Plain English Meaning

The learner is not yet good enough at this skill or topic to pass it. They need more instruction or practice before they can be considered ready.

Full Definition

In traditional grading of learner performance, a rating indicating that the learner has not yet met the established standard for a task, maneuver, or knowledge area and therefore cannot be signed off as competent at that item.

Context Anchor

Used by aviation instructors when grading learner performance, recording lesson results, or deciding whether a learner is ready to move on.

Derivation

Built from the prefix 'non-' (not) and 'proficient', from Latin 'proficere' meaning 'to make progress' or 'to advance'. So 'nonproficient' literally means 'not yet advanced enough' — which its training use: the learner has not yet progressed to the required standard.