What is the purpose of the AFQT score in the ASVAB?

The AFQT score, which stands for Armed Forces Qualification Test score, plays a crucial role in determining an individual's eligibility for enlistment in the military. This score is derived from specific subtests within the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) that focus on essential skills such as arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and mathematics knowledge. A high AFQT score indicates that a candidate has the foundational skills necessary for military training and service, making it a key factor in the recruitment process.

While other components of the ASVAB may provide insights into a candidate's strengths and aptitudes for various military occupational specialties, they do not play a direct role in determining enlistment eligibility like the AFQT score does.