Is this an acceptable CFA?

52 ft basketball throw
16 pull ups
9.0 shuttle run
90 sit ups
55 push ups
7:40 mile

I'm actually a regional track and field finalist for Division 1 in the state of Michigan, but the weather dropped nearly 30 degrees overnight to 28 degrees Fahrenheit with ice and wind. I completed my CFA this morning, and I was not adequately prepared clothing-wise. My mile time does not at all represent my ability, and I realize it is a very, very poor time.

Should I request a retake since I can actually run sub 6 minute miles consistently? Or is this a passing CFA?
I'm sure that this scores at least the required 250/500 points, but is 52 ft on the basketball throw and a 7:40 mile considered individual event failure?

If you can definitely do much better, retake it.

It's not just about passing, a superior score can also help you in admissions.

An admissions officer actually personally reached out to me already and informed me of my position as an applicant. Though I did not have my application completed, or even started for that matter, by September 1st when LOAs were given out, (I only recently earned my US citizenship) the said admissions officer stated that I was in a very good position for ultimately earning an appointment as my academics and leadership qualifications were good. He also advised me to complete the CFA by mid-december so that I could be offered an appointment come January when the committee meets again.

At this point, I am curious as to whether these scores are passing. I realize that there are no officially publicized "minimums" for any select event, but are these scores beyond the safe margin for eligibility?

If absolutely necessary, I will request a retake, but for now, are these scores passing?

MI4980 said:

If absolutely necessary, I will request a retake, but for now, are these scores passing?

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Ultimately only an admissions rep or maybe a MALO can tell you this for your specific situation. I'd contact one ASAP if this is a concern.

In the meantime, I'd suggest running some practice CFA's with a friend/parent. It's not hard to setup, nor does it take long.

The nature of the CFA is that your mile will never be as good as what you can run standalone. The bigger issue is if situps and pushups are making you anaerobic and impacting your score even with the recovery time. That's something you can work on. It won't be wasted effort as you'll need it in beast & for the APFT (also taken in beast)

Once you do some practice CFA's you'll have a read on whether you think you can improve your score significantly. And your admissions rep can tell you if your current is "at risk". But they will be closed soon, if not already. I'd contact them ASAP.

MI4980 said:

If absolutely necessary, I will request a retake, but for now, are these scores passing?

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You think you have an in so you are going to shoot for the minimums? What do you think this says to all that see this?

I am not shooting for minimums, nor am I trying to make excuses for my performance. The reality is I received my US citizenship too late to attend SLS or to start my application and to submit even my most basic information before the LOA deadline. As a result, when I completed my profile in November, a West Point admissions officer advised me to "complete" my entire application by mid-December so that it could be evaluated and considered for admission in early to mid january when the committee could see my file.

I have thusly completed my application, but now I am simply seeking advice as to whether I should be worried about my eligibility due to my CFA scores. Requesting a retake and then scheduling a new time with my PE teacher who coaches 2 sports and has a full day of classes in a D1 public school would undoubtedly take a considerable period of time. I have done what I was advised to do, and I am merely asking for input. What's done is already water under the bridge anyway.

Please don't make a judgment on my character because of a hiccup in my application process. I'm a first generation immigrant, and my parents do not even speak fluent english. I've had to go it alone, and I'm doing the best I can by using whatever resources I can.

MI4980 said:

I am not shooting for minimums, nor am I trying to make excuses for my performance. The reality is I received my US citizenship too late to attend SLS or to start my application and to submit even my most basic information before the LOA deadline. As a result, when I completed my profile in November, a West Point admissions officer advised me to "complete" my entire application by mid-December so that it could be evaluated and considered for admission in early to mid january when the committee could see my file.

I have thusly completed my application, but now I am simply seeking advice as to whether I should be worried about my eligibility due to my CFA scores. Requesting a retake and then scheduling a new time with my PE teacher who coaches 2 sports and has a full day of classes in a D1 public school would undoubtedly take a considerable period of time. I have done what I was advised to do, and I am merely asking for input. What's done is already water under the bridge anyway.

Please don't make a judgment on my character because of a hiccup in my application process. I'm a first generation immigrant, and my parents do not even speak fluent english. I've had to go it alone, and I'm doing the best I can by using whatever resources I can.

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Minimums are not published. Your throw and mile run may or may not be good enough. I believe the minimums may float a little based on the rest of your package but I wouldn't count on getting any special considerations.

Agree with Hawk.
Best to ask your MALO. It is true that you will not get your usual time in mile run after doing all those events such as pull ups and push ups, etc..

I don't know about West Point, but is there a place where your coach can write remarks (unusual circumstances)? If so, he/she can write about the temperatue with ice and wind.

If your package is good, West Point will ask you to retake it, or they might say your score is good enough, so I would submit the current score rather than waiting after the holidays, but MALO can tell you what to do.

BTW, DS was not satisfied with his score due to unusual circumstances, but BGO said his CFA was good enough. He passed CFA.

Good luck

MI4980 said:

Requesting a retake and then scheduling a new time with my PE teacher who coaches 2 sports and has a full day of classes in a D1 public school would undoubtedly take a considerable period of time.

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As a target, I'd shoot for halfway between averages & max. You really do not want to be below average, and if you are you'll want to have some max's to balance that out.

Some thoughts about coach availability & retakes:

• Give yourself practice CFA's to see if it's even something you should consider
• If based on practice CFA's you think you can significantly improve any low scores, get one scheduled. It can be a MALO, or "any Physical Education Teacher". It does not have to be one that you work under. I've known candidates to even use middle school coaches as they were certified PE teachers.

I know of male candidates who were appointed with similar bball throw scores, so my bet is you are OK there.

Given your 1mile time/pace is fairly close to the minimal acceptable APFT time I'd consider that one risky. You did not max any of the important ones (situps, pushups, pullups, etc), so while your test may be acceptable, it's barely average even excluding the mile run.

If you were my son, I'd be asking you if you really want an appointment. If you do, my suggestion would be to start practicing the CFA daily. And line up a PE coach or MALO to try for a retake over the holidays. (Usually there is a lull between xmas & new years).

If your passion is there, I'd be amazed if you could not find an available MALO / PE teacher somewhere to help you. And if you took the initiative to improve, I'd be amazed if USMA reps did not accept a significantly improved score. If nothing else, it demonstrates initiative & passion. Will to succeed.

It's up to you. Consider this one of the easier hurdles you will cross on your path to a commision from USMA.

There is an old saying I learned in scouts decades ago: If you have to ask if something is "good enough" you already know the answer.

hawk said:

There is an old saying I learned in scouts decades ago: If you have to ask if something is "good enough" you already know the answer.

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Thank you for the sound advice. I'll contact my regional officer right away and ask what my next course of action should be. For the time being, I am submitting these scores, but I will attempt a retake if time allows.