DLAB and DLPT

[michaels601]

So my ROTC buddy is telling me about how Uncle Sam will foot the bill for language software if he wants to learn another language, and I'm wondering if knowing another language (fluently) and being generally able to pick up new languages might score me points anywhere, so I call up my OSO and get a few sketchy details about something called the DLAB. Since it was out of the blue I wasn't able to get anything too concrete, so I rifled through a handful of webpages on the subject and picked up a better idea of what I'm looking at.

DLPT is specific to a language, far as I understand, but do you have to already be in the military to take it? (for real "in the military," not "civilian who gets to wear cammies for summer break" ...aka Candidate. as in, issued DOD ID)

DLAB is designed to test your ability to pick up a new language. Never touched anything like this before, has anybody taken it?

I've heard things like "it only counts if you score perfect" and "it only counts if you do it before you get commissioned." Any truth to these?




On a personal note, I just crossed the 100 posts line! That's worth a beer.

 

[zab1001]

I took both the DLAB (to get into DLI) and the DLPT (to graduate DLI). What do you want to know specifically?

I have no idea if a "civilian" can take either. I doubt it. You pretty much have to have a reason (enlisting to go CTI for example) since it costs money and is pretty heavily proctored and only specific commands can administer the tests. Why you would only be able to take it before commissioning escapes me. As far as "perfect score", I don't know what you mean, or which test you are referring to.

 

[michaels601]

Why you would only be able to take it before commissioning escapes me. As far as "perfect score", I don't know what you mean, or which test you are referring to.

Sorry, should've clarified.

The before comissioning part sounded wrong to me, but that's what I heard, just seeing if there's anything to it.

And the perfect score thing is with respect to the DLAB, I read that your score can be applied to certain "categories" of languages (i think spanish was category I, german is in category II, etc). What your score corresponds to depends on the service, and the Marine Corps calls for all or nothing. Think I read that off About.com

 

[zab1001]

All or nothing...

I don't know. What I do know is I had 4 enlisted Marines in my class and none of them scored anywhere near "perfect" on the DLAB. I don't think many people could score "perfect" since it's such a bizarre, f-ed up test.

Again, I doubt you'd be able to take it without being up for a billet where a DLPT score would be required.