E-4 Apprentice Advancement Qualification Examination

What the E-4 AQE Includes

Each E-PME AQE covers the material from its own and the preceding pay grade. Therefore, the E-4 AQE covers the material from both the E-3 and E-4 Study Guides. The Study Guides contain both Knowledge Requirements to be learned and tested, and Performance Requirements to be observed and signed off as completed. These Knowledge and Performance Requirements are listed below.

Get it Done!

Beginning May 1, 2005, all "A" School students must pass the E-PME Apprentice (E-4) Advancement Qualification Exam (AQE) in order to graduate as a Third Class Petty Officer. This applies to all students attending "A" School classes with a graduation date on or after May 1, 2005. There will be plenty of homework to keep you busy while in school. For this reason, all future "A" school students are strongly encouraged to pass their AQE prior to reporting to school. However, if you are unable to accomplish this prior to reporting, you will have an opportunity to complete it while attending school.

Recommended Student Study Habits

Members will have to make a sustained effort and be committed to learning in order to pass the AQE. It is designed to ensure that the student understands all material within the E-PME study guide. Questions are crafted by testing understanding of a critical concept or recall of an important fact within each chapter. Questions will always relate to the overall intent of the qualification. The best strategy to ensure a passing score is to review the qualification at the beginning of each chapter, then study all content within the chapter. Seek assistance from your supervisor or mentor whenever you do not understand any material or if you fail to pass a knowledge check. In addition, thorough study of the information provided in support of the performance qualifications will also be an important way to prepare for the AQE.

Recommended Supervisor Support

Supervisors of those at the apprentice level should keep in mind that their students are experiencing many of the words, acronyms, and concepts within the study guide for the first time. What appears to be obvious to a seasoned Petty Officer may be overwhelming to a non-rate, making recall difficult at test time. Supervisors should be proactive, ensuring that students understand the content throughout each chapter. If you have questions or suggestions regarding preparation of students for the AQE, contact the E-PME course writer.

Although not a requirement, taking the E-4 AQE Practice Exam is encouraged. The Practice Exam will simulate the kinds of questions you will encounter during the actual exam. The Practice Exam is not graded or recorded in any way.

Take the E-4 AQE Practice Exam.