CFA Grading at USNA Summer Seminar

Padre101

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To those of you who took their CFA at Summer Seminar, how did you find the grading? Was it strict? If they didn’t count certain reps (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, etc), how come?


I know that West Point put out an instructional video about the CFA, but I also know after being in the Army for over 20 years that each unit or school grades differently. At Fort Benning’s Airborne School they counted push-ups differently than Fort Campbell’s Air Assault School.


What has your experience been in terms of CFA grading?


Thank you.
 
When my DD went, students were paired and they counted each other off for push ups and sit ups. Cadre times the run. I'm not sure for the pull up. DD said that they were lenient, however since its run my mids, I'm sure it changes yearly.

Btw despite what my name my indicate, she went to NASS.
 
I took the CFA at Summer Seminar back in June, and I would say it is strict. Train as if your reps will not count unless they are absolutely perfect. Your pull-ups will not count if you do not go down all the way, you must go all the way down on your push-ups, and your arms have to stay crossed on every sit-up. I started training in the winter last year, and I was satisfied with my results at Summer Seminar. Good luck!
 
I took the CFA at Summer Seminar back in June, and I would say it is strict. Train as if your reps will not count unless they are absolutely perfect. Your pull-ups will not count if you do not go down all the way, you must go all the way down on your push-ups, and your arms have to stay crossed on every sit-up. I started training in the winter last year, and I was satisfied with my results at Summer Seminar. Good luck!
Thank you for the response.

When you say "all the way down on your push-ups," how far down? Chest to the ground? Or arms have to break 90 degrees?
 
If you train the right way, there is absolutely no need to worry whether the grading is strict or lenient. The "right way" is explained in the CFA instructions. http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Candidate-Fitness-Assessment.php

Thanks for the information.

I agree with your comment in part. But after being in the military for a long time, I know that some of the grading for Physical Fitness Exams are subjective. Even if you train the "right way" there are subtle things for which you can get dinged.
 
I have never seen anyone get dinged for doing it the right way. The only time you get dinged is if you don't do it the right way...if you decide to go above and beyond the right way (i.e. 92 degrees on the push-ups or your chin goes way above the pull-up bar), you don't get dinged but you are just wasting energy. Most examiners aren't unfair... If they see the incorrect form, they normally provide a warning and not count the repetition. If the incorrect form is done consistently then they should stop that portion of the exam. Bottom line, practice it the right way and there is no need to worry.
 
I attended first session of summer seminar. I thought the pull-ups were very lenient, and the push-ups and sit ups were pretty lenient. But I agree that you should train like somebody will be standing over your shoulder and be well enough prepared you don't have to worry about them being lenient
 
It was pretty laid back honestly, it is more based on the honor system since the cadets don't actually count it. I went to the first session last summer. I maxed on a lot of the events not only because I prepared before coming but also because of how laid back it was. The breaks that we had in between were a little longer than they should have because of how many people were doing the cfa. Later that day, your squad leader puts your score in CIS and they were told that it is liberty dependent.
 
You can re take the CFA after a visit and have your test taker submit it, just an FYI. My DS went to SS and he said some of the girls were actually shorting the push ups and they got away with it. Just train and do all the testing accurately and you will be good to go. My son re submitted his CFA even tho he passed it at SS.
 
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