M-SLC Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) / Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System (NCOPD) Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

For females, the ABCP tape test uses three measurements: neck, waist, and hip circumference. Including the hip measurement is important because women commonly store more fat around the hips and buttocks, so measuring the hip provides a more accurate estimate of body fat. The neck helps account for overall upper-body size, while the waist captures abdominal fat. Measuring only the neck or pairing neck with waist and chest misses the hip area, which can lead to less accurate results for many women. When taking measurements, note the neck just below the larynx with the tape level and snug (not compressing), the waist at the smallest natural circumference, and the hips at the widest part of the buttocks.