The Army requires all recruits, both enlisted and commissioned, to take the ASVAB. This is a test of:

• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• General Science (GS)
• Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Electronics Information (EI)
• Auto & Shop (AS)
• Assembling Objects (AO)

There are several study guides that explain these sections in greater detail but suffice to say, you do not need a college degree to take this test. It is a very practical test. An AFQT score, calculated from scores in WK, PC, AR and MK, determines if you are qualified to join the military. The AFQT is a percentile score (0 to 99).

The Army uses various combinations of all nine scores are used to determine qualification for particular specialties. These scores are:

• Clerical (CL) - Determined from Verbal Expression (VE), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK).
• Combat (CO) - Determined from Verbal Expression (VE), Coding Speed (CS), Auto & Shop (AS) and Mechanical Comprehension (MC). Note: Because CS has been removed from the ASVAB, a "dummy score" is inserted for this area.
• Electronics (EL) - Determined from General Science (GS), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK) and Electronic Information (EI).
• Field Artillery (FA) - Determined from Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Coding Speed (CS), Mathematics Knowledge (MK) and Mechanical Comprehension (MC). Note: Because CS has been removed from the ASVAB, a "dummy score" is inserted for this area.
• General Maintenance (GM) - Determined from General Science (GS), Auto & Shop (AS), Mathematics Knowledge (MK) and Electronics Information (EI).
• General Technical (GT) - Determined from Verbal Expression (VE) and Arithmetic Reasoning (AR).
• Mechanical Maintenance (MM) - Determined from Numerical Operations (NO), Auto & Shop (AS), Mechanical Comprehension (MC) and Electronic Information (EI). Note: Because NO has been removed from the ASVAB, a "dummy score" is inserted for this area.
• Operators and Food (OF) - Determined from Verbal Expression (VE), Numerical Operations (NO), Auto & Shop (AS) and Mechanical Comprehension (MC). Note: Because NO has been removed from the ASVAB, a "dummy score" is inserted for this area.
• Surveillance and Communications (SC) - Determined from Verbal Expression (VE), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Auto & Shop (AS) and Mechanical Comprehension (MC).
• Skilled Technical (ST) - Determined from General Science (GS), Verbal Expression (VE), Mechanical Comprehension (MC) and Mathematics Knowledge (MK).

Of special importance to OCS Applicants is the GT score. OCS Hopefuls must score a minimum of 110 in GT. This minimum is not something that is waiverable.