Making rate in the next cycle

For the roughly 75,000 sailors who passed the advancement exam but didn't make rate, it was a wake-up call. High retention means many sailors are competing to fill a limited number of spots. And every point in your final multiple counts more than ever before. Here's what you should know about making rate in the spring of 2012:

1. Do The Math Again.
   If you missed the cutoff by a fraction of a point — or as many as two or three — it pays to take a second look at your score and what went into it. Every cycle, 100 or more sailors advance after the list of names is published simply by catching an error in how their math was done or by discovering they earned points that weren't counted.
2. Rack Up Promotion Points.
   Though they make up a small portion of a sailor's final score, awards and other points can make a big difference. While there's a limit, those competing for E-4 and E-5 can get no more than 10 points in this area, and a maximum of 12 for E-6 they can still help. Both, awards and time-in-grade count, as well as the times you've passed the test but not advanced—so your performance this cycle can help you next time. And don't forget individual augmentee assignments. The Navy awards two points to every sailor who completes an IA tour. The demand will remain for IA’s in Afghanistan, even as troops pull out of Iraq.
3. Raise Your Evals.
   The number of points for performance in the final multiple score is based on the promotion recommendation given to sailors on their evaluations. The higher the recommendation, the more points you get.
4. Study Smarter.
   Evaluations alone will not get a sailor advanced. And it's not good enough to just pass the test. Sailors must cut the highest score possible to stay even with or above the pack. Scoring well is not about cramming right before the test, or even three months out. Try studying a little bit every week, starting now. The Navy Advancement Center posts references used to build exams six month before the test. Focus first on areas in which you fall short. After each exam, sailors are provided with a profile sheet that shows the major areas of the exam and how they performed in each.
5. Switch Ratings.
   If your rating is heavily over-manned, consider changing to a less-packed career field. Your career counselor has tools to test a sailor's interests, which can be cross-indexed with test scores to find you a new job. And if you're getting close to the end of your enlistment, the Perform to Serve re-up approval process includes a chance for you to request a quota in another rating.