In addition to the pre-qualification questions, the recruiter may ask you to take a sample Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This is a computerized ASVAB "mini-test," with representative questions in the four areas of the ASVAB which determine the overall ASVAB Score (AFQT Score). These areas are Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning. This "mini-test" has a pretty good reputation for estimating what you're AFQT score is going to be when you take the full-blown test. Some recruiting commands have policies that will preclude scheduling the applicant for the actual ASVAB, unless they achieve a designated minimum score on this "practice" ASVAB.
Of particular importance is the medical questionnaire (there are actually two of them -- the first one is completed in the recruiter's office, and the second one is completed at MEPS when you take your physical). It costs the military a lot of time and money to process the medical physical. If medical pre-screen in the recruiter's office finds anything questionable, the recruiter must get permission from the medical officials at MEPS to even schedule you for a physical. Just as there is no right to join the military, neither do you have the right to have a physical. If the MEPS medical official determines (from the pre-screening questionnaire) that you are not medically qualified, they can simply refuse to allow you to take the physical. If this happens, you're pretty much dead in the water, as far as enlistment is concerned, as waivers are generally not granted in such cases, nor is there any workable avenue of appeal.
What if You Don't Meet the Standards?
Even if you don't meet the standards, sometimes criminal history, minor drug abuse, and medical conditions can be waived. Whether or not a condition can be waived is not up to the recruiter. It's up to superiors in his/her command (exactly how high up the chain of command depends on what the waiver is for), who make decisions based upon current law, regulations, and policy. Some things can't be waived, and the recruiter can tell you this, straight up front.
