NAC uses the results from Navy-wide advancement examinations to assess knowledge at the next-higher paygrade and compute an individual Sailor's Final Multiple Score (FMS). The FMS is used to compare all Sailors in the same exam rate. NAC rank orders Sailors - the highest FMS score is the number one Sailor for advancement, second highest is number two, etc. - so the most qualified candidates are advanced given the number of vacancies (quotas) in a particular exam rate. The FMS is made up of different variables, but it's key to remember that sustained superior performance is a primary factor for advancement.