ARMY PERSONNEL TESTING
February 13, 2002
The Army Personnel Testing (APT) program encompasses standardized tests to
determine eligibility for specialized training and to support the Army's
personnel selection and classification process, including language proficiency
testing. The program is governed by Army Regulation 611-5, Army Personnel
Selection and Classification Tests.
Content
- Army Regulation 25-30, para 12-16c (Test Accounts)
- Army Regulation 601-222 (7 Oct 94) (Overseas Enlistment and Student
Testing)
- Army Regulation 611-5, Army Personnel Selection and Classification Testing
(15 Nov 82)
- Army Regulation 611-6, Army Linguist Management (16 Feb 96)
Testing Eligibility
Personnel in the active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard are
eligible for the APT program. Civilians and military family members are
generally not eligible.
Enlistment Testing
The Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) are responsible for testing
individuals in the continental United States (CONUS) who are in the enlistment
process, except those in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), who are not eligible
for testing. The MEPS and the mobile examining teams are all equipped to do
ASVAB testing. Non-MEPS sites will refer any individual who is still in the
enlistment process back to the MEPS. The MEPS track enlistee's eligibility and
test results in the Military Entrance Command (MEPCOM) Integrated Reporting
System (MIRS) and do not accept test results from non-MEPS test control officers
(TCO) as valid.
Overseas Enlistment and
Student Testing
There are no MEPS overseas. Consequently, ACES administers the enlistment and
student ASVAB in support of the enlistment process, as well as at Department of
Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) high schools. Results are forwarded to the
MEPS for tracking in MIRS.
Sister Service Testing
Given that soldiers are increasingly working in a joint environment, we devised
the following procedures for testing members of other services. The key issue is
eligibility, which must be coordinated with sister services' points of contact (POC).
The results must be entered into the servicemember's personnel file. The
servicemember is always given a copy of the test results. The TCO will also
provide an original signature copy of the results directly to the
servicemember's personnel component.
- United States Navy
The Navy has one office that governs Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)
testing and another office that governs foreign language testing.
For the AFCT, normally the Navy prefers to test their sailors and should be
referred to their command's education service officer (ESO). The ESO will
forward HQ ACES a commander's letter verifying eligibility, along with an
address to which text results are to be sent. In case this is not possible
to resolve through the ESO, the sailor should contact , the Navy POC, OPNAV
(N132D10), at (703) 614, or DSN: 224-6863.
For foreign language testing, the ship's commander may submit verification
of the sailor's eligibility to HQ ACES, using command letterhead. The
results should be sent to: Chief of Naval Operations (N132D8), Washington,
D.C. 20370-5234. Should questions about eligibility not be able to be
resolved through the ship's commander, contact Navy POC at (703) 695-6363 or
DSN: 225-6363.
Sailors requesting to take the Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST)
to qualify for Army Warrant Officer should review the WO section.
- United States Air Force
The Air Force has written an
All-TCO-Letter, 00-1, dated 1 October 1999, which outlines formal
testing requirements for their personnel. In cases where there is no one to
verify eligibility and the address to which the results can be sent, the Air
Force POC can be contacted at (210) 565-2265 or DSN: 665-2265.
Airman requesting to take the Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST)
to qualify for Army Warrant Officer should review the WO section.
Types of Personnel Tests
- Army Analysis Aptitude Test (AAAT) evaluates
specific abilities necessary to successfully complete formal training in
radio communication and security areas (MOS 98C).
- Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST)
evaluates enlisted candidates for MOS 93B as well as warrant officers and
officers applying for admission to the Army flight program. A General
Technical (GT) score of 110 is required to submit an application for flight
training. Given the limitations on retesting on the AFAST, it is strongly
recommended that an individual have a GT of 110 prior to taking the AFAST.
If a qualifying score is not obtained on the first test, one retest is
permitted, but not earlier than six months following the initial test date.
This is in accordance with the APT Retest Policy.
Previous AFAST scores can no longer be retrieved from Fort Rucker. However,
soldiers who do not have their scores in their personnel record and took the
AFAST prior to June 1997, may be able to retrieve them from HQ ACES.
Requests must be in writing, stating that all other measures to locate test
scores have been exhausted. Include the soldier's name, SSN, and date of
test. Ensure that a good mailing address and POC for the request is also
included. Requests must be on command letterhead and signed by the soldier's
commander.
- Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) is used
to reevaluate in-service personnel who wish to improve their ASVAB scores to
qualify for reenlistment, a MOS change, warrant officer training, officer
candidate school or Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Soldiers take
the ASVAB upon entry into the service and are allowed to take the AFCT four
additional times during their Army tenure (APT
Retest Policy).
- Auditory Perception Test (AP) evaluates the
ability of the soldier wishing to be trained in MOS that use the
International Morse Code (MOS 98H and 98K).
- Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) evaluates
the aptitude of high school students and individuals wishing to enlist in
the Armed Forces. This is also administered to in-service personnel wishing
to be recruited by another branch of the service (AR 601-270, Military
Entrance Processing Station, 15 April 86, for retest policies on the ASVAB).
- CONUS (Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico) ASVAB: This
test is administered by the MEPS.
- OCONUS (Outside Continental U.S.) ASVAB: The Army Education Centers
administer the test.
- Officer Leadership Board
Interview components assist board members in preparing to conduct
interviews to evaluate applicants for officers candidate school or ROTC.
- Typing and Dictation Tests evaluate
typing and/or dictation speed to qualify for MOS or service school courses
requiring those skills. The following MOSs: 71D, 71G, 71L, 71M, 74C, 75B
require a typing and/or dictation test. For specific course requirements
refer to DA Pamphlet 351-4, U.S. Army Formal Schools Catalog, 30 Oct 92. The
current test must be taken on a manual or electric typewriter.
- Language Testing
- English Language
Comprehension Soldiers whose native language is not English may
take a test of their English language ability for the following
reasons.
- To qualify for a specific MOS or school. Soldiers in this category
wanting to qualify for MOS 97E or 97L, the Physician Assistant Program,
Officer Candidate Training, Reserve Officer Training Corps, or other
Service schools must submit an English test score.
- To determine Eligibility for English-as-a-Second Language (ESL)
training.
There are two written tests, which measure English language skills. One is
the ALCPT (American Language Course Placement Test) the other is the English
Comprehension Level Test (ECLT).
- Defense
Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) evaluates the aptitude of
in-service personnel nominated for language training in one of four levels
of difficulty categories (AR 611-6, para 3-3 [16 Feb 96]).
- Language Proficiency Testing is given
to soldiers who have received foreign language training at government
expense who claim knowledge of a foreign language as a result of civilian
education residence in a foreign country, or family usage, or whose
records indicate previous language study. Contact the local Army Education
Center to find out more.
- Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPTs) are available in the
following languages.
Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese-Amoy, Cantonese,
Chinese-Mandarin, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch-Flemish, French, German, Greek,
Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lao,
Lithuanian, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese-Brazilian,
Portuguese-European, Romanian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, Spanish,
Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Yiddish.
Army Warrant Officer Applicants
Information is available on the Warrant
Officer (WO) (http://leav-www.army.mil/wocc/) website concerning application
guidance for their programs. Explore the entire website to determine if you are
eligible for any WO military occupation specialty before applying. Information
is also available for non-Army individuals interested in requirements and the
necessary testing for such specialties as MOS 153A, Aviator training.
Air Force, Navy, and Marine servicemembers wishing to apply for the Army
Warrant Officer program must have a GT equivalent certification in the
application packet. To obtain the certification, Air Force and Navy
servicemembers can mail to HQ ACES a certified true
copy of their ASVAB scores. ACES will then convert their score to an Army score,
provided that it is 110 or above, and mail the individual a copy of the
certification to include in their application packet. Marines must coordinate
with U.S. Marine Corps Testing office.
If the individual is applying for aviation warrant officer training, the
individual must provide a copy of the certification to an Army TCO who will
administer the Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST). The Army TCO
will provide the individual with the scoring worksheet to be included in their
WO packet. A copy of the servicemember's AFAST results will also be sent to HQ ACES and the information maintained on their
database.
Army Personnel Retest Policy
- The Army Personnel Test (APT) Program's retest policy is governed by AR
611-5, Army Personnel Selection and Classification Testing (15 Nov 82), para
3-9. Unless precluded by policy, soldiers may retake any Army personnel test
which resulted in an unsatisfactory score. The retest may not be taken
sooner than six months after the previous test date. Once a retest is
approved, an alternate form of the test will be used whenever possible.
First and second retests may be accomplished on approval of the individual's
immediate commander. Requests for third and subsequent retests, requests to
invalidate test results because of extenuating circumstances, and requests
for retesting within the six months as an exception to policy, must be
forwarded to HQ ACES. Requests may also be
faxed.
The APT program manager at HQ ACES must approve requests for an exception to
policy (ETP) before a servicemember is scheduled for a retest, except
language proficiency tests which are retaken annually or as a result of
additional training. The request should include documented reasons to expect
that the retest will result in significantly improved scores. Once an
exception is granted no further exceptions will be granted for six months.
This requirement cannot be waived. Soldiers should be made aware of this
limitation before requesting an ETP.
- Alternate Flight
Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST): For the AFAST, a minimum score of
90 is required for a soldier applying for training as an Army aviator. Once
a score of 90 or higher is attained, no further retest is authorized. If a
score of 90 is not obtained on the first test, a soldier may retest one time
only.
- Armed Forces
Classification Test (AFCT): Soldiers who need to improve their ASVAB
score may be administered the AFCT, but not earlier than six months after
the date of their MEPS ASVAB exam. The first administration of the AFCT is
considered the initial test. Requests for the first and second retests may
be approved by the soldier's immediate commander, but not earlier than six
months after the previous test. An exception to policy approved by the APT
program manager is required for the fourth test (third retest), or to retest
within the six-month window. Requests must include the number of times, test
dates, and the GT scores obtained. Further, requests should document the
preparations the soldier has taken to improve his scores. Whenever possible,
a pre-test should be administered to ensure the probability of a successful
retest.
- Defense
Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) Test: Personnel who fail to qualify
for language training with a score of 85 or higher on the initial DLAB Test
may retest after a six-month waiting period. First and second retests may be
given on approval of the individual's immediate commander. Requests for
retests within the six-month period, or requests for individuals retesting
who initially achieved a score of 85 or higher must be based on a valid
military requirement, documented by the unit commander and must be submitted
to the APT program manager.
- Language Proficiency Testing:
Requests for an exception to policy on language proficiency tests (Defense
Language Proficiency Tests/Defense Language Reading Proficiency Test [DLPT/DLRPT])
are governed by AR 611-6, Army Linguist Management (16 Feb 96), para 3-12.
It states that individuals who have completed significant training, (defined
as six weeks of emersion training or 150 classroom hours of training,) may
apply for an exception to test within the six month limitation. The request
must thoroughly document the training.
Civilian Testing
The APT program encompasses standardized tests to determine eligibility for
special military training and to support the Army's selection and classification
process. There are very few situations in which TCOs are authorized, under
Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and DoD policy, to administer APT tests to
civilians.
Civilians may be tested, without an exception to policy in the following
instances.
- Outside the continental United States (OCONUS) Army education centers
administer the ASVAB to high school students and individuals wanting to
enlist. (Overseas Enlistment
and Student Testing). This is in accordance with AR 601-222 (7 Oct 94)
- When a civilian is applying for a government job for which language or
typing proficiency is a qualification, and the civilian personnel office
documents both factors to the TCO in writing, the applicant may be tested
with the relevant DLPT or the typing test.
- The DoD authorized foreign language proficiency pay for Defense
Intelligence Agency civilians as of August 1996. The DLPT is the measure of
proficiency. The civilian employee's supervisor must document the
requirement and eligibility for the DLPT to the TCO. Additionally, the
supervisor must provide the address to which the score report should be sent
to ensure the results are placed in the civilian's personnel record.
Testing for any other reason requires an exception to policy from HQ ACES.
The TCO must request for this exception to policy.
Test Accounts
Requests for new Army Personnel Test accounts (see sample memorandum) must be
prepared by the command requesting the account in accordance with AR 25-30, para
12-16c. The command will also have to appoint a Test Control Officer (see sample memorandum) If there are
any questions, concerning the unit's existing testing account or account
verification (see sample
memorandum), please call HQ ACES.
Army Test
Accounts by Location (excluding ROTC)
Frequently Asked
Questions
Contact Information
Direct questions regarding Army Personnel Testing to the local Army Education Center
or the HQs Army Continuing Education System
CDR USHRC
ATT: TAPC-PDE (APT)
200 Stovall Street, STE 3N17
Alexandria, VA 22332-0472
(703) 325-9812/3588 DSN: 221-9812/3588
FAX (703) 325-9811 DSN: FAX 221-9811
EMAIL: apt@hoffman.army.mil