AFOQT Score Requirements by Career Path (2025)

Understanding AFOQT Score Requirements

The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test serves as a gateway to your military career. Different career paths have specific score requirements you need to meet. Understanding these thresholds before test day gives you a clear target to aim for.

Pilot Candidate Requirements

Aspiring pilots face some of the highest score requirements. You need a minimum Pilot composite score of 25 and a combined Pilot-Navigator score of 50. Most competitive candidates score well above these minimums. Aim for a Pilot score of 70 or higher to stand out in the selection process.

The Pilot composite draws from several subtests including Instrument Comprehension, Table Reading, and Aviation Information. Strong spatial awareness and quick processing speed directly impact your performance in these areas.

Combat Systems Officer Path

CSO candidates need a Navigator composite of at least 25. The combined Pilot-Navigator minimum of 50 still applies. Navigator scores come from Table Reading, Instrument Comprehension, Block Counting, and Aviation Information subtests.

Many CSO selectees carry Navigator scores in the 60-80 range. Higher scores improve your chances significantly during the rated board process.

Air Battle Manager Requirements

ABM candidates focus on the Navigator and Verbal composite scores. A Navigator score of 25 minimum applies here as well. Strong verbal reasoning helps with the communication-heavy nature of air battle management duties.

Non-Rated Officer Positions

Officers in non-rated career fields typically need to meet minimum Academic Aptitude and Verbal composite scores. These minimums usually sit around 15 for Academic Aptitude and 15 for Verbal. However, competitive packages often show scores of 40 or higher in both areas.

How Scores Are Calculated

Your composite scores combine results from multiple subtests. The Academic Aptitude composite uses Verbal Analogies, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Word Knowledge. Verbal composite relies on Verbal Analogies and Word Knowledge scores.

Each composite uses a different weighting formula. Some subtests contribute to multiple composites, so strong performance across the board helps all your scores.

Retake Policy

You can retake the AFOQT twice, for a total of three attempts. A minimum 150-day waiting period exists between attempts. Your highest scores in each composite count, not your most recent.

Plan your preparation carefully. Many candidates find their second attempt improves scores by 10-20 points when they focus study efforts on weak areas identified in the first test.

Preparing to Meet Requirements

Start preparation at least 8-12 weeks before your test date. Focus initial study on understanding the test format and identifying your baseline abilities. Take a full practice test early to pinpoint areas needing the most work.

Allocate more study time to subtests that feed your target composite. Pilot candidates should prioritize aviation knowledge and spatial reasoning practice. Those pursuing non-rated positions benefit more from vocabulary building and math review.

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Jason Michael

Jason Michael

Author & Expert

Jason is a former Air Force officer and AFOQT instructor with over 10 years of experience helping aspiring officers prepare for military entrance exams. He holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Academy.

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