Did I fail the CFA?

[fencersmother]

Just to reiterate: for all candidates, your GOAL should not be to be "average" or even "above average." Your goal should be MAX MAX MAX. Just like the SAT/ACT... your goal should not be to meet the average, but to MAX out the score: 1600 (M&CR) on theSAT, all 36 on the ACT.

MAX MAX MAX should be the goal, not "I meet the average."

 

[Pima]

Here is my curiosity question. Off topic, but we have gone down that rabbit hole path impo.

Is the CFA max the same among each SA? I know you cannot submit a CFA for the PFA (ROTC scholarship), but I am curious does the max score vary from SA to SA? I was always under the assumption, that a poster like frenzy could submit the same CFA score to each SA.

Just thinking that if 1 SA has a lower max than another, it could impact them for the Whole Candidate Score.
~ IE USMA BBALL throw max is 90, USNA is 100.
~~ Just throwing numbers out there, not saying that this is a fact.

The rule of thumb we were always told regarding testing was never go over the max, save your energy for the next portion of the exam.
~ IE 18 pullups are the max for USAFA, Stop at 18. 19 doesn't get you any more points than 18.

Can someone clarify that for me?

 

[frenzymando]

Here is my curiosity question. Off topic, but we have gone down that rabbit hole path impo.

Is the CFA max the same among each SA? I know you cannot submit a CFA for the PFA (ROTC scholarship), but I am curious does the max score vary from SA to SA? I was always under the assumption, that a poster like frenzy could submit the same CFA score to each SA.

Just thinking that if 1 SA has a lower max than another, it could impact them for the Whole Candidate Score.
~ IE USMA BBALL throw max is 90, USNA is 100.
~~ Just throwing numbers out there, not saying that this is a fact.

The rule of thumb we were always told regarding testing was never go over the max, save your energy for the next portion of the exam.
~ IE 18 pullups are the max for USAFA, Stop at 18. 19 doesn't get you any more points than 18.

Can someone clarify that for me?

http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/fitness-assessment/
http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Candidate-Fitness-Assessment.php

Air Force strangely has much higher averages than Army, but the max scores are the same for all of the service academies.

 

[Pima]

A retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel administered my CFA and I asked him about retaking it and he said if I retake it the service academies would have to remove my old score.

I am a current FFR. I can speak for my former regional commander (he just left) to when he allowed retesting of CFA. He allowed retesting for CFA for (1) failed but took the CFA early enough have time to improve and (2) competitive candidates that passed but wants to improve their score. Just remember, CFA is something you can't improve in a short period, unless you were sick or injured when you were taking CFA.

That was my point earlier. Don't assume it is a given that you will be given the option.

2nd question for information purposes.

USMA is not rolling, correct?

Can anyone explain to me why they should submit now instead of Nov. 1, if the MoC board does not meet until after October? That means to me they won't be boarded in the next 4 months because they have no nomination.
~ I get that by completing a large portion of the package they may get an LOA, or start their DoDMERB, but if you are an average candidate, wouldn't it be better to train until Sept instead of submitting a weaker CFA?

I am not trying to be rude, but I am confused.

 

[Pima]

Here is my curiosity question. Off topic, but we have gone down that rabbit hole path impo.

Is the CFA max the same among each SA? I know you cannot submit a CFA for the PFA (ROTC scholarship), but I am curious does the max score vary from SA to SA? I was always under the assumption, that a poster like frenzy could submit the same CFA score to each SA.

Just thinking that if 1 SA has a lower max than another, it could impact them for the Whole Candidate Score.
~ IE USMA BBALL throw max is 90, USNA is 100.
~~ Just throwing numbers out there, not saying that this is a fact.

The rule of thumb we were always told regarding testing was never go over the max, save your energy for the next portion of the exam.
~ IE 18 pullups are the max for USAFA, Stop at 18. 19 doesn't get you any more points than 18.

Can someone clarify that for me?

http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/fitness-assessment/
http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Candidate-Fitness-Assessment.php

Air Force strangely has much higher averages than Army, but the max scores are the same for all of the service academies.

Thanks.

 

[frenzymando]

A retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel administered my CFA and I asked him about retaking it and he said if I retake it the service academies would have to remove my old score.

I am a current FFR. I can speak for my former regional commander (he just left) to when he allowed retesting of CFA. He allowed retesting for CFA for (1) failed but took the CFA early enough have time to improve and (2) competitive candidates that passed but wants to improve their score. Just remember, CFA is something you can't improve in a short period, unless you were sick or injured when you were taking CFA.

I haven't submitted my CFA to USMA yet, I have only sent it to USNA. Do you think I should not send it to USMA? I can do a lot better on the mile. I usually run it in about 6:20.

Also, have you ever seen someone with an 8:11 mile pass?

 

[MemberLG]

USMA is not rolling, correct?

The answer is yes and no. From what I have seen, West Point sends out LOAs on rolling bases (which is almost an offer) and appointments go out in batches later in year. But, I believe Regional commanders stack and rack appointments possibilities starting September. I don't know how other Regional commanders stack and rack candidates for appointment, but my RC used completed application as a criteria.

 

[MemberLG]

I haven't submitted my CFA to USMA yet, I have only sent it to USNA. Do you think I should not send it to USMA? I can do a lot better on the mile. I usually run it in about 6:20.

Also, have you ever seen someone with an 8:11 mile pass?

I missed it. Unless your retired AF LtCol is a USMA FFR or school PE teacher, he cannot administer CFA for USMA. I can't remember the exact CFA adminstration instruction, but I do remember that the administrator is required to acknowlege that he or she is qualified to administer the test and reviewed the test instruction. The way the CFA submission works for USMA is once you submit your test administrator's email address through the candidate portal, he or she receives an internet link to submit the test score, so you cannot send it to USMA yourself (perhaps I am reading "I should not send it to USMA" too literally).

 

[frenzymando]

I haven't submitted my CFA to USMA yet, I have only sent it to USNA. Do you think I should not send it to USMA? I can do a lot better on the mile. I usually run it in about 6:20.

Also, have you ever seen someone with an 8:11 mile pass?

I missed it. Unless your retired AF LtCol is a USMA FFR or school PE teacher, he cannot administer CFA for USMA. I can't remember the exact CFA adminstration instruction, but I do remember that the administrator is required to acknowlege that he or she is qualified to administer the test and reviewed the test instruction. The way the CFA submission works for USMA is once you submit your test administrator's email address through the candidate portal, he or she receives an internet link to submit the test score, so you cannot send it to USMA yourself (perhaps I am reading "I should not send it to USMA" too literally).

It says on the instructions J/ROTC instructors can administer it. I assumed this meant any kind of J/ROTC instructor. The retired AF LtCol that administered it is my AFJROTC teacher.

The portal for USNA allows me to give my CFA administrator's email to them and I did that an my CFA administer sent the scores into them after I did that. The USMA portal doesn't give me this option yet, so I have not given my CFA administrator's a way to send my CFA scores to them. My bad, giving the email to them was what I meant by sending the scores in.

 

[ca2midwestmom]

The USMA website lists the same instructions that my 2018 used -- http://www.usma.edu/admissions/Shared Documents/CFA_Instructions.pdf -- and a J/ROTC instructor is allowed (page 1). I did read another post yesterday by a BGO that USNA has changed the requirements going forward no longer allowing coaches, unless they are also PE teachers, to administer the CFA. http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/candidate-fitness-assessment.43768/ But even usnabgo08 lists JROTC instructors as authorized.

 

[MemberLG]

It says on the instructions J/ROTC instructors can administer it. I assumed this meant any kind of J/ROTC instructor. The retired AF LtCol that administered it is my AFJROTC teacher.

The portal for USNA allows me to give my CFA administrator's email to them and I did that an my CFA administer sent the scores into them after I did that. The USMA portal doesn't give me this option yet, so I have not given my CFA administrator's a way to send my CFA scores to them. My bad, giving the email to them was what I meant by sending the scores in.

I am not a mind reader, a retired AF LtCol does not equal to "J/ROTC" instructor.

If your scenario, you should just inform USMA to request CFA result from USNA. You would have to ask the RC if he or she will accept backdated CFA test result (i.e. your CFA test should be authorized in the future, but your test was taken before the authorization). Two ways to look at it - follow the instruction or if it is not covered by the instruction I can do whatever I want to.

 

[Pima]

LMAO MemberLG

JMPO, and this is not USMA specific.

The fact is the only thing IMPO you have 100% control over for your package is the CFA.
Nobody says until end of Feb. YOU must submit now.

You can take 100 practice exams between now and Feb. It is all under your control.
~ Have the flu on the day you are to take the SAT, too bad... you paid the money, show up because it won't happen again for at least another month.
~ Teacher gives you a C on your APLit essay, oh well, deal with it!

CFA on the other hand, have the flu, delay it. 95 degrees with 90% humidity...delay it. Got to babysit little sis...delay it. Don't like the score, ask the administrator to not submit.

Getting my point? Total control on your side for the CFA.

I am just not getting why anyone at this time, July 1st, would want to submit a CFA that is below average when we all know that to get an appointment you need a nomination.

I hope somebody can/will explain the perks to submitting early the CFA.

 

[Rocko]

While I agree that submitting a low score now makes little sense, I want to point out there is also some risk to delaying the CFA as well. My DS was a wrestler and he made every effort to get it completed prior to the season starting (October). He didn't Max everything but did Max a few and scored high on the others. He felt it was high enough that he didn't want to take the risk not sending it. Delaying it could have been an issue if injured during the season. Also taking it during the wrestling season would not have been a good idea due to the physical toll on the body along with weight control. There is no way he would have improved until after the season was over and he had time to fully recover.

I think it depends on the person and the situation when a good time to submit is. But I definitely wouldn't submit a sub par score until late in the process.

 

[EVDfootball]

The running killed you at the end. You should run a mile under seven minutes.

 

[MemberLG]

I hope somebody can/will explain the perks to submitting early the CFA.

Not a real perk, usually cold weather adversly impact most people's run time.

 

[Pima]

I agree on that Member, but using that logic than wouldn't it make sense to wait until Sept when the temps and humidity drop?

 

[MemberLG]

I agree on that Member, but using that logic than wouldn't it make sense to wait until Sept when the temps and humidity drop?

Did say "not a real perk." It's a lot easier to find reasons to keep pushing back taking the CFA.

If I may recommend, candidates should complete application as soon as practical, in most cases completing the application early will help. I have experience too much evertying as to candidates having plans to complete, excuses on their applications not being complet or even why do I have to it now question.

The only thing I can say is that I have seen more candidates that completed their applications early getting appointments than candidates that didn't complete their applications later.

 

[buff81]

Why take the CFA sooner than later -

1) Fall sports can lead to injury. If a candidate waits until they finish their Fall sport and are injured during said sport, an injury can lead to a further delayed CFA test and/or performing poorly bc not completely healed/healthy.

2) It is advantageous to have your file qualified going into your MOC interview.
To be qualified, you have to have a complete file.
To have a complete file, you have to have passed the CFA.
It can take a few weeks to get a file qualified. The earlier it gets in the queue, the sooner it can be qualified.
Since most interviews are in the Nov/Dec timeframe, you don't want to wait until Football season is over to take your CFA bc your file won't be qualified by the time of the MOCs interviews.

3) If those reasons aren't good enough, do it bc your RC will tell you to.

 

[Pima]

I agree on that too. Many do make excuses to keep putting it off. My point is/was if your MoC slate doesn't close until 9/15 or 10/1 and the ast appointment board meet 10/15, Get you MoC essays in order to be the best during the summer. Submit those 8/15. Now all of those hours you worked on the essays for MoCs and college, plus filling the ROTC application out, you can use those hours training starting 8/15. By 9/7 if you have been training, the weather should be cooler and you can submit the CFA at that time and still meet the earliest boards.

We were mean parents when DS became a candidate. He was a lifeguard during the summer (40 hours a week). We forced him to run every a.m. before he went to work, regardless of the weather. He knew pull ups was his weakness. We purchased a pull up bar for his door. Everyone, including friends and girlfriend that everytime he exited his bedroom he had to do X amt of pull ups. Same for when he re-entered the room. Siblings and friends loved to tattle on him. Mom/Ms. Pima DS didn't do it! Each week the number went up. Within a month he went up to 15.
~ FWIW, we were hands off on everything else. We did not read his essays until after he hit the submit button. He had a great ALO, that met with all of his candidates monthly to review/edit essays.

Just my thinking is how you approach the whole application process.

The only thing I can say is that I have seen more candidates that completed their applications early getting appointments than candidates that didn't complete their applications later.

I have always been under the impression no MOC can be charged until all candidates are boarded, caveat principal. A candidate with an LOA can be appointed with any nomination. Thus, if a candidate that is on a slate where the MoC does not use principal, the MoC cannot be charged until everyone on the slate has a WCS?

Am I wrong?

If I am correct, candidate Smith has until the end of Feb. to submit their CFA. That means the other 9 on the slate can still be appointed via other ways, but the MoC cannot be charged because they are waiting for Smith to be boarded.

I am just asking if I misunderstood how the MoC charging works.
~ I always have felt posters confused appointment with charging.

 

[Pima]

Buff,

In NC they did not request the CFA as part of their MoC selection. They did not need a finished file.
~ I agree it helps from an interview process, not only from the MoC perspective, but also the ROTC scholarship interview. If that is not enough of a reason. I agree with Member, the RC/FFR to prove you are taking this seriously.

The sports aspect.
~ I get it. My DS2 played FB, LB, I received a call one Monday after the 1st game.
~~ Mrs. Bullet I think you need to pick up your DS and take him to the hospital. We think he may have an undiagnosed concussion from last Friday nights game when he was hit. They were right
~~~ He was not allowed to partake in sports for 3 weeks.

I am not disagreeing at all. I believe for many, especially athletes that play fall sports this is when you should take it.
~~ Let's also be honest. Any medical issue can cause DoDMERB problems too. Break an arm, requiring pins, can start the waiver process.

I am just saying it is July. They have yet to start true fall sports. It is training right now. I still stand by what harm are we talking about if they do practice CFAs until 8/15? The OP has no nominations, and it appears that their drop dead date for submitting their application for a nomination from MoCs is Oct.
~ The OP is not saying that WP are recruiting them for FB.
~~ I love my DS. he played for 3 years, but he was not that all star. It was nothing more than an EC on his resume.

In your honest opinion do you believe 8:11 mile is low? 60's for sit ups and push ups is stellar? Would you say to them submit, or train for 3-4 weeks more and retake August 1st before you start your fall sport?
~ Yes, I am asking your honest opinion. No, well, if, I had this candidate, maybe I would say they should...
~~ Yes or no. 8:11 mile on June 29th.

That is where I am coming from. Again the OP plays FB, like my DS2. I get it. My DS1 was a state/national/junior Olympian for TKD. I get injuries. However, right now the OP is in training, the risks are so much lower impo than compared to actual games/competition..
~DS2 played FB, 3 a days (drill, film/play instruction, weight training) 6:30-4:30 5 days a week for 8 weeks. It was done in tiers...week 4-6 was helmet and top body pads, 6-8 was full on gear and contact. Week 8-10 was scrimmage against other schools or JV.

Using VA as an example. School ends@June 10th. The students start FB @June 24th. (we start school again Weds. after Labor Day). They will not start risking true injury until Aug.

The OP submitted their CFA to USNA on the 29th of JUNE with an 8:11 mile (male).

OBTW, 1000% agreement with the do it because the RC said so. No argument there.