Update to the Six-Month Waiver Request and Confirmation Testing for the Armed Forces Classification Test

1. This MARADMIN announces confirmation testing 
policy updates for the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) 
and clarifies the six-month retest waiver request process.
2. Background.  Per reference (a), six-month retest waiver requests 
may be submitted if a Marine: 1) needs to execute a lateral move due 
to non-availability within their MOS; 2) must retest to be eligible 
to reenlist; 3) is deploying to a location that does not have a 
testing facility; 4) or desires to retest to meet a deadline for an
upcoming board.  A six-month retest waiver request has two 
requirements: 1) a letter signed by the first O-5 Commander in the 
Marine's chain of command, and 2) a training course certificate from
the approved list of courses in section 4b. of this announcement.  
For scenarios outside of a Marine's control (MOS closing, 
deployment, etc.), a training certificate is not required.  If 
approved, a Marine may retest before six months since their last 
test date, but not sooner than 90 days.  Per reference (a), current
confirmation testing policies measure significant point gains 
(20 or more) since the Marine's previous test and considers time 
between tests to determine if the validity of the new test needs to
be confirmed.
3. General. Effective immediately, a Marine's AFCT is only subject 
to potential confirmation testing if they are retesting with an 
approved six-month waiver.  If a Marine scores a 20-point or more 
gain in their Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score when less
than six months has passed between tests, a confirmation test will 
be required.  The requirements for confirmation testing for 
significant point gains in the four-service specific classification
composites (CL, EL, GT, and MM) are suspended.  The Marine must 
obtain half the number of points associated with a significant gain
to confirm the prior AFQT score.  If the Marine scores lower, the 
scores in MCTFS will remain the same.
4. Marines are eligible to test once every six months without a 
waiver and will not be permitted to test more than twice in
one calendar year.
4a. Six-month retest waiver requests for retests prior to 90 days 
after a Marine's last AFCT administration will not be considered.
4b. Approved preparatory course material which includes an end of
course certificate for the six-month retest waiver requests include:
DANTES, https://dantes.peterson.com/; and March2Success, 
https://www.march2success.com/
5. Any test preparation materials or courses that train directly
to the AFCT are prohibited per reference (a), including: the FAST 
Army Test and the Basic Skills Education Program.
6. Marines who are currently recruiters or were on recruiting duty
within the last six months are ineligible to retest without
a waiver routed via Marine Corps Recruiting Command G-3 Enlisted
Operations (mcrchqg3enlistedops@marines.usmc.mil) and approved by
Studies and Analysis Branch (MPA).  Recruiters who test before
receiving waiver approval from MPA will not have their scores
processed and must wait six months for eligibility to retest.   
7. For waiver submissions or additional questions, contact MPA 
by email at SMB_manpower.msab.test@usmc.mil.
8. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force. 
9. Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly,
Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and
Reserve Affairs.