CFA pass or fail How does this figure into the overall score for the candidate

TJsmom

5-Year Member
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I am totally new to all of this, so please forgive my ignorance from the get go. I have not seen a minimum requirement for males to pass the CFA except for when the candidate has to pass the medical examination. Documents I have seen say that the navy/air force just either issue a pass or fail for the candidate. If this is so, I am wondering how this is scored in the overall composite score for the candidate...On the contrary, I have seen other documents that deem a candidate competitive if they can achieve certain goals and maximums that one can achieve for the CFA. Obviously I am missing pieces to the puzzle...can anyone help me out? Is the CFA a pass or fail-or is it scored?
 
I am totally new to all of this, so please forgive my ignorance from the get go. I have not seen a minimum requirement for males to pass the CFA except for when the candidate has to pass the medical examination. Documents I have seen say that the navy/air force just either issue a pass or fail for the candidate. If this is so, I am wondering how this is scored in the overall composite score for the candidate...On the contrary, I have seen other documents that deem a candidate competitive if they can achieve certain goals and maximums that one can achieve for the CFA. Obviously I am missing pieces to the puzzle...can anyone help me out? Is the CFA a pass or fail-or is it scored?

Your actual score does matter.
 
There is no published fail numbers regarding the CFA...only MAX.

You need to try to MAX. If my mind is recalling correctly the max's are:
18 Pull Ups
100 BBall
95 Sit-uos
85 Push-ups
5:30 run

Can't recall shuttle, but I think it was in the 8 second range.

My numbers are probably off, but if you search the bowels of the AFA site you will find the actual max numbers.

The CFA MATTERS! It is a part of your WCS. It falls under the 20% of the WCS, along with other factors, i.e. EC's.

The AFA really pays notice to this because of the altitude. They understand that due to their altitude physical abilities will drop in the beginning. It is worth noting that their concern is because as you acclimate to the altitude you will be at BCT. Lower scores means harder time at BCT.
 
Okay, SHORT version...

The CFA is scored in each event. While there's no "fail" listing anywhere that you'll find, I'm going to tell you that there are numbers that WILL "fail" the candidate. Example: if a male candidate can't do a pullup, that's a "fail." In fact, they really REALLY MUST be able to do more than 3...if they're under about 7...they're going to score LOW.

At the end of the CFA, all the scores are sent to USAFA and the admission folks score the test. I can't tell you how they do that, what numbers they need/want/etc., but here's what I will tell you...there are 600 points available.

The more points you get, the more it helps your candidacy.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
From talking with admissions when I was doing my CFA, the fail marks are very low. 3 pull-ups, something like 35 push-ups (for males), and 50 sit-ups. They told me the failing scores, but I can't remember all the rest. Please do not aim to just beat the low score. You have complete control on how you score on your CFA so give it everything you got. If you want a minimum, treat the averages listed online as your bare minimum, you want to at least be above those averages.

Later,

Brian
 
Alright. I'm going with...pretty much everyone on this one. By the time you start running the mile, you should be fairly exhausted. Not because you're not in shape, but because you've performed optimoly on everything else. By the time you get done running your mile, you should be dying. Again, not because you're out of shape, but because you've given everything you have. So...expect to have trouble picking those pens you drop off the floor--it's going to suck. But if it gets you the appointment, it's totally worth it!!! And by the way--is anyone else scared out of their minds?
 
Alright. I'm going with...pretty much everyone on this one. By the time you start running the mile, you should be fairly exhausted. Not because you're not in shape, but because you've performed optimoly on everything else. By the time you get done running your mile, you should be dying. Again, not because you're out of shape, but because you've given everything you have. So...expect to have trouble picking those pens you drop off the floor--it's going to suck. But if it gets you the appointment, it's totally worth it!!! And by the way--is anyone else scared out of their minds?

Agreed. My mile time was always much lower on the CFA than when I normally just run a mile.
 
There is no minimum score, but higher is better.

From my perspective as an ALO, the candidate's score on the CFA shows me how serious they are about attending the Academy. This is the one area of their application they have 100% control over (barring injury). A 17-18 year old should be able to work out over a couple of months and max sit-ups & push-ups and make a good go at the rest. Have your candidate track his/her progress to show the ALO--this is a concrete indicator of motivation to become an officer.

I recommend practicing the events in the order/time limits you will be tested (i.e. your arms will already be tired from pull ups by the time you get to push ups).

I've also seen the Academy ask a candidate to re-do the CFA -- they got a higher score and got in.
 
When my son's coach first got the CFA instructions, he went on line and found the "minimums." He relayed them to my son so he could practice. My son practiced and practiced, freaking out at times. When it came time to take the CFA, his coach said, "Oops, did I say minimums? Those were the maximums!" I never did find out if that was just coach being coach, or if it was a genuine mistake. Needless to say, my son rocked his CFA! :yllol:
 
When my son's coach first got the CFA instructions, he went on line and found the "minimums." He relayed them to my son so he could practice. My son practiced and practiced, freaking out at times. When it came time to take the CFA, his coach said, "Oops, did I say minimums? Those were the maximums!" I never did find out if that was just coach being coach, or if it was a genuine mistake. Needless to say, my son rocked his CFA! :yllol:

Sounds like a FINE strategy! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
There is no minimum score, but higher is better.

........
Actually, there is a "Non-Official" minimum. I.e. If you CAN'T do even 1 pull-up, that could be considered "Not making the minimum". If your furthest basketball throw is 10 feet, that is considered "Not making the minimum". So, what is the minimum? Can't tell you. Then again, I believe in trying to do your BEST and not trying to achieve at least the minimum. So I probably wouldn't list it if I knew it; which I don't. I have the same attitude with the SAT/ACT. I guess it's good to know the "Minimum" score. If you can't score above a 23 composite on the ACT, it would save you time by not applying. However, the average Air Force Academy cadet walking in the door in June will be SO MUCH HIGHER than the minimums, that the minimum scores are a moot point. I.e. if the minimum ACT is 25, but the other 9 candidates in your district being interviewed by your MOC, and your scores are being scored by the academy, and you score a 26, and all the others are scoring 29-32, does it really matter that you made at least "The Minimum"? No, it doesn't.

But this is the CFA we're talking about. There's a lot of flexibility in what the scores mean. The reality is: There shouldn't be any reason why anyone applying to the academy can't hit the average scores in the CFA. The CFA is more of a "You're physically fit" or not. Good luck. Mike.....
 
Here's what I tell my candidates...if we haven't met in person when I receive the call asking about the CFA...invariably the question of: "Well sir, how well do I need to do?"

I tell them...

"Okay, I'm not going to give you a number for any event. But let me put it this way...I'm probably going to give you the test. I'm 50 years old, 6'2, 230lbs (oh to be 200 again)...if you don't beat ME...how highly do you think I'll rate you?"

"...uh...you're going to take it with me?"

"Sure, why not? Good for my exercise; I'll skip the gym that day!"

You know...I haven't won yet...but I did come close ONCE... :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

P.S. Oh...I'm a slow runner, but I typically beat ALL candidates in the throw, we typically tie in the pushups/situps (for an OLD man, I do pretty well here), and I lose in the pull-ups (got 5" of steel in my shoulder)
 
IMO the average score of candidates who were offered an appointment of each event should be treated as the minimum.
 
Here's what I tell my candidates...if we haven't met in person when I receive the call asking about the CFA...invariably the question of: "Well sir, how well do I need to do?"

I tell them...

"Okay, I'm not going to give you a number for any event. But let me put it this way...I'm probably going to give you the test. I'm 50 years old, 6'2, 230lbs (oh to be 200 again)...if you don't beat ME...how highly do you think I'll rate you?"

"...uh...you're going to take it with me?"

"Sure, why not? Good for my exercise; I'll skip the gym that day!"

You know...I haven't won yet...but I did come close ONCE... :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

P.S. Oh...I'm a slow runner, but I typically beat ALL candidates in the throw, we typically tie in the pushups/situps (for an OLD man, I do pretty well here), and I lose in the pull-ups (got 5" of steel in my shoulder)
:shake: The USMA '77 grad at the gym is my motivation for workouts now. He still manages to whoop me when it comes to pull-ups! Tough little army man:yllol:
 
Women's averages at USMMA

Does anyone know what the averages are for the women's CFA at USMMA for 2010? I see the averages listed for women. However, it looks like it is the average for all academies all years. My daughter is getting maximum in some areas but not all. What is the "must do" for pull-ups if she maxes out in other areas? Her SAT scores are 670-R and 750-M. Our big concern is the pull-ups.
 
Does anyone know what the averages are for the women's CFA at USMMA for 2010? I see the averages listed for women. However, it looks like it is the average for all academies all years. My daughter is getting maximum in some areas but not all. What is the "must do" for pull-ups if she maxes out in other areas? Her SAT scores are 670-R and 750-M. Our big concern is the pull-ups.
Females must only complete ONE cadence pull-up. From the USMMA CFA Fitness Assessment Instruction Booklet:

"If a woman can successfully perform one correct cadence pull-up, it is to her advantage on the scoring scale to take the cadence pull-up test. The scale score (0-100) for one cadence pull-up is higher than any length of fixed arm hang."

http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/PDFs/CFA_Instructions05.pdf

Best of luck to your daughter!!
 
Ran through the test once without practicing. Entered scores and while thinking that I was saving, ended up submitting. No chance to re-do. Was around average except low in push-ups. ALO said would need to do again before going anyway and showing improvement would be good thing.
 
Alright. I'm going with...pretty much everyone on this one. By the time you start running the mile, you should be fairly exhausted. Not because you're not in shape, but because you've performed optimoly on everything else. By the time you get done running your mile, you should be dying. Again, not because you're out of shape, but because you've given everything you have. So...expect to have trouble picking those pens you drop off the floor--it's going to suck. But if it gets you the appointment, it's totally worth it!!! And by the way--is anyone else scared out of their minds?

Yea. my mile time was significantly slower than what i usually run a mile in. I knew i gave it my all tho cause puked my brains out when i finished haha
 
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