How to Get Your ASVAB Scores From Years Ago
Getting your old ASVAB scores might seem hard, but it’s actually pretty simple once you know where to look.
Whether you took the test in high school or when you joined the military, your scores are still saved somewhere. This guide will show you exactly how to find them.
Why You Might Need Your Old ASVAB Scores
Many people need their old ASVAB scores for different reasons. You might be trying to join a different branch of the military or go back into service. Some jobs ask for these scores to prove your skills, and schools sometimes want them for records too.
The good news is that your ASVAB scores don’t just disappear after a few years. The military keeps these records for a very long time, even if you never enlisted. You just need to know the right way to ask for them.
How Long Are ASVAB Scores Valid
Your ASVAB scores stay valid for joining the military for two years from when you took the test. After two years pass, you have to take the test again if you want to enlist. But here’s the important part: even though they expire for joining the military, the scores themselves are kept on file forever.
The Defense Manpower Data Center stores all ASVAB scores in their system permanently. This means you can get a copy of your scores even 10, 20, or 30 years later. You might not be able to use them to join the military anymore, but you can still get proof that you took the test and see what you scored.
Getting Scores If You Served in the Military
If you were in the military at any point, your ASVAB scores are part of your official military file. This file is called your Official Military Personnel File or OMPF for short. All your important military documents are stored in this file, including your test scores.
The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri keeps these files safe. This center has records for millions of people who served in any branch of the military. To get your scores from them, you need to fill out a form called Standard Form 180, which is also called SF 180.
Using Standard Form 180 to Request Your Scores
Standard Form 180 is the official way to ask for your military records. You can download this form for free from the National Archives website at archives.gov/veterans. The form is only three pages long and pretty easy to fill out.
When you fill out the form, you need to give them certain information so they can find your records. Write your full name exactly as it was when you served, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You also need to put down which branch you served in and when you served.
The more information you can give them, the faster they can find your file. If you have your DD Form 214, which is your discharge paperwork, that helps a lot. But if you lost it or never got one, you can still request your records without it.
How to Submit Your Request
You have a few different ways to send in your SF 180 form. The fastest way is to submit it online through the eVetRecs system on the National Archives website. This electronic system processes requests quicker than mail.
You can also mail the completed form to the National Personnel Records Center at 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. Some people prefer to fax it instead, and you can send faxes to 314-801-9195. Pick whichever method works best for you.
After you send in your request, you need to be patient. The records center is very busy and handles thousands of requests every month. Most requests take several weeks to process, and some can take up to 90 days. Don’t send another request before 90 days pass because that can actually slow things down more.
What You Will Receive
When your request is processed, the records center will send you copies of your military records. Your ASVAB scores will be included in these documents, usually on a form called ASVAB Form 680-3A. This form shows all your individual test scores and your overall AFQT score.
The AFQT score is your Armed Forces Qualification Test score, which is the main number that determines if you can join the military. You will also see scores for each section of the test, like math, reading, and mechanical skills. These section scores show what kinds of military jobs you qualified for.
Getting Scores If You Took the Test in High School
Many high schools give the ASVAB as part of their career planning program. This version is called the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, and it helps students figure out what careers might fit them well. If you took this test in high school but never joined the military, your scores are handled differently.
High schools usually keep these scores for about two years after you take the test. Your school counselor is the first person you should contact. Call your old high school and ask to speak with the guidance counselor or career counselor.
When you talk to the counselor, tell them your full name and the year you graduated. They might ask for other information to make sure they have the right person. If your school still has the records, they can often give you a copy pretty quickly.
What If Your School Doesn’t Have Your Scores Anymore
Sometimes schools throw out old ASVAB scores after a few years to save space. If your school tells you they don’t have your scores anymore, you still have options. The Department of Defense keeps records of all ASVAB tests, even the ones given in schools.
You can contact the ASVAB Career Exploration Program directly to ask about your scores. Visit their website at asvabprogram.com and look for information about requesting old scores. They might be able to help you track down your results if the test was recent enough.
For very old scores from more than 10 or 15 years ago, it might be harder to find them. The further back you go, the less likely it is that anyone still has the records on file. But it never hurts to ask, and you might get lucky.
Using a Military Recruiter to Find Your Scores
Military recruiters have access to special computer systems that can look up ASVAB scores. If you are thinking about joining the military or joining again, talking to a recruiter is one of the easiest ways to get your scores. They can often find your information in just a few minutes.
You can visit any recruiting office for any branch of the military. Even if you want to join the Army, an Air Force recruiter can still look up your scores. All branches use the same database for ASVAB records.
When you visit the recruiter, bring any identification you have, especially your Social Security card or number. The recruiter will ask you some questions and then search for your scores in their system. If your scores show up, they can print out a copy for you right away.
The MEPS Connection
MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, and these are the places where people go to take the ASVAB and process into the military. Every ASVAB test taken at a MEPS location is recorded in their database. This database is connected to recruiting offices across the country.
If you took your ASVAB at a MEPS facility, your recruiter can request your scores directly from that system. There is a form called USMEP-COM 680-3 that recruiters use to pull up old scores. The recruiter fills out this form and sends it to MEPS, and they usually get the results back pretty fast.
This method works really well if you took the test within the last few years. For older tests, the information should still be there, but it might take a little longer to find. Either way, using a recruiter is usually faster than requesting records through the mail.
Important Information You Need Before Requesting Scores
Before you start trying to get your old ASVAB scores, gather up some important information first. Having all this information ready makes the process go much smoother and faster. You don’t want to fill out a bunch of forms only to realize you’re missing something important.
What You Need:
- Your full legal name as it was when you took the test
- Your Social Security number and date of birth
For people who served in the military, having your service dates and branch is really helpful. Your service number is good to have if you remember it, but Social Security numbers replaced service numbers many years ago. Any old military paperwork you can find will make things easier.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Scores
The good news is that getting your ASVAB scores is usually free. The National Personnel Records Center does not charge veterans or former service members for copies of their records. This includes your ASVAB scores and all other documents in your military file.
If you are requesting scores through a high school or through the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, there might be a small fee for copying and mailing. But most of the time, these requests are free too. Schools generally want to help their former students and don’t charge for simple records requests.
The only time you might have to pay is if you want extra copies of documents or if you need them sent in a special way. Standard requests sent by regular mail or email are almost always free. If someone asks you to pay a lot of money for your ASVAB scores, be careful because that might be a scam.
What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Scores Anywhere
Sometimes people run into problems and can’t find their scores no matter what they try. The records might be lost, or maybe the test was so long ago that nobody has them anymore. If this happens to you, don’t give up completely because you still have options.
One choice is to simply take the ASVAB again. The test is given regularly at MEPS locations all over the country. Talk to a military recruiter about scheduling a new test. This gives you a fresh set of scores and solves the problem of finding the old ones.
Taking the test again might actually be better anyway if your old scores are really old. You might do better now than you did years ago, especially if you have learned more or gained more work experience. A new test also means you have current scores that are valid for joining the military if that’s what you want to do.
Tips for a Faster Response
When you request your ASVAB scores, there are some things you can do to get them back faster. First, make sure you fill out every part of the request form completely. Missing information is the number one reason requests get delayed.
Double check that your Social Security number is correct and that your name is spelled exactly right. If you changed your name at some point, include both your old name and your new name on the form. This helps the records center match you to the right file.
If you submit your request online instead of by mail, it usually gets processed quicker. Electronic submissions go straight into the system, while mailed forms have to be opened and entered by hand. Online submissions also let you track the status of your request in some cases.
Keeping Your Scores Safe Once You Get Them
After you finally get your ASVAB scores, make several copies and keep them in safe places. Put one copy in a file with other important documents like your birth certificate and Social Security card. You might also want to scan them and save digital copies on your computer or in cloud storage.
Having multiple copies means you won’t have to go through this whole process again if you need your scores in the future. Some people frame their scores or keep them in a special folder with other achievements. However you store them, just make sure they won’t get lost or damaged.
If you need to show your scores to an employer or school, give them a copy instead of your original. Keep the original document safe at home. Most places are happy to accept photocopies or scanned versions of your ASVAB results.
Understanding Your ASVAB Score Report
When you get your scores back, you might see a lot of different numbers and not know what they mean. The most important number is your AFQT score, which stands for Armed Forces Qualification Test. This score is shown as a percentile from 1 to 99.
Your AFQT score compares you to other people who took the test. If you scored 70, that means you did better than 70 percent of test takers. The military uses this score to decide if you can join and what jobs you might qualify for.
You will also see individual scores for different test sections. These include areas like arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and mathematics knowledge. There are also technical sections like mechanical comprehension, electronics information, and automotive information. Each of these scores helps determine what military jobs would be a good fit for your skills.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Sometimes your request might get rejected or delayed for various reasons. One common problem is if the records center can’t find your file with the information you gave them. If this happens, try to find any old documents that might have your service number or other details.
Another issue is if your name was spelled differently when you took the test. Maybe you went by a nickname or your name was misspelled on the original paperwork. Try submitting another request with different name variations if your first attempt doesn’t work.
If you are getting frustrated and not making progress, consider calling the National Personnel Records Center directly. Sometimes talking to a real person can help solve problems faster than sending more forms. The staff there deal with these issues every day and might have suggestions for your specific situation.
Final Thoughts
Finding your ASVAB scores from years ago is definitely possible with the right approach. For veterans and former service members, Standard Form 180 and the National Personnel Records Center are your best options. High school test takers should start by contacting their old school counselor.
Military recruiters can also be very helpful, especially if you are considering joining or rejoining the military. They have quick access to the ASVAB database and can often find your scores right away. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from multiple sources if your first attempt doesn’t work.
Remember that getting these records takes time, so start the process early if you need your scores for a specific deadline. Be patient, keep copies of everything you submit, and follow up if you don’t hear back within a reasonable time. Your ASVAB scores are out there somewhere, and with persistence, you can track them down.