DLAB Practice Test

The (DLAB) Defense Language Aptitude Battery is a standardized test utilized by the United States Department of Defense to assess the language-learning potential of military personnel. The test measures an individual’s ability to learn a foreign language and is used to determine language proficiency, language assignment, and eligibility for language training programs.

DLAB is a crucial tool for military personnel who are expected to work in diverse locations around the world and communicate with people from different cultures; for individuals seeking to enter the DLI or enhance their language skills, practicing for the DLAB can be a valuable tool in achieving their language learning goals. 

Here’s one test-taker description of the test:

“The DLAB measures your ability to acquire language. It does so by sketching out some rules of a fictional language and then bombarding you with questions to answer – either in or about the language.”

Source: reddit

Under this article, we are going to discuss the benefits of practicing for the DLAB, and strategies for preparing for the test.

DLAB Question Types Explained

The DLAB consists of three components, namely the Personal Survey, Audio, and Visual sections. Applicants are allotted around two hours to finish all three sections of the test. The current administration of the test is computer-based, unlike in the past when it was conducted using cassettes and booklets.

Sections	Question Type	What it aims to measure
Audio	Stress Syllables	This section evaluates the test taker’s ability to identify changes in tone and stress in syllables, crucial for understanding and learning languages where such variations can significantly alter meanings.
	Nouns and Adjectives	Assess your understanding of nouns and adjectives in the context of a constructed language.
	Possessive Section	The section assesses the test taker’s understanding of how to use possessive pronouns and adjectives, as well as the correct use of possessive constructions with nouns.
	Verbs and Subjects/Objects	This portion of the test evaluates an individual’s ability to recognize and manipulate verb forms and their relationship to subjects and objects within sentences.
	Comprehensive Rules	The Comprehensive Rules of DLAB cover several aspects of language learning, including grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and the ability to understand spoken language.
Visual	This part involves showing the test taker pictures and their respective translations. The questions will display a new picture and offer various translation options.	This section assesses the test-taker’s ability to understand complex visual information, to identify patterns, and to mentally rotate and manipulate objects in space.

Questions Included in Audio Section

The audio section is further divided into five categories, namely Stress Syllables, Possessives, Nouns and Verbs, Adjectives, and Subject/Objects, along with Comprehensive Rules. These labels are not used during the test but are provided to assist you in managing and preparing for your training.

A test-taker reflects on their experience with the DLAB:

“The DLAB, Defense Language Aptitude Battery, is a test that the US military uses to gauge ability to learn language. I took it around 6 years ago, and it was probably one of the hardest tests I’ve taken. It’s all audio based and you can only repeat the audio once. It uses a made up language, but it’s not Latin based.”

Source: benaugustine/reddit

Stress Syllables Section

A number of languages play a unique role in the stresses and innovations provided for several syllables, which are often pretty complicated to analyze. In languages like Chinese, even a tiny change in the stress or tone can completely change the meaning of the phrase or word, making them meaningless. This means that the ability of the test taker to recognize changes in tones and stresses is pretty crucial for their overall success in learning a specific language. 

This test will provide the candidate with four options, and he will be required to choose the one which is different from all the other options in terms of intonation; usually, the four options will contain a similar amount of syllables, but in some unique cases this may not be the case. Therefore, keep track of the stresses/tones and syllables. 

Nouns and Adjectives Section

This exam section will provide the test taker with a collection of grammar rules that they must apply to select the correct answer or translation. These rules will be displayed on the screen during the exam, but only until the test taker clicks “Next,” so it is necessary to memorize them before proceeding. It is crucial to understand that the answer choices will not be visible and will only be read aloud once, so careful attention is required. 

Possessive Section

Like the previous one, this section will present a series of guidelines that the test-taker must follow to select the correct answer. Just like before, these rules will disappear from the screen once the test-taker advances to the questions. Additionally, it’s important to note that the answer options will not be visible; they will only be read aloud, so it’s crucial to listen attentively.

Verbs and Subjects/Objects Section

In this section of the test, the examinee will be required to recognize verbs, objects, and subjects. Similar to other sections, the examinee will be provided with the rules only at the start and will not be allowed to consult them while answering the questions. It is important to note that the options will not be visible, and they will only be read aloud once, so it is crucial to be attentive.

Comprehensive Rules Section

The last part of the test will require the examinee to select an option that meets all the criteria from the previous facets. This will be the most complex audio section and will demand significant concentration to complete successfully. It will be very challenging to recall and apply the rules without previous preparation and practice. If writing is allowed, it is recommended that the examinee take note of the rules, but if not, they should take their time to memorize them before proceeding to the questions. Additionally, it’s important to note that the options will only be read out loud once, so paying attention is crucial.

Questions Included in Visual Section

The final section of the test is the visual part, which does not need headphones. This part involves showing the test taker pictures and their respective translations. The questions will display a new picture and offer various translation options. To answer, you must use the information provided in the picture set to determine the correct translation for the given picture.

The main point is to identify relevant information that connects different aspects of the pictures. It’s important to carefully examine the images to make the correct associations. Sometimes, a combination of a verb and an adjective may be needed to accurately describe what is happening in the picture. For instance, the presence of a pencil could imply that it is being dropped rather than simply being a stationary object. Additionally, details such as the color of the pencil may also be significant and should be considered when analyzing the pictures.

The recommended approach for tackling these types of questions is to start by listing all the elements present in each picture, including verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Then, one can identify similarities between the pictures based on common nouns, adjectives, and verbs. By finding common translated words, one can answer the questions. Sometimes, only a portion of a word may denote the similarity. In cases where linking pictures are not provided, one can still rely on grammar rules to answer the questions. Even if the pictures are dissimilar, the positioning of verbs and nouns in the translation process can help with understanding the meaning. Examples are the best way to demonstrate this type of question.

According to this test-taker experience, the test assesses the ability to learn a new, made-up language. It does this by presenting images with corresponding words in the new language, and requires the test-taker to make associations and extrapolations. It starts off simple, but quickly ramps up in complexity: 

“The DLAB test determines how fast you can learn a made-up language based on picture association and extrapolation. For example, you may see a picture of a bus with the word “Ack” under it, next you’ll see a picture of a red bus and it will say “Ack Ben” under it. You are expected to extrapolate that “ack” means “bus” and that “ben” means “red”​”

Source: reddit

DLAB Preparation Strategies

Preparing for the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) Test can be challenging, as the test measures a person’s language learning potential rather than their current knowledge or proficiency in a specific language. However, some strategies can help prepare for the test:

Familiarize yourself with the test format: The DLAB Test consists of various sections that assess a person’s ability to analyze and understand language structure, syntax, and grammar. It is essential to become familiar with the test format, and the questions typically asked.

Improve your language skills: While the DLAB Test does not measure your proficiency in a specific language, having a strong foundation in English grammar and vocabulary can be helpful in understanding the structure and mechanics of language. Additionally, learning a foreign language can help you understand the complexities of language learning and can provide insight into the types of questions that may be asked on the test.

Practice with sample questions: There are various resources available online that offer sample questions and practice tests for the DLAB Test. Practice with these resources to become more comfortable with the types of questions that are typically asked and to develop strategies for answering them.

Get a firm grip on English grammar: To pass the DLAB, the test taker must have a comprehensive understanding of English grammar. Without this knowledge, you cannot adequately answer the questions or even follow the instructions of the test.

Develop analytical skills: The DLAB Test measures a person’s ability to analyze and understand language structure, so developing strong analytical skills can be helpful in preparing for the test. Engage in activities which require critical thinking, such as puzzles or logic games.

Here’s one test-taker perspective on this:

“Contrary to common opinions, you could study for the DLAB. Every single grammar construction on there is taken from some other foreign language. My undergrad is in Linguistics, which was basically two years of DLAB prep. By the time I took the DLAB I’d seen nearly every construction on the test, or something very similar.”

Source: Max_Vision/reddit

Test Features

A Stepping Stone for DLI

In order to get into the Defense Language Institute (DLI), a candidate must pass the DLAB test. DLI stands for “Defense Language Institute,” which is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) research and educational institution located at the Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, California.

The Defense Language Institute provides linguistic and cultural education and training to military and civilian personnel of the DoD and other government agencies. Its mission is to develop and maintain the foreign language skills and regional expertise needed by the US military and other government agencies to effectively engage with foreign countries and cultures.

The Defense Language Institute offers a wide range of language courses, from basic to advanced levels, in over 20 different languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and many others. The training is designed to enable military and civilian personnel to communicate effectively in the language of the countries where they are deployed, as well as to understand the cultural context of those countries.

After completing the DLAB and obtaining your scores, your respective military branch will decide whether or not to send you to the Defense Language Institute and which language course to assign you.

Occupations That Require Passing DLAB

The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) is a test designed to assess a person’s ability to learn a foreign language. The United States military commonly uses it to evaluate the language-learning potential of service members.

Here are some of the occupations within the US military that may require passing the DLAB:

1. Linguist: The most common occupation that requires passing the DLAB is linguist. Linguists are responsible for translating, interpreting, and analyzing foreign language communications and providing intelligence support to military operations.

2. Foreign Area Officer: Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) are military officers who specialize in particular regions of the world and provide expertise on the cultural, political, and economic factors that affect military operations in those regions. Passing the DLAB is often a prerequisite for becoming an FAO.

3. Cryptologic Technician: Cryptologic Technicians are responsible for analyzing and deciphering foreign language communications and providing intelligence support to military operations. Passing the DLAB is often a requirement for becoming a Cryptologic Technician.

4. Special Forces: Special Forces personnel often work closely with foreign military and civilian populations and require language skills to communicate and build relationships. Passing the DLAB may be necessary for some Special Forces roles.

5. Interrogator: Interrogators are responsible for obtaining information from prisoners of war and other detainees. Language skills are essential for communicating with detainees who may not speak English, and passing the DLAB may be required to become an interrogator.
6. Cyber Security MOS: Cyber Security Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) are specialized roles within the military focused on protecting and securing information systems against cyber threats. These positions often necessitate passing specific qualifications or tests, such as the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB), depending on the role’s requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) is a test used by the US military to assess an individual’s potential to learn a foreign language. The eligibility criteria for taking the DLAB may vary slightly between military branches, but generally, the following criteria must be met:

1. U.S. citizenship: The DLAB is only available to U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens are not eligible to take the test.

2. Military service: The DLAB is primarily intended for military personnel who require language skills for their job. However, some branches may allow civilian employees or contractors to take the test.

3. Education level: There is no specific education requirement for taking the DLAB. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is usually required for military service, and higher education may be preferred or required for certain roles.

4. Security clearance: Some military roles may require a security clearance, and applicants for these roles must undergo a background investigation and obtain the required clearance before taking the DLAB.

It’s important to note that meeting these eligibility criteria does not guarantee that an individual will be selected to attend the Defense Language Institute (DLI) or receive language training. The decision to assign language training is ultimately up to the individual’s military branch and is based on the requirements of the organization and the individual’s qualifications and performance.

Technical Facts

DLAB Assessments  Fast Facts

• Made up of 120 questions divided into audio and visual sections. 
• Multiple Choice Questions for most items 
• Administered Online
• The minimum score to get into a DLI is 95. However, a candidate must aim to score the maximum score possible. 
• A pair of headphones is required
• The candidate applying must already be serving in the US military. 

Educational Background Survey

Apart from audio and visual sections, there’s one more section included in the DLAB test called Educational Background Survey. This section is quite simple, and test-takers only need to offer some basic details about themselves. You don’t need to be concerned about this, as your responses will not impact your final score in any way. The purpose of this section is solely to assist the test administrators in assessing specific data. The survey comprises 10 questions about the test takers habit and their educational background. 

Language and Geography

Although DLAB is utilized to test the ability of a candidate to learn different languages, the assessment itself is only available in one language, English. This is because the test is only designed for professionals serving in the US military only, and individuals who are not native are not eligible to take the test. Also, the test cannot be accessed from any place outside the USA.

DLAB vs. DLPT 

Here’s a summarized table give you a brief about the differences:

	DLAB	DLPT
Purpose	Measures language learning potential	Measures language proficiency in listening and reading
Format	Multiple-choice questions and audio tasks	Multiple-choice questions and listening passages
Languages	Only for languages without a DLPT	Many languages, including common and uncommon ones
Scoring	Score range of 0-176	Score range depends on the language and level
Difficulty	Generally considered more challenging	Difficulty depends on the language and level
Use	Used for language job assignments	Used for language proficiency evaluations

DLAB and DLPT are both language proficiency tests utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense to assess the language proficiency of military personnel.

DLAB stands for Defense Language Aptitude Battery, and it is a test designed to measure an individual’s ability to learn a foreign language. It evaluates an individual’s language learning potential based on their cognitive abilities, such as analytical reasoning, memory, and learning style. The test is used primarily for selecting candidates for language training programs and for assigning language codes for military jobs.

On the other hand, DLPT stands for Defense Language Proficiency Test, and it is used to assess an individual’s ability to read and comprehend a foreign language. The test evaluates an individual’s reading and listening skills in a specific foreign language and assigns a proficiency level based on the results. This test is used to determine an individual’s language proficiency for job assignments and promotions.

In summary, while DLAB is used to assess an individual’s language learning potential, DLPT is used to measure an individual’s proficiency in reading and listening in a foreign language.

New Word Learning

The DLAB Test assesses a person’s ability to learn new words and use them in context. This is important for language learning, as building vocabulary is a crucial part of becoming proficient in a foreign language.

Auditory and Visual Comprehension

The ability to understand spoken and written language is a crucial component of language learning and is a fundamental skill required for communication in any language. In the context of the DLAB Test, this ability is measured through various sections of the test that evaluate different aspects of language comprehension.

FAQs

DLAB Assessments Test Tips

The DLAB is a unique test that doesn’t rely on straightforward questions but instead assesses your capacity to perform through non-obvious queries. You’ve already been introduced to the test format and know what to expect while taking the test. It’s highly advised to do a lot of practice and approach it with a serious attitude.

Apart from thorough practice to excel in the assessment, the following tips could be considered by a candidate preparing for DLAB. 

A filling breakfast and good night sleep: You may think this tip may not directly affect your test scores, but this will actually have a significant effect on DLAB and any assessment you are considering taking. A clear mind, without any distractions from hunger pangs or dizziness, allows a candidate to fully concentrate on the speaker’s instruction and excel the assessment. Also, avoid consuming coffee or any sort of caffeine on the morning of your final assessment. The caffeine kick may help you feel energized, but you will be sleepy again once that fades away. 

Isolate yourself: On the day of the test, isolate yourself in a room with just you and your computer. Any sort of voice can easily distract you, and you might not fully understand the instruction, ultimately messing up your assessment. 

Be extremely dependent on your ears: When you are solving the audio portion, remember no visual instruction will be provided to you. Also, questions will also only be dictated to you. On-screen, only options would be provided, like “A,B,C,D,” and nothing would be written against the option. Therefore, be focused on the audio. 

Keep your eye on the clock: It is important to keep track of the time during the DLAB assessment. The test duration is two hours, and allocating the time wisely is crucial to avoid spending too much time on a single question. Difficult questions can be guessed and reviewed later if there’s time left.
Don’t leave a question blank: Even if the applicant is unsure of the answer, they should make an educated guess by eliminating any options that seem obviously incorrect or irrelevant. As there is no negative marking, this strategy increases the probability of selecting the correct answer and can improve the applicant’s overall score. However, it is essential to note that guessing should not replace thorough preparation and studying, as a solid understanding of the material will ultimately lead to better performance on the exam.

This test-taker had these tips to share:

“For the audio sections, you need to have some sort of mental structure for eliminating wrong answers… There is nothing more frustrating than “eliminating” 2 out of 4 answers, then hesitating because because you don’t remember if it was audio sample A or B that you had discounted. Once you hear something that rules the answer out, forget the sample completely. That is mental space that you need to liberate to try to remember the possibly correct “candidate” answers for further deductive reasoning.

By far, the simplest part of the test is where you identify stressed syllables. No deduction required, just careful listening. They’ll say 4 words, and you identify which one doesn’t fit. Sometimes it’s a matter of “which one of these is not like the other 3”, and other times it’s just applying the rule to figure out which one of the four does fit. Either way, you just listen carefully without any thought towards deciphering meaning. To me, this is the section that an aspiring candidate needs to CRUSH, because the more complex sections could just kick you in the nuts if you don’t immediately spot their reasoning.”

Source: robertswa/reddit

Results Scale and Interpretations

The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) is scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 164. 

The DLAB score is derived from the number of correct answers on the test, with no penalty for incorrect answers or unanswered questions.

The DLAB consists of three sections: Educational Background Survey, Audio and Visual sections.  

Every section is scored separately, and the scores are then combined to produce an overall DLAB score.

In order to be admitted to the Defense Foreign Language Institute, you need to achieve a minimum score of 95, irrespective of your military branch. However, for certain MOS/AFSC/Ratings, the minimum requirements might be higher than 95, depending on the job’s complexity, functions, and the language/region where the individual will be employed. The following table describes some of the military positions that requires a DLAB test score

Specialist Occupation	Does It Require a Minimum DLAB Score?
Marines Intelligence Officer	No minimum score required but MOS Marines that score above 100 on the DLAB may be designated to attend formal language training.
Counterintelligence/Human Source Intelligence Officer	No minimum score required but MOS Marines that score above 100 on the DLAB may be designated to attend formal language training.
Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare Officer	No minimum score required but MOS Marines that score above 100 on the DLAB may be designated to attend formal language training.
Air Intelligence Officer	No minimum score required but MOS Marines that score above 100 on the DLAB may be designated to attend formal language training.
Cryptologic Language Analyst	Yes, DLAB score of 110
Ground Intelligence Officer	No minimum score required but MOS Marines that score above 100 on the DLAB may be designated to attend formal language training.

DLAB Scores and Language Category

The DLAB score is used by the US military to determine an individual’s language learning potential and to assign language jobs based on their language ability. The higher the DLAB score, the more likely an individual is to succeed in learning a foreign language and using it in their military job.

Based on your DLAB score, the category of languages you can be assigned to will be determined. The category system was created to account for the varying levels of difficulty among different languages. Category IV includes languages that are considered the most challenging, while Category I comprises the easiest languages to learn. The classification is based on various factors such as grammatical structures, intonations, lettering systems, and overall differences from the English language. The DLAB score requirements for each category are specific and predetermined.

Following are the scores required for every category: 

Categories	Minimum Score Required To Qualify	Languages Included
Category I language	95 or higher	French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
Category II language	100 or higher	Indonesian, German
Category III language	105 or higher	Hebrew, Kurdish [Kurmanji, Sorani], Hindi, Persian [Dari, Iranian], Serbian Croatian, Tagalog, Punjabi, Russian, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Uzbek
Category IV language	110 or higher	Arabic [Modern Standard, Iraqi, Levantine, Egyptian], Japanese, Korean, Pashto, Chinese [Mandarin]

Achieving a high DLAB score can distinguish service members from their peers and enhance their career prospects. Since many service members have taken the DLAB test, superior officers utilize the score to determine assignments and promotions. A service member’s DLAB score tends to have a lasting impact on their career, and a favorable result can be a valuable asset.

Although scores are necessary to enroll in a language program of a particular category, the placement of a service member is often based on demand rather than their score. For instance, even if a service member’s DLAB score is sufficient for Category IV, they may be assigned to Russian (Category III) due to operational needs. It is worth noting that the maximum attainable score on the DLAB was previously 176 but has been revised to 164 since 2016.

Raw vs Standard score

The raw DLAB score is the number of questions answered correctly on the test without any adjustments for guessing or other factors. It is simply the sum of the points earned on each test section.

On the other hand, the standard DLAB score is derived from the raw score, but it takes into account several statistical factors. The standard score is adjusted based on the performance of other test-takers in the same population and is scaled to produce a score ranging from 0 to 164.

The purpose of the standard DLAB score is to provide a fair and equitable way of comparing the language aptitude of individuals from different populations. It allows the military to compare the language learning potential of applicants from diverse backgrounds and ensure that they are assigned to language programs that are suitable for their abilities.

Administration

• Test Locations: The DLAB exam is supervised by members of the military, and the location where you will take the test will depend on the branch of the military in which you have enlisted. Although you are allowed to take the test at “Sister Service Testing” locations, it is recommended to take it at the testing facility within your branch. 
• Test Schedule: Before getting to your Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), it is crucial to schedule for the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB).
• Test Format: Multiple choice on computer.
• Test Materials: A computer system and headphones are required for the audio testing part. 
• Cost: No cost 
• Retake Policy: Allowed to retake after six months of the initial attempt

Test Provider

The Defense Language Institute (DLI) is the provider of the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test. The DLI is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) educational and research institution responsible for training military linguists in various languages. The DLAB test is designed to measure an individual’s ability to learn a foreign language and is used by the DoD to identify individuals with the potential to become military linguists. The DLAB test is administered by the DLI at various locations in the United States.

Information Sources

• Marines Website
• Military.com

Disclaimer – All the tutoring resources and preparation materials available on iPrep are authentic and were specifically designed for the purpose of tutoring. iPrep is not affiliated with the Defense Language Institute (DLI), the owner of The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test, or any trademark or organization mentioned above.