CFA Concerns

B

boilermaker2028

New Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2023
Messages
9
I'm a senior in high school and I'm applying to the USAFA. My candidate kit is done except for filling out the presidential nomination form and the essays, but I have some concerns about the CFA. I'm slightly lacking in physical fitness, not to the point where I'd fail any category, but I know my scores won't be average. My academics, extracurriculars, and leadership experience are well above the average candidate. Do you think these things could make up for a poor CFA assessment, or are my hopes too high?
 
When is your CFA due? Start working out and improving in the areas you are weak. It's amazing how fast you can improve your numbers if you get serious about it. You'll need to do that anyway if you get accepted, as you'll want to be prepared for Basic and will be tested at the Academy periodically.
 
Yes, strength in one component can offset weakness in another component. But don’t settle for good enough. SA admissions are a competition, and the better you can do in all components, the better your overall chances.

Make your CFA deadline 12/31, a full month before the official deadline. That gives you buffer in case of illness or injury. Now get going! There are plenty of resources online. Find them and work to make physical fitness a competency and not a weakness. Should you attend an SA and then serve on AD, fitness must become a way of life.
 
MidCakePa said:
Yes, strength in one component can offset weakness in another component. But don’t settle for good enough. SA admissions are a competition, and the better you can do in all components, the better your overall chances.

Make your CFA deadline 12/31, a full month before the official deadline. That gives you buffer in case of illness or injury. Now get going! There are plenty of resources online. Find them and work to make physical fitness a competency and not a weakness. Should you attend an SA and then serve on AD, fitness must become a way of life.
Click to expand...
Ah, I thought the deadline was much sooner than January. If that’s the case then I’m much more confident that I’ll be fully prepared. Thanks for the relief! I was just worried because my interest to the academy didn’t happen until a couple months ago, so now I’m playing catch up and training as best as I can.
 
usafaprospect2028 said:
Ah, I thought the deadline was much sooner than January. If that’s the case then I’m much more confident that I’ll be fully prepared. Thanks for the relief! I was just worried because my interest to the academy didn’t happen until a couple months ago, so now I’m playing catch up and training as best as I can.
Click to expand...
You say you’re “playing catch-up.” A very important part of that is to spend meaningful time on the USAFA website. Review every single page, tab, link and pull-down. Make sure you understand every input to the application. Make a checklist or chart that allows you to track completion of every component. Pay attention to detail. The application process itself is a test — one you must pass before even getting offer of appointment.
 
You have youth on your side. Get after it. Don’t delay a single minute. Take an inventory CFA exactly as you would with an official test. Know that is your baseline. There are tons of programs online, Stew Smith, get with a trainer. Take a practice every few weeks. Set a deadline for testing. Don’t wait until the last week. We see this every year with kids waiting and then get sick or roll an ankle. That is just poor planning. Also don’t test just random parts, take the test as you would. It helps to alleviate anxiety and you know how your body responds along the way.
 
I was also not in the best shape before my CFA. I did pushups, the basketball throw, and pull-ups EVERY DAY leading up to it. It helped immensely. Consistency is key
 
Every year candidates FAIL the CFA. It’s not hard to pass if you are in decent shape and practice. You have to put in the time though or you’re just pissing up a rope. Good luck, train hard.
 
A couple of months before I did my CFA a few years back, I could do maybe 15 push-ups and a pull-up. Went at it relentlessly and passed with above average in several categories. Work hard and keep at it. Consistency is key.
 
How do you know what your scores will be? Have you taken a practice CFA yet? This post comes up every year, and every year it goes poorly because something always comes up. Get your kit done, schedule your CFA, and pass it. Do not wait until the last minute. Also, have you completed your nomination packages yet? Most of the deadlines are closed or will be closing very soon.
 
My DD couldn't even bend her arms on the pull-up bar back in March, but after adding a pull-up bar with some assist straps to her bedroom, she knocked out 3 on her CFA. Her initial BB throw was about 24 ft so I bought her a 4lb medicine ball to practice with and she tossed over 40 on the CFA. Just a little work can produce huge dividends so make a plan and ensure your parents (or anyone) hold you accountable. Good luck!!
 
T-37IP said:
How do you know what your scores will be? Have you taken a practice CFA yet? This post comes up every year, and every year it goes poorly because something always comes up. Get your kit done, schedule your CFA, and pass it. Do not wait until the last minute. Also, have you completed your nomination packages yet? Most of the deadlines are closed or will be closing very soon.
Click to expand...
As of right now, I can complete only the basketball throw and the shuttle run. I'm working my butt off to lose some weight to help my push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. I'm just getting stressed because I'm not exactly sure when the CFA deadline is. The booklet for the candidates says that the deadline is the same as the Candidate Kit, but my Mentor ALO said he doesn't know of a specific deadline. Another concern I have is that the Candidate Kit itself says that my CFA evaluator will get an email on how to conduct the assessment only AFTER I submit my Kit. So what about all the candidates who submit it the day before or the day of? A lot of evidence points to the CFA deadline being after the Kit, but I just don't know. My gut says after, and my mentor never said anything about the deadline being the same as the Kit.
 
usafaprospect2028 said:
As of right now, I can complete only the basketball throw and the shuttle run. I'm working my butt off to lose some weight to help my push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. I'm just getting stressed because I'm not exactly sure when the CFA deadline is. The booklet for the candidates says that the deadline is the same as the Candidate Kit, but my Mentor ALO said he doesn't know of a specific deadline. Another concern I have is that the Candidate Kit itself says that my CFA evaluator will get an email on how to conduct the assessment only AFTER I submit my Kit. So what about all the candidates who submit it the day before or the day of? A lot of evidence points to the CFA deadline being after the Kit, but I just don't know. My gut says after, and my mentor never said anything about the deadline being the same as the Kit.
Click to expand...
Your best source to clear up the confusion is your Admissions Team. Have you sent them an email asking the exact deadline of the CFA?
 
99Gold said:
Your best source to clear up the confusion is your Admissions Team. Have you sent them an email asking the exact deadline of the CFA?
Click to expand...
Yes I sent an email to Team Blue the other day, haven't heard anything back. I'll probably contact them over the phone or with another email to really confirm what's going on.
 
usafaprospect2028 said:
Yes I sent an email to Team Blue the other day, haven't heard anything back. I'll probably contact them over the phone or with another email to really confirm what's going on.
Click to expand...
1696943602425.png

This is a screenshot from the Class of 2028 Candidate to Instructions. We have had (unconfirmed) reports on here stating their Admissions team said that the CFA is due 2 weeks after the Candidate Kit, but absent those instructions, you should proceed with this deadline in mind IMO.
 
99Gold said:
View attachment 14777

This is a screenshot from the Class of 2028 Candidate to Instructions. We have had (unconfirmed) reports on here stating their Admissions team said that the CFA is due 2 weeks after the Candidate Kit, but absent those instructions, you should proceed with this deadline in mind IMO.
Click to expand...
Yeah I remember reading this and I've been scheduling around that date. Any idea when the second test would take place if a candidate fails the first one?
 
usafaprospect2028 said:
Yeah I remember reading this and I've been scheduling around that date. Any idea when the second test would take place if a candidate fails the first one?
Click to expand...
I have no direct experience with that but reports on this forum show that they will give you 30 days. Hopefully, @flieger83 will chime in on that one.
 
usafaprospect2028 said:
As of right now, I can complete only the basketball throw and the shuttle run. I'm working my butt off to lose some weight to help my push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. I'm just getting stressed because I'm not exactly sure when the CFA deadline is. The booklet for the candidates says that the deadline is the same as the Candidate Kit, but my Mentor ALO said he doesn't know of a specific deadline. Another concern I have is that the Candidate Kit itself says that my CFA evaluator will get an email on how to conduct the assessment only AFTER I submit my Kit. So what about all the candidates who submit it the day before or the day of? A lot of evidence points to the CFA deadline being after the Kit, but I just don't know. My gut says after, and my mentor never said anything about the deadline being the same as the Kit.
Click to expand...
Only complete? Not sure what that means. Take a complete practice CFA to see how you do. Do not be late submitting your package.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top