Community QuestionSeen on 7 CBTs

When derivatively classifying information, where can you find a listing of specific information elements that identify their classification, reason for classification, downgrading, and declassification information?

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Answer

. Security Classification Guide (SCG)

1 of 7 indexed CBT versions give this answer·Answer index rebuilt Sep 25, 2026

Why this answer

An SCG is useful here because it ties guidance to each specific information element, rather than supplying only a general label for the program. For the element being used, the classifier can check the level, the reason, and the downgrading or declassification instruction together.

VERIFIED AGAINST THE OFFICIAL SOURCE

“An SCG is a collection of precise, comprehensive guidance about a specific program, system, operation, or weapon system telling what elements of information are classified. For each element of information, the SCG includes its classification level, the reasons for that classification, and when the information can be downgraded or declassified. For this reason, SCGs are the primary source for derivative classification.”

— CDSE IF103.16 Derivative Classification Student Guide (July 2021), p. 2-6 ↗

The indexed versions don't agree on this one

This question appears on 7 CBT versions we've indexed, and they don't all give the same answer. Exam editions change and answer keys get re-cut, so more than one of these was correct on the test it came from. Here is each of them, and how many versions give it.

3 of 7 versionsmost versions

Security Classification Guide (SCG)

Derivative Classification Steps · Derivative Classification Usmc · What Are The Steps In Derivative Classification

2 of 7 versions

Security Classification Guide

Administrative Sanctions For Derivative Classification · Derivative Classification Administrative Sanctions

1 of 7 version

SCG

Derivative Classification Stepp

1 of 7 version

. Security Classification Guide (SCG)

You May Be Subject To Administrative Ucmj Of Criminal Sanctions

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