Weighted Airman Promotion System The Weighted Airman Promotion System ( WAPS ) is a United States Air Force program that determines promotions to the ranks of Staff Sergeant ( E - 5 ) through Master Sergeant ( E - 7 ) . It provides feedback score sheets to enlisted members considered for promotion , which help members to focus on specific professional development needs . Selections for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant ( E - 8 ) and Chief Master Sergeant ( E - 9 ) utilize an integrated weighted and central selection board system . In addition to the weighted score , the central selection board evaluates each individual using the whole person concept . Board scores are determined by considering performance , leadership , breadth of experience , job responsibility , professional competence , specific achievements , and education . The board score is added to the weighted score to determine order of merit for promotion . Online score calculator . The " WAPS Promotion Score Calculator " is used by enlisted airmen to estimate the minimum test score for promotion to the next enlisted rank . Users enter the promotion year , enlisted grade , their " Total Active Federal Military Service Date " , date of their last promotion , EPRs , military decorations , and an estimate of the " Air Force Promotion Cutoff Score " in the Web page ' s form . The calculator displays the estimated score if the airman is eligible for promotion during the promotion cycle . Number of promotions . Each year , The Air Force determines the number of promotions needed to fulfill mission requirements and manning goals as set forth by law and regulation . The Air Force then divides these slots by percentages across its various Air Force Specialty Code s ( AFSCs ) , with a few career fields receiving a few extra slots . The result is a system in which each candidate for promotion only competes against those in the same Air Force Specialty ( AFS ) . The numbers of promotion slots are not disclosed until after testing . Points . Eligible candidates receive points based on a number of criteria , including time in service , time in grade , awards and decorations , Enlisted Performance Report ( EPR ) points , Promotion Fitness Examination ( PFE ) points , and Specialty Knowledge Test ( SKT ) points . Fractions of points are awarded for certain categories , resulting in scores that are not whole numbers . Candidates with the highest numbers of points , up to the promotion allowance in each career field , are promoted . The score of the last person promoted is known as " the cutoff " . The cutoff can gauge how narrowly a given candidate missed a promotion . The cutoff score varies because of variations in both the number of promotion slots and the number of points earned by the top candidates . Awards and decorations . For awards and decorations , a maximum of 25 points is allowed . Point values follow order of precedence . Enlisted Performance Reports . The maximum allowance for Enlisted Performance Report s ( EPRs ) is 135 points . Take all EPRs from the last 5 years , not to exceed 10 EPRs . Multiply each EPR rating ( 1 through 5 ) by the time weighted factor : and so on , with each weighted factor decreasing by a factor of five for each report , down to a last one of 5 ( if there are 10 EPRs ) . Take the final product from each report and multiply each by 27 . Add all of those products together . Separately add up the sum of the time weighted factors . Divide the sum products of the reports by the sum of the time weighted factors . This final number is the number of points awarded for EPRs . Promotion Fitness Examination ( PFE ) . The Promotion Fitness Examination is a test of material is taken from the Professional Development Guide . It covers a wide range of US Air Force knowledge , including history , organization , regulations , practices , traditions , and customs . The number of PFE points awarded is equal to the number of correct responses out of the 100 items on the exam . Specialty knowledge test ( SKT ) . The Specialty Knowledge Test is a multiple choice test consisting of 100 questions . Test material is taken from the Career Development Course ( CDCs ) and applicable Air Force instructions and manuals for each AFSC , as the SKT is specific to a candidate ' s AFSC . The number of points earned on the SKT is the number of points awarded toward promotion . Some members do not take the SKT . A common reason for this is that a candidate is performing a special duty and does not have CDCs . In other cases , candidates are in the process of retraining and have not completed the CDCs for the new role . Other candidates may not have access to their CDCs for one reason or another . When a candidate does not take the SKT , the PFE score counts again in place of the SKT . This is termed either " PFE only " or " SKT exempt " . Taking the tests is known as " WAPS testing " or " promotion testing " . Line numbers . When promotions have been determined , a list is drawn up and each person is assigned a promotion sequence number , commonly known as a line number . The line number dictates the order in which candidates will be promoted , as if all of the promotees were waiting in a line . Line numbers are issued according to time in current grade , not by promotion scores , as is frequently perceived . Line numbers are assigned across the entire Air Force rather than by AFSC . Promotions begin in September and continue each month ( on the first of the month ) for 12 months for SSgts . TSgt and MSgt promotions start in August . Criticisms . The promotion system has come under heavy criticism from all ranks in the Air Force . The primary complaint is that the EPR system has become " inflated , " with most average and above average individuals ( including the stellar performers ) receiving scores of five . Academic testing thus becomes a major deciding factor , which may not be a true indication of readiness for leadership and responsibility .