Army Personnel Testing (APT)

APT encompasses standardized tests used to determine eligibility for specialized training and to support the Army's personnel selection and classification process, including language proficiency testing (Reference: AR 611-5).

1.    Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)

Soldiers who need to improve their original ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score may be administered the AFCT via the online iCAT. The iCAT replaces the paper-based version of the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT). Soldiers may not be given the AFCT earlier than six months after the date of their MEPS ASVAB exam. The AFCT must be administered in its entirety.

• AFCT Retests. There is no limit on how many times a Soldier can retake the AFCT but may not take the AFCT any earlier than six months from the previous AFCT.
• Exceptions to Policy (ETPs). All ETPs for National Guard Soldiers MUST be processed through your state’s Test Control Officer (TCO) and submitted through NGB. There are no exceptions to this rule. HQ ACCESS ARMYU will reject your ETP if submitted incorrectly.
• Retests earlier than six months after the previous test require an approved ETP.
• ETP requests must include the number of times the Soldier has taken the AFCT, the dates of the tests and the General Technical (GT) scores obtained. Further, requests must document the preparations the Soldier has to take to improve his or her scores.
• The new scores obtained upon completion of the AFCT will replace your previous ASVAB/AFCT; no exceptions.
• AFCT Preparation Course. The Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) is designed to help Soldiers prepare for the AFCT. This course is self-paced and customized based on your answers on a pre-assessment. Lessons utilize interactive exercises such as drag-and-drop matching, video game-style multiple choice, and dynamic flash cards. Quizzes and practice problem sets also help students gauge their mastery of the material. Lessons include the following areas: reading comprehension, math, and vocabulary. The OASC is available to all ARNG Soldiers.

2.     Section Instrument Flight Training (SIFT)

The SIFT is a computer-based test battery that was developed using industry-standard scientific methods to predict the success of students in aviation training programs. The complete test battery is used as a primary selection instrument for the Army aviation program. Applicants for the aviation program must have attained appropriate qualifying score(s) on the SIFT prior to selection for the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) program.

SIFT test prep: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/helicopter_flying_handbook/

3.     Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)

The DLPT is a computer-based battery of foreign language tests produced by the Defense Language Institute (DLI) and used by the DoD to document foreign language proficiency of Service members.

4.      Defense Language Reading Proficiency Test (DLRPT)

 The DLRPT is a computer-based test produced by DLI and used by the DoD to document foreign language reading proficiency of Service members.

5.     Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)

The DLAB evaluates the aptitude of a Service member to learn a foreign language. The test determines a Soldier’s eligibility for language training.

6.     Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)

The OPI is a carefully conducted face-to-face conversational test in which the examinee speaks with two testers for 20 to 30 minutes. The test is designed to gather sufficient information about the examinee’s speaking ability in the target language to match the examinee’s speech sample to the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Speaking Skill Level Descriptions, the rating criteria for the OPI.

7.     DLPT/OPI test prep

https://hs2.dliflc.edu/

Be an active drilling member of the Army National Guard (ARNG).

• Unit Resources DA Form 4187 (Request for Personnel Action), signed by the Unit Commander, must be submitted to the Test Control Officer (TCO) to schedule an APT exam.

Reasons/Requirements for an Exception to Policy (ETP)

• An exception to policy approval is required when there is a need to retest.
• Each request must provide military justification to include extenuating circumstances stating why the Soldier cannot wait the required six months.
• The request must include proof of training to justify that the retest will result in significantly improved scores
  • i.e. completion of the Online Academic Skills Couse (OASC). OASC can be completed on any internet enabled device at https://dantes.petersons.com/
• Do not schedule a test without an approved ETP
• A new DA Form 4187 shall be submitted to the TCO. The DA Form 4187 must include a copy of the ETP as an attachment.
• All APT ETPs must be submitted through the State’s ARNG TCO to the National Guard Bureau.