It involves six different categories, some of which are given more weight such as "Performance Mark Average" (PMA) and exam score, producing a total sum that is used to compare other sailors during an annual (E7) or semi-annual (E4-E6) advancement cycle.
[1] In 2018, the Navy changed the computation of the FMS by updating the PMA calculation for E6 & E7 exams.
The "RSCA PMA" compares the sailor's Individual Trait Average (ITA) on an exam qualifying EVAL against the Reporting Senior's Cumulative Average (RSCA) within that same EVAL.
The changes in 2018 also removed the possible two award points for Individual Augmentees (IAs), as well as adjusting the "Service in Pay Grade" (SIPG) calculation.
The following chart is used to produce the final multiple:[2] PMA is Performance Mark Average PNA is Passed Not Advanced points SIPG is Service in Paygrade AA/AS is associate degree BA/BS is bachelor's degree