NAPLES, Italy (NNS) January 16, 2013 — Sailors should prepare now to have an opportunity to move up in rank and earn more money by excelling on their March advancement exams.
The exams take place every March and September for Sailors trying to achieve the ranks of petty officer third class through petty officer first class and the exam to become a chief petty officer takes place every year in January. The amount of Sailors who advance to the next rank varies every cycle and it also varies between the different rates.
The best way to prepare for an upcoming advancement exam is by utilizing resources, effective time management skills and keeping a positive attitude.
“The first thing a Sailor should do when preparing for their exam is make sure their eligibility requirements have been met,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Esperanza Cailao, command career counselor for Naval Support Activity Naples. “If you don’t take care of your eligibility requirements, then you won’t have a chance to take the exam.”
Once Sailors have met all of the eligibility requirements, they can start preparing for the exam. One of the best resources available is the Navy Advancement Center page.
“You can find bibliographies with information on what you need to study for your exam six months prior to taking the exam on the Navy Advancement Center page,” said Cailao. “The Navy Advancement Center page can be found on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) and has a lot of valuable resources to help you succeed when taking the exam.”
Once Sailors know what resources and study materials are available to them, they can begin using their time management skills to help them prepare for exams. One way to manage time to help prepare for an exam is to develop a study plan.
“Everybody learns in different ways,” said Cailao. “Some people learn more when they study in groups and some people learn better by studying on their own. It is important to know what types of study methods suit you the best before you develop a study plan.”
Another way to manage time is to begin studying as soon as the bibliographies are available. It is also important to maintain a positive attitude when taking the exam.
“You can’t have doubts when you’re taking the exam,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Deverell Brown. “If you let negative thoughts get in your head, you will start doubting what you already know and miss questions you should have answered correctly.”
Cailao said it is important for Sailors to keep a positive attitude because it helps keep them motivated to work hard and do well when the day of their exam arrives.
Sailors can give themselves a better chance to receive a higher score the next time they take an advancement exam by utilizing resources, using proper time management and keeping a positive attitude. Getting a higher score on the exam can go a long way in helping a Sailor advance in rank and continue to progress as a Sailor in the United States Navy.