Week of CFA preparation

Theyellowfellow

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2015
Messages
102
Hey people, So I will be taking my CFA either this wednesday or thursday because 11/19 is my application deadline. I really want to know what I should be doing my last few days in order to prepare. Should I still be training the next two days until my test or am I supposed to rest my next few days? These are the types of questions that I need answered.
 
Hydrate, stretch. Light jogging and exercises won't hurt you. Don't over do it, don't get hurt.
 
+1 Navy Hoops.

I would avoid waiting to take the CFA until the LAST day (Thursday). If for some reason, your administrator doesn't show up or is sick, you have zero room for error.
I would recommend taking it on Wednesday if not sooner, to get it done and allow for some time for the administrator to input the results.
 
I think rest is good at this point, but I would walk through the course location and become visually attuned to the layout of the facility. Picture yourself successfully completing the CFA. A full workout within two days of the event is unlikely to change things, but mental rehearsal is good.

How many times have you physically practiced the full CFA sequence in the last two weeks?
 
I haven't done he full test but I have been doing all of the tests

I thought I would get too tired and not be able to workout the next day

Have you read any of the other CFA threads on here? Doing the entire CFA just like it will be administered is the best way to practice. You need to know how much to leave "in the tank" for the run portion of the test. Otherwise if you give max effort on the previous events and are unable to complete the run it is all for nothing.

Stealth_81
 
All I can say is good luck. When you are testing just keep thinking "30 minutes of pain is worth 4 years at the academy." I had to repeat this multiple times when I was running the mile.
That said, nothing can prepare you for the CFA besides
A) being in amazing shape
B) performing the CFA multiple times
It's kinda the same concept as taking an act/sat. You either get good scores because you are very smart or have practiced it many times. Anyways, at this point there isn't really anything you can do to prepare any. Maybe chunk the bball around a couple times (don't throw out your arm though) or maybe run the shuttle a couple times. Rest, but don't get lazy. Go for a shakeout jog or maybe a brisk walk tomorrow. Or sleep all day it's up to you. Don't eat/drink anything you'd regret tomorrow and don't try to change your diet. Stick with what's normal for you. It won't help you any to go buy goat milk and cream cheese (apparently a great thing for runners) in an attempt to get lots of macros and end up having an unsettled stomach. Don't think about the CFA because it will stress you out and stress is counterproductive from a mental and physiological standpoint. Stay loose, keep your mind busy and relax tomorrow and tear up the CFA on Wednesday
 
So it turns out that any of the gym coaches cannot do the test until Thursday but the problem is that on Thursday it will be raining and that will be the last day to perform the test. Should I try as hard as possible to try and get the test on for tommorow, or would it be best to wait until Thursday?
 
So it turns out that any of the gym coaches cannot do the test until Thursday but the problem is that on Thursday it will be raining and that will be the last day to perform the test. Should I try as hard as possible to try and get the test on for tommorow, or would it be best to wait until Thursday?

Try to get a gym teacher (or ALO or JROTC instructor) to administer the test no later than Wednesday. This way you have one day in case of a problem inputting the data etc.
 
I just did mine in a raging blizzard, haha. ;) It wasn't the best but most of the things are indoors so I don't think it affected my performance too badly except for the mile. See if there are any jrotc instructors you can do it with on Wednesday, I noticed that was an option on the form. If worse comes to worse, you can do the mile around a gym, thats what I wanted to do but my coach made me do it outside.
If you can't do it tomorrow don't worry too much about having to do it in the rain. It will not make you that much slower in the mile.
 
So it turns out that any of the gym coaches cannot do the test until Thursday but the problem is that on Thursday it will be raining and that will be the last day to perform the test. Should I try as hard as possible to try and get the test on for tommorow, or would it be best to wait until Thursday?
YellowFellow, do whatever you have to do to get it done; run in the rain, snow, sleet; no matter. Do not miss your deadline. Do you think you won't have to run at USAFA if it is raining or snowing? If you miss the deadline, your application is closed, period. Get 'er done!

For future CFA takers, do not wait until the last minute to take your CFA. Leave yourself some wiggle room for cases such as this. USAFA could care less about what excuse you have. You know way in advance when your deadline is and what is expected of you. There is no reason to wait until the last day to take your CFA.
 
2021 lurkers... Please don't wait until the day of or day before the deadline to take your test! You are seeing the issues now... Rain, snow, injuries, sickness, my fall sport doesn't allow me to get in running shape or time for pull ups. It also doesn't allow for a retest of you do poorly. Also take many practice tests just like the real test with someone administering it just like a real test. This will help knock out the nerves and understand what it's like to take the 6 events and the impact on your body (you want stuff left in the tank for the run). Work this summer on all these events and maintain the fitness. Push hard and knock it out early. Not trying to knock the guys testing these next few days, I wish you the best and hope to see BFEs in your future!
 
I second the practice test idea! It helped a ton for me, especially with the basketball throw. I don't think I have ever kneeled and chucked a basketball as far as I could before. Haha. It also helped with nerves for the actual test.
The most important thing is to stay relaxed and do your best, you will do fine and it will all work out in the end.
Don't procrastinate, but if the worst thing that happens is you have to run 4 laps in the rain or snow to get into an academy I think it is worth it. ;)
 
I love running in the rain lol. When I did my CFA down in the Florida heat (that lasted halfway into September) I felt miserable. Life is all about perspective, so when you get out there and run your mile, think about the cooling effect the rain has on you while you run.
 
I've got to take the test at 6 in the morning tommorow, should I still eat breakfast?
Seriously? You don't know?
I definitely would not try to do your CFA after fasting all night, but I certainly would not eat two eggs, bacon and hash browns for breakfast. Have a lite breakfast with some protein and carbs, hydrate the night before and the morning of and get it done. You are not running a marathon, in fact, the test should only take approximately 30-40 minutes from start to finish. Relax; just do your best and don't overthink it.
 
Eat something high in carbs and sugar (quick energy) with some protein that will not sit in your stomach. I would eat a piece of toast with a little peanut butter and a piece of fruit like a banana or tangerine if I were you. Try to eat 20-30 minutes before the test. You don't want a bunch of food in your stomach because it will be annoying when you are running. Drink a glass of water when you wake up to get hydrated.
Honestly, dont stress too much. Make sure you at least eat something (you don't want to pass out) but don't eat 3 doughnuts and a breakfast burrito.
And RELAX
 
Back
Top