You may take the AFOQT twice under the standard process. A third administration is possible only with approval from the appropriate waiver authority. The current Department of the Air Force testing manual requires at least 90 days between administrations.
Current rule: two ordinary attempts, a waiver for attempt three, and a minimum 90-day interval. AFOQT scores do not expire, and the Air Force uses your highest composite scores across eligible attempts through superscoring.
How many times can you take the AFOQT?
DAFMAN 36-2664, dated January 17, 2025, authorizes three AFOQT administrations, but explicitly requires a waiver for the third. In practical terms:
- First attempt: normally authorized.
- Second attempt: normally authorized after the required interval.
- Third attempt: requires approval from the waiver authority for your commissioning source.
- More than three: not authorized by the standard rule.
The controlling authority depends on whether you are applying through AFROTC, OTS/recruiting, the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard or the Air Force Academy. Work through your detachment, recruiter or testing control officer rather than submitting an informal request directly.
How long must you wait to retake the AFOQT?
The normal minimum is 90 days from the previous AFOQT administration date. That is a minimum interval, not a guarantee that a testing appointment will be available on day 90.
An applicant seeking to test before 90 days needs an exception to policy reviewed through the Air Force Personnel Center testing office. Do not build an application timeline around receiving an early-test exception.
| Situation | Published policy |
|---|---|
| First to second attempt | Wait at least 90 days |
| Third attempt | Waiver required; normal interval still applies |
| Testing before 90 days | Separate exception-to-policy review required |
| Score expiration | Eligible current-form scores do not expire |
| Multiple scores | Best composites are superscored across attempts |
What is required for a third AFOQT attempt?
The applicant must provide documentation to the appropriate waiver authority. The manual requires the authority to verify training completed since the previous administration.
Examples in the manual include:
- completion of a relevant college course;
- significant additional flying experience;
- completion of an approved study-preparation course; or
- other documented improvement in abilities measured by the AFOQT.
A third test is therefore not an automatic extra attempt. The request should demonstrate what changed and why another administration is justified.
Does the Air Force use your newest or highest score?
The current manual uses superscoring across all composites. Your best eligible composite score from any administration becomes the score of record for that composite. This is different from simply using the newest complete test or selecting one “best attempt.”
For example, if your second administration improves Quantitative but your first has the stronger Pilot composite, superscoring can retain the stronger composite from each eligible administration.
Pilot candidates should remember that the AFOQT Pilot composite also feeds the Pilot Candidate Selection Method score. TBAS results and documented flying hours are separate PCSM inputs with their own policies.
Do AFOQT scores expire?
Current eligible AFOQT T1/T2 and T7/T8 scores do not have an expiration date under DAFMAN 36-2664. Older or obsolete forms may be treated differently, so candidates with historical scores should have their testing office verify the score version rather than assuming every old record remains usable.
Why some websites say two attempts
Some Air Force recruiting pages summarize the test as something that “can only be taken twice.” That describes the two normally available administrations but omits the third-attempt waiver process. The detailed 2025 personnel-testing manual expressly authorizes a third administration with the required waiver.
When a short recruiting summary and the current testing manual appear inconsistent, use the manual and instructions from the testing authority responsible for your application.
Important study restriction after your first attempt
DAFMAN 36-2664 contains a rule many retake articles miss: applicants who have already taken the AFOQT may not participate in formal or informal group study with anyone. First-time applicants may study together using approved preparation materials, but retest applicants must prepare individually.
Never use recalled test questions, restricted test content or material represented as an actual current exam. Use official preparation materials and legitimate subject-area practice.
Should you retake the AFOQT?
A retest may make sense when a composite is below the minimum for your intended path or clearly weak relative to the rest of your application. It is not automatically worthwhile merely because a higher percentile sounds better.
Before scheduling:
- Confirm the minimum composites for your commissioning and career path.
- Ask how your current scores affect the specific board or classification process.
- Identify the subtests driving the weak composite.
- Use the 90-day interval for individual, documented preparation.
- Confirm the score deadline and testing availability for your board.
- If it would be attempt three, start the waiver process before assuming you can test.
Frequently asked questions
Can you retake the AFOQT?
Yes. A second administration is normally authorized after at least 90 days. A third requires a waiver.
Can you take the AFOQT three times?
Yes, but the third administration requires approval from the waiver authority for your commissioning source and documentation of training or improvement since the prior test.
Can you take the AFOQT unlimited times?
No. The current manual authorizes three administrations, with a waiver required for the third.
Is the AFOQT wait 90 or 150 days?
The January 2025 manual establishes a normal minimum of 90 days. The older 150-day figure is outdated.
Does the AFOQT use superscoring?
Yes. The best eligible composite score across attempts is used as the score of record for each composite.
Can I study with a group before a retake?
No. The current manual prohibits formal or informal group study after an applicant has taken the AFOQT at least once.
Official sources
- DAFMAN 36-2664, Personnel Assessment Program, Attachment 2
- Air Education and Training Command: 90-day interval and AFOQT superscoring
- U.S. Air Force officer application and AFOQT overview
Last policy review: August 2026. Your testing control officer, recruiter or commissioning source controls scheduling and waiver processing.
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