Scoring for the CFA?

wstlzrd

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I recently received a LOA from USMMA and need to submit my CFA by February 1. I am unclear as to the scoring procedure as far as what the Academy deems as "passing". From what I can tell, I just take the test, do my best, and report the results. I can't seem to find a point system of any sort. Am I missing something? If I submit my scores and they do not meet the Academy's criteria, (which I can't seem to find anywhere) will my LOA be withdrawn? I would like to have some information to go on so that I can retake the test if necessary before actually submitting the results to the Academy.

Any information would be appreciated.
 
If you go on the USMMA website, you can find the average scores under the Admissions link.
 
I did find the average scores. My question is, if I happen to fall "below average" in a category, how will I know whether or not it is a passing score and if I need to retake the test before the Feb 1 deadline?
 
The same thing happened to me. i really need to know what the minimums are so i can strive to at least reach those for the CFA. I will do the best that i can but i do not want my LOA to be nullified if i do not do well on the CFA
 
If you've got an LOA, odds are they will let you redo the CFA if you don't pass something. That's what they did for my daughter. In fact, when she only failed one event (coach set up the shuttle run wrong) they let her just retake that event. She didn't have to redo the entire CFA.

As a rule, the SA's choose not to make the minimums public knowledge. Accept that and strive for the best you can do. The biggest thing to remember with your prep is to practice the entire test as you will take it. Fatigue will affect your scores on later events. Also, never go past the max score. You don't get any extra points and tire yourself for later events.

Good luck!
 
Do the best you can do. Check out the benchmarks for the other Service Academies and you will know the ranges that exist. I agree that if you score well on all parts except one you are usually asked to retake that part. Good Luck, train well and do your best.
 
As a follow-up to the original poster's question I asked the admissions office for information regarding the minimums for the CFA, figuring I might be able to get them as an Admissions Field Representative. Here's the response I got. I'm sharing it here as I think some will find it useful and it might also give some Candidates for Admission a little comfort, in fact probably enough comfort in knowing they will be given a second chance if their fist submission of CFA results doesn't meet the minimums. Here's the answer I got back and I think it provides prospective candidates a clear way forward in this regard:

All candidates get two (2) chances to pass the CFA. If they fail one or two items, we let them know and tell them to re-do those items and get the new scores back to us. If they fail three or more items, then we let them know and tell them they have to re-do the WHOLE CFA again and get the new scores back to us. If they fail to meet all the minimums by the second time around, then they're disqualified.

We don't "publish" our minimums. We don't want to create a situation where candidates might just shoot for those minimums. Also unfortunately because we don't want to encourage folks to list minumum passing scores if a candidate just missed them when they actually took the test.

We want the Candidates to do their best and therefore just tell them "give it your best effort and report those scores to us".

I hope this is useful to those who are looking at this thread and wondering what to do about the CFA.
 
they will be given a second chance if their fist submission of CFA results doesn't meet the minimums.


That sounds really comforting, but do you know if that applies to every Service Academy? Particularly the USAFA.
 
That sounds really comforting, but do you know if that applies to every Service Academy? Particularly the USAFA.

I'm not the most knowledgable person on the topic. However, I don't think USAFA is as tolerant. Last year my DD, varsity athlete at 5A high school, maxed out many categories on PFT (CFA), but missed their minimum on one category as her surgeon had restricted certain activities until last minute to take PFT.

With a 790 math and 670 reading SAT, IB student, and packed extracurricular resume, clearance from DoDMERB, a full release and clean bill of health from doctor at end of January, USAFA did not accept her or offer a retake of the PFT. Maybe if she had gotten her release sooner and had more time they might have handled it differently. Interestingly, USMA wanted her on their Rugby team- go figure.

Do your best. The Service academies are tough to get in. USMMA might be more tolerant as they are DOT with maritime service vs. Armed Forces- maybe not.

This year, my DD passed the CFA with similar scores as last year but improved her one low result as she was able to return to her sports regimen. Do your best- of course.
 
Thanks. I'm pretty much above what I assume to be minimum on everything except the basketball throw :yllol:

I'll keep working until I'm more confident in the scores though
 
That sounds really comforting, but do you know if that applies to every Service Academy? Particularly the USAFA.

RyWalk: No I do not know the policy or how any other of the Service Academy handle this aspect of the admissions process/requirements. This is merely what was relayed to me by a current USMMA Admissions Officer on this subject for the USMMA.
 
I scored only four pull ups on the CFA. also on the push ups i got 40. ( the averages are 8 and 50). I also got 72 sit ups, 72 Feet on the BB throw and 7:33 on the mile. And also a 9.1 shuttle run

I could do more push ups. i was not aware that i could not kneel down midway through the pushups. so i did the 40 pushups in about 1:00 but i could easily meet the minimum of 52.

the pull ups i feel as if i did my absolute best and i do not think i could get many more.

What should I do? Should I send in the scores i got or retake it to get better on the push ups and pull ups? I currently have a conditional acceptance and my letter says that it will be principal once i do the CFA but i just dont know if these are passing scores. I also have to get the CFA results in by Feb 15.

Can anyone help me please :)
 
I'm suprised they still make you take a CFA. There's no such thing as I.T. anymore here.
 
I scored only four pull ups on the CFA. also on the push ups i got 40. ( the averages are 8 and 50). I also got 72 sit ups, 72 Feet on the BB throw and 7:33 on the mile. And also a 9.1 shuttle run

I could do more push ups. i was not aware that i could not kneel down midway through the pushups. so i did the 40 pushups in about 1:00 but i could easily meet the minimum of 52.

the pull ups i feel as if i did my absolute best and i do not think i could get many more.

What should I do? Should I send in the scores i got or retake it to get better on the push ups and pull ups? I currently have a conditional acceptance and my letter says that it will be principal once i do the CFA but i just dont know if these are passing scores. I also have to get the CFA results in by Feb 15.

Can anyone help me please :)

I'd ABSOLUTLY RETAKE THAT, those scores arn't too hot. Especially if you say you know you could at least hit 52 pushups.
 
but the thing is that from the letter that they sent me they just need one score set by the 15th. and i dont want to annoy my gym teacher too much because mabey another one of my scores isnt good and i dont hit it the second time.

what i am saying is that i should send in my current scores before the 15th and then mabey get a letter back saying that the scores are not good and i need to retake them.
 
I think it would be good to take it again, however I don't think they'd reject you if you sent in the present scores now, since you have a LOA already.
 
but the thing is that from the letter that they sent me they just need one score set by the 15th. and i dont want to annoy my gym teacher too much because mabey another one of my scores isnt good and i dont hit it the second time.

what i am saying is that i should send in my current scores before the 15th and then mabey get a letter back saying that the scores are not good and i need to retake them.

Don't worry about annoying your gym teacher if you know you could do alot better than that. And why not just do better and probably avoid that letter and be sure that your good. This is should be a pretty damn important thing to you and if your gym teacher is annoyed by it that should just be too bad, you can also always ask a coach.
 
Exactly, a teacher's job is to prepare his students for success. A teacher is willing to proctor as many test as needed, as long as the student is putting the required effort into preparation.
 
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