There is no better way to prepare for the DLAB than getting a study guide. This is because the purpose of the DLAB isn’t about what you know, but how you respond in a certain situation under timed criteria.
What that means is, the more you are prepared for what is to come, and practice, the better your response, and thus the better your DLAB score. Having a comprehensive understanding of the test material, especially English grammar, is essential for effectively answering questions and following instructions.
But here’s the problem: The market has too many terrible DLAB study guides.
In truth, there are some that have wrong information, or don’t even cover everything. This is almost worse than doing nothing. Can you imagine going into a DLAB test thinking you know what to expect, and then all of a sudden realizing this isn’t what you expected?
So, because of this, I decided to buy every DLAB study guide on the market and compare each to help to point out which ones are worth your time and money, and which ones your should avoid. Plus, combining this with the fact that I’ve taken the DLAB, I can say without a doubt which ones work.
List of the Best DLAB Study Guides
I’ve tried to list what I liked and disliked about each, and even gave them all a grade. However, below, I will expand on each and give my recommendation in full on which one is best for your needs. I hope this helps. Achieving a high DLAB test score is crucial for gaining admission into superior language programs and enhancing military career prospects.
#1. The Official DLAB Training Manual
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Cunnings, Robert J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 86 Pages - 01/14/2014 (Publication Date)
Having read all of the Defense Language Aptitude Battery Test Study guides on the market, I have to say that the Official DLAB Training Manual is still my favorite of them all. Now, I get it - it is old, right? But here’s the thing…the DLAB test hasn’t changed at all since this book came out in 2014. All the rules and recommendation are still correct.
The Defense Language Institute (DLI) plays a crucial role in providing linguistic and cultural education for military and civilian personnel. The DLAB test is a prerequisite for attending DLI, making this study guide essential for those aiming to enroll.
Furthermore, this DLAB study guide has some of the best pretests and practice tests of them all. Now, when you get to the section with the images, you might laugh because the images don’t look professional. HOWEVER, those image are actually pretty close to the style of images you’ll find on the test. Remember, the US military made this test and design is not their strong suit. So, what I’m saying is that this study guide is pretty legit close to what you’ll expect.
Now, my only issue or problem with this study guide is that it really needs a good editor. There was a misspelling, and some grammar issues as well. Kind of a drag being that this guide is about language…right?
But don’t let that deter you. Regardless of when it was published, and some grammar issues, this is hands down the best at helping you prepare for the DLAB exam. Plus, I’ll bet your detailer or recruiter probably recommended this guide too - I’ve heard they all do.
#2. The Complete DLAB Study Guide
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Patton, William (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 104 Pages - 05/28/2014 (Publication Date)
Honestly, The Complete DLAB Study Guide is a VERY close second. Like the Official DLAB Study guide, this one is still accurate, even though is is older. All of its rules are still correct, and its recommendations are still strong. Furthermore, like the other, it has a full set of practice exams and covers all areas of the exam.
So, why didn’t I put it #1? Well, when it came to the explanation of the exam, I felt as though the Official DLAB did better at that. That could just be my preference, but also the reviews sort of nudge this sentiment as well.
It is important to note that the overall DLAB score is a crucial metric in assessing a candidate's capability to learn foreign languages within the military context. Effective preparation and strategies can directly contribute to improving this score, impacting a service member's career opportunities and language assignments.
BUT - here is my actually recommendation. I truly recommend all readers buy both. Why?
Like I said above, the DLAB is about practice. It’s about getting used to the rules in the test, and then being able to quickly and effectively select the right answers. The only way to do that right is to practice, practice and practice.
Having BOTH the Complete DLAB and the Official DLAB give you even more practice test and ways of looking at it. Besides combining the cost of the two books is the equivalence of an Applebees Dinner - and if that helps improve your score, then it will help with your progression into DLI and into your military career.
So, in the end, I think all who are taking the DLAB are best served by buying both of these DLAB study guides.
#3. DLAB Study Guide (Outdated!)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Boban, Greg (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 11/03/2011 (Publication Date)
This gets a distant 3rd on my list. It’s clearly the oldest and wasn’t well put together. Most of its rules and guidance is still correct, but it isn’t as accurate as the two above. Therefore, I’d only recommend you get this book if you are really needing more questions.
However, the combination of the first two is more than enough to give you the right idea on the test, and more importantly, enough practice that you should score in the higher levels from the DLAB test. Using a professionally made practice exam can also provide valuable experience, helping you understand the test format and types of questions.
Therefore, don’t waste your time on this guide if you bought of the two above…unless you are seriously going for a triple study guide effect.
#4. The New DLAB Study Guide (2024 onward): (Not Recommended!)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Newmann, Sam G. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 57 Pages - 11/16/2023 (Publication Date)
Like some of the others on the bottom of my list, this is not only poorly put together, but I'm pretty sure wasn't written by someone who has actually taken the test. It not only has mistakes in it, but also gives bad advice and should be avoided.
I would like to say that the practice tests might be worth the price, however, many of the sections there are also incorrect and will have you wasting time on things that won't matter.
So, do yourself a favor, save your money and skip this book.
#5 DLAB Practice and Skills Test Study Guide (Not Recommended!)
- Stevenson, Marlow (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 139 Pages - 05/20/2021 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
This is a WASTE of money. First off, this reads as if it was written by someone who hasn’t actually taken the dreaded DLAB test. It’s not accurate, but tries to be.
Also, its so called 300 questions only covers half of the exam. Like, what?!?! Why?
To me, this is egregious. If someone bought just that guide, and no other, they would think that they knew what was on the exam, and think they were prepared. Then they’d get to the DLAB test, and realize they only prepared for half of it. That totally sucks.
So, I highly recommend you skip this one and choose one of the others.
#6. Defense Language Aptitude Battery (Not Recommended!)
- English (Publication Language)
- 268 Pages - 05/01/2024 (Publication Date) - National Learning Corp (Publisher)
Finally, my dead last position is the creatively named Defense Language Aptitude Battery. No way the person who wrote this actually took the test, and definitely doesn’t understand it.
I mean, if you don’t know what you’re doing, then why not copy the others or something. It’s clear either a company that mass produces these kinds of study guides made this, or else someone pretending to be one did it.
Either way, this is a complete waste and I absolutely recommend you save your money and go somewhere else on this. Choose either the Official DLAB Study Guide or the Complete DLAB Study Guide, (or both), but leave this one behind. It is also important to understand the DLAB score requirements, as different military positions have varying minimum scores, which can significantly impact your career prospects and language assignment opportunities.
Other Resources and Options for DLAB Study
There are some other ways to prepare and some reading material to help - although with one or two of the above DLAB Study guides above, you should be fine:
- Reddit thread on the DLAB: Check here to see any updates on the test
- Aptitude Test for DLAB: This articles talks about the DLAB, but ends with a list of other Aptitude Tests that could help
- Army Study Guide Forum on DLAB: Any place to find if there are any updates to the information
- DLAB Flashcards: Sounds like they’d be useful, but sadly its just basic grammar review like “what is a noun”
It is crucial to gain valuable experience prior to taking the test by using professionally made practice exams to build confidence and understanding.
So, What's the Best DLAB Study Guide?
In the end, we have provided a couple of the best DLAB Study Guides on the market and hope you find them just as useful as so many DLAB Prep readers have. We will do our best to help you as much as possible; however, these study guides are the best way to improve your score and prepare for the rigors of the Defense Language Aptitude Battery Test. These guides also reveal test secrets that can enhance your preparation and dispel common misconceptions about studying for the DLAB.