E5 Exam Administration - Advance to Vacancy

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E4 Sailors eligible for advancement will take the Navy-wide Advancement Exam (NWAE) on Thursday, September 12. The exam is 175 job-specific questions that are directly tied to Occupational Standards. E7-E9 rating subject matter experts review exam questions, verify exam bibliographies and write new questions to make sure exams represent the job knowledge required to advance to the next-higher paygrade. 

Exams are scored using a norm-reference standard where the Sailor's exam score is a numerical representation of how well he or she did on the exam compared to peers. Scores range from 20 to 80, with an 80 going to the Sailors that get the most questions correct. Performance mark average is the other Final Multiple Score (FMS) element that has the most weight, and is based on the average advancement recommendations from the commanding officer(s). Advancement opportunity is based on two primary factors: 1) FMS standing among peers, and 2) vacancies (quotas) at the next-higher paygrade.