100+ Free Army Promotion Board Practice Questions
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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.
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
Army Regulations
AR 670-1 (uniforms), AR 600-85 (ASAP), AR 600-20 (command policy), AR 350-1 (training)
Army History & Heritage
Army birthday, major wars and battles, Army Values, Soldier's Creed, NCO Creed
Customs & Courtesies
Saluting, flag etiquette, military time, phonetic alphabet, rank structure
Leadership & Counseling
FM 6-22 (leadership), counseling types, NCOER, leadership competencies and attributes
First Aid & Force Protection
TC 4-02.1 (first aid), TCCC, 9-line MEDEVAC, CBRN, force protection levels
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
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.