The point of the AFOQT Test is to not only decipher who will make a great Air Force Officer, but also who has the capacity and fortitude to become a Air Force Pilot or Navigator.
The requirements placed on a normal AF officer as compared to a pilot or navigator is extremely different. According to the Air Force, a pilot needs to be strong in aviation information, instrument comprehension and other areas, where as a logistics officer would not.
Therefore to help the Air Force find such people, they use a somewhat complex AFOQT Scores system to depict who is better suited for such jobs.
It is for this very reason that the test takes the results of the 14 AFOQT Sections and creates five scoring categories to create their AFOQT scores. Each section was designed to test a different area and different skill of the test taker.
AFOQT Score Categories
The five categories and the respective sections that are used to tallying their respective AFOQT scores are as follows:
[trx_table]
| afoqt score composites | sections included in the score |
| pilot | arithmetic reasoning
math knowledge instrument comprehension table reading aviation information
|
| navigator-technical | verbal analogy
arithmetic reasoning math knowledge block counting table reading general science
|
| academic aptitude | verbal analogies
arithmetic reasoning word knowledge math knowledge
|
| verbal | verbal analogies
word knowledge
|
| quantitative | arithmetic reasoning
math knowledge
|
[/trx_table]
Pilot: Pilots need to have a strong understanding of chart reading, schematics, aviation and aeronautical conepts. They have to be quick on their feet and respond even faster. It is for this reason that pilots are required to have higher results in the above area.
Navigators: Navigators have to be able to be technical, fast and supportive to the flight operations. While they share some of the pilot’s required attributes, they need to be stronger in areas like spatial abilities, perceptual speed and other attributes to help them in the navigational area of their job.
Academic: This category isn’t as specific as Navigator or Pilot, but serves to show which candidates have a strong background in fundamental academic knowledge.
Verbal: Like Academic this area isn’t specific but goes to show which candidates are strong in literature, English, and grammar.
Quantitative: Quantitative isn’t attached to any particular job, but shares a lot of similarities with Navigator. This area is more of a mathematical strength judge and is the opposite to Verbal.
AFOQT Scores Explained
Upon completion of the test, you will be given a number (1-99) for each of the 5 sections. This number represents the percentile in which you ranked. So, if you did better than 99% of the other test takers, then you would receive a 99%. If you were average, then you’ll get a 50th percentile.
As you can see, its not about how much you know, but how much you know as compared to your peers. This is why it’s incredibly important that you strive to get as good of a grade as possible. You’ll need help and a competitive advantage!
AFOQT scoring can be complicated, but just refer to the score breakdown above and the minimum AFOQT scores below and you should be fine.
AFOQT Minimum Scores
The original intent of the AFOQT scores is to decipher if you can become an officer in the Air Force. Therefore each person must get a minimum AFOQT score of:
Verbal: 15
Quantitative: 10
But even if you don’t want to become a pilot or a navigator, you will still need to take the other portions of the AFOQT Test.
Then for those looking to become a pilot of a navigator, they must have the following AFOQT scores or higher:
[trx_table]
| career type | pilot | navigator | combined pilot/nav |
| pilot | 25 | 10 | 50 |
| navigator | 10 | 25 | 50 |
[/trx_table]
What Are Good Scores for the AFOQT?
Because positions like Pilot are SUPER competitive and there is a finite number of positions for pilots, your AFOQT test scores need to be stellar. You need to prove that you are the best of the best in the test so that you can go on to becoming a pilot or a navigator. The following is a statistical representation of the average scores of those who were selected to become a pilot over the past 10 years:
Pilot: 90
Navigator: 85
Academic: 82
Verbal: 77
Quantitative: 82
Makes sense that the top 15% of test takers go on to become pilots.
AFOQT Scores for OTS
A lot of people seem to get confused about the AFOQT Officer Training School scores as compared to the others. The AFOQT scores for OTS that are required are the same as they are for ROTC and Air Force academy.
However, for those attending the AFOQT OTS board, you will need to compete even harder against those who are trying to make it from OTS.
The average score of those who pass their OTS board for each section is:
OTS Pilot: 77
OTS Nav: 77
OTS Academics: 82
OTS Verbal: 76
OTS Quantitative: 81
Therefore, if you intend to get into one of the programs above, then you will need to achieve as high of a AFOQT score for OTS then others just to stay competitive.
For more information on OTS, check this out.
Best Way to Improve Your AFOQT Score
There is no better way to improve your AFOQT score than using a study guide and practice test. There are many out there, but these are the best, listed from best to worse. So, check them out:
So What is a Good AFOQT Test Score?
In essence, this answer depends on your goals and desires. If you want to become a pilot or navigator, your AFOQT minimum scores will be higher than others in some sections. While navigators will be higher in others.
The best thing you can do to increase your AFOQT scores and achieve a higher chance of being successful is through a AFOQT study guide. These guides will help you get an edge and ultimately provide you with a better chance of beating those peers who didn’t use one.
Remember, you AFOQT scores are dependent on how you do as compared to the others who take the test. So, make sure you have that edge and you should do fine.
