NATO STANAG 6001 — SLP 3333
NATO STANAG 6001 — SLP 3333
Comprehensive English Exam Summary: Format, Level Descriptors & Preparation Guidance
What is STANAG 6001?
STANAG 6001 (Standardization Agreement 6001) is the NATO-agreed standard for language proficiency, managed by the Bureau for International Language Coordination (BILC). It provides a framework for language curriculum, test development, and recording Standardized Language Profiles (SLPs).
The SLP is a four-digit code representing proficiency across four skills in order: Listening – Speaking – Reading – Writing. An SLP of 3333 means the candidate has achieved Level 3 ("Good" / Minimum Professional) in all four skills.
Proficiency Levels at a Glance
| Level | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Source: STANAG 6001 Edition 5, NATO BILC. Only levels 1–4 can be achieved in a proficiency test. | ||
| 0 | No Proficiency | No practical ability |
| 1 | Elementary (Survival) | Basic phrases, routine courtesy, simple directions |
| 2 | Fair (Limited Working) | Simple social and routine job needs; frequent hesitation |
| 3 Target | Good (Minimum Professional) | All practical, social, and professional discussions in a known field |
| 4 | Very Good (Full Professional) | Broad, precise language; near-native fluency |
| 5 | Excellent (Native/Bilingual) | Equivalent to an educated native speaker |
Level 3 Descriptors (Official STANAG 6001)
Listening (L3)
Able to follow radio broadcasts, speeches, and conversations between educated native speakers in the standard language. Regional or dialectal forms may be missed, but general meaning is correctly interpreted. Vocabulary is adequate for all practical and social conversations and professional discussions in a known field.
Speaking (S3)
Full range of basic structures well understood and complex structures used. Mistakes sometimes occur but meaning is accurately conveyed. Pronunciation is recognisably foreign but never interferes with intelligibility. Fluency is rarely impaired by hesitation; flow of speech is maintained by circumlocution when necessary — no groping for words.
Reading (R3)
Able to read standard text materials and most technical material in a known professional field. With moderate dictionary use, adequate for most news items about social, political, economic, and military matters. Information is obtained from written material without translation.
Writing (W3)
Can draft official correspondence and reports in a special field. Control of structure, spelling, and vocabulary is adequate to convey messages accurately, but style may be recognisably non-native. All formal writing would still need editing by an educated native speaker.
Key Cognitive Difference: Level 2 vs Level 3
Level 2 — LOTS
Describing, remembering, narrating.
Level 3 — HOTS
Speculating, hypothesising, predicting, justifying, assessing, evaluating, and arguing a position.
Exam Format (Level 3)
1. Listening Examination
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Based on the Hungarian Language Testing Centre (Ludovika University) Level 3 exam structure. | |
| Duration | ~35–40 minutes |
| Number of tasks | 2 |
| Typical passing threshold | ~60% |
| Audio plays | Twice per text |
- Task 1 — General Topic (Multiple Choice)
- Candidates listen to a general-interest text (~2,300–2,400 characters). They complete 10 statements by selecting the correct ending from four options (A, B, C, D). Tests the ability to extract specific information.
- Task 2 — Military Topic (Short-Answer Questions)
- Candidates listen to a military text, typically a briefing (~2,300–2,400 characters). They answer 10 short-answer questions. Tests the ability to understand and extract information from military-context audio.
2. Speaking Examination
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Speaking is conducted face-to-face with an examiner panel. The warm-up (BORE) is not assessed. | |
| Duration | ~20 minutes total |
| Number of tasks | 3 (plus warm-up) |
| Typical passing threshold | ~60% |
| Format | Face-to-face with examiner panel |
- Warm-Up — BORE Presentation (3–4 min, not assessed)
- Candidates introduce themselves: background, military career narrative, current duties, and personal interests. Although not scored, this sets the examiners' impression and generates follow-up questions.
- Task 1 — Military Conversation (6–7 min)
- Discussion with the examiner about the candidate's military background and related topics. Tests Level 3 vocabulary and grammar in a military context.
- Task 2 — General Topic Discussion (6–7 min)
- Candidate reads a statement on a drawn topic card, expresses their opinion, and discusses it with the examiner. Tests the ability to formulate opinions, speculate, and argue on general topics.
- Task 3 — Military-Political Discussion (2–3 min)
- Candidate reads a short military-political article extract (4–5 lines), summarises it, and discusses it. Tests fluency, confident opinion expression, defence of views, and response to objections.
3. Reading Examination
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dictionaries are not permitted during the reading examination. | |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Number of tasks | 4 |
| Typical passing threshold | ~60% |
| Dictionary use | Not permitted |
- Task 1 — Multiple Choice Gap-Fill (General Text)
- A ~1,200–1,300 character text with 7 missing words. Candidates choose the correct word for each gap from four options. Tests vocabulary in context.
- Task 2 — Matching Answers to Questions (General Text)
- A ~1,800–1,900 character text with 5 questions. Pre-written answers (plus 2 distractors) are provided in mixed order. Tests detailed comprehension.
- Task 3 — Gap-Fill (Military Text)
- A ~1,000–1,100 character military text with 8 missing words. Missing words (plus 3 distractors) are listed above the text. Tests lexical and grammatical knowledge in military context.
- Task 4 — Multiple Choice (Military Text)
- A ~2,000–2,100 character military text with 5 incomplete statements. Candidates select the correct ending from four options. Tests extraction of information from military texts.
4. Writing Examination
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dictionaries are not permitted. Approx. ⅓ of the main body should address Level 2 functions; ⅔ should address Level 3 functions. | |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Number of tasks | 2 |
| Typical passing threshold | ~60% |
| Dictionary use | Not permitted |
- Task 1 — General Topic Essay (~220 words)
- Write an essay on a general topic based on 3–4 prompts. Tests use of abstract language, appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and cohesive devices at Level 3.
- Task 2 — Military Document (~170–200 words)
- Write a military document (memo, report, or formal letter) based on 3–4 prompts. Tests ability to write about military topics using appropriate register and format.
Common writing types at Level 3: essays, reports, formal letters and emails, memoranda, articles, and briefing documents.
General Exam Topics
National exams typically draw from two pools:
General Topics
Military Topics
Approximate Equivalences
| STANAG Level | CEFR | IELTS | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mappings are indicative and do not account for the military-specific content component of STANAG exams. | |||
| 1 | A2 | 3.0–3.5 | KET |
| 2 | B1–B2 | 4.5–5.5 | PET / FCE |
| 3 Target | C1 | 6.5–7.5 | CAE |
| 4 | C2 | 8.0–9.0 | CPE |
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