Physical Qualification Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real MEPS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physical Qualification Standards flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of the urine drug screen conducted at MEPS?
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.
Color blindness at MEPS is evaluated using which standard test?
Answer: Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates
The Ishihara plate test is the standard tool used at MEPS to screen for color vision deficiency.
An applicant has a documented history of asthma treated with daily inhaled corticosteroids after age 13. What is the most likely MEPS determination?
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.
What does the MEPS height and weight screening primarily assess before proceeding to the tape test?
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.
Which mental health history finding would most likely require additional documentation or a waiver at MEPS?
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.
At MEPS, which physical standard applies specifically to male applicants regarding body fat percentage in the Army?
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.
What is a 'medical waiver' in the context of MEPS disqualification?
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.