Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)
Before commissioning into the United States Air Force or Space Force, all cadets must take and pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). This standardized test assesses aptitude in verbal and quantitative areas and is also used for selection into rated career fields such as pilot and combat systems officer. Similar in format to the SAT or ACT, the AFOQT takes approximately four to five hours to complete and is administered each semester by Detachment 800 at the University of Tennessee.
The AFOQT consists of twelve subtests:
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Verbal Analogies
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Arithmetic Reasoning
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Word Knowledge
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Math Knowledge
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Instrument Comprehension
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Block Counting
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Table Reading
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Aviation Information
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General Science
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Rotated Blocks
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Hidden Figures
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Self-Description Inventory
Upon completion, cadets receive scores in five key areas:
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Pilot
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Combat Systems Officer (CSO)
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Academic Aptitude
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Verbal
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Quantitative
Results are typically available within a week. To pass, a minimum score of 15 (percentile) is required on the Verbal section and 10 on the Quantitative section. While there is no minimum for Academic Aptitude, specific rated career tracks have their own requirements:
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Pilot and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) pilot: minimum 25 Pilot score
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CSO/Navigator: minimum 25 CSO score
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Air Battle Manager (ABM): minimum 25 ABM score
Cadets must pass the AFOQT to be eligible for Field Training. The test may be taken only twice, with at least six months between attempts. Preparation is strongly encouraged before taking the exam.
Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS)
The Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS) is designed to evaluate the psychomotor and cognitive abilities linked to success in Air Force pilot training. The assessment includes ten subtests and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Several components are self-paced, so test duration may vary by individual.
TBAS results are combined with a cadet’s AFOQT Pilot score and any documented flight experience to produce a Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) score. Results are typically calculated within one to two days.
Cadets pursuing a rated pilot position must complete the TBAS by the fall semester of their junior year. Like the AFOQT, the TBAS may be taken a maximum of two times, with a minimum six-month interval between attempts.