Army Personnel Testing

The Education Center at Fort Indiantown Gap offers Army Personnel Testing and proctored testing services every Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Please bring a 4187 and your CAC.

Tests offered include:

Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)

Understanding the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)

The Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) is a critical developmental tool for service members seeking to advance their military careers or transition into new specialties. This aptitude test assesses a broad range of skills and knowledge, helping to align a soldier's capabilities with the right occupational path.

How the AFCT Shapes Military Careers

For currently enlisted personnel, the AFCT functions as the in-service equivalent of the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), which is taken prior to enlistment. Since opportunities to retake the ASVAB are limited, the AFCT provides a valuable pathway for soldiers to improve their qualification scores. A higher score can unlock opportunities for sought-after roles and advanced training, including:

  • New Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)
  • Warrant Officer (WO) Training
  • Officer Candidate School (OCS)
  • Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

There is no cap on the number of times a service member can take the AFCT; however, a six-month waiting period between attempts is standard procedure. Should a retest be necessary within that six-month window, an Exception to Policy (ETP) must be formally requested and approved.

Test Structure and Content

The AFCT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts in real-time based on the test-taker's performance. The exam lasts about three hours and is comprised of the following timed subtests:

  • General Science Measures knowledge of life, earth, and physical sciences.
  • Arithmetic Reasoning Assesses the ability to solve arithmetic word problems.
  • Word Knowledge Evaluates vocabulary and the understanding of word meanings.
  • Paragraph Comprehension Tests the ability to read and understand written passages.
  • Mathematics Knowledge Covers high school-level mathematics, including algebra and geometry.
  • Electronics Information Measures knowledge of electrical systems and electronic devices.
  • Auto and Shop Information Assesses understanding of automotive principles and shop tools.
  • Mechanical Comprehension Evaluates knowledge of basic mechanical and physical principles.

The Importance of the General Technical (GT) Score

A primary focus of the AFCT is the General Technical (GT) score. This crucial composite score is calculated from three specific subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension. The GT score is often the main qualifier used to determine eligibility for various specialized training programs and career advancement opportunities.

Free Study Resources for Success

Dedicated preparation is key to achieving a high score on the AFCT. Through a partnership with DANTES, Peterson’s Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) is available completely free of charge to all active-duty military, Reserves, National Guard, their families, and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians. This resource is specifically designed to help you sharpen your academic skills and prepare for standardized tests. You can access the course here: https://dantes.petersons.com/

Selection Instrument Flight Training (SIFT)

Are you aiming for a career as an Army Aviator? Your journey begins with the Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT) exam. This critical test is designed to identify candidates who possess the essential academic and cognitive skills required for success in Army Aviation. The SIFT allows you to demonstrate your aptitude across seven key areas, providing the Army with a comprehensive assessment of your potential as a pilot.

Who Is the SIFT Exam For?

Any applicant aspiring to join the Army Aviation branch must take and pass the SIFT exam. It serves as the primary academic screening tool for all prospective Army pilots.

What to Expect on the SIFT Exam

The SIFT exam is a multifaceted test that evaluates a candidate's cognitive abilities, spatial reasoning, and foundational knowledge. It is broken down into the following subtests:

Subtest Description & Time Limit What It Measures

Simple Drawings: 100 questions in 2 minutes. This rapid-fire test requires you to identify which of five simple shapes is different from the others. Spatial reasoning, processing speed, and accuracy. Guessing is penalized, so precision is crucial.

Hidden Figures: 50 questions in 5 minutes. In this section, you must find simple geometric shapes camouflaged within complex patterns. Your ability to identify key features in a visually complex environment—a critical skill for navigation and target identification.

Army Aviation Information Test (AAIT): 40 questions in 30 minutes. This tests your foundational knowledge of helicopter flight principles, components, and basic Army aircraft. Understanding of aerodynamics, rotary-wing aircraft, flight maneuvers, and general aviation concepts.

Spatial Apperception: 25 questions. This subtest presents you with views from a cockpit and asks you to determine the aircraft's orientation (e.g., climbing, banking, diving). Three-dimensional spatial awareness and the ability to interpret an aircraft's position and direction relative to the horizon.

Reading Comprehension: 20 questions in 30 minutes. You will read several passages and answer questions based on the text provided. Your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze complex written material.

Math Skills: This section assesses your grasp of college-level mathematical concepts, primarily from algebra and geometry. Arithmetic reasoning and the application of mathematical principles. Note: Calculators are not permitted.

Mechanical Comprehension: This tests your understanding of fundamental physics, mechanical, and electrical principles. Knowledge of concepts like force, friction, gears, pulleys, circuits, and basic engine mechanics.

The SIFT Retake Policy: High Stakes

The rules for retaking the SIFT are strict, making thorough preparation for your first attempt essential.

  • You only get two chances. A candidate may only take the SIFT exam twice in their lifetime.
  • There is a waiting period. If you do not pass on your first try, you must wait 180 days before you can attempt it a second time.
  • A passing score is final. If you pass the exam, you are not permitted to retake it to achieve a higher score. Your passing score is locked in.
  • Failing twice results in disqualification. If you fail to achieve a qualifying score on your second attempt, you become permanently ineligible for Army Aviation.

Given these strict limitations, it is critical to prepare diligently to ensure your first score accurately reflects your highest potential.

Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)

The Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) is the U.S. Department of Defense's standardized tool for measuring a service member's proficiency in a foreign language. It is a critical component of a linguist's career, used to certify skills, and qualify personnel for specialized assignments.

Who Takes the DLPT?

The DLPT is administered to DoD linguists annually to certify their language skills. Service members and other personnel also take the test to validate their language capabilities for their roles. The test is designed for native English speakers who have learned a second language, but it is also taken by non-native English speakers with strong English skills.

Structure of the DLPT

The DLPT assesses how well an individual can function in real-world situations using a foreign language. The primary modalities tested are reading and listening. An Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) may be administered separately to assess speaking skills.

The current version, the DLPT5, is computer-based and uses authentic materials like news articles and radio broadcasts to create a more realistic and challenging assessment.

Here’s a breakdown of the test format:

Test Versions: The DLPT system includes a Lower-Range (LR) test (scoring ILR levels 0+ to 3) and an Upper-Range (UR) test (scoring ILR levels 3 to 4). Most test-takers start with the LR test.

Content: Passages are drawn from authentic sources, covering social, political, economic, scientific, and military topics.

Format: The test consists of passages in the target language followed by questions and multiple-choice answers in English. For less common languages, a "constructed response" format is used, requiring test-takers to type short answers in English.

Duration: Each section (reading and listening) is typically three hours long.

Scoring and Proficiency Levels

DLPT scores are based on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale, which ranges from Level 0 (no proficiency) to Level 5 (native or bilingual proficiency). Military language analysts are generally required to maintain a minimum proficiency of L2/R2 (Level 2 in listening and reading). Higher scores can lead to increased Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) payments, which can be up to $1,000 per month depending on the language and proficiency level.

Why the DLPT Matters

The DLPT is more than just a test; it is a key factor in a service member's career progression and readiness.

  • Career Advancement: High scores are necessary for assignments to specialized units and for programs like the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program.
  • Operational Readiness: The test ensures that the DoD has a clear measure of its language capabilities, which is essential for global missions, from combat operations to humanitarian efforts.

Preparing for the DLPT

Success on the DLPT requires more than just last-minute cramming. The best preparation is acquiring a solid foundation in the language through consistent practice and real-world exposure. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) provides familiarization guides and other resources to help test-takers prepare.

Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)

For individuals aspiring to a military career specializing in foreign languages, the first step is proving you have the right aptitude. The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) is the U.S. Department of Defense's essential screening tool, designed to measure a person's potential to learn a new language successfully. It does not test proficiency in any specific language but rather evaluates the underlying cognitive abilities that are crucial for language acquisition.

Who Needs to Take the DLAB?

The DLAB is a mandatory test for any service member or applicant who wishes to enter a military occupational specialty (MOS) that requires foreign language training, such as Cryptologic Linguist or Foreign Area Officer. A qualifying score is the gateway to admission into the prestigious Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), where the U.S. military’s top linguists are trained.

What to Expect on the DLAB Exam

The DLAB is a unique and challenging test that presents you with a made-up language governed by a specific set of grammatical rules. Your task is to decipher these rules and apply them correctly. The test is entirely multiple-choice and is divided into audio and visual sections.

The exam assesses your abilities in four key areas:

  • Grammatical Application: The core of the test, this measures your ability to understand and apply complex grammatical principles in a new context.
  • Vocabulary Memorization: Assesses your capacity to memorize new words and their meanings quickly and accurately.
  • Deductive Reasoning: Evaluates your skill in identifying patterns, making logical deductions, and applying rules to solve problems.
  • Stress Resilience: The test is intentionally designed to be stressful, measuring how well you can perform under pressure and adapt to unfamiliar challenges.

The test includes a combination of audio portions, where you listen to sentences in the artificial language, and visual sections that require you to interpret images and apply the language's rules.

Understanding DLAB Scores

Your performance on the DLAB results in a score that is used to determine which category of language you are qualified to learn. The languages taught at DLIFLC are grouped into categories based on their difficulty for native English speakers:

  • Category I (e.g., Spanish, French, Italian): Generally requires a minimum score of 95.
  • Category II (e.g., German): Generally requires a minimum score of 100.
  • Category III (e.g., Russian, Tagalog, Farsi): Generally requires a minimum score of 105.
  • Category IV (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese): Generally requires a minimum score of 110.

A higher DLAB score opens the door to a wider range of language-learning opportunities and can significantly influence your career path as a military linguist.

How to Prepare for the DLAB

Since the DLAB does not test any existing language, preparation involves sharpening the underlying skills it measures. While you cannot study the test's made-up language, you can:

  • Master English Grammar: A deep understanding of your native language's structure—including concepts like parts of speech, sentence diagramming, and stress patterns—is the single most effective way to prepare.
  • Use Study Guides: Several commercially available DLAB study guides can help familiarize you with the test format and provide practice exercises that mimic the exam's logic.

Ultimately, the DLAB is a test of your inherent aptitude. A strong grasp of English grammar combined with the ability to think logically under pressure will be the key to your success.

Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)

The OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) is a standardized assessment that measures an individual's speaking proficiency in a language through a live, interactive interview.

Overview of the OPI

The OPI is a valid and reliable means of assessing how well a person can speak a language in real-life situations. It is conducted as a 15 to 30-minute telephone conversation between a certified tester and the candidate. The interview is designed to elicit spontaneous, unrehearsed language use, allowing the tester to evaluate the candidate's ability to communicate effectively and appropriately.

Purpose and Uses

The OPI is used for various purposes, including:

  • Academic Assessments: For admissions, placement in language programs, and graduation requirements.
  • Professional Contexts: For hiring, promotion, and certification in multilingual positions.
  • Language Proficiency Certification: It provides a standardized measure of language ability that can be used for college credit recommendations.

Assessment Criteria

During the OPI, candidates are rated based on several factors, including:

  • Vocabulary and Grammar: The range and accuracy of language used.
  • Pronunciation and Fluency: How well the candidate articulates their thoughts and maintains a conversation.
  • Sociolinguistic Competence: The ability to use language appropriately in different contexts.

Scoring System

The OPI uses a scale that ranges from 0 (no functional proficiency) to 5 (educated native-speaker proficiency), with plus levels indicating proficiency at the next higher base level. The rating

reflects the candidate's overall ability to communicate in the language, rather than their knowledge of specific vocabulary or grammar rules.

Conclusion

The OPI is a comprehensive tool for assessing oral language proficiency, widely recognized in educational and professional settings. It emphasizes the ability to engage in meaningful conversation and effectively use language in various contexts, making it a valuable assessment for anyone looking to demonstrate their language skills. For more information, you can refer to the official ACTFL website.

Scheduling an Exam

OPI tests must be scheduled in advance; to schedule an exam the SM must provide all required Candidate Information (see form below) and choose three convenient dates. Information will be emailed to ng.pa.paarng.list.jfhq-g1-education@army.mil. Once the information and dates have been submitted the Defense Language Institute will schedule an exam time as well as, a linguist to administer the test. SMs will report to the Education Center 15 minutes prior to the start of the exam. SMs must bring a 4187 signed by the Unit Commander or Representative and a CAC.

For More Information and 4187 Template:

Contact the Education Office: 717-865-4529 or via email at ng.pa.paarng.list.jfhq-g1-education@army.mil.