What Is Tested in the STANAG 6001 Exam?
Four independently assessed sections. Each demands a different skill set and a different preparation strategy.
What Belgian Candidates Need to Know
Belgium occupies a unique position within NATO. NATO Headquarters is located in Brussels and SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) is in Mons. Belgian military personnel work alongside Allied officers every day, and English is the primary working language of both organisations. STANAG 6001 is the standard used to certify that proficiency.
The exam assesses Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing as four independent skills. Each is awarded a separate level. This matters for preparation: a candidate who performs well in writing may have a completely different profile in speaking, and needs a targeted plan for each skill, not a general one.
Belgium is also a bilingual country. Whether your first language is French or Dutch, the transfer patterns into English differ, and specific preparation reflects that.
NATO HQ and SHAPE
Postings to NATO HQ Brussels or SHAPE Mons require certified English at the level the role demands. STANAG 6001 is that certification. For Belgian officers, this is not a distant requirement – it applies to roles on home soil.
Independent skill levels
You receive a separate level for each of the four skills. A strong reading score does not indicate a strong speaking score. Identify the skills you need to develop and target them directly.
Levels required for roles
Level 1 covers basic operational communication. Level 2 is the standard for most NATO-linked posts. Level 3 is required for senior command, advisory and liaison roles at Allied headquarters. Confirm the requirement for your specific post before you begin.
The exam is the same across NATO
STANAG 6001 is a NATO-wide standard. The format, marking criteria and level descriptors are identical regardless of which nation administers the test. Your preparation here applies directly.
A note on language transfer for Belgian candidates
Belgian candidates arrive with one of two dominant language backgrounds: French or Dutch. French speakers typically bring strong formal register and written accuracy, but often face challenges with spoken directness and connected speech recognition. Dutch speakers tend to have more exposure to English through media and informal contexts, which supports listening and speaking, but may show less precision in formal written tasks. Both profiles are well understood and respond effectively to targeted preparation. The exam is the same for both – the preparation plan is what differs.
Which Level Are You Training For?
Select your target level and train for the specific demands of that standard. Levels are awarded per skill, not as an overall score.
Survival English
Basic operational English for routine communication, simple instructions and familiar military situations. Clear, direct and functional.
Train Level 1Working English
Professional military communication for duties, explanations, problem-solving and operational contexts with NATO partners.
Train Level 2Command English
Advanced professional English for analysis, briefings, negotiation and complex discussion at senior command and liaison level.
Train Level 3How We Prepare You
Structured preparation built around the exact demands of the STANAG 6001 exam, with specific attention to the patterns Belgian candidates face.
Connected Speech and Keyword Training
Examiner-Style Structured Practice
Timed Reading Strategy Training
Register and Structure Models
Grammar Targeted at STANAG Levels
Military and Operational Vocabulary
French and Dutch Transfer Work
Timed Mock Practice Under Pressure
Where Do You Want to Train?
Each hub targets one section of the STANAG 6001 exam. Go directly to the skill you need to work on.
Take a Diagnostic Assessment First
Before you begin training, find out exactly which level you are working at across all four skills. The assessment gives you a clear starting point and stops you preparing at the wrong level.
Train With an Instructor
Structured lesson programmes built around the exact demands of the STANAG 6001 exam. Eight sessions. One clear objective.