Test time

I probably took around two dozen advancement exams during my 29-year active and reserve career. That's an exam every six months until I passed the exam with a high enough score to warrant advancement. All example were multiple choice.

Here's a sample question from the 1976 Mess Management Specialist 3 & 2 Rate Trailing Manual:

What does the abbreviation A.P. stand for on a recipe card?
1. As preferred
2. As purchased
3. After peeling
4. After parboiling

Do you know that answer?

EAST CHINA SEA (Sept. 9, 2010) -- Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Lea Bansil takes the Navy-wide E-5 exam aboard the forward deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex amphibious ready group and is on patrol in the western Pacific region.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Ebarb.