The other thing to consider is that the CFA is not worth that much compared to other items in your Whole Candidate Score. Don't hold off on submitting it just to improve by 5 pushups or 1 pull up if you have done enough to pass
I believe you are all trying to oversimplify..... beyond pass/fail, a strong & balanced CFA can help offset lack of varsity athletics, etc.
The way I heard it described: "You may be a 4.5 gpa, eagle scout, president of the Nat Honor Society, captain of the softball team..... but can you keep up with the troops you will be expected to lead carrying a full ruck in the mud" (Slightly paraphrased) As wonderful as all those attributes are, the CFA is how they answer that question.
We've heard this over and over from field reps, congressional committee members, and occasionally from the various academy reps (not just West Point).
The CFA *is* important, you should not give up, and a weak one will keep you out. And trying to improve can be more important that a strong first time performance.
And it's not just your academy app you need to worry about, in our state all the nom sources required submission of the CFA and it's part of their process as well.
The same is true of the SAT. You keep trying to improve, they are looking for people with the will and desire to improve.
There is merit in getting SAT, CFA, and your basic app completed early if you think there might be a LOA opportunity. But even then, you can keep training for the CFA, take practice tests, and if you feel you can bring up a weak area, submit it!
A few seconds off the running time probably will not matter. Maxing pushups or situps vs an average score likely will make an impact.
The recommendation I've heard is shoot for at least halfway between average and max at the minimum. Not everyone can do that on all, so if you are below that, you need to max other areas, especially the PFT items.
I've recently heard the core stats (GPA, SAT, EC's) for the appointees from our state for 2015, and it's just stunning. And the average of all the applicants was as well. With applications up 15% over last year, and 30% over the year before.
If you think that "good enuf" is good enough.... then you are taking a very large chance! Someone who wants it more will likely beat you!