More than 100 Sailors stationed and deployed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, took their rating-specific E-6 advancement exams Sept. 3.

The 175-question test offered every March and September assesses each Sailors' basic military requirement and rating-specific knowledge.

Each Sailor's total score towards advancement is comprised of four scoring categories: advancement exam, evaluation, awards, and education. The advancement exam weighs the heaviest due to the Navy's emphasis on rating-specific knowledge.

"The advancement exam really puts into perspective how much knowledge and information really goes into your rate," said Chief Information Systems Technician Aquinor Hollingsworth. "All you can do is prepare to the best of your ability and walk in there confident."

The bibliographies with all of the information that the Sailors are expected to know for the upcoming exams are released shortly after the previous exam cycle.

"As leaders in the Chief's Mess, we always hope for maximum advancement at the command," said Hollingsworth. "If you managed your time wisely and made preparation a priority it hopefully will give you the advantage you need to make the quota."

Advancement exams for E-5 and E-4 are scheduled for Sept. 10 and 17, respectively.

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, visit www.navy.mil/.