Concern Over Low CFA scores

A

air1530

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Messages
11
My son ‘s package is pretty good except for the CFA. Are the scores going to keep him out?
Weighted GPA: 4.0
Class Rank: Top 4%
ACT Scores: Composite 32, English 27, Math, Science, Reading all 34
Eagle Scout, lots of school leadership. Part time work
Only sport is Club Volleyball JV in Junior year.
CFA: BB throw 45, Pull ups 3, Pushups 37, sit ups 79, Shuttle 9.7, mile 8:02 Test was done at 6000 ft elevation.
 
air1530 said:
My son ‘s package is pretty good except for the CFA. Are the scores going to keep him out?
Weighted GPA: 4.0
Class Rank: Top 4%
ACT Scores: Composite 32, English 27, Math, Science, Reading all 34
Eagle Scout, lots of school leadership. Part time work
Only sport is Club Volleyball JV in Junior year.
CFA: BB throw 45, Pull ups 3, Pushups 37, sit ups 79, Shuttle 9.7, mile 8:02 Test was done at 6000 ft elevation.
Click to expand...

Is the elevation within the parameters? That may have an effect.
What really helped me with the CFA, is just doing it everyday. Treat it like PT.
Then, when you take it for points, it'll be like doing homework for the credit of a exam.
Also, pushups, pullups, situps, I'd definitely try to max. And get that BB throw up to at least 50; use wieghts and simulate a throwing motion.
"militaryfitness.com" (or if you google this site if thats not a link) has excellent workouts, and the "pyramid workout" (sets of 1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1) will boost anything.
Good luck and work hard!
 
USNA does not give the minimum figures for passing the CFA, so it is impossible to tell whether that could keep him out or not. It would certainly be in your son's best interest to work on improving those scores. The pull-ups, push-ups, and mile run is what stands out to me the most. I heard somewhere else on this forum that USNA doesn't really care about the b-ball throw, but don't quote me on that. The mile run is one of the main things considered, and I would say that he needs to knock off at least a minute on the overall time. This can be done through consistent practice. I ran the mile in 7:30, and I have almost got it down to 6:50 in just a few weeks. The elevation does seem like it would make a difference, but I have no idea whether or not USNA takes that into consideration.
 
did he submit the CFA scores already? others on this site know a lot more than me; but if he didn't submit i'd hold off and really work on the components over the next month, CFA is an area you have control over. i am a certified personal trainer and by doing pushups, sit-ups, pullups daily, running distance for the endurance and running sprints for the speed he can pull up his scores quickly. my son had trouble with the basketball throw - have him spend time with a track and field coach to teach him throwing mechanics. there are posts if you look on this site on how to improve the basketball throw as well as quick improvements in pushups, pullups etc.... run through the events in order using the time limits several times to chart progress and get used to the endurance needed. good luck!
 
Take a close look at the 7th sticky at the top of the USNA page:
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/...ead.php?t=6327
Scroll down to about half way through the 2nd post. USNA1985 discusses the CFA averages and gives answers to a number of CFA questions.

My son is currently a plebe and my understanding is that if you are somewhat weak in the area of sports, your CFA needs to be very strong, in order to show that you can handle the rigorous physical training.

I think your son should aim to improve his CFA scores to strengthen his package. There are numerous thread with tips on how to do this, e.g. buy an over-the-door pull-ups bar and practice everyday.

Good luck with everything.
 
CFA

Hey air1530,

Being a USNA class of 2015 candidate myself I too had to take the CFA. I would recommend submitting the CFA results as soon as possible just so your son can complete the entire application package and be considered for an appointment earlier.

My BGO told me to get the CFA out of the way as quickly as possible so it could be submitted. He then told me that if I thought I could do better I should train for a week or two and then retake the test.

Best way to train in my opinion: do push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups everyday. I bought one of those door mounted pull-up bars and used it every time I went in and out of my bedroom. I also performed the timed push-up and sit-up portion of the CFA every night before bed, and ran 3 times a week.

The bottom line is that your son needs to submit his entire application as soon as possible, even if he thinks he can do better. Both my BGO and the USNA Alumni I know couldn't stress that enough.

Best of luck to your son!
 
Being honest here, without significant h.s. sports, your son's CFA will be looked at very closely. He needs to improve his pushups and mile run. I posted the averages that were provided several years ago. Guys should be able to do 50+ pushups and run a mile in 6:30. I realize that performing at altitude is a hindrance. However, if you live at altitude, your DS should be used to working out in the thinner air.

He can submit his scores now but I suggest he work hard to improve them and resubmit them before the end of January (he has until March 1, but I'd want to get the higher scores in earlier).
 
air1530:

I hope this doesn't sound mean, but my daughter's CFA scores included a 7:40 mile, max (100+) situps, and 39 pushups. Granted, her CFA was done at sea level. If your son is really serious about going to any of the academies, then he needs to get serious about his training, and submit his best scores ASAP. (ALWAYS follow usna1985's advice, BTW!)

There are lots of web sites that give training tips, and there have been a number of older threads on the topic on this site.

Good luck
 
I would agree with a few previous posters. With such a low cfa score and almost no athletic participation in your son's lifestyle, I think the academy would be a rude awakening.

But theres nothing that says he cant improve, theres plenty of time. Just train and submit again.

Personally, If I didnt do 5+ sports I would have enough time to study and get a 4.0 too. But grades arent everything, especially at the academy. Your son wouldnt have a problem trying to get into many other high-end schools.
 
He has already been accepted at high end schools.

Thank you for your replies. I took all of these replies and put them into a word document and gave them to my son hoping that hearing from others rather than the old man would give him the kick he needs. I think it worked.

He has not submitted his scores as of yet and has been continuing to work out. It is talking with his ALO's and is going to test again next week. He will decide when to submit after the next test
 
personal motivation

My son has similar stats with little sports. When he started seriously looking at applying to USNA, his physical ability was also similar. He began doing regular PT and in a few months was able to max pushups and situps, almost max pullups and brought mile down to 6:30. He was self-motivated because he WANTS it! He gets up on his own at 5:00am, rides his bike (that's his transportation!) to PT and rides home. Of all his stats, this is the one I am most proud of because I KNOW it didn't come easy for him like all the other stats. It took MOTIVATION, PERSISTENCE and DOING IT when he didn't FEEL like doing it!
 
Excellent, WestTexasmom!!! My DD was the same way - never any question about her academic ability, but the physical prep was really hard for her. That makes her now earning A's on the PRT even sweeter!
 
It is CRITICAL that you don't stop working out. Plebe Summer is littered with kids who worked really hard to get a great CFA score and then went back to their "lazy" ways. They show up for Plebe Summer horribly out of shape and have a really hard time of it.

So, now that you've found a workout routine that works, keep it up. Make it a part of your life and don't stop until ~July 1. And even after that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top