Enlisted Promotions

Question 1

Which system provides visible, relatively stable career progression opportunities; attracts, retains, and motivates the kinds and numbers of people the military needs? It ensures a reasonably uniform application of the principle of equal pay for equal work among the services. (8.1)

Answer 1

Enlisted promotion system

Note: The enlisted promotion system supports DoD Directive 1304.20, Enlisted Personnel Management System (EPMS).

Question 2

Which AFI provides detailed information regarding enlisted promotion systems? (8.1)

Answer 2

AFI 36-2502, Enlisted Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs

Question 3

Who limits the number of Airmen the RegAF may have in the top five enlisted grades? (8.2)

Answer 3

Department of Defense

Question 4

Whose promotion quotas are tied to fiscal year-end strength and are affected by funding limits, regulatory limits, and the number of projected vacancies in specific grades? (8.2)

Answer 4

Staff Sergeant through Chief Master Sergeant

Note: The Department of Defense limits the number of Airmen the regular Air Force may have in the top five enlisted grades. (8.2)

Question 5

What limits, as outlined in Title 10 United States Code, Armed Forces, the number of Airmen who may serve in the RegAF in the top two enlisted grades? (8.2)

Answer 5

Public law

Question 6

What percentages may the authorized average of enlisted members on RegAF status (other than for training) be in a fiscal year for pay grades E-8 and E-9? (8.2)

Answer 6

Not be more than 2.5 percent (E-8) and 1.25 percent (E-9)

Question 7

Under the Airman Below-the-Zone Program, who may compete for early advancement to Senior Airman if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria? (8.3)

Answer 7

Airman First Class

Question 8

If promoted to Senior Airman below-the-zone, when is the promotion effective date? (8.3)

Answer 8

Six months before their fully qualified date

Question 9

When are Airmen considered for below-the-zone promotion? (8.3)

Answer 9

In the month (December, March, June, or September)

before the quarter (January - March, April - June, July - September, or October - December)

that they are eligible

Question 10

Which program is designed to meet those unique circumstances that, in a commander’s judgment, clearly warrant promotion? (8.3)

Answer 10

Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) Program

Question 11

Which program is intended to promote Airmen for compelling, although perhaps not quantifiable, reasons? Isolated acts or specific achievements should not be the sole basis for promotion under this program. (8.3)

Answer 11

Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) Program

Question 12

Under the STEP Program, to what grades may commanders at various organizational levels promote a limited number of exemplary performing Airmen with exceptional potential? (8.3)

Answer 12

Staff Sergeant through Technical Sergeant

Question 13

An individual may not receive more than one promotion under any combination of promotion programs within a 12-month period. What is the one exception to this? (8.3)

Answer 13

Senior Airmen must serve six months of time in grade before being promoted to Staff Sergeant

Question 14

Where do NCOs and SNCOs compete for promotion and test? (8.3)

Answer 14

Under the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) in the control Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) held on the promotion eligibility cutoff date

Question 15

Promotion selectees are individuals with the highest scores in each AFSC, within the quota limitations. What happens if more than one individual has the same total score at the cutoff point? (8.3)

Answer 15

The USAF promotes everyone with that score

Question 16

Which process occurs when eligible Staff Sergeants through Senior Master Sergeants, whose weighable data changes in their promotion file, compete monthly for promotion consideration? Its action is typically processed on a monthly basis. (8.3)

Answer 16

In-System Supplemental Promotion Process

Question 17

Under what process do Airmen who test after initial selects have been made, such as deployed Airmen, or anyone who was unable to test during their normal testing window, compete for promotion consideration? (8.3)

Answer 17

In-System Supplemental Promotion Process

Question 18

When are senior NCO supplemental evaluation boards conducted? (8.3)

Answer 18

Semiannual basis

Question 19

True or False? With the exception of a missing static closeout date evaluation, there are no automatic approvals for supplemental board consideration when a record did not meet a previous board for which they were eligible. (8.3)

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Why may supplemental promotion consideration NOT be granted if an error or omission appeared on the data verification record or in the SNCO selection record located in the personnel records display application? (8.3)

Answer 20

The individual did not take the necessary steps to correct the error prior to promotion selection or prior to the evaluation board

Question 21

What are the testing responsibilities for all promotion eligible individuals? (8.10)

Answer 21

(1) Know their eligibility status
(2) Maintain specialty and military qualifications
(3) Initiate a self-study plan
(4) Obtain all applicable study references as outlined in the Enlisted Promotions References and Requirements Catalog (EPRRC)
(5) Ensure their selection folder is accurate if it will be reviewed by the central evaluation board
(6) Be prepared to test on the beginning of the testing window

Question 22

When must members who will be unavailable during the entire testing cycle be prepared to test? (8.10)

Answer 22

Prior to their departure, even if that is before the first day of the testing cycle

Note: Preparing for promotion testing is an individual responsibility. The importance of individual responsibility cannot be overemphasized.

Question 23

True or False? Airmen may opt to test early provided the correct test booklets are available. (8.10)

Answer 23

True

Question 24

What prohibition protects the integrity of the promotion testing program by ensuring promotion test scores are a reflection of each member’s individual knowledge? It is strictly prohibited for the purposes of enlisted promotion testing. (8.11)

Answer 24

Group study (two or more people)

Note: Training designed to improve general military knowledge does not constitute group study as long as the intent of the training is not to study for promotion tests. Likewise, training to improve general study habits or test-taking skills is permissible if the training does not focus on preparing for promotion tests.

Question 25

What AFMAN contains information concerning enlisted promotion test compromise? (8.11)

Answer 25

AFMAN 36-2664

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a restriction regarding promotion tests? (8.11)

Answer 26

Discussing promotion test content with the test control officer or test examiner is prohibited.

Note: Enlisted personnel who violate these prohibitions are subject to prosecution under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for violating a lawful general regulation. Conviction can result in a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for up to two years.

Question 27

Who is responsible for providing promotion eligible members access to WAPS Career Development Courses? (8.12)

Answer 27

Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, Air Force Career Development Academy

Question 28

According to AFMAN 36-2664, when must promotion eligible Airmen have access to reference materials? If not, the Airman may request a delay in testing. (8.12)

Answer 28

At least 60 days before the scheduled test date

Question 29

What is used to determine Airman promotion eligibility as well as the cutoff date that will determine when contents of the selection folder and information on promotion evaluation briefs must be updated and complete? (8.13)

Answer 29

Promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD)

Question 30

What is the date that promotion criteria are considered for promotion, such as the data provided on the data verification brief, that is used for promotion board evaluation consideration? (8.13)

Answer 30

Promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD)

Question 31

When will individuals with a reporting identifier or special duty identifier compete within that reporting identifier or special duty identifier? (8.13)

Answer 31

If designated as their control Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) on the promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD)

Question 32

What is the document utilized for promotion consideration and is the most important tool to review to ensure information on a promotion record is complete? (8.14)

Answer 32

Data Verification Record (DVR)

Question 33

Where must all eligible Airmen review their Data Verification Record (DVR)? (8.14)

Answer 33

In the Automated Records Management System/Personnel Records Display Application (ARMS/PRDA)

Note: Data Verification Record Review Steps: (8.14)

(1) Access the Air Force Portal.
(2) Access Personnel Records Display Application (PRDA).
(3) Under My Sections, select PRDA.
(4) The Selection Folder category within PRDA is the “As Is” record.
(5) The Board category within PRDA is the “As Met” record.

Question 34

If an error or omission is noted on the Data Verification Record (DVR), the Airman must immediately contact his or her military personnel flight for assistance. Who will update the Military Personnel Data System with the correct data and update the DVR on virtual military personnel flight? (8.14)

Answer 34

Military personnel flight

Question 35

Which section under Air Education and Training, Studies and Analysis Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, produces all Air Force enlisted promotion tests, which are written by Airmen for Airmen? (8.15)

Answer 35

Airman Advancement Section

Question 36

Who travels to work in-house with test development specialists and apply their knowledge and expertise to develop current, relevant, and accurate test questions for enlisted promotion testing? (8.15)

Answer 36

Teams of senior NCOs

Question 37

The Promotion Fitness Examinations (PFE) measure military and supervisory knowledge. Who do test development specialists select to develop and validate PFE questions? (8.15)

Answer 37

Chief Master Sergeants based on USAF demographics, extensive experience, and diverse major command representation

Question 38

Specialty Knowledge Tests (SKT) measure important job knowledge required in a particular specialty. Who are selected to develop and validate SKT questions? (8.15)

Answer 38

Senior NCOs based on their specialties and job experiences

Note: For SKTs, test development specialists work closely with USAF career field managers to stay abreast of changes affecting career fields which may impact promotion test development.

Question 39

Published annually on 1 October, what lists all enlisted promotion tests authorized for administration and the study references associated with these tests? (8.16)

Answer 39

Enlisted Promotions References and Requirements Catalog (EPRRC)

Note: The study references for the PFE are the grade-specific Enlisted Promotion Study Guides derived from DAFH 1, Airman.

Question 40

What is the point requirement when taking both examinations, Promotion Fitness Examinations (PFE) and Specialty Knowledge Tests (SKT)? (8.17)

Answer 40

A minimum score of 40 points is required on a PFE.

A minimum score of 40 points is required on a SKT.

A combined score of 90 points is required.

Airmen who score the minimum 40 points on either exam (when taking both examinations) must score a minimum 50 on the other one to meet the minimum combined score of 90.

Note: For those testing PFE only, a minimum score of 45 is required (combined score of 90 when doubled).

Question 41

Which AFI includes complete charts with exceptions and notes for calculating points and factors for promotion? (8.18)

Answer 41

AFI 36-2502