87 ASVAB Score – Is 87 A Good ASVAB Score?

87 ASVAB Score is an important metric for anyone eyeing a career in the U.S. military.

• Understand what an 87 ASVAB Score means
• Explore Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)
• Uncover benefits and drawbacks

Get ahead with this comprehensive guide tailored to help you make an informed decision

Is 87 a Good ASVAB Score?

Congratulations on achieving an 87 ASVAB Score! If you’re wondering what this score means, you’ve come to the right place.

87 ASVAB Score: Understanding Your Percentile Ranking

Your score indicates that you have performed better than 87% of the test-takers in the 1997 Department of Defense ASVAB study. This places you:

• Well above the average score: The majority of test-takers score between 30 and 70.
• Close to the top 10%: You’re just a few percentile points away from being in the top echelon of test-takers.

What Doors Does 87 Open?

An 87 ASVAB score doesn’t just look good on paper; it comes with practical benefits:

• Eligibility for All Military Branches: Your score makes you eligible for all branches of the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
• Wide Range of MOS Options: The higher your ASVAB score, the more Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) you qualify for.
• Better Signing Bonuses and Advancement Opportunities: Many military branches offer incentives for high ASVAB scores.

87 ASVAB Score: Potential Downsides

However, it’s important to also be aware of potential downsides:

• Elevated Expectations: With a high score, more may be expected of you in both training and duties.
• Performance Pressure: You might feel the stress to maintain the high standards your score sets.

87 ASVAB Score: Making the Most of Your Score

Your 87 ASVAB Score is an asset, and like all assets, it’s most beneficial when you know how to use it.

• Research the MOS options: Take the time to look into the MOS options available to you.

Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) Available with an 87 ASVAB Score

So you’ve nailed an impressive 87 ASVAB Score, and now you’re eyeing the range of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) open to you. An 87 isn’t just a number; it’s a key that unlocks a myriad of career paths within the military.

Unrestricted Branch Access

The first thing to note is that an 87 ASVAB score qualifies you for:

• Army: From infantry to intelligence, you’ve got options.
• Navy: Think anything from a Seabee to a nuclear technician.
• Air Force: Opportunities from air traffic control to cyber transport.
• Marines: Specialties like communications or engineering are within reach.
• Coast Guard: Roles in maritime enforcement and aviation electronics.

In essence, your 87 ASVAB Score makes you a desirable candidate for virtually all branches of the military.

MOS: Your Career, Your Choice

When it comes to the MOS, higher scores like yours often make you eligible for more technical and specialized roles:

• Intelligence Analyst: Delve into data and deliver crucial insights.
• Cyber Operations Specialist: Protect sensitive information from cyber threats.
• Aviation Mechanic: Keep aircraft in top condition for missions.

Your score doesn’t just open doors; it opens specialized doors that can lead to more training, greater responsibilities, and, often, a higher pay grade.

87 ASVAB Score: The Benefit of Choice

With a score like 87, the military is more or less your oyster:

• Skill Matching: You’re likely to find an MOS that closely matches your skills and interests.
• Career Advancement: Specialized roles often come with better opportunities for career advancement.

What’s Next?

The Military Occupational Specialties available to you are both a privilege and a responsibility.

• Consult with a Recruiter: They can offer insights into the best MOS based on your skills and interests.
• Research and Reflect: Spend time researching and thinking about what role would best suit you.

Understanding the ASVAB Scoring System

Navigating the path to military service begins with a solid grasp of the ASVAB Scoring System. Knowing how you got your 87 ASVAB Score can provide valuable insights into your academic strengths and weaknesses and set you up for a successful military career.

Core Areas and the AFQT

The ASVAB test comprises multiple sections, but only four core areas directly contribute to your AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score:

• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)

Your AFQT score is a percentile score based on these four areas and compared to a reference group from a 1997 study involving 12,000 test-takers.

87 ASVAB Score: A Deep Dive

In simple terms, an 87 AFQT score means you’ve scored better than 87% of those 12,000 participants:

• Above Average: Most people score between 30 and 70, making 87 a standout number.
• Percentile Rank: Your 87 ASVAB Score puts you in a high percentile rank, which is a significant advantage for military enlistment and MOS selection.

How is the AFQT Calculated?

The AFQT score is not a raw score but a percentile rank. It’s calculated using a formula that compares your performance to the reference group:

• AFQT Score = (AR + WK + PC + MK)
• Percentile Rank: Your scores are then compared to the reference group to determine your percentile rank.

The Importance of the 1997 Study

The 1997 Department of Defense study still serves as the benchmark for ASVAB scoring:

• Static Benchmark: The 1997 study provides a static benchmark that allows for consistent evaluation over time.
• National Standards: It sets the national standards against which all new test-takers are compared.

87 ASVAB Score: Advantages & Disadvantages

Your 87 ASVAB Score is undeniably a high mark that offers several advantages. However, like anything else, it comes with its own set of challenges. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of such an impressive score.

Advantages: Opening Doors and More

An 87 ASVAB score is more than just a number; it’s a gateway to benefits you might not have considered:

• Eligibility Across Branches: An 87 score enables you to join any branch of the military, widening your range of options.
• Specialized MOS Access: This high score often qualifies you for more specialized roles that come with better perks, training opportunities, and career advancement potential.
• Better Bonuses: High ASVAB scores are often rewarded with more generous signing bonuses or educational benefits.

Disadvantages: The Other Side of the Coin

While there’s a lot to celebrate with an 87, there are potential drawbacks:

• High Expectations: Your 87 ASVAB Score will likely set the bar high in terms of what’s expected from you, both in training and in your subsequent career.
• Performance Pressure: With a high score, you may feel the stress of maintaining that level of performance, especially when placed in more specialized roles.

87 ASVAB Score: The Importance of Balanced Preparation

Balancing your preparation to meet and manage these expectations is key:

• Training and Upkeep: Keep up with ongoing training to maintain and possibly surpass your initial score.
• Stress Management: Given that high expectations often accompany high scores, having effective stress-management strategies is crucial.

87 ASVAB Score: Navigating the Landscape

With a high ASVAB score comes responsibility:

• Consult Senior Personnel: If in doubt about what path to take, seeking advice from experienced service members can be invaluable.
• Plan for the Long-term: Consider how your ASVAB score fits into your longer-term career plans.

Tips for Achieving an 87 ASVAB Score

Earning an 87 ASVAB Score is an impressive feat, one that opens numerous doors within the military. If you’re aspiring to this level of achievement, certain strategies can help you get there.

Study Smart, Not Just Hard

The first rule of thumb for reaching an 87 is to be strategic with your study time:

• Focused Preparation: Concentrate on the four core areas that contribute to the AFQT score—Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge.
• Practice Tests: Take multiple practice tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Adjust your study plans accordingly.

Leverage Educational Resources

There’s an abundance of educational resources designed to help you ace the ASVAB:

• Books and Guides: There are comprehensive ASVAB study guides that offer in-depth material and practice questions.
• Online Courses: Several platforms offer specialized ASVAB prep courses.

Time Management

Time management is crucial when aiming for a high score:

• Study Schedule: Make a study plan and stick to it. Consistency beats cramming.
• Time Your Practice Tests: Learn to manage your time effectively during the test to ensure you complete all sections.

Psychological Readiness

Test-taking isn’t just about knowledge; it’s also about mindset:

• Relaxation Techniques: Consider incorporating mindfulness or other relaxation techniques to combat test anxiety.
• Positive Visualization: Visualize yourself achieving that coveted 87 ASVAB Score to boost your confidence.

Consult Experts and Peers

You don’t have to go it alone:

• Tutors and Mentors: If possible, consult with people who have excelled in the ASVAB.
• Study Groups: Engaging with peers can offer different perspectives and make the study process less monotonous

Common Questions or Misconceptions about the ASVAB

Navigating the military recruitment process can be challenging, especially when you’re bombarded with information and myths surrounding the ASVAB test. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions and answer frequently asked questions.

Myth 1: The ASVAB Only Tests Academic Skills

While the ASVAB does focus on core academic areas like math and language skills, it also tests:

• Mechanical Comprehension
• General Science
• Auto & Shop Information

So, it’s not just a measure of academic prowess; it also gauges practical and technical skills.

Myth 2: A High Score Guarantees a Great MOS

A high score like 87 certainly opens doors to specialized roles, but:

• Fit Matters: The best MOS for you also depends on other factors, like your interests and physical capabilities.
• Availability: Some roles may be highly competitive or not available at the time of enlistment.

Myth 3: You Can’t Retake the ASVAB

Contrary to popular belief, you can retake the ASVAB:

• Wait Period: You need to wait one month after the first test and another month after the second test.
• Improvement Chances: If you’re aiming for an 87 ASVAB Score and fell short, retaking the test is an option.

Common Questions

• Is 87 a Failing Score?: Absolutely not! An 87 is an excellent score that qualifies you for virtually all military branches.
• Is a Score of 87 Hard to Achieve?: While not easy, an 87 is achievable with focused preparation and effective study techniques.

What’s Next After Scoring 87?

• Consult a Recruiter: Discuss your score and its implications for MOS selection.
• Understand Your Options: Research the roles that you’re now qualified for and interested in

ASVAB Scores 1 to 99

Conclusion and Next Steps for 87 on ASVAB

Congratulations on reaching the end of this comprehensive guide. Whether you’ve already achieved an 87 ASVAB Score or are aiming for it, the journey doesn’t end here. Let’s discuss the essential next steps to ensure you make the most of this milestone.

Evaluate Your Options

With an 87, you’re in an excellent position to:

• Choose Your Branch: Your high score qualifies you for any military branch, so evaluate your options.
• Specialized Roles: Research the MOS roles you are now qualified for, focusing on long-term career prospects and your interests.

Strategize for the Future

An 87 score sets you on a path for success, but ongoing efforts are key:

• Career Development: Look for advanced training and educational opportunities within the military.
• Mentorship: Seek guidance from higher-ranking personnel to navigate your career path effectively.

Stay Updated

Even with a strong score like 87, staying up-to-date is crucial:

• Regular Training: Continue to build on your skills to meet and exceed the expectations set by your initial score.
• Policy Changes: Keep an eye on any changes to ASVAB scoring or military enlistment policies.

Frequently Revisited Questions

It’s common to revisit questions, even after obtaining a high score:

• Is Retaking Advisable?: If you’re considering retaking the ASVAB for an even higher score, weigh the pros and cons carefully.
• What Are the Career Implications?: Your 87 ASVAB Score may affect your career advancement and eligibility for certain roles. Be sure to understand these fully.

In summary, an 87 ASVAB Score offers a plethora of opportunities but comes with its own set of responsibilities and options to consider. The steps you take post-ASVAB will greatly influence how well you capitalize on this outstanding achievement. Remember, your military career is a marathon, not a sprint, and your ASVAB score is just one significant milestone on this journey