Intelligence Specialist - 0231 - Aptitude test?

[Mledford]

I swore into the Marine Corps about a week ago and was waiting to sign my a contract for 0231 - Intelligence Specialist. Well today my recruiter called me and told me I needed to go back to MEPS tomorrow to take an Aptitude test to see where exactly I'd be placed in the Intelligence field. I asked him if it was the ASVAB (Which I have already taken and I do qualify for 0231) and he told me it was not. They told me when I came back from MEPS that I was already in the spot for 0231 and that they were getting the contract together for me to sign it. So what am I doing taking an Aptitude test to find out where I will be in the Intelligence field?

Has anyone ever been in this situation before? What should I expect on this test?

Thanks for all the help!

[Jensen139]

maybe its the DLAB test. It's a test to see if you would easily you would learn other languages. That's just a guess though. Why don't you just ask him?!?

[hxcbandit7]

It is the DLAB test, my MOS was going to be Intel Specialist as well, its a really hard test, unless your good with memory then its fairly simple. I was the only one out of 8 people that were at MEPS to pass it, but i really didn't think it was too hard. You have to pass it to get that MOS.

[gonzo4]

They are right it is the DLAB. I am going up to take it tomorrow myself. I heard if you have a good ASVAB score you will do well on the DLAB. They have people take it so they can see if you qualify to learn a language. Obviously, with what is going on you most likely would be learning Arabic which is a pretty hard one. Well anyway, good luck and there is a great intel specialist post that is a sticky you should read.

[Viona]

It is probably the DLAB (Defense Language Aptitude Battery). As far as I know, it is sort of a new thing for applicants that want the DD (Intel) option .. I wasn't "allowed" to take it two weeks ago because my recruiter didn't want me to take it if I wasn't going for a linguist option. I told him that I read in 0231Marine's thread that I might have to take it or take it later after I ship out. He called me last week and told me that I did indeed have to take it. He wasn't sure if I needed to pass it to get my contract, though ..

If it was the test where you had to use headphones and listen to gibberish, it was probably the DLAB. I took it today. It was really boring .. It was kind of hard for me and I wasn't sure if I was going to pass, but I was also kind of dozing off during the test, haha. I did alright though, but I'm kicking myself for not getting one more point.

I don't think that how you did on the ASVAB relates to how you will do on the DLAB. The DLAB measures how well you can learn and understand new languages .. You can't really study for it unlike the ASVAB either. You can do amazing on the ASVAB and do horribly on the DLAB. (I've read experiences about it on other military forums.) Although, a big part of it is being able to pay attention and having somewhat good memory. Hope you did well!

@hxcbandit7: Hope to see you in MOS school.

[Mledford]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm kind of nervous now. I hope I can pass it.

[Mledford]

Sorry to post twice, but I'm wondering, if I do not pass this test do I still get my job?

Also, I read that in order to take the DLAB you need to have graduated from High School. I am 17 and I am still a Senior in High School. Are we sure this is the DLAB?

Thanks.

[Viona]

I doubt you will be denied a DD contract if you fail the test. If you read the thread that I linked to in my previous post, 0231Marine talks a bit about it in the beginning of the post. Here is the link again. The thread will answer many of your questions on this field.

The people on this forum can not be sure what the test your recruiter is having you take. The only way you will know is if you call him and ask him exactly what you want to know. "Is the test the DLAB? What happens if I fail the test? Will I be unable to take a DD option if I fail?" If you think he is lying to you, you can always call another recruiter or ask someone at MEPS.

You shouldn't worry about the age or high school status thing .. If there's a problem, they'll let you know.

[Mledford]

I doubt you will be denied a DD contract if you fail the test. If you read the thread that I linked to in my previous post, 0231Marine talks a bit about it in the beginning of the post. Here is the link again. The thread will answer many of your questions on this field.

The people on this forum can not be sure what the test your recruiter is having you take. The only way you will know is if you call him and ask him exactly what you want to know. "Is the test the DLAB? What happens if I fail the test? Will I be unable to take a DD option if I fail?" If you think he is lying to you, you can always call another recruiter or ask someone at MEPS.

You shouldn't worry about the age or high school status thing .. If there's a problem, they'll let you know.

Thank you.

[Mledford]

Just got back from MEPS. I passed the test, at least I think I did, with a 75. Very strange test. I never want to do it again. lol