The article clarifies the semantic meaning of the definition of «assessment criteria», analyzes some of the shortcomings of the current system for assessing the acquired economic knowledge in general and the level of economic culture of military university cadets in particular, discusses the features of quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing the formation of personal economic culture. It is proposed to use a quantitative assessment model based on a system of coefficients reflecting the completeness of mastering economic knowledge by cadets in given areas of assessment subjects in accordance with the selected criteria. The application of the proposed criteria-evaluation apparatus allows us to determine the level of formation of the economic culture of cadets of a military university. The high degree of objectivity of the presented methodology is confirmed by the use of evidence-based criteria and indicators.