Advancement sets a pattern of setting positive goals and reaching them throughout life. It's easy to advance by following the four basic steps:

1. Learning (Troop meetings and other activities)
2. Testing (Scoutmaster Conferences)
3. Review (Board of Review)
4. Recognition (Court of Honor)

The requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot through First Class prepare the Scout to take full advantage of all that Scouting has to offer. Star, Life, and Eagle requirements focus on service to others and developing leadership skills.

Requirements for each rank are outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook. The Scouts work on advancement requirements with their parents or other family members, with other Scouts and with adult Scout leaders. This can be done on their own, in patrol and troop meetings, and during other troop functions such as campouts.

Scout skills cannot be mastered by performing them just once. The Scouts have many opportunities to practice each skill, and they will be thoroughly tested on each requirement before it is "signed off". In addition, they will practice each skill repeatedly, even after it has been signed off. As they progress, they will also have opportunities to teach these skills to less experienced Scouts, which further reinforces their knowledge and skill.

As they complete each requirement they are tested and signed off in their handbook by the Scoutmaster or by someone he designates. This person may be an Assistant Scoutmaster, a Troop Committee Member, or another, more experienced, Scout. (In Boy Scouts troop leaders, rather than parents, sign off advancement requirements.)

It is up to the Scout to take advantage of the advancement opportunities available to them, and to take the initiative to ask for someone to test them when they are ready.

The purpose of the Board of Review is not to retest the Scout but rather to ensure that they have completed all of the requirements, to determine the quality of their troop experience, and to encourage them to advance toward the next rank.

When the Scout passes their Board of Review they will receive their new rank patch as soon as possible, usually at the next troop meeting. They will receive public recognition and the pocket record card at the next Court of Honor.