The Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) test in the US Air Force will be administered electronically starting with the CY24 E6 promotion cycle in February. The eWAPS platform is a collaborative effort between the Air Force, the Personnel Data Research Institute, and PearsonVUE. Airmen participating in the 2024 technical sergeant and staff sergeant promotion cycles will be the first to use this system. Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services, stated that this initiative is part of the ongoing human resources transformation efforts in the Air Force. Promotion-eligible Airmen will receive invitational emails later this month to visit the PearsonVUE website and create an account by establishing a username and password. Test Control Officers or unit WAPS monitors will then contact eligible Airmen to sign for their assigned official test date and review testing instructions and individual responsibilities.
Airmen are required to arrive in uniform, punctually, and with their Common Access Card. It is crucial for them to remember their username and password, as lack of preparation can result in being marked as a no-show for testing. Airmen who cannot reset their password and access their PearsonVUE account will also be marked as a no-show. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass emphasized the transformative nature of this step, stating that e-testing aligns with industry standards and provides a secure and innovative platform for fair and equitable promotion and career advancement. It also streamlines the process by allowing test responses to be submitted directly to the Air Force Personnel Center, eliminating the need for traditional mailing of answer sheets. Airmen who are not located near a base testing center can test at one of many PearsonVUE centers for greater flexibility.
If eligible Airmen do not receive an email or cannot find it, they can directly create an account on the PearsonVUE website after January 30, 2024. This transition to electronic testing is seen as a much-needed change that enhances the careers of Airmen and provides them with greater efficiency and effectiveness in reaching their goals. This is part of the ongoing efforts to modernize the Air Force’s personnel development initiatives.
Images and subject matter derived from 3rd party sources including www.af.mil.
