Active Duty and Reserve candidates take exams, but have to wait months for the results. Why does it take so long? That is the number one question we get - timing of advancement results. Below provides the background. The process does take time, but the most important factor is getting all of the answer sheets and correct data so the rank-ordered lists for each rating are correct. NAC corrects more than 30,000 errors each year related to answer sheet data.
Why haven't the results come out yet?
After an advancement exam is administered, Sailors wait patiently for the results. We've noticed many continue to ask when the E4/E5/E6 results will be released. That information is not available to the NAC, but rather depends on a process that includes Fleet ESOs and Navy manpower commands. There are seven primary steps that lead to exam results.
Here is a basic snapshot of the process from exam administration to release of results:
1. Exams are administered
2. Fleet and shore ESOs mail answer sheets to Pensacola - historically, this process step takes six to seven weeks because substitute exams must also be counted and returned
3. Before exams can be scored, 95% of the projected exam answer sheets have to be received from the Fleet to ensure that the Navy doesn't over promote (this includes late exams)
4. NAC then sends a listing of how many test passers are in each rating to the CNO
5. Enlisted Community Managers (ECMs) and manpower authorities determine vacancies and funding available
6. Quotas are approved by CNP and forwarded to NAC
7. Final Multiple Score (FMS) cut lines are set and published results are immediately sent to the Fleet
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