100+ Free Navy E-4 Exam Practice Questions
Pass your Navy-Wide Advancement Exam — E-4 (Petty Officer Third Class) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
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Key Facts: Navy E-4 Exam Exam
175
Total Questions
Multiple-choice on the Navy E-4 exam
3 hrs
Time Limit
Standard NWAE exam length
SS 20-80
Score Scale
Norm-referenced standard score
6 mo
Minimum TIR
Time in rate as E-3
Free
Exam Cost
No fee for active duty
40-80 hrs
Study Time
Recommended preparation
The Navy E-4 exam has 175 multiple-choice questions completed in 3 hours at base testing centers. Sailors must have at least 6 months time in rate as E-3, satisfactory performance marks, and a CO recommendation. Each rating has a specific bibliography published before testing. The exam score uses an SS 20-80 norm-referenced scale and feeds into the Final Multiple Score (FMS), which combines exam score, performance mark average, awards, PNA points, education, and time in rate. The exam is free for all eligible active-duty and reserve E-3 sailors.
Sample Navy E-4 Exam Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Navy E-4 Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What is the official birthday of the United States Navy?
2Which paygrade does the rank of Petty Officer Third Class correspond to?
3Who is the civilian head of the Department of the Navy?
4Who is the senior uniformed officer of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
5Which Petty Officer rank is the most senior in the Navy enlisted structure?
6What is the term used for a Navy enlisted person's occupational specialty?
7The Navy term 'rate' refers to:
8Which of the following is the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations?
9What does the Navy abbreviation 'NETC' stand for?
10The Navy enlisted ranks E-1 through E-3 are collectively known as:
About the Navy E-4 Exam Exam
The Navy E-4 Advancement Exam is the written examination administered to E-3 sailors seeking promotion to E-4 (Petty Officer Third Class). The exam is part of the Navy-Wide Advancement Exam (NWAE) program administered by NETPDC. It contains 175 multiple-choice questions drawn from rating-specific bibliographies, Professional Military Knowledge (PMK), Naval Heritage, watchstanding, damage control, the Sailor's Creed, core values, and Navy leadership topics. The exam is timed and scored on a norm-referenced standard score scale (SS 20-80) that becomes a component of the Final Multiple Score (FMS).
Questions
175 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
SS 20-80 norm-referenced; component of FMS Final Multiple Score
Exam Fee
Free (military) (NETPDC Navy Education and Training Professional Development Center)
Navy E-4 Exam Exam Content Outline
Professional Military Knowledge (PMK)
Navy customs, ranks, organization, chain of command, history
Naval Heritage
Battle of Midway, Coral Sea, USS Monitor, Naval Aviation history
Rating Knowledge
Rating-specific basics across BM, QM, GM, HM, IT, and other common ratings
Watchstanding
Sentry, helm, signal, and radio watch duties
Damage Control
DC central, firefighting bills BC-1/BC-2, General Quarters
Sailor's Creed & Core Values
Honor, Courage, Commitment, Sailor's Creed, Code of Conduct
Leadership & Ethics
Navy Leadership (NLLA), sexual assault prevention (SAPR), ethical decision-making
How to Pass the Navy E-4 Exam Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: SS 20-80 norm-referenced; component of FMS Final Multiple Score
- Exam length: 175 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours
- 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
Navy E-4 Exam Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Navy E-4 exam scored?
Your raw score on the 175 multiple-choice questions is converted to a standard score on a norm-referenced scale of approximately 20-80 (SS 20-80). That standard score is then combined with your performance mark average, awards, PNA points, education points, and time in rate to produce your Final Multiple Score (FMS). Advancement is competitive — there is no fixed passing score, only the FMS ranking against quotas.
How often can I take the E-4 advancement exam?
Eligible E-3 sailors test once per advancement cycle — typically the spring cycle (March) for E-4. If you are not advanced, you can compete again in the next eligible cycle. Most sailors improve their chances by raising performance marks, completing PQS, and earning awards between cycles.
What is the time limit for the Navy E-4 exam?
The Navy E-4 advancement exam is timed at 3 hours for 175 multiple-choice questions, which gives roughly 1 minute per question. The exam is administered at base testing centers — either on paper or by computer — and uses the standard NWAE format.
What topics are on the Navy E-4 exam?
The exam covers Professional Military Knowledge (PMK), Naval Heritage (Midway, Coral Sea, USS Monitor, Naval Aviation history), rating-specific knowledge, watchstanding, damage control (firefighting bills, GQ), the Sailor's Creed, core values, and Navy leadership topics including SAPR and NLLA. Each rating has a published bibliography that lists the exact references used.
Do I have to pay for the Navy E-4 exam?
No. The Navy E-4 advancement exam is administered free of charge to all eligible active-duty and reserve E-3 sailors. Study materials are also available free through Navy resources, MyNavy HR, and the NETPDC bibliography for each rating.