GT Score Explained (and How To Raise It) - Operation Military Kids

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is used by the U.S. military to assess enlistment eligibility and job qualification.

One of the most commonly referenced line scores derived from the ASVAB is the GT (General Technical) score, which plays a role in determining eligibility for certain military occupational specialties and programs.

This article explains what the GT score is, how it is calculated by different branches, why it matters, and how service members may work to improve it.

1. What Is the GT Score?

When you take the Armed Service Battery Test (ASVAB) test, your score is not just one score.

Instead, it is several scores over specific areas of knowledge.

The GT score is the General Technical section.

Essentially, the score represents the soldiers’ reading, language, and basic math skills.

Depending on the branch of the military, it may include mechanical knowledge.

The GT score, along with the nine other sections of the test, are called the line scores.

These scores determine if you are eligible for the service and which specialty, or job, for which you are best suited.

Also, this score is part of your eligibility for the officer training school.

Some Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and programs require a GT score of 110 or higher, depending on the branch and the specific role.

Therefore, if you want to be considered as a candidate for one of the harder-to-get positions, you need to improve your score.

Related Article – 4 Steps For Visiting A Marine Corps Recruiter Near You

2. How Do the Different Branches Determine the GT Score?

The Army calculates this particular score by combining the scores for Word Knowledge (WK), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Paragraph Comprehension (PC).

The Marines calculate the GT score with the Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mechanical Comprehension (MC) scores.

In the Coast Guard, it’s calculated with the sum of Word Knowledge (WK), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Paragraph Comprehension (PC).

The Air Force uses the ASVAB test to determine if a potential service member qualifies for a job in the Air Force, called an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). The Air Force takes the parts of the test into qualification areas. The General Qualification area includes Verbal Expression, which is Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension, as well as Arithmetic Reasoning (AR).

The Navy uses the ASVAB test differently. Every Navy Rating has a combination of minimum scores necessary for the ASVAB subtests.

3. Why Is Getting a Good GT Score Important?

A high GT score translates into more opportunities.

Many positions in the military are competitive.

For instance, in the Army, you must have a GT score of 110 to qualify for the Green to Gold program.

The Green to Gold program helps soldiers earn a degree to qualify for an officer commission.

Furthermore, service members often wish to switch to a different MOS but could be disqualified if the score is too low.

Furthermore, a low score stands in the way of other career advancement opportunities.

Related Article – ASVAB Scores for Air Force Jobs

4. How Can I Calculate My GT Score?

Depending on which branch of the military you are in, you would look at how that branch calculates the GT score.

For instance, if you are in the Army, look at the nine different scores on your ASVAB test, and locate the numbered scores for Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK).

Add up these sub-test scores to calculate your GT score.

5. How Can I Improve My GT Score?

Now that you know how essential your GT score is, perhaps you want to work to improve this score.

You can retake the test, but it helps to prepare before the retake.

Talk to your career counselor regarding what local options you have available to prepare for the test.

Sometimes this extra practice often happens in a classroom environment.

Other times, you may find you have one-to-one tutoring options.

In some cases, there are online options for boosting your scores.

Furthermore, check with your local career counselor because there are online practice tests available, as well.

Related Article – Retaking the ASVAB

What People Get Wrong About GT Scores

A common misunderstanding is that the GT score is calculated the same way across all branches of the military, when each branch applies its own formula and emphasis.

Some people also believe the GT score alone determines job eligibility, even though most military specialties consider multiple line scores together.

Another misconception is that a low GT score permanently limits career options, when in reality retesting and preparation opportunities may be available depending on branch policy.

Finally, GT scores are sometimes confused with overall ASVAB scores, even though they are only one component of a larger scoring system.

Conclusion

Every branch of the military handles how they utilize the raw scores of the ASVAB test.

Some branches focus mostly on the GT score.

However, some branches of the military focus on calculations of the subtests as those scores relate to specific jobs.

Since your performance on the ASVAB test and the GT score is so important, it is vital to do well.

If you find your score is less than what you hoped for, you do have opportunities to prepare for a retake of the test.

References:

www.goarmy.com

www.marines.mil

www.airforce.com

www.uscg.mil

www.navy.com

home.army.mil

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Rob V.Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time. Latest posts by Rob V. (see all)

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Find out what the GT score is on the ASVAB, as well as how to calculate it, and what sort of impact it can have on your time in the military.Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally vetted. Learn more. Share on Facebook Tweet on twitter Share on google+ Pin to pinterest