What is the difference between the Certificate level and Qualification requirement?

For employees of the Czech Armed Forces the Qualification requirement is more significant. This is given by the level of each language skill (speaking, listening, reading or writing) required by the job specifications for a particular appointment or rank within the Czech Armed Forces (for example SLP 0101 or SLP 3333).

According to the Exam Regulations for tests according to STANAG 6001 in English, French and German and according to Government directive No 1542 30/11/2005 the Certificate level is judged to have been achieved by candidates who have passed the exam in any two of the four language skills.

How do I apply to take an exam according to STANAG 6001?

An application for the exam must be made in writing. You will find the application form here. You should send your written application to:

The Department of Studies, VZ 4515, Sídliště Víta Nejedlého, 682 03 Vyškov. You can also send it by email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by FAX : 973 452420. It is not necessary to use a military reference number (cislo jednaci) when sending the application.

How soon can I re-take the exam according to STANAG 6001?

You can in theory re-take an examination immediately but it is dependent on when the next exam date is. You should send an application form not later than one month before the date of the exam to the Department of Studies, Defence Language Institute. Vyškov AČR.

For how long is the examination valid?

At the moment the examination is valid indefinitely, see para.71 of the Testing Regulations; however in many NATO countries, in keeping with the recommendations of BILC (Bureau for International Language Co-ordination), validity is limited from 1 to 3 years.

What happens if I get a lower grade in the exam than I achieved when taking the exam earlier?

At the moment the results for the exam according to STANAG 6001 are valid indefinitely. This means that all the results of all the exams according to STANAG 6001 that a candidate has achieved are valid. Please note however, that the results cannot be combined from different sittings of the exam in order to make one perfect whole.

What should I do in order to have the results of an exam taken abroad recognised by The Czech Armed Forces?

Send a notarised copy of the certificate you gained abroad together with a letter asking for the results to be recognized to Col Mgr Ladislav Chaloupsky, PhD, VZ 4515 Sídliště Víta Nejedlého, 682 03 Vyškov. In your letter make sure to include your full name, rank, title, rodné číslo, osobní číslo, a contact telephone number, address and where the accreditation should be sent, and the name and address and country of the institution where you obtained the certificate.

What is the difference between proficiency and achievement tests?

A proficiency test assesses the language knowledge of the candidate. This is irrespective of the course that the candidate may have taken before the test. In other words; the test assesses the competence of the candidate in the target language as a whole at a given level.

An achievement test demonstrates to what extent the candidate has learnt what was taught on a course or in some specific material.

What is the difference between tests according to STANAG 6001 and the ALCPT/ECL tests?

The Language Examinations according to STANAG 6001 are proficiency tests and are aimed at assessing the level of competence in four skills of the target language. They are used by the personnel department to establish the compatibility of employees’ qualifications with the requirements of the job specifications of the Czech Army. The ALCPT/ECL tests are used as entrance tests in order to place candidates into suitable classes for language courses both at home and abroad. They tend to focus on the grammatical and lexical competence of candidates in the target language. However, ALCPT/ECL tests only assesses your skills in reading and listening.

When and where can I take the ALCPT test?

ALCPT tests take place for external candidates at the Defence Language Institute (Branches Vyškov, Prague, Olomouc) every month except June, August and December. For the exact dates of the tests

Can I use a dictionary in the test?

No. It is forbidden to use a dictionary or any other equipment. Please note para. 42 and 43 of the Testing Regulations.

I am dyslectic and I tend to have problems in examinations. Can this be taken into account?

Of course. The Testing Regulations different types of handicap (dyslexia, dyscalculia) into account see para. 52 to 60.

What are the levels of difficulty for the different levels according to STANAG 6001?

Candidates sometimes mistakenly assume that the amount of time and preparation necessary between different levels is the same. The different levels can best be compared to an inverted pyramid. The higher the level, the more time and preparation is needed, as the higher level includes more difficult grammar, language usage and topics. In other words it takes longer and more effort to achieve SLP 3 after completing SLP 2 than it does to achieve SLP 2 after taking SLP 1.

Level 3 – professional

Level 2 – functional

Level 1 -  survival

What are the ‘plus’ levels?

The Czech Armed Forces have accepted the plus levels for language tests according to STANAG 6001, in response to the recommendations of BILC (Bureau for International Language Co-ordination).

The Plus level is 60% of the higher level criteria. In other words 1+ is closer or has more characteristics of level 2 than of level 1; likewise 2+ is an imperfect 3.

What is the timing for different parts of the exam?

The format of the exam is similar for the different levels, but the time allowed increases for the higher levels. To give an example we have included a table:

To what extent is the STANAG 6001 test testing military English?

In a Language Examination according to STANAG at SLP level 1 or 2, candidates are expected to understand only very general military terminology for example ranks, Branches of the Army, basic military equipment and familiar military contexts. At SLP 3 the candidate should have a wider range of military language in order to include his/her own field of expertise. However, the greatest stress is laid on the candidate’s general language skills.

In the Listening section of the test do you use British or American English?

In most cases the listening texts are recorded by native speakers of both British and American origin, as the candidates are expected to work in an international context. Both male and female voices are used and the vocabulary is specially chosen so that the content is not ambiguous. The speed of the recording is also adjusted so that it is appropriate to the level of the test.

Will the examiners be native speakers?

There is usually one native speaker on the committee for SLP 3 (there can be more than one native speaker or none) together with non-native speakers. There may also be a native speaker on the committee at levels SLP 1 and 2 – this is permissible in line with the Testing Regulations.

Can I re-take individual skills at SLP1 or SLP 2?

You can only re-take individual skills at SLP 2 and SLP3 – individual skills at SLP1 cannot be re-taken.

Is there any way I can find out the level of my language skills before taking the exam?

In order to ascertain your language level and to place you in an appropriate language course we use the ALCPT (American Language Course Placement Test) for English and a Pre-test for other languages. On completing this test we will notify you of your result and recommend which level of Language Examination according to STANAG 6001 you should attempt. However this test only assesses your skills in reading and listening.

What is the best way to prepare for the Listening part of the exam?

The listening part of the Language Examination according to STANAG 6001 consists of multiple choice questions (MCQs) and aims to assess comprehension of the whole text or the main point of the text. At the lower levels (SLP 1 and 2) you could also be asked to identify specific information. The test items never assess only grammatical or lexical knowledge. It is a good idea to use recorded tapes from commercial courses, or to listen to the radio, TV or internet in order to practice listening for general comprehension or the main point. One of the best ways to practise your listening skills is to listen to the news or watch films in the target language. Also, try listening in ‘real’ conditions in other words where the recording is not perfect and includes background noise

Is it possible to practise on ‘old, discarded’ STANAG tests? Are there any mock tests available?

The old tests have all been destroyed because the format of the test has changed – the task types in the current test are completely different to the old ones. It would therefore be unhelpful to practise on these tests before taking the examination. Interactive mock tests for listening and reading developed by the Methodological section of DLI AČR are available on this web site.

Where can I take the Language Examination according to STANAG 6001 as an external candidate?

The Language Examination according to STANAG 6001 take place in DLI AČR, Brno Branche. External candidates are defined as those that want to take the exam although they have not taken part in a language course provided by the Czech Armed Forces.