ASVAB Retake Rules: How Soon You Can Test Again
The official ASVAB retest policy: one month, one month, then six. Why your newest score is the one that counts, and what triggers a confirmation test.
You can retake the ASVAB — but not whenever you want, and not without consequences. The waiting periods are fixed, a retest taken early is thrown out, and your newest score replaces your old one even if it's lower. Here's the whole policy, straight from the official sources, and how to plan around it.
The waiting periods
The official ASVAB retest policy is short:
| Test | Earliest date |
|---|---|
| First test | Any time your recruiter schedules it |
| First retest | One calendar month after the first test |
| Second retest | One calendar month after the first retest |
| Third retest and every one after | Six calendar months after the previous test |
The official policy shows how a calendar month is counted: if a first retest was on March 20, the second retest can happen on or after April 20.
The policy is the same whether your first test was the student version given at school or the enlistment version at a MEPS or testing site.
What happens if you test too early
It doesn't count. The official policy says a retest given before the waiting period ends will be invalidated. You don't get a head start — you lose the attempt.
Your newest score replaces your best one
This is the rule that hurts people most. goarmy.com: "your most recent score — not your highest — will be used to assess your performance."
So a retest is not a free try. If you scored 52 and retest without preparing, a 47 becomes your score — and you've just dropped below the 50 line that the official ASVAB site ties to possible enlistment incentives. Retest only when you have a reason to expect a better result: a practice estimate that's clearly higher, not a feeling.
The 20-point rule: confirmation tests
If your AFQT rises by 20 points or more within a six-month period, the official policy calls it a Critical AFQT Gain. You'll be required to take a confirmation test, called a C-Test, to verify the new score.
A few details from the official scenarios:
- You can take the C-Test right away — you don't wait the usual month.
- If you don't show up for the C-Test, you can come back for a standard retest six months after the test that produced the big gain.
- After a C-Test, your next standard retest is six months from the date of the C-Test.
A large improvement is good news, not a problem. Just expect the extra step.
Special cases
The official policy also covers what happens when a test goes wrong:
| What happened | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Your first test was invalidated for administrative reasons (the policy's example is a fire drill) | It doesn't count as your first test. You can take a new initial test when the MEPS schedules it. |
| A first or second retest was invalidated for administrative reasons | It doesn't count. You can retest on a different form one month after the previous valid test. |
| Any test was invalidated for cheating | You must wait six months before retesting. |
Plan backwards from the six-month wall
The first two retests come fast. The third is half a year away. That means your first three attempts are, realistically, your window.
A simple plan:
- Don't take the real test cold. Take a timed practice test first and see where your estimate lands compared with the minimum and the 50 line.
- If your first score is short, use the month. One calendar month is enough time to fix one or two weak areas — especially in the four subtests that make up the AFQT: Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension.
- Measure again before the second retest. That's the last attempt before the six-month wait. Go in only when your practice estimate says you're ready.
If you're aiming for the Army and fall short of 31, ask your recruiter about the Future Soldier Preparatory Course. goarmy.com describes an academic track for applicants with an AFQT of 21 or higher — a 90-day program on the ASVAB subjects that includes opportunities to retake the test.
How long your score stays valid
Once you have a score you're happy with, it doesn't last forever. The official ASVAB FAQ: your scores "may be used for enlistment for up to two years from the date of testing."
Check your level before you book a retest
Our free practice test covers the four AFQT sections with the computer version's time limits and ends with an AFQT estimate — a practice estimate, not an official score. Use it before each attempt, so the calendar works for you instead of against you.
Not sure what your current score means? What Is a Good AFQT Score? and the AFQT score chart explain the scale and the lines that matter.
Quick answers
How many times can you take the ASVAB?
The official retest policy doesn't list a maximum number of attempts. It sets waiting periods: one month, one month, then six months between every retest after that.
Does the highest ASVAB score count?
No. According to goarmy.com, your most recent score is the one used.
Can I retake the ASVAB to get a better job?
You can retake it under the same waiting periods. goarmy.com, describing its prep course, says you may select a new job (MOS) based on a higher score, depending on the needs of the Army. Ask your recruiter how that applies to you.
Does the school ASVAB count as my first test?
Yes. The official policy says the retest rules are the same regardless of whether your first test was a student test or an enlistment test.
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