT minimum for a 2027 enlistment? See how far you are from the floor, the official retest waits, the Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course, why only four subtests move your AFQT, and a 30-day plan to raise it.
Short answer
If your AFQT is below a service's minimum, you have three main routes for 2027. Retest after the official waits: one calendar month after your first test, another month after the first retest, then six months. Raise the four subtests that make up the AFQT: Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension. If you're going Army, ask about the Future Soldier Preparatory Course: GoArmy says its academic track accepts scores from 21, runs up to 90 days, and includes chances to retake the test. Your recruiter confirms which options apply.
First, measure the gap
"Too low" means below a specific number, so start there:
| Service | Minimum AFQT on its official ASVAB page |
|---|---|
| Army | At least 31 to enlist |
| Air Force | 31 for high school seniors or graduates; 50 for GED holders |
| Others | See the minimum scores by branch guide |
Then place your score in the official AFQT categories: IVA is 21–30, IIIB is 31–49, and IIIA is 50–64. A 28 is three points from a 31 floor. A 15 is a longer climb. Also check the job: a score above the floor can still be below the composite a particular job needs, which is a different problem covered in the line scores guide.
Route 1: Retest after the official waits
The official retest policy says:
| Attempt | Earliest date |
|---|---|
| First retest | One calendar month after the initial test |
| Second retest | One calendar month after the first retest |
| Later retests | Six months after the previous retest |
The waits are the same whether your first test was a school test or an enlistment test. GoArmy says the most recent score counts, not the highest. And if your AFQT rises 20 points or more within six months, the policy requires a confirmation test.
GoArmy's page puts the third attempt six months after the second test, which differs from the testing program's page; the Air Force's page matches the program's one-month, one-month, six-month sequence. The retake guide lays out the difference, so ask your recruiter which rule will be applied before you pick dates.
A month goes quickly. If you retest without changing how you study, there's little reason to expect a different result.
Route 2: Raise the four subtests that count
Your AFQT comes from four subtests only:
- Arithmetic Reasoning: word problems
- Mathematics Knowledge: algebra, geometry, and number rules
- Word Knowledge: vocabulary
- Paragraph Comprehension: reading
The Air Force calls Word Knowledge plus Paragraph Comprehension "Verbal Expression." General Science, Electronics, Auto and Shop, Mechanical Comprehension, and Assembling Objects don't change your AFQT at all. If eligibility is the problem, spend your time on the four above.
Route 3: The Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course
GoArmy describes a course for applicants who want to raise their score:
| Option | Who it's for, per GoArmy | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Academic track | A minimum AFQT of 21 | Up to 90 days of training on the subjects the ASVAB covers, with opportunities to retake the test |
| 30-day option | Scores between 31 and 49 | One chance to improve your score; a different Army job may become possible, depending on Army needs |
| Expanded course | Applicants who also exceed the Army's body fat standard | Starts with the academic track, then moves to a fitness track |
Eligibility, availability, and contract terms come from your recruiter. Other services may run their own programs; ask their recruiters directly rather than relying on unofficial lists.
A 30-day plan to raise your AFQT
For the month before a retest. Adjust the weights to your score report:
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arithmetic Reasoning: set up word problems; rates, percents, ratios. Math facts without a calculator |
| 2 | Mathematics Knowledge: fractions, exponents, simple equations, area and perimeter |
| 3 | Word Knowledge: roots, prefixes, suffixes, and 15 new words a day. Paragraph Comprehension: main idea and stated detail |
| 4 | Timed mixed sets under the subtest limits; review only the misses; rest the day before |
Use the Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension guides for each week. The free ASVAB retake planner helps you map the weeks to your retest date.
Build an ASVAB retake plan from your score report so each week targets the subtest pulling your AFQT down.
Trust the source
Official sources
Exam policies can change. Use these primary sources for the most current details.