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Exam Review

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 review concepts for the Army Promotion Board exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 136+ 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 while in uniform?
A.None
B.One ring total
C.Two rings total
D.No fixed limit if the rings do not interfere with gloves or assigned duties
Explanation: AR 670-1 authorizes no more than two rings with Army uniforms; a wedding set is counted as one ring. The style must remain conservative, and commanders may restrict jewelry for safety or health reasons.
3What does AR 600-85 cover?
A.Uniform wear and appearance
B.Army Command Policy
C.The Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)
D.Army training management and leader-development requirements for units and individual Soldiers
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.
4Which statement correctly distinguishes the chain of command from the NCO support channel?
A.The chain of command handles administration, while the NCO support channel alone exercises command authority
B.The chain of command is the succession of commanders; the NCO support channel parallels it through NCO leaders
C.The chain of command includes officers only, while every enlisted Soldier belongs exclusively to the support channel
D.The two channels are interchangeable, so either may issue command decisions independently
Explanation: The formal chain of command is the succession of commanders exercising command authority. The NCO support channel parallels and supports it through NCO leaders who communicate, supervise training, enforce standards, and help execute command policies. A team or squad leader may be an important leader without being a commander in the formal chain of command.
5What does AR 350-1 cover?
A.Uniform standards
B.The Army Substance Abuse Program and substance-misuse prevention responsibilities
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 Army Directive 2025-18, which statement describes the male haircut standard?
A.Hair may have any bulk if issued headgear can be replaced with a larger size
B.Hair is tapered or faded; top bulk is at most 2 inches and side bulk at most 1 inch
C.Hair may cover the ears if it does not touch the uniform collar
D.Every male Soldier must shave the entire scalp
Explanation: Army Directive 2025-18 requires male hair to be tapered or faded from zero or one-quarter inch at the sideburns and around the ears, blend evenly, and not fall over the ears. Bulk may not exceed 2 inches on top or 1 inch at the sides; only shaved or closely cut hair at the back of the neck may touch the collar. Hair also may not distort headgear or interfere with protective equipment.
7What is the purpose of the Equal Opportunity (EO) program under AR 600-20?
A.To administer ordinary leave, pass, and absence requests for every member of the organization
B.To promote equal opportunity and fair treatment under Army policy
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 below the unit patch and centered on the sleeve
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 three broad categories of developmental counseling in ATP 6-22.1?
A.Annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly, daily
B.Event-oriented, performance, and professional growth counseling
C.Only initial and monthly
D.Verbal, written, electronic, telephone, scheduled, unscheduled, formal, and informal counseling formats
Explanation: ATP 6-22.1 groups developmental counseling into event-oriented, performance, and professional growth counseling. Reception and integration and crisis counseling are examples of event-oriented counseling, not two additional peer categories.
10What is the standard headgear worn with the Army Combat Uniform in a garrison environment?
A.The black beret for every garrison duty, formation, field task, and maintenance activity
B.The patrol cap, unless the commander prescribes other authorized headgear
C.Any civilian hat
D.The garrison cap only
Explanation: DA Pam 670-1 identifies the patrol cap as the standard headgear with the combat uniform in garrison. A commander may prescribe another authorized item, such as a fleece cap for appropriate conditions or a beret for an authorized special event, but that does not make the beret the standard ACU headgear.

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.

Exam sponsor: U.S. Army / Unit-Level NCO Boards. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

30-45 minutes

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (board vote)

Exam / Certification Fees

Free (military)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly reported. Board results depend on soldier preparation and board composition; most well-prepared soldiers pass Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~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

Preparing for the Army Promotion Board Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail (board vote)
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: 30-45 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Free (military) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 136 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Army Promotion Board: Suggested Study Strategy

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.