Minimum for CFA

SA2017

5-Year Member
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Nov 8, 2011
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I've read through this forum and there was an old post that listed the minimums for the CFA. This post said that there were no official minimums published but by reading through this forum they were able to come up with an approximate minimum for passing.

They listed the scores as
FOR A MALE

BB Throw: 50'
Pull Up: 5
Shuttle: 11.0s
Push Up: 46
Sit Up: 56
1MR: 7:45

Did anyone get these scores or higher and still fail. I am just wondering how accurate this guess may be.

(I already know it is best to try hard and do the best you can to max out all of the events)
 
I got two feet lower for the basketball throw (...yep) and was offered an LOA before I could request a retake.

Don't worry, you have plenty of time to improve. Just make sure you do so.
 
You would qualify. Do fairly decent, actually. Obviously, since it's the average. I'm a bit surprised at the run times and sit ups. Seem fairly low.

EDIT: Poor reading comprehension, my bad.
 
These were NOT my scores. Sorry I was unclear. Ive read through this forum and found an old post that listed the following as minimums for the CFA. This post said that there were no official minimums published but by reading through this forum they were able to come up with an approximate minimum for passing-which were as follows:

They listed the minimum scores as
FOR A MALE

BB Throw: 50'
Pull Up: 5
Shuttle: 11.0s
Push Up: 46
Sit Up: 56
1MR: 7:45

Did anyone get these scores or higher and still fail. I am just wondering how accurate this guess may be.

(I already know it is best to try hard and do the best you can to max out all of the events)
 
Think of it this way: If you exceed the maximum in every category, you will pass without exception.

You have to be careful with anecdotal information. A guy with a pitiful CFA may only have passed because the rest of his record was far above average. Everybody is different.
 
Why settle for decent when you are trying to be amongst the best?:thumb:
 
i took a run though CFA a while ago and did ok-not great and lots of room for improvment-I was surprised how hard the crunches were but not surprised at the rest.

BB: 62
Pull-Up 18
Shuttle-9.4
Crunches 83
Push-Ups 75
Mile 7:06

I am not shooting for the minimum and am trying to max out all areas.

BUT, I was just asking a question out of curiosity which was why I added the tag line at the bottom (I already know it is best to try hard and do the best you can to max out all of the events)
 
BUT, I was just asking a question out of curiosity which was why I added the tag line at the bottom (I already know it is best to try hard and do the best you can to max out all of the events)

I understand! I was just saying it's better to do well on it and not worry than do alright and worry.
 
Those are good scores, SA. And sounds like you plan to keep improving, which is very good!
 
I've read through this forum and there was an old post that listed the minimums for the CFA. This post said that there were no official minimums published but by reading through this forum they were able to come up with an approximate minimum for passing.

They listed the scores as
FOR A MALE

BB Throw: 50'
Pull Up: 5
Shuttle: 11.0s
Push Up: 46
Sit Up: 56
1MR: 7:45

Did anyone get these scores or higher and still fail. I am just wondering how accurate this guess may be.

(I already know it is best to try hard and do the best you can to max out all of the events)

I think you got more than the minimums; you probably passed. however, keep working on it to ensure you are continuously improving as you prepare for plebe summer.
 
A few points:

  • I would not count on anecdotal minimums.

  • There is no guarantee that the "minimums" won't change.
  • The minimum may allow you to pass the CFA but, given that all but principal nominees are competing with other candidates, "passing" may not be enough.
 
I definitely would not consider the previously listed CFA numbers as "sufficient." My 5'3" female Mid, who is NOT anywhere close to the best athlete - even counting just the females in her company - did a 7:40 mile, 100 crunches, almost the same number of pushups, and a shuttle time ~ 2 seconds faster.

Do not aim for the minimum. Aim for the best you can do overall, and work hardest to improve your worst scores (run time, crunches and shuttle, IMO).

Keep in mind that, if you do get in with minimum CFA scores, you are going to collect a lot of attention as a "tail end Charlie" during Plebe Summer, and you do really do not want that type of attention. You will need numbers much better than this for the PRT at the end of Plebe Summer. Might as well start aiming to get closer to passing that (the following are the MINIMUM passing male PRT scores - most Mids do much better than this):
1.5 mile run 10:30 (7 min mile pace)
40 pushups in 2 min
65 crunches in 2 min
 
I am not shooting for the minimum and am trying to max out all areas.

BUT, I was just asking a question out of curiosity which was why I added the tag line at the bottom (I already know it is best to try hard and do the best you can to max out all of the events)
Interesting how so many seem to miss what SA2017 said.
 
LOL

Packer-You are right. I laughed out loud when you posted your response. Ive noticed too that everyone is missing what OP asked(except for usna1985). He asked a straight forward question and even restated his question.

I think that was the OP said was that he scored higher than the guesstimated minimums. I think the OP even maxed two of the events if I read the re-post correctly. Twice he said that he was not trying for the minimum.

I think he was just curious as to what the minimums may be. Though the answer may be irrelevant it still is an interesting question.
 
Interesting how so many seem to miss what SA2017 said.

I think we all understand what he said. The concern I have is that some people may take this as "gospel" and believe that, if they achieve these scores, they will pass the CFA and/or will be on track for an appointment.

The information is likely factually inaccurate and so, anyone who uses it for anything other than personal amusement, is doing so at his or her own risk.

IOW, speculation for the purpose of speculation is fine but not useful. Trying to use this speculation is dangerous.
 
USNA1985-from reading the posts I think you did understand but most posters did not.

I agree that it is speculation (like a large percentage of information on here) - I would hope that applicants don't take anything on here as gospel. Additionally, I suppose if applicants are shooting for the minimum they are at risk for many reasons to begin with.

On the other hand-I do think it is an interesting question. But maybe it got lost in the asking.
 
Actually, I understood that he was asking a hypothetical question and not posting his personal scores. The problem with any hypothetical question is that you invite opinions, guesses and hunches and sometimes people can't seem to tell the difference between that and factual answers. During the thread, the subject often drifts around into something else where you eventually aren't sure what is being discussed.

Bottom line is I am not sure even if someone knew the specific answer how that would be of any value to someone now applying.
 
I definitely would not consider the previously listed CFA numbers as "sufficient." My 5'3" female Mid, who is NOT anywhere close to the best athlete - even counting just the females in her company - did a 7:40 mile, 100 crunches, almost the same number of pushups, and a shuttle time ~ 2 seconds faster.

Do not aim for the minimum. Aim for the best you can do overall, and work hardest to improve your worst scores (run time, crunches and shuttle, IMO).

Keep in mind that, if you do get in with minimum CFA scores, you are going to collect a lot of attention as a "tail end Charlie" during Plebe Summer, and you do really do not want that type of attention. You will need numbers much better than this for the PRT at the end of Plebe Summer. Might as well start aiming to get closer to passing that (the following are the MINIMUM passing male PRT scores - most Mids do much better than this):
1.5 mile run 10:30 (7 min mile pace)
40 pushups in 2 min
65 crunches in 2 min

Unfortunately for the poster, I do not think he has much time to re-do a CFA. I might be wrong but I thought the CFA is due on Jan 31.

My CFA scores weren't exactly impressive but now I can max out on all strength portions and get within 25 seconds of the max on the mile.Back then, I only max out on push-ups and almost did for sit-ups. It seems as if every squad at NASS had someone who maxes out on at least 2 sections (all guys in my squad max out at something). Therefore, continual training beyond CFA is definitely a must.
 
You can retake the CFA until March 1. The rest of your packet (other than medical) must be complete by Jan. 31.
 
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