CFA

[itznico]

Just got done with my CFA. And what a horrible score.

BB Throw: 47
Pull ups: 14
Shuttle run: 9.6
sit-ups: 66
push-ups: 65
Mile 7:59! (dammit)

[zachogden]

I'm confused.

Keep practicing and try again?

[Poyner]

You did really well. For your run I would just put in a mile and a half a day then walk alittle. Good luck boss.

[itznico]

My last try is tomorrow if I want to get in 2008 and I'm so sore.

[flyboy]

dont feel that bad, i did a 7:51 mile (partly because i had a 3 minute break instead of the 8 minute one!!), and my other scores are good. are mine and his mile scores passing?!??!

[itznico]

I heard one guy gut 8: something and he got in.

[hornetguy]

Your score is better than mine was back 2.5 years ago. Look where I am now. ;)

[itznico]

I stayed behind today from a day at the slopes with my squadron so I can redo my CFA. Come to find out that my CC who's actually offered to redo my CFA is up there with them. I could have went snowboarding but I chose to stay to do my CFA and yet the person that offered to retest me is up there snowboarding. Lol.

Here's the good news:
I called my counselor and was told that us prior-enlisted folks have until April 1 to turn in everything. I've been scrambling trying to get all my paperwork ready by end of today but now I have until April 1. Yes! more time brush up on my CFA and paperwork. Although I don't think I will be waiting until that day just cause I want to get mine in earlier.

[Pima]

Since you have time, here are the scores for our DS:

BBall throw 77
Pull-ups 12
Push Ups 79
Sit Ups 98
Shuttle 9.3
Mile 7:13

He did his first CFA and it was horrible (he didn't realize that you are expected to push yourself past the limit you think you can achieve. These are his final scores.

Keep working out and I am sure that in a month you will leave our ds in the dust!

[airforce16]

Here are mine bud,

BBall: 49
Pull Ups: 15
Push Ups: 59
Sit Ups: 91
Shuttle: 8.9
Mile: 5:52

Dont be discouraged, I thought I failed that measly BBall throw but I figured the other scores might outweigh it, and they did... You gotta month, make it count... :zip:

[flyboy]

Here are mine bud,

BBall: 49
Pull Ups: 15
Push Ups: 59
Sit Ups: 91
Shuttle: 8.9
Mile: 5:52

Dont be discouraged, I thought I failed that measly BBall throw but I figured the other scores might outweigh it, and they did... You gotta month, make it count... :zip:

so you have been apointed? nice! what were your sat/act scores and gpa?

[airforce16]

Yup I got my appointment in late January!!!

Hmm, SAT was 630 Math, and 550 Verbal... I was supposed to retake on the 26th but appt came on the 25th so I skipped it, the verbal is low I know, poor preperation...

ACT was 26 English, 27 Math, 28 Reading, 33 Science, and 29 Composite... Only took it once, shouldve taken it again...

3.98 unweighted GPA, with 6 AP's (4 this year yuck), ummm XC/wrestling/Track for athletics, 7 letters...

Only 1 nomination from Senator Arlen Specter, I say this because I know some applicants get 2+ nominations...

Good Luck to all of you, and I hope to be seeing ya in April at Orientation, or I-Day in June!!! :wink:

[flyboy]

cool, cool. what is oreintation day in april?

[airforce16]

Orientation is actually two days in April, and there are 3 sessions... April 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29...

You basically go through a lot of seminars and speeches the first day and at about 4:00 PM, your parents leave you and you are assigned a cadet escort, you stay overnight in the dorms and shadow your escort through Tuesday till about 3:30 or so... I am psyched for it, I havent actually been to the Academy yet... :wink:

[flyboy]

it sounds kind of cool actually. the only downside would be, at least for me, is if it would spoil the suprise and euphoria/nervousness on I-day. in my case, i think i want to wait until I-day to stand on the other side of the terrazo, look up at the glorious cadet chapel for the very first time and think to myself "i made it..."

[airforce16]

Dont forget you get to buy your boots at orientation and have a chance to break them in which is highly encouraged, it also allows you to set up your bank account and any other little things before I-Day... I assume youve never visited either?

[flyboy]

no, i haven't visited. and i haven't ruled orientation out or anything (i just heard about it, lol), but i just MIGHT want to save the first glance of my dreams coming true for I-day

[airforce16]

Haha nothing wrong with doin that...

Whatever you choose bud... :wink:

[flyboy]

well before i start talking about induction day and orientation day and all that cool stuff, i have to get my appointment! but thanks for filling me in on orientation day- i will definitely think about it!

[airforce16]

No problem, only a little while longer bud... :thumb:

[flyboy]

you don't know how much i hope you're right

[hornetguy]

You should really come. For most it helps them to decide if it's right. For those of us that were/are 100% for USAFA, it seals the deal! In all reality, you should come see USAFA post-recognition, and you won't be looking around on I-day, trust me there. I didn't know what the TZO really looked like till after BCT!

[flyboy]

what are the requirments? i assume you need an appointment, but what else? costs? and what is post-recognition?

[hornetguy]

You would have to fly yourself out here, but you eat and stay in the dorms with us. The info will all by in your soon to come appointee packet. Recognition occurs in 10 days from today when the freshman earn their upperclass priviliedges.

[flyboy]

oooh, i see. i think i might be able to manage that. do you pay your own way to get to I-day? BTW, did you mean recognition is 10 days from orientation? or today?


and.....i really really really hope, wish and pray that my appointee packet is soon on the way! and even if it isn't and never will be, thanks for the ongoing, nerve-calming assurance anyways!

[airforce16]

As far as I-Day, youll mark a box on your appt sheet when you return it, one saying you want the academy to issue you a ticket at no cost to you, or that you'll travel by your own means and theyll pay you back a certain amount to cover the cost...

Recognition is 10 days from today...

And I am sure that packet is well on its way to ya, youve showed us on this forum that you sure sound like you want it bad enough, haha a couple more weeks and youre well deserved deep breath will have arrived... Where are you from flyboy? :wink:

[flyboy]

okay, if they pay my way to get to I-day, then i will definitely have no probelm making it to orienation. (money isn't really an issue in the first place, we just like to save when we can, that's all.) so, if recognition is 10 days from today, what is "post-recognition". and when does the school year let out for summer? and i'm from oceanside, CA. how about you?



haha, if my showing you guys how bad i want this appointment effected my appointment status, i would be doing what i like to call a "forum philibuster", lol. and it will be a couple of deep breaths actually ;)

[airforce16]

Post recognition is basically USAFA "heaven" for the 4 digs, theyre bombarded with so many new privleges as they have been formally accepted as an upperclassman... Orientation will give you a glimpse of post recognition which may be a bit misleading to actual 4 dig life during the year...

SW Pennsylvania, home of hills, snow at the moment, and farm animals... Haha class of only 154 @ my HS... :wink:

Haha I know the feeling, the "surprise in the mailbox" caught me totally offguard, for I figured Id be in your position right now... Have you posted any stats on here before?

[flyboy]

i'm sure the academy, especially freshmen year, is not going to be a basket of roses, but i know it will have its rewards nonetheless. only 154 kids in your high school? thats pretty small, but i have under 100. no i havent put up my stats, but they are as follows:

3.44 gpa (according to the academy- they should readjust due to my recent 4.2 semester gpa)

670 verbal 690 math 680 writing on sat. 30 english 31 reading, 29 math, 29 science (30 composite) on act.

i am taking the only honors course that has been offered my whole high school career (honors english).
4 years of english, math, science and history. 2 years foreign language

4 years of varsity football, lettering each year and captained my senior year.
2 years of varsity track (soph and junior year), winning league champ for shotput my jr. year and going on to state preliminary finals (lettering both years as well).

at least 65 hours of community service my h.s. career- including serving for a year on my city's city council.

one nomination- congressman Issa, district 49.

and one really great interview with my ALO.

[airforce16]

Haha I am gonna make a pretty accurate assumption and say your a big kid ehh? Football and a shotputter? Haha you gotta be huge... :wink:

Well, although I have no say in it, I am sure others will agree... Sit tight boy, your envelope will be in the mailbox soon enough! :wink: Just gotta pass the time until then...

[flyboy]

i am a healthy size, but you have to remember there aren't even 100 kids in my high school, so i am not as big as you think, lol. and thanks for the encouragement!

[airforce16]

Haha true, true...

And no problem bud, thats what we are here for... Cant wait till you get to share the good news... :wink:

[zzztriplenickel]

airforce16.

Recognition is 10 days from today...



what !? :D

my packet says orientation is in APR.

??

[USAFAcadet2012]

hey, don't worry about it. I was accepted already and my CFA scores were a lot worse than yours!! (I'm a girl, so my requirements are different)

BB throw: 43 feet
shuttle run: 10.9
Push-ups: 50 (the girls' max)
Sit-ups: 65
(I did the flex arm hang for 30 seconds instead of pull-ups, I couldn't do them at the time but I can now)
7:54 mile

[airforce16]

haha zzztriplenickel, recognition is not orientation, recognition is when the current 4 digs get accepted as upperclassmen...

Orientation is for the appointees to visit and we will see "post recognition" life...

:wink:

USAFAcadet2012, thanks for posting those scores, I cant exactly give the female insight with that... :wink:

[usafacandidate]

My scores for the CFA were:

Basketball Throw: 36 feet
Flexed Arm Hang: 18 sec
Shuttle Run: 10.0 sec
Sit-ups: 78
Push-ups: 20
1-Mile Run: 8:12

I took the CFA about a month ago. I train daily and I have been steadily improving with my upper body strength. Push-ups and pull-ups are harder for me because I'm a girl. Are these scores too low for me to be accepted?

[itznico]

Just got done with my CFA. And what a horrible score.

BB Throw: 47
Pull ups: 14
Shuttle run: 9.6
sit-ups: 66
push-ups: 65
Mile 7:59! (dammit)

That CFA was on 28th of Feb. This CFA is 20th of Mar. Check out my scores now:

BB Throw: 74 (i really did get 74 I just didn't switch the numbers around)
Pull ups: 18
Shuttle run: 9.3
sit-ups: 80
push-ups: 71
Mile 7:16

The run was OK, but my scores are definite improvement from the first time I did them. My advice to all who are having a hard time... PRACTICE ...PRACTICE ...PRACTICE.

What I did?


Circuit training x3 per week
Cardio in between X2 per week:

Long Distance (4 miles)
Scenic run/hike with 15 LB bag for 2 miles

I replaced circuit training every once in a while with heavy weight training.
Eat healthy for the week of CFA and HYDRATE.... HYDRATE.... HYDRATE....
Relax 2 days prior to CFA.

[chickenwing]

I cant do more than 2 pull ups to save my life

[itznico]

I cant do more than 2 pull ups to save my life

You have a lot of time chickenwing. You're only junior right? let me tell you this 6 months ago I can barely do 1. The biggest mistake people make is that they get easily discourage and they don't do em. Just start pumping them everyday you should be alright. Just look at what I did in less than a month. With the amount of time you have I have no doubts you'll be able to max it no problem.

[itznico]

o and yeah- THINK POSITIVE! :thumb:

[chickenwing]

ok thanks ill do that

[af2012]

I actually didn't practice or prepare for the CFA at all. My scores were:
BB throw: 50
Pull ups: 4
Shuttle run: 9.2
Sit ups: 93
Push ups: 32
Mile: 8:13

I just decided one day "Oh, I think I'll do my CFA today" so I did. I'm also a girl so the scores don't need to be as high. But those scores got me accepted.

[USAFA hopeful]

Does anyone know if we're allowed to wear track spikes on the mile run? And also if I'm a bit weak on upper body strength, can a fast run time help balance the score?

[SemperExcelsius]

If you check out the CFA instruction manual for the examiner at http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/eligibility/pae/pae_examiner.php then scroll down to the bottom. There it has all CFA instructions/regulations.

Not sure about the track spikes but basically you get points on a 100 point scale for each event, with 100 points maxing the event. So having a very good mile will definently increase your overall score.

Hope that helps some!

[USAFA hopeful]

alright thanks!

[USAFA hopeful]

I take my CFA this sunday and i cant wait to see how much ive improved.
Last year:
BB throw 39
Pullups 4
Shuttle run 9.8
sit ups 66
pushups 42
mile 4:50

So far while ive been practicing:
pullups 10
sit ups 81
pushups 53

Dang I really hope i get in this year!

[fencersmother]

Good luck on that CFA, USAFA Hopeful. We'll be thinking of you!

[USAFA hopeful]

Took my CFA this morning. Not the greatest but definitely an improvement from last year.

Last year:
BB throw 39
Pullups 4
Shuttle run 9.8
sit ups 66
pushups 42
mile 4:50 (which i don't even count anymore)

Today:
BB throw 40
Pullups 8
Shuttle run 10.2
sit ups 84
pushups 55
mile 5:41

[Luigi59]

8 pull-ups, but you can only throw a basketball 40 feet? :confused:

Only your sit-ups and mile run exceeded the mean/average scores listed for men in the instructions.

I would keep practicing and trying to improve those scores until you can meet or exceed the mean/average score for every event.

(I am assuming you are a male - if you are female, your scores are excellent)

[Pima]

I am with Luigi I would not submit those scores. 40 is very low, the shuttle is a little high and the push ups are on the lowish side. Keep practicing, I think most people have the bb @70, get your push ups to the 65+, (max is @85) You have a ton of time, the boards aren't even meeting it yet, if you practice push ups daily within a month you will be at a good number.

As I stated before the AFA is concerned about the CFA because of the altitude.

[fencersmother]

Keep at it!

I wouldn't be especially worried if one of your scores is particularly low, but with several being low, you might want to really push those. Can you get someone to train with you? Sometimes it helps to have someone to challenge you a bit.

[USAFA hopeful]

I feel so dumb right now. I got overexcited about completing my application that i jumped the gun and submitted my scores already. Don't know what i was thinking.

[xTxMANx]

if you practice push ups daily within a month you will be at a good number

i disagree, everyday would harm your score
i am on a physical training team, i would know
what you should do is cram pushups in as much as you can and as many as you can in one set. try to get to muscle failure or atleast close enough where it hurts you move your arms
the next day, take it easy, maybe do 50-100 pushups in a day, just to keep you warmed up
continue this day-in, day-out schedule and you will get a good score.
for example, at first i was doing 45 pushups in 2 minutes when i first started on the team. after 3 months, i was doing an average of 90 in 2 minutes, and after another month or so, i got up to 105-110 in 2 minutes (i know it sounds)

[raimius]

It is a good idea to exercise muscle groups on alternating days. The exception is abs, they can be exercised every day.

[xTxMANx]

since we are in this chat and talking about how to better ourselves, does anyone have insight on how to throw the basketball better??
i've been trying and trying, but cant get it passed 69 feet. my average after 10 throws is 62-65.
so, any insight on how to coordinate your body, ideas on the spin of the ball, and anything else you know would be great.

[SemperExcelsius]

I talked with a personal trainer about this and he gave the same info as most people on this forum and CC gave. Its a combination of all muscle groups. Core muscles mostly though. I'll list the tips he gave me:
1.) Core muscles are the key. Use your core more than your arms.
2.) If you are right handed, use the right arm more as a sling. By using a baseball pitching motion. I.E. With your left arm forward to begin with pointing at the target, body twisted to the right, pull your left arm back creating tension across your chest that will propel the right arm forward OVER your head.
3.) Lean back using your abdominal muscles while doing the overhand throw. It works if you push your hips forward, then pull it back as you throw.
4.) Push air out of your lungs forcefully as you release. It'll give an extra "oomph" to your throw.
5.) You want the ball to rotate with the lines (the black part of the ball), horizontally if that makes sense.

I do think that this is most of what he gave me. I found out that just practicing the motion without the ball, gives you an idea of what you're suppose to do.

Hope it helps some! Apologies if the explanation is a bit shaky.

Check around this and collegeconfidential for this topic. It has been discussed before.

[Luigi59]

does anyone have insight on how to throw the basketball better??

Try to launch the bball at a 45 degree angle, no flatter.

[xTxMANx]

ok, thanks
i am just having a hard time with it. I cant seem to get my set up well
good advice though, I need to set up my angle more, and when I worry about that, my heading gets off :frown:
what are your distances like. I see some numbers, but most of them seem lower than the average.