MOS Requirements for 35P / DLAB Scores

Some of the most frequent questions I get about MOS 35P is "what is the minimum score on the DLAB", "Do I have to take the DLAB", or "can I get a waiver for a low DLAB score"?

The short answer to the question is this (Per the Army MOS Smartbook, August 2008):

The current and approved minimum DLAB score for accessions into this MOS at any given time will be reflected in the REQUEST program in accordance with the category of languages required and being recruited. If initial DLPT score is below L2-R2, the DLAB must be administered.

For the long(er) answer, keep reading:

Per AR 11-6 dated August 2009, the following DLAB scores are required per category:

a. Category I: 95 or higher. 

b. Category II: 100 or higher.

c. Category III: 105 or higher.

d. Category IV: 110 or higher.

Per the latest DLIFLC catalog:

• 95 for a Category I language (French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish)
• 100 for a Category II language (German)
• 105 for a Category III language (Hebrew, Hindi, Persian Farsi, Dari, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian/Croatian, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Uzbek and Urdu)
• 110 for a Category IV language (Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Iraqi, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Levantine, and Pashto)

So the long(est) answer is depending on what is currently needed, the 35P MOS might change per the needs of the Army. So the Army would require you to have a 105 on the DLAB if, for example, they only needed Persian-Farsi or would require 110 if they only needed Arabic linguists. If you only scored a 95, for example, and they needed Persian linguists, you wouldn't qualify for the MOS.

Need to learn more about improving or taking your DLAB for the first time? Click here.

Want to see the other MOS requirements for MOS 35P? Continue on...

Physical demands rating and qualifications for initial award of MOS. The cryptologic linguist must possess the following qualifications:

(1) A physical demands rating of very heavy.

(2) A physical profile of 222121.

(3) Normal color vision.

(4) Qualifying scores.

(a) A minimum score of 95 in aptitude area ST on Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests administered prior to 2 January 2002.

(b) A minimum score of 92 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 2 January 2002 and prior to 1 July 2004.

(c) A minimum score of 91 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 July 2004.

(5) The Soldier must meet TOP SECRET (TS) Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access eligibility requirements to be awarded this MOS. For clearance requirements to attend training, refer to the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS). 

(6) Soldier is required to take a counterintelligence scope polygraph (CSP) prior to being awarded this MOS.

(7) A high school graduate or equivalent prior to entry onto active duty.

(8) Meet hearing acuity test standards per AR 40-501 (table 7-1).

(9) A qualifying score of 100 on the Audio Perception Test (APT).

(10) Demonstrate clear enunciation and comprehension of English and good Standard English grammar skills. Applicants who are not native-born citizens or who have not attended U.S. schools since the age of 6 must obtain a minimum score of 80 in reading and listening on the English Comprehension Level Test (ECLT) or American Course Language Placement Test (ACLPT). The Executive Agent for English is the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC).

(11) Soldiers accessing into this MOS must have a minimum qualifying score on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) or a qualifying score of L2-R2 (listening-reading) on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) in a required and documented foreign language. The current and approved minimum DLAB score for accessions into this MOS at any given time will be reflected in the REQUEST program in accordance with the category of languages required and being recruited. If initial DLPT score is below L2-R2, the DLAB must be administered.

(12) Never been a member of the U.S. Peace Corps, except as specified in AR 614-200 (para 3-2).

(13) No information in military personnel, Provost Marshal, intelligence, or medical records that would prevent the granting of a security eligibility under AR 380-67 (para 3.401.a).

(14) No record of conviction by court-martial.

(15) No record of conviction by a civil court for any offense other than minor traffic violations.

(16) Must be a U.S. citizen.

(17) Soldier and spouse must not have immediate family members who reside in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be common practice, either against-

(a) Persons accused of or acting in the interest of the U.S. or

(b) The relatives of such persons to whom they may reasonably be considered to be bound by ties of affection, kinship, or obligation. Immediate family for both Soldier and spouse includes both blood and step-: parents, spouse, children, sisters, brothers, any sole living blood relative, or a person in loco parentis per AR 600-8-10.

(18) Have neither commercial nor vested interest in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be a common practice against persons acting in the interests of the U.S. This requirement applies to the Soldier's spouse as well.

(19) Meet career management and development criteria contained in AR 614-200 and DA Pam 351-4.

(20) MOS closed for reclassification to Soldiers who have been deemed permanently nondeployable

in accordance with AR 614-30, AR 40-501, AR 220-1 and AR 600-8-101. Soldiers must meet the minimum criteria for retainability stated in AR 600-60, paragraph 4-2(b) and befully deployable to all locations and echelons.

(21) MOS closed for reclassification at SFC, MSG and SGM, except for those Soldiers within CMF 35.