ASVAB Waivers: What You Need to Know Before Enlisting

Written by a tutor with 12+ years of experience helping over 800 students navigate ASVAB preparation and military enlistment

I’ll never forget Marcus, a determined nineteen year old that came to my office convinced that his military ambitions were finished. He had taken the ASVAB test and achieved a 28, which was 3 points shy of the minimum needed to enlist in the Army, and his recruiter had stopped calling him. “Is there anything I can do?” he asked with disappointment and frustration in his voice.

Six months later, Marcus left for Basic Training with an approved waiver in hand.

Marcus’s story is not uncommon. In over a decade of tutoring ASVAB test takers, I’ve assisted dozens of students through the waiver process, some successfully, and some not. However, in either case, I learned something valuable about how the waiver process works — and that is something I want to pass onto you now.

What Does An ASVAB Waiver Mean?

I am going to eliminate the “jargon” you’ll see on government web sites and give you the simple explanation.

An ASVAB waiver is basically the military saying, “we see something in you that goes beyond your ASVAB test score.” It is an official exemption to allow you to enlist in the military or to allow you to apply for a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for which you don’t meet the required ASVAB test score requirements.

The ASVAB is a test of your aptitudes in areas such as arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, mathematics, etc. Your ASVAB scores determine not only whether you are eligible to enlist in the military, but also which MOSs you are eligible to apply for.

I tell my students the following: the ASVAB is very important, but it is only a snapshot of your life on a single day. Waivers are available to recognize that snapshots do not always show the whole picture.

Three Types Of ASVAB Waivers

I have helped numerous students seek waivers in the past 10 + years, and based upon my experiences, I can identify the following three categories of waivers.

ASVAB Waiver Types Comparison

Understanding your options when standard scores fall short

* Timelines are estimates based on typical processing. Your experience may vary depending on branch workload and completeness of your package.

AFQT Score Waivers

Your AFQT score is the sum of your scores on four sections of the ASVAB test, and it is the primary factor that determines your basic eligibility to enlist in the military. Depending upon your branch of service and your educational background, the minimum AFQT score varies from 31 to 36.

I will be truthful with you; AFQT waivers are difficult to obtain. The military considers the AFQT to be a general indicator of trainability. However, I have seen AFQT waivers granted — usually when the student had something special to offer.

For example, one of my previous students, who was a licensed EMT for 3 years prior to enlisting, received an AFQT waiver with a score of 29. The reason his waiver was approved was the fact that he had a lot of medical experience and was mature.

AFQT Minimum Scores by Military Branch

Minimum qualifying scores and waiver flexibility based on 12+ years of tutoring experience

* Waiver flexibility ratings based on author’s observations from 2012–2025. Actual approval rates vary by recruiting climate and individual qualifications.

Line Score Waivers

These waivers are much more common, and are generally easier to obtain. A line score is a composite score that is derived from a combination of scores on various sections of the ASVAB test, and is used to determine whether a student meets the qualification requirements for a particular Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). If you qualify to enlist in the military, but fail to achieve the required line score for your desired MOS, then you should consider seeking a waiver for your line score.

I recently worked with a student who wanted to become a Navy Corpsman, but missed the required line score for the rating by four points. Her waiver was approved in less than three weeks, and it was approved because she had a certificate in phlebotomy, and had letters of recommendation from her hospital volunteer activities.

Retest Waivers

Typically, military regulations require a waiting period of several months to a year or longer between ASVAB test administrations. A retest waiver may allow you to retake the ASVAB sooner than you otherwise would be able to, but only if you meet the qualifying criteria.

Please note the following: I have seen many recruiters encourage students to retest in order to improve their ASVAB scores, but I have also seen students retest and perform poorly again. Repeating a poor performance can negatively impact your future waiver opportunities, so please do not assume that you will automatically receive a waiver, regardless of your test results.

Who Gets Approved For Waivers? Honest Insights From Over 12 Years Of Tutoring

I want to be honest with you because I have seen too many students get excited about receiving a waiver based upon incomplete information.

Students Who Have Received Approved Waivers

When reviewing the ASVAB waivers that have been approved for my students, I notice that there are a number of common characteristics among them.

Firstly, most of the students that have received approved waivers had scores that were close to the minimum threshold (within five points of the threshold). The closer you are to the threshold, the better your chances are of having your waiver approved.

Secondly, the majority of the students who have received approved waivers had some kind of “value added” that went beyond their test scores. Examples of “value added” items include certifications, specialized training, relevant work experience, or demonstrated leadership. One of my students, for example, had his Eagle Scout badge and his experience as a volunteer firefighter help secure his waiver, even though he had a 30 on his AFQT.

Thirdly, most of the students who have received approved waivers had patient and invested recruiters. While the recruiter is ultimately responsible for submitting the waiver application to the military, their support throughout the waiver process is critical to its success. Unfortunately, the quality of support from recruiters can vary greatly. Some recruiters will fight tooth and nail to get a waiver approved for their students, while others may not even bother. A good recruiter will invest the time and effort necessary to build a solid case for your waiver, and will follow-up on your behalf until it is approved.

Waiver Package Checklist

Documents that strengthen your waiver application

* Not all documents are required. Focus on gathering items that showcase your strongest qualifications.

Timing And Waiver Approval Rates

Finally, I want to explain to you that waiver approval rates vary greatly depending on the current recruiting environment. During my early years as a tutor (from 2012 to 2015), waivers were extremely rare. At the time, the military was undergoing a significant downsizing and had no shortage of qualified applicants. Many of my students had legitimate reasons for wanting to serve, but were denied waivers simply because they were applying at the wrong time.

However, in recent years, due to ongoing recruiting challenges faced by the military services, I have seen increased flexibility in the waiver process. Nevertheless, the recruiting environment can shift rapidly, and there is no guarantee that this trend will continue.

Again, I’m sharing this with you not to discourage you, but to prepare you for the realities of the waiver process.

The Waiver Process – What Actually Happens

Now that we have covered the basics of waivers, I want to provide you with an overview of the actual waiver process.

Step #1 – The Initial Conversation With The Recruiter

Your recruiter is the gateway to getting your waiver approved. During the initial conversation with your recruiter, be completely honest about your testing history, your goals, and any concerns you may have. I often tell my students to ask their recruiter about their experience with waivers. How many waivers have they submitted? How many waivers have they had approved? A recruiter who has never had a waiver approved may not be the best person to advocate on your behalf — not because they’re incompetent, but because they may not have the connections or experience to navigate the waiver process successfully.

Step #2 – Building Your Waiver Package

This is where many students truly separate themselves from the competition.

A well-developed waiver package tells a story about why you deserve to have your waiver approved, rather than just listing your qualifications. To develop a strong waiver package, you will want to collect documents that illustrate your strengths and accomplishments. Examples of documents that have helped my students include:

Academic transcripts that demonstrate your academic progress over time;

Professional certifications that are related to your desired MOS;

Employment records that demonstrate your reliability and skill-building abilities;

Letters of recommendation from your employer(s), coaches, teacher(s), or community leader(s) that highlight your potential.

One student, for example, had letters from three of his supervisors at different jobs that highlighted his work ethic and quick learning ability. His waiver was approved.

Step #3 – The Waiting Period

Unfortunately, waiting for a decision on your waiver can be frustrating. The amount of time it takes to receive a decision on your waiver can range from 2 weeks to 6 months, and typically you will not receive regular updates from the military.

My suggestion is to continue studying for a potential retest, maintain your physical fitness, and periodically contact your recruiter to inquire about the status of your waiver. Contacting your recruiter every 2-3 weeks to ask about your waiver is reasonable.

One of my students waited 4 months for a decision on his waiver. During that time, he earned his personal training certification. When his waiver was eventually approved, that certification also helped him to obtain a better MOS than he originally sought.

My Experience With Each Branch

Each branch of the military has its own culture regarding waivers. Based upon my experiences assisting students with waivers, I will describe the differences in culture I have observed among the branches.

Army

The Army has the highest waiver approval rate of all the branches. This is primarily because the Army has a larger pool of qualified applicants than the other branches, and therefore can afford to grant waivers to those who are close to meeting the required test scores. I have seen the most flexibility regarding waivers in the Army, especially for students who are close to the required test scores and have relevant skills.

It’s worth noting that “flexibility” does not necessarily translate to “ease”. Every waiver approval I have ever witnessed in the Army required a strong argument for the waiver.

Navy

The Navy recruiters I have dealt with in my area have been knowledgeable and communicative about the waiver process. The most common type of waiver I have seen for Navy recruits is a line score waiver for a specific rating. In addition to having to meet the required test scores, Navy recruits must also complete a pre-test course, called BCT/ADV, prior to attending boot camp. I have worked with a student who wanted to be an Aviation Electronics Technician and missed the line score requirement by 6 points. Because she had completed electronics courses at our local community college, her waiver was approved in 5 weeks.

Air Force

I will be blunt; the Air Force is the most difficult branch to receive a waiver from. The Air Force sets high standards for all of its applicants, and has a large pool of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots. Therefore, I have seen relatively few waivers approved for the Air Force. The students I have worked with who have received waivers from the Air Force have typically had technical certifications or security clearances prior to entering the service. These credentials are attractive to the Air Force because they represent a lower cost investment in terms of training.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps places great emphasis on physical fitness and leadership in their evaluation of applicants for waivers. I have seen students with borderline test scores be awarded waivers because they demonstrated excellence in these areas. One of my former students was a stand-out wrestler and a volunteer youth coach. His leadership and discipline were apparent in the documents he submitted for his waiver.

Coast Guard

Because the Coast Guard is the smallest of the military services, it is extremely rare for the Coast Guard to approve waivers. I have only worked with 2 students who pursued waivers for the Coast Guard in the last 12 years, and neither of those waivers were approved. Therefore, I do not have enough data to advise students regarding waivers for the Coast Guard.

Common Mistakes I’ve Observed Students Making

I believe that learning from the mistakes of others can save you a great deal of time and frustration.

Mistake #1 – Delaying Seeking A Waiver Until Desperation Sets In

The students who have been most successful in obtaining waivers began exploring the option of obtaining a waiver early in the process. They did not wait until they had failed an ASVAB test before considering their options.

If you are unsure about your ASVAB test scores, I recommend speaking with your recruiter about the possibility of obtaining a waiver before taking the test. Understanding the waiver process ahead of time will enable you to make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Mistake #2 – Assuming That Obtaining A Waiver Will Automatically Lead To Approval

I have seen students delay preparing for a retest, assuming that their waiver will be approved. Unfortunately, this can result in lost study time and/or physical conditioning. Furthermore, a second poor performance on the ASVAB can also negatively impact your waiver prospects in the future.

Regardless of whether or not you obtain a waiver, I recommend that you always have a contingency plan. Prepare for a possible retest by continuing to study for the ASVAB test, regardless of your waiver status.

Mistake #3 – Not Disclosing Relevant History

One of my students did not disclose to his new recruiter that he had previously scored low on an ASVAB test. When this information surfaced during the processing phase, it caused delays.

You cannot afford to withhold relevant information from your recruiter. Your recruiter needs to know everything about your past testing and qualifications in order to properly advocate on your behalf.

Mistake #4 – Giving Up Too Early

Marcus, the student I referenced earlier, almost gave up after his recruiter went silent. He visited another recruiter and his new recruiter immediately recognized his potential and advocated aggressively on his behalf.

At times, persistence involves finding a new advocate for your cause, not merely waiting for your existing recruiter to come around.

Can I Get A Waiver Instead Of Re-Test?

This is probably the most common question I get asked, and the truth is, it depends.

Retaking the test is usually better when…

Your original test score was very low compared to the required score (over 10 points) You are able to identify why your previous test did not do well (you were sick, you were nervous, etc.) You have sufficient time to thoroughly prepare for the test, usually 3-6 months of dedicated study. You have shown meaningful progress on practice tests.

A Waiver May Be The Best Option When…

Your score was close to the minimum (within 5 points) You have other strong qualifications that will help offset the score gap. You do not have enough time to wait for a re-test. Your recruiter is optimistic about your chance of getting the waiver approved.

In Some Cases, Both Options Make Sense

I have had students work on both a waiver and a re-test at the same time. If they get their waiver, that is great. If not, then they will be ready for another try.

While this strategy takes more effort, it gives you more options.

Should You Retest or Pursue a Waiver?

A quick guide to help you decide your best path forward

✓ = Recommended | ~ = Consider | ✗ = Not ideal for this situation

One Last Thought; You Are More Than A Test Score

After twelve years and many, many students, I firmly believe that your ASVAB score is important, but it does not dictate your potential to serve in the military. I have seen students with perfect scores washout of basic training because they did not possess the resiliency to make it through the challenges. I have also seen students who needed a waiver go on to become distinguished soldiers.

Waivers are often frustrating and unpredictable. However, if serving in the military is truly your goal, then it is worth pursuing every available option.

Regardless of whether you are studying for a re-test, assembling your waiver package, or simply looking for your options, keep focused on what you can control: your preparation, your outlook and your persistence.

If you need direction, seek out a recruiter, mentor, or tutor who believes in you. Having someone to support you will make a huge difference.

It has been a few weeks since Marcus left for basic training. He sent me a text message saying, “The hardest thing I have ever done.” And then he said, “But also the best.”

I hope you will have that type of experience too.

About the Author

Frank L.

ASVAB and Math Tutor

Since 2012 I have been helping students prepare for the ASVAB, and I have worked with more than 800 young men and women who aspire to serve in the five branches of the U.S. military. My method includes a combination of test preparation and holistic guidance on the enlistment process. I am not associated with the Department of Defense nor the five branches of the U.S. military, however I have developed good relationships with some of the recruiters in my area which helps me to see the system from a couple different perspectives.

This post represents my own experiences and opinions. The policies and rules regarding military enlistments and waivers change frequently. Each situation is unique. Always confirm current eligibility and requirements with an official recruiter prior to making any decisions concerning your military career.