The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test is an essential assessment for individuals pursuing language-based roles in the U.S. armed forces. This test measures a persons ability to learn new languages. Rather than focusing on prior language knowledge, it focuses on testing abstract reasoning and language-learning potential.

A distinctive feature of the DLAB is that it relies on an invented language for testing. This method allows the test to measure linguistic aptitude rather than memory. The test is structured into different sections, each evaluating specific linguistic abilities, including grammar recognition, phonetic analysis, and sentence structure interpretation.

Performing well on the DLAB determines eligibility for advanced language programs in military intelligence. The score requirements vary depending on the difficulty level of the language training program, meaning that languages such as French require a lower score than languages like Chinese or Arabic.