A little advice on whether to retake the CFA?

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StudentInWisconsin

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Ok you guys I just want you to know how helpful this site has been and was wondering for just a quick insight or two on whether I should retake the CFA if it isn't too much trouble. I recently finished up my application (other than nomination, which I'll be interviewing for Nov. 7th).

I took the CFA's back in June at NASS and unfortunatly its the weakest part of my application (in my opinion) and I'm wondering how much it will hurt me. Keep in mind that the rest of my application is relatively strong, my SATs were 700 math, 770 reading, ACTs 33 Math 35 Reading and I take multivariable calculus and like 4 AP classes this year, and I am a varsity wrestler.

CFA scores from June:
Basketball Throw: 63 ft.
Push-Ups:57 (i know this is bad)
Pull Ups: 12
Shuttle: 9.1 (did in 8.5 at school but sucked really bad on the astroturf at NASS)
Sit Ups: 95 (max)
Mile: 7:33 (this is the one I'm REALLY concerned about)

The mile time is what really kills me. I ran cross country this year and a few weeks ago I ran a mile in 6:07 (its the only one that I have timed since NASS), I think I could be able to run it in a little under 6 when/if I retake the CFA.

So, all things considered, should I retake the CFA? Since my application is currently complete other than nomination, if I ask to retake the CFA will my application return to being viewed as incomplete until I submit the new scores? How much will my scores on the CFA hurt me? Thank you all very much for taking the time to read this and for your advice!
 
Your scores will almost certainly be passing, although your mile time is slow for a guy. If you can significantly improve your scores (i.e., 30 seconds faster in your mile), you may want to resubmit. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it because doing marginally better won't make much/any difference in how that portion of your packet is viewed. You really DON'T get bonus points for turning in multiple CFAs, each with a minimal improvement. IOW, it's your scores that count, not how many times you take the test or how many microscopic improvements you make. Harsh, but true.

The above said, you want to keep running b/t now and Plebe Summer. At USNA, guys must be able to run 1.5 miles in no more than 10:40 and that's the minimum passing score. You really want to run a comfortable 6:00 mile pace over a couple of miles to get decent scores.
 
Thanks for the advice, so, since I know my mile time will be better this time around by a minute thirty, are you saying its worth resubmitting? Also, as a seperate question, does anybody know if I can get USNA to transfer my scores to USAFA or will I have to retake it for them?
 
If you can bring your mile down at least 30 seconds and keep your other scores more or less the same, you might want to resubmit. Not saying it will make a difference but it certainly won't hurt. If your mile time only improves by 15 seconds, it really isn't much of a change.

You don't need to retake the CFA. I know there's a way for your scores to get to USNA from USAFA but I don't know how it's done. I believe this question was asked and answered on this board within the last couple of months, so you might search around. Or, maybe a current candidate has the answer.
 
My son emailed his regional director and requested his NASS CFA scores be sent to USAFA.--USAFA has a fax number in thier candidate package to give your Navy Regional director. We never got an email back from the regional director, but the scores were transferred about a week after son sent the original email.
FWIW--when my son took test at NASS he was not happy with his mile either--it was almost 8 minutes, and was concidering retaking CFA after football season, but he received his offer of appointment to USNA last Thursday! (He maxed or nearly maxed everything else)
 
StudentInWisconsin said:
Keep in mind that the rest of my application is relatively strong, my SATs were 700 math, 770 reading, ACTs 33 Math 35 Reading and I take multivariable calculus and like 4 AP classes this year, and I am a varsity wrestler.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter how strong the other aspects of your application are, the academy wants well rounded individuals. Being perfect in two pillars won't get you in by itself.

I would retake it. If you are satisfied with the score you get then submit it and if you aren't then don't. It's a win-win situation, the worse that can happen is you do worse and don't submit it which won't hurt at all. It can only help so why not take the chance?
 
I think Americas finest has great advice here--and keep in mind that although Navy lets you submit scores and retake, USAFA does not, once your scores are submitted, you can't retake unless they (USAFA) request it. SO, I would retake the test prior to asking Reg. Dir. to forward scores to USAFA. IF its better, then ask USNA to replace NASS scores with new ones, also you then submit new scores to USAFA, if its not better then have Navy foward NASS scores to USAFA.
 
Ok well thanks for the great advice everybody. I guess I'll retake the CFA before asking to have scores transferred from USNA to USAFA.
 
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