Clerical (CL) Score

The Clerical (CL) score on the ASVAB is used to determine eligibility for certain military occupational specialties (MOS) in the U.S. Army that require clerical, administrative, and communication skills. The CL score is calculated by combining the scores from several subtests that measure verbal, arithmetic, and administrative abilities.

How to Calculate the CL Score

The CL score is derived using the following formula:

CL=VE+AR+MK

where:

• VE (Verbal Expression) is a composite score calculated by adding the scores from the Word Knowledge (WK) and Paragraph Comprehension (PC) subtests and then converting the sum using a standard scoring table.
• AR (Arithmetic Reasoning) is the raw score from the Arithmetic Reasoning subtest.
• MK (Mathematics Knowledge) is the raw score from the Mathematics Knowledge subtest.

Step-by-Step Calculation of the CL Score

1. Calculate the VE Score:
   • VE = WK + PC (raw scores of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension).
   • Convert the total VE raw score to a scaled VE score using the ASVAB standard conversion table. The conversion table transforms the sum into a scaled score ranging from 20 to 62.
2. Add the VE, AR, and MK Scores:
   • After finding the scaled VE score, add it to the raw scores from the Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Mathematics Knowledge (MK) subtests to determine the CL score.

Example Calculation

Suppose a test-taker receives the following scores:

• Word Knowledge (WK): 50
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC): 45
• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR): 40
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK): 55

Step 1: Calculate the VE Score

1. Add WK and PC
   WK+PC=50+45=95
2. Convert the raw VE score (95) to a scaled VE score using the ASVAB conversion table. Assume the conversion table translates a raw score of 95 to a scaled VE score of 58.

Step 2: Add the VE, AR, and MK Scores

1. The CL score is:
   CL=VE+AR+MK=58+40+55=153

So, the CL score would be 153.

Important Notes

• The conversion from raw scores to scaled scores (such as VE) uses official ASVAB scoring tables, which are not publicly available in their entirety. Military recruiters and testing centers use these tables to determine the final scores.
• Improving performance in the subtests that contribute to the CL score, such as Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK), can significantly impact your overall CL score.
• The CL score is particularly important for MOS that require administrative skills, record-keeping, communication, and organizational abilities.

Conclusion

The CL score is a critical metric for those interested in clerical or administrative roles in the U.S. Army. Understanding how the CL score is calculated can help you target specific areas of study to improve your chances of qualifying for your desired MOS. Focusing on improving your verbal, arithmetic, and mathematics skills is key to achieving a higher CL score.