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100+ Free Army Promotion Board Practice Questions

Pass your U.S. Army Promotion Board (E-5/E-6) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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What is the role of the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Army Promotion Board Exam

30-45 min

Board Duration

Oral examination

Free

Exam Cost

No fee for soldiers

Pass/Fail

Scoring

Board vote

~150,000

Annual Boards

Soldiers boarded yearly

~485,000

Active Duty Army

2026 end strength

800 max

Promotion Points

SGT/SSG system

The Army Promotion Board is an oral exam lasting 30-45 minutes before a panel of senior NCOs. Soldiers must demonstrate knowledge of Army regulations (AR 670-1, AR 600-20, AR 600-85, AR 350-1), Army history, customs and courtesies, leadership doctrine (FM 6-22), first aid (TC 4-02.1), CBRN, and chain of command. The board is pass/fail by majority vote. Passing is required to receive promotion points for SGT (E-5) and SSG (E-6). The Army has approximately 485,000 active duty soldiers (2026). About 150,000 soldiers board annually. The exam is FREE.

Sample Army Promotion Board Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Army Promotion Board exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What Army regulation covers the wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia?
A.AR 600-20
B.AR 670-1
C.AR 350-1
D.AR 600-85
Explanation: AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, is the primary regulation governing how soldiers wear their uniforms, place awards and decorations, maintain grooming standards, and display insignia. This is one of the most frequently tested regulations at promotion boards. The regulation is updated periodically to reflect changes in uniform policy.
2Under AR 670-1, what is the maximum number of rings a soldier may wear on each hand while in uniform?
A.None
B.One per hand
C.Two per hand
D.No limit
Explanation: Under AR 670-1, soldiers may wear a total of one ring per hand while in uniform, plus a wedding set counts as one ring. The ring must be conservative and not present a safety hazard. This regulation applies to all Army uniforms. The purpose is to maintain a professional military appearance and ensure safety during operations.
3What does AR 600-85 cover?
A.Uniform wear and appearance
B.Army Command Policy
C.The Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)
D.Training and leader development
Explanation: AR 600-85 establishes the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), which provides comprehensive education, prevention, and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. ASAP is a commander's program that includes biochemical testing (urinalysis), education, rehabilitation, and administrative/UCMJ actions for substance abuse. All soldiers are subject to random urinalysis testing under this regulation.
4Under AR 600-20 (Army Command Policy), what are the two channels through which the Army operates?
A.Supply channel and maintenance channel
B.Chain of command and NCO support channel
C.Operations channel and intelligence channel
D.Training channel and personnel channel
Explanation: AR 600-20 establishes that the Army operates through two primary channels: the chain of command and the NCO support channel. The chain of command is the succession of commanders from the squad leader through the President. The NCO support channel parallels the chain of command and is the channel through which NCOs receive and transmit information, implement policies, and supervise soldier training and performance.
5What does AR 350-1 cover?
A.Uniform standards
B.Substance abuse prevention
C.Army Training and Leader Development
D.Enlisted promotions
Explanation: AR 350-1 covers Army Training and Leader Development. It establishes policies for individual, collective, and self-development training. It also covers mandatory training requirements, training management, and the Army's institutional training programs. AR 350-1 is the foundation for how the Army trains soldiers and develops leaders at all levels.
6Under AR 670-1, what are the Army's grooming standards for male soldiers' hair?
A.No standards exist
B.Hair must be neatly groomed, tapered, and must not touch the ears or collar, and must not extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed
C.Any hairstyle is permitted in uniform
D.Hair must be completely shaved
Explanation: AR 670-1 requires male soldiers' hair to be neatly groomed, tapered on the sides and back, and not touch the ears or collar. When headgear is removed, hair must not extend below the eyebrows. Hair must present a neat and conservative appearance. Extreme, eccentric, or faddish haircuts are not authorized. The bulk of the hair must not be excessive and must allow for proper wear of headgear.
7What is the purpose of the Equal Opportunity (EO) program under AR 600-20?
A.To manage leave and passes
B.To promote fair treatment of all soldiers based on merit, fitness, and capability, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin
C.To manage unit supply operations
D.To schedule training events
Explanation: The Equal Opportunity (EO) program under AR 600-20 ensures fair treatment for all soldiers based on merit, fitness, and capability regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. The EO program includes training, complaint procedures, and enforcement mechanisms. Every commander is responsible for implementing and maintaining an effective EO program within their unit.
8Under AR 670-1, where are combat and special skill badges worn on the Army Service Uniform?
A.On the right shoulder
B.Above the ribbons, centered on the left breast pocket
C.On the collar
D.On the beret
Explanation: Combat and special skill badges (such as the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Airborne Badge) are worn above the ribbons, centered on the left breast pocket of the Army Service Uniform. Up to five badges may be worn. The highest precedence badge is worn closest to the ribbons. Specific placement rules are detailed in AR 670-1 Chapter 22.
9What are the five types of counseling recognized under AR 600-20?
A.Annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly, daily
B.Performance, event, professional growth, reception and integration, and crisis counseling
C.Only initial and monthly
D.Verbal, written, email, phone, and in-person
Explanation: AR 600-20 and related guidance recognize five types of counseling: (1) Performance counseling — addressing duty performance; (2) Event counseling — addressing a specific event or incident; (3) Professional growth counseling — planning career development; (4) Reception and integration counseling — welcoming new soldiers to the unit; and (5) Crisis counseling — addressing personal or professional crises. Each type has a specific purpose and approach.
10Under AR 670-1, what is the authorized headgear for the Army Combat Uniform (ACU)?
A.Only the beret
B.The patrol cap or the beret, depending on the commander's guidance and the occasion
C.Any civilian hat
D.The garrison cap only
Explanation: The authorized headgear for the Army Combat Uniform includes the patrol cap (the standard headgear) and the beret (worn for special occasions or as authorized by the commander). The black beret is standard Army headgear; specialty berets include maroon (Airborne), tan (Rangers), and green (Special Forces). The patrol cap is the most commonly worn headgear with the ACU in garrison and field environments.

About the Army Promotion Board Exam

The Army Promotion Board is an oral examination conducted at the unit level for soldiers seeking promotion to Sergeant (E-5) and Staff Sergeant (E-6). Soldiers appear before a board of senior NCOs in Class A uniform and answer questions on Army regulations, history, customs and courtesies, leadership doctrine, first aid, force protection, and their chain of command. Passing the board is required to receive promotion points under the Army's enlisted promotion system.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

30-45 minutes

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (board vote)

Exam Fee

Free (military) (U.S. Army / Unit-Level NCO Boards)

Army Promotion Board Exam Content Outline

~20%

Army Regulations

AR 670-1 (uniforms), AR 600-85 (ASAP), AR 600-20 (command policy), AR 350-1 (training)

~15%

Army History & Heritage

Army birthday, major wars and battles, Army Values, Soldier's Creed, NCO Creed

~15%

Customs & Courtesies

Saluting, flag etiquette, military time, phonetic alphabet, rank structure

~20%

Leadership & Counseling

FM 6-22 (leadership), counseling types, NCOER, leadership competencies and attributes

~15%

First Aid & Force Protection

TC 4-02.1 (first aid), TCCC, 9-line MEDEVAC, CBRN, force protection levels

~15%

Chain of Command

NCO support channel, unit organization, DoD structure, combatant commands, SMA initiatives

How to Pass the Army Promotion Board Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail (board vote)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 30-45 minutes
  • Exam fee: Free (military)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Army Promotion Board Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the Soldier's Creed, NCO Creed, and all seven Army Values with their definitions
2Know your complete chain of command from team leader through the President — boards always ask this
3Study AR 670-1 thoroughly: proper wear of headgear, awards placement, grooming standards, and tattoo policy
4Practice answering questions out loud — the board is oral, so verbal delivery matters
5Review FM 6-22 leadership competencies (leads, develops, achieves) and attributes (character, presence, intellect)
6Know the 9-line MEDEVAC format cold — this is a high-frequency board question

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Army Promotion Board?

The Army Promotion Board is an oral examination where soldiers seeking promotion to SGT (E-5) or SSG (E-6) appear before a panel of senior NCOs. Board members ask questions covering Army regulations, history, customs, leadership doctrine, first aid, and chain of command. The board is pass/fail by majority vote. Passing is required to accumulate promotion points under the Army's enlisted promotion system.

What should I wear to the promotion board?

Soldiers appear before the promotion board in the Army Service Uniform (ASU) or Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) per AR 670-1. Uniform must be properly fitted with all authorized awards, decorations, badges, and unit insignia correctly placed. Appearance and bearing are evaluated as part of the board process. Ensure your uniform is inspected by your sponsor or first-line leader before the board.

How many promotion points do I need?

Promotion point cutoffs vary by MOS and are published monthly by Human Resources Command (HRC). The maximum is 800 points for SGT and 800 for SSG (as of the 2026 promotion point system). Points come from military education, civilian education, awards, APFT/ACFT scores, and other factors. Board appearance is a prerequisite, not a point category — you must pass the board to be eligible for promotion.

What topics are most commonly asked at the board?

The most commonly asked topics include AR 670-1 (uniform wear and appearance), Army Values, Soldier's Creed, NCO Creed, chain of command (from team leader through Commander in Chief), FM 6-22 (leadership), first aid (bleeding, shock, burns), CBRN protective measures, and current Army programs like SHARP and ASAP. Board members also frequently ask about your personal goals and career development plans.

What happens if I fail the promotion board?

If you do not pass the board, you will receive counseling from your first-line leader identifying areas for improvement. You can reboard at the next scheduled board, typically the following month. There is no mandatory waiting period between boards, but your chain of command must recommend you. Use the time between boards to study weak areas and practice with your sponsor or NCO mentor.