68W Advanced Leader Course (ALC) Phase 3
Exam
120-Question Practice Exam with Answers & Rationales
1. As a promotable NCO attending the Advanced Leader Course, your primary
new role compared to the Basic Leader Course level is to:
A. Perform individual medic tasks only
B. Lead and train a squad-sized element and serve as a first-line supervisor
C. Command a battalion
D. Serve only in an administrative role
Correct Answer: B. Lead and train a squad-sized element and serve as a
first-line supervisor
Rationale: ALC prepares NCOs to lead small teams/squads, supervise soldiers, and
train subordinates as first-line leaders.
2. Which document establishes the Army's leadership requirements model
used throughout NCO education?
A. ADP 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession
B. FM 3-0
C. AR 600-20
D. ATP 4-02.2
Correct Answer: A. ADP 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession
Rationale: ADP 6-22 defines the Army Leadership Requirements Model (attributes
and competencies) taught throughout the NCO Education System.
3. The Army Leadership Requirements Model divides leader development into
which two broad categories?
A. Rank and time in service
B. Attributes and competencies
C. Physical fitness and marksmanship
D. Combat and garrison duty
Page 1
,Correct Answer: B. Attributes and competencies
Rationale: The model organizes leadership into attributes (character, presence,
intellect) and competencies (leads, develops, achieves).
4. Which of the following best describes 'mission command' as an Army
leadership philosophy?
A. Centralized control of every decision by senior leaders
B. Exercising disciplined initiative within the commander's intent to empower
subordinate leaders
C. Eliminating the need for orders
D. Following only written SOPs with no adaptation
Correct Answer: B. Exercising disciplined initiative within the commander's
intent to empower subordinate leaders
Rationale: Mission command emphasizes decentralized execution and disciplined
initiative guided by the commander's intent.
5. As a squad leader, developing subordinates primarily involves:
A. Completing all tasks yourself to save time
B. Counseling, mentoring, coaching, and providing opportunities for subordinates
to grow professionally
C. Avoiding feedback to prevent conflict
D. Assigning only the easiest tasks to junior soldiers
Correct Answer: B. Counseling, mentoring, coaching, and providing
opportunities for subordinates to grow professionally
Rationale: Developing others is a core NCO competency achieved through deliberate
counseling, coaching, mentoring, and progressively challenging responsibilities.
6. What is the primary purpose of performance counseling for a subordinate
soldier?
A. To punish the soldier
B. To document strengths, areas for improvement, and set specific, achievable
goals
C. To satisfy a paperwork requirement with no substantive content
D. To replace the NCO Evaluation Report entirely
Page 2
,Correct Answer: B. To document strengths, areas for improvement, and set
specific, achievable goals
Rationale: Performance counseling provides feedback on duty performance and
establishes clear goals to guide the soldier's development.
7. According to Army counseling doctrine, initial counseling with a new
subordinate should occur:
A. Never; it's optional
B. Within the first two weeks of the rating period or supervisory relationship
C. Only at the end of the rating period
D. Only if problems arise
Correct Answer: B. Within the first two weeks of the rating period or
supervisory relationship
Rationale: Initial (duty-performance) counseling should be conducted early, typically
within the first two weeks, to set expectations.
8. Which leadership attribute category includes traits such as army values,
empathy, and the warrior ethos?
A. Character
B. Presence
C. Intellect
D. Achieves
Correct Answer: A. Character
Rationale: Character encompasses army values, empathy, discipline, and the warrior
ethos/service ethos in the Leadership Requirements Model.
9. An effective NCO builds trust with subordinates primarily by:
A. Being unpredictable and inconsistent
B. Demonstrating competence, consistency, and genuine concern for soldiers'
welfare
C. Avoiding all interaction with junior soldiers
D. Making decisions based on favoritism
Correct Answer: B. Demonstrating competence, consistency, and genuine
concern for soldiers' welfare
Page 3
, Rationale: Trust is built through demonstrated competence, consistent behavior, and
authentic concern for subordinates.
10. What is the primary purpose of an After Action Review (AAR)?
A. To assign blame for failures
B. To identify what was planned, what happened, why it happened, and how to
sustain strengths and improve weaknesses
C. To praise the unit unconditionally
D. To replace formal evaluations
Correct Answer: B. To identify what was planned, what happened, why it
happened, and how to sustain strengths and improve weaknesses
Rationale: AARs are a structured, professional discussion focused on learning and
improving future performance, not assigning blame.
11. The eight-step Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) begin with which step?
A. Issue the order
B. Receive the mission
C. Conduct reconnaissance
D. Supervise and refine
Correct Answer: B. Receive the mission
Rationale: TLP begins with receiving the mission, which initiates planning and
preparation for an operation.
12. The '1/3-2/3 rule' in troop leading procedures refers to:
A. Dividing supplies among three squads equally
B. Using no more than one-third of available time for the leader's planning, leaving
two-thirds for subordinates to plan and prepare
C. A ratio of officers to enlisted soldiers
D. A weapons maintenance schedule
Correct Answer: B. Using no more than one-third of available time for the
leader's planning, leaving two-thirds for subordinates to plan and prepare
Rationale: The 1/3-2/3 rule guides leaders to reserve the majority of available time for
subordinate units to plan, prepare, and rehearse.
Page 4
Exam
120-Question Practice Exam with Answers & Rationales
1. As a promotable NCO attending the Advanced Leader Course, your primary
new role compared to the Basic Leader Course level is to:
A. Perform individual medic tasks only
B. Lead and train a squad-sized element and serve as a first-line supervisor
C. Command a battalion
D. Serve only in an administrative role
Correct Answer: B. Lead and train a squad-sized element and serve as a
first-line supervisor
Rationale: ALC prepares NCOs to lead small teams/squads, supervise soldiers, and
train subordinates as first-line leaders.
2. Which document establishes the Army's leadership requirements model
used throughout NCO education?
A. ADP 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession
B. FM 3-0
C. AR 600-20
D. ATP 4-02.2
Correct Answer: A. ADP 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession
Rationale: ADP 6-22 defines the Army Leadership Requirements Model (attributes
and competencies) taught throughout the NCO Education System.
3. The Army Leadership Requirements Model divides leader development into
which two broad categories?
A. Rank and time in service
B. Attributes and competencies
C. Physical fitness and marksmanship
D. Combat and garrison duty
Page 1
,Correct Answer: B. Attributes and competencies
Rationale: The model organizes leadership into attributes (character, presence,
intellect) and competencies (leads, develops, achieves).
4. Which of the following best describes 'mission command' as an Army
leadership philosophy?
A. Centralized control of every decision by senior leaders
B. Exercising disciplined initiative within the commander's intent to empower
subordinate leaders
C. Eliminating the need for orders
D. Following only written SOPs with no adaptation
Correct Answer: B. Exercising disciplined initiative within the commander's
intent to empower subordinate leaders
Rationale: Mission command emphasizes decentralized execution and disciplined
initiative guided by the commander's intent.
5. As a squad leader, developing subordinates primarily involves:
A. Completing all tasks yourself to save time
B. Counseling, mentoring, coaching, and providing opportunities for subordinates
to grow professionally
C. Avoiding feedback to prevent conflict
D. Assigning only the easiest tasks to junior soldiers
Correct Answer: B. Counseling, mentoring, coaching, and providing
opportunities for subordinates to grow professionally
Rationale: Developing others is a core NCO competency achieved through deliberate
counseling, coaching, mentoring, and progressively challenging responsibilities.
6. What is the primary purpose of performance counseling for a subordinate
soldier?
A. To punish the soldier
B. To document strengths, areas for improvement, and set specific, achievable
goals
C. To satisfy a paperwork requirement with no substantive content
D. To replace the NCO Evaluation Report entirely
Page 2
,Correct Answer: B. To document strengths, areas for improvement, and set
specific, achievable goals
Rationale: Performance counseling provides feedback on duty performance and
establishes clear goals to guide the soldier's development.
7. According to Army counseling doctrine, initial counseling with a new
subordinate should occur:
A. Never; it's optional
B. Within the first two weeks of the rating period or supervisory relationship
C. Only at the end of the rating period
D. Only if problems arise
Correct Answer: B. Within the first two weeks of the rating period or
supervisory relationship
Rationale: Initial (duty-performance) counseling should be conducted early, typically
within the first two weeks, to set expectations.
8. Which leadership attribute category includes traits such as army values,
empathy, and the warrior ethos?
A. Character
B. Presence
C. Intellect
D. Achieves
Correct Answer: A. Character
Rationale: Character encompasses army values, empathy, discipline, and the warrior
ethos/service ethos in the Leadership Requirements Model.
9. An effective NCO builds trust with subordinates primarily by:
A. Being unpredictable and inconsistent
B. Demonstrating competence, consistency, and genuine concern for soldiers'
welfare
C. Avoiding all interaction with junior soldiers
D. Making decisions based on favoritism
Correct Answer: B. Demonstrating competence, consistency, and genuine
concern for soldiers' welfare
Page 3
, Rationale: Trust is built through demonstrated competence, consistent behavior, and
authentic concern for subordinates.
10. What is the primary purpose of an After Action Review (AAR)?
A. To assign blame for failures
B. To identify what was planned, what happened, why it happened, and how to
sustain strengths and improve weaknesses
C. To praise the unit unconditionally
D. To replace formal evaluations
Correct Answer: B. To identify what was planned, what happened, why it
happened, and how to sustain strengths and improve weaknesses
Rationale: AARs are a structured, professional discussion focused on learning and
improving future performance, not assigning blame.
11. The eight-step Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) begin with which step?
A. Issue the order
B. Receive the mission
C. Conduct reconnaissance
D. Supervise and refine
Correct Answer: B. Receive the mission
Rationale: TLP begins with receiving the mission, which initiates planning and
preparation for an operation.
12. The '1/3-2/3 rule' in troop leading procedures refers to:
A. Dividing supplies among three squads equally
B. Using no more than one-third of available time for the leader's planning, leaving
two-thirds for subordinates to plan and prepare
C. A ratio of officers to enlisted soldiers
D. A weapons maintenance schedule
Correct Answer: B. Using no more than one-third of available time for the
leader's planning, leaving two-thirds for subordinates to plan and prepare
Rationale: The 1/3-2/3 rule guides leaders to reserve the majority of available time for
subordinate units to plan, prepare, and rehearse.
Page 4
