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From ASVAB to IQ: How Close Are They?

Tina Tran

Created at June 8, 2025

ASVAB to IQ conversion is a popular topic, but can your ASVAB scores truly reflect your IQ? While both tests measure cognitive ability, they’re designed for different purposes and use distinct scoring systems. In this guide, we’ll break down how ASVAB to IQ comparisons work, analyze common conversion charts, and help you understand what your score might say about your intellectual potential.

Can you convert ASVAB to IQ?

The short answer is no, but there’s a strong connection. To understand why this comparison is possible, first look at what the ASVAB and IQ tests are designed to measure.

ASVAB test

The ASVAB test is a military test used to evaluate skills in math, language, and reasoning. It helps determine a candidate’s eligibility for enlistment and suitable job roles.

IQ tests

IQ tests measure general cognitive abilities like reasoning, problem-solving, and language skills. They are used to estimate intellectual potential and compare mental performance.

Most IQ tests, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Stanford–Binet, use a standard distribution model. This model assumes a mean IQ of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. The table below shows how different IQ score ranges correspond to various levels of cognitive ability within the general population.

IQ Range	Interpretation	% of Population
Above 130	Very gifted	2 %
121–130	Gifted	6.4%
111–120	Above average intelligence	15.7%
90–110	Average intelligence	51.6%
80–89	Below average intelligence	15.7%
70–79	Cognitively impaired	6.4%
Below 70	Intellectual disability	4.1%

The correlation between ASVAB and IQ

Although the ASVAB is not intended to be an intelligence test, it measures many of the same core abilities. These include verbal, mathematical, spatial, and technical skills, which are often considered indicators of general intelligence or what psychologists refer to as the g factor.
According to research by the U.S. Department of Defense, the AFQT score (calculated from four ASVAB subtests) shows a high correlation with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The correlation is typically between 0.8, which is considered very strong in psychological measurement.

Limitations of direct conversion

There is no official formula to convert ASVAB scores into IQ. Because of this, any “conversion” is only an estimate and should be taken with caution. Charts and calculators may offer rough comparisons, but cannot replace a standardized IQ test.

ASVAB to IQ chart

As mentioned above, there is no calculation to turn an ASVAB score into an IQ number, but tools like an ASVAB to IQ conversion chart can give a general idea. This table compares AFQT percentiles with IQ ranges on the most well-known intelligence tests: The Stanford-Binet and the Wechsler.

Mental Category	AFQT Percentile Range	Estimated Stanford–Binet IQ	Estimated Wechsler IQ
Category I	93–99	124 and above	122 and above
Category II	65–92	108–123	106–121
Category III	31–64	92–107	93–105
Category IV	10–30	72–91	81–92
Category V	01–09	71 and below	80 and below

Final thoughts

The ASVAB and IQ are somewhat related but not identical. While ASVAB to IQ conversion gives a ballpark figure, it’s crucial to understand the context: the ASVAB tests functional knowledge and aptitude, whereas IQ tests aim to measure general intelligence abstractly.