MEPS Physical Qualification Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the urine drug screen conducted at MEPS?
- To check kidney function and hydration levels
- To detect the presence of illegal substances that would disqualify enlistment (Correct answer)
- To establish a baseline for future random testing only
- To screen for steroid use in athletes
Correct answer: To detect the presence of illegal substances that would disqualify enlistment
The MEPS urinalysis screens for illegal drug use, and a confirmed positive result disqualifies the applicant from military service.
Question 2: Color blindness at MEPS is evaluated using which standard test?
- Snellen eye chart
- Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates (Correct answer)
- Cover-uncover test
- Amsler grid
Correct answer: Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates
The Ishihara plate test is the standard tool used at MEPS to screen for color vision deficiency.
Question 3: An applicant has a documented history of asthma treated with daily inhaled corticosteroids after age 13. What is the most likely MEPS determination?
- Automatic qualification if asymptomatic for 6 months
- Disqualification unless a waiver is approved (Correct answer)
- Full qualification with no further review needed
- Temporary deferral for 30 days then re-evaluation
Correct answer: Disqualification unless a waiver is approved
Asthma requiring medication after age 13 is generally disqualifying and requires a waiver supported by pulmonary function testing.
Question 4: What does the MEPS height and weight screening primarily assess before proceeding to the tape test?
- Whether the applicant meets branch-specific height minimums only
- Whether the applicant's weight falls within the maximum allowable weight for their height (Correct answer)
- Whether BMI is under 30
- Whether the applicant can reach overhead equipment
Correct answer: Whether the applicant's weight falls within the maximum allowable weight for their height
Height-weight tables set the maximum weight for a given height; applicants who exceed that limit proceed to the body fat tape test.
Question 5: Which mental health history finding would most likely require additional documentation or a waiver at MEPS?
- Seeing a school counselor once for academic stress
- A prior inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for self-harm (Correct answer)
- Attending a grief support group after a family death
- Completing a 6-week stress management course
Correct answer: A prior inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for self-harm
Inpatient psychiatric treatment, especially for self-harm, is a disqualifying history that typically requires extensive documentation and a waiver review.
Question 6: At MEPS, which physical standard applies specifically to male applicants regarding body fat percentage in the Army?
- Not to exceed 20% body fat regardless of age
- Age-graduated maximum ranging from 20% to 26% body fat (Correct answer)
- Flat 25% maximum for all male applicants
- Body fat is not formally assessed; only weight matters
Correct answer: Age-graduated maximum ranging from 20% to 26% body fat
The Army uses age-graduated body fat standards for males, with younger applicants held to a lower maximum than older applicants.
Question 7: What is a 'medical waiver' in the context of MEPS disqualification?
- Permission to skip part of the physical exam
- A formal military branch review that may grant enlistment despite a normally disqualifying condition (Correct answer)
- A civilian doctor's note overriding MEPS findings
- A 90-day deferral that automatically converts to qualification
Correct answer: A formal military branch review that may grant enlistment despite a normally disqualifying condition
A medical waiver is a branch-level review process where military authorities decide whether a disqualifying condition still permits safe service.
MEPS Physical Qualification Standards 3
What is the primary purpose of the urine drug screen conducted at MEPS?