CFA Results

Waffles

Future AFROTC Cadet at ERAU - Daytona, FL
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
51
I am a female and I took the CFA and failed with these scores:
Bb throw: 24'
Flexed Arm Hang: 29s
Shuttle Run: 11.75
Sit-ups: 79
Push-ups: 35
Mile time: 9:54
I got a message that I had to retake it, but I wasn't informed of what disqualified me specifically. I know my mile time sucked though. Is it possible to get it where it needs to be if I only have a month?
 
I am a female and I took the CFA and failed with these scores:
Bb throw: 24'
Flexed Arm Hang: 29s
Shuttle Run: 11.75
Sit-ups: 79
Push-ups: 35
Mile time: 9:54
I got a message that I had to retake it, but I wasn't informed of what disqualified me specifically. I know my mile time sucked though. Is it possible to get it where it needs to be if I only have a month?
i am just guessing but i would say the run times were an issue
 
Any progress is possible as long as you are dedicated and consistent with your workout. Personally, I improved a lot over a two week span so you can definitely improve over a month.

I'm male, but my weakness was running and the mile SUCKS. However, you have to dig deep and fight the urge to slow down. The first time I ran my mile during my practice CFA, I got a 9:34.

To improve my mile, I ran on a treadmill every other day for two weeks straight. I ran half a mile at a 7 minute pace and then walked .1 mile. (the treadmill gives you a semi-accurate distance). I then repeated this 6 times. Once I finished repeating that 6 times, that was the end of my running for the day. I noticed that every day that I ran, I became less tired and had more endurance and stamina. I noticed improvement and on my official CFA I ran my mile at a 7:13. That's significant improvement over my original mile time. If I can do it, I am confident that you can. One thing I did to keep me from walking or slowing down was legit YELL at myself during my run. I would yell out loud "LETS GO. PUSH IT. LETS GO LETS GO." or "You want to go to Air Force running like this? PUSH IT". Motivation can only come from yourself. I found that yelling out loud and being verbal pushed me to go harder and farther.

For the shuttle run, you just need to practice it. I ran the shuttle run on the days where I wasn't doing my treadmill runs. I had my dad time me and I just ran the event. I got used to the transitions and I learned how to keep my momentum going during my turns. The worst mistake you can do during the shuttle run is lose your kinetic energy. This will slow you down and result in a higher time. There are videos on YouTube on specific techniques that I would reference.

Another area I think you can improve in is your BB throw. To get good at the BB throw you really just have to practice the movement. I play varsity water polo so throwing the BB from my knees wasn't too bad (during water polo we throw the ball just using our upper body). It is a similar concept for the BB throw. Make sure to use your core when you throw and snap forward at the waist. Another tip is to generate momentum before you throw. Move your arms around with the ball before you throw. "Pump throw" before you actually throw. The more energy and movement you have before you throw it, the more likely it is to go further. If you have trouble gripping the ball, I would bend your hand towards you forearm and sort of cup the ball. This should provide a more stability. There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to improve your BB throw.

Sit-ups are fine and the pushups may be fine. Not too sure. I would definitely try to increase your pushup rep by 5 just to ensure that it is a pass.

I hope this helps.
 
Go to the USAFA website and you’ll find the average CFA scores listed by gender. You’ll know very quickly where you stand. Use that as your guide for improvement.

Can you improve dramatically in a month? Absolutely, if you’re willing to dedicate yourself and address sleep and diet as well as exercise. USAFA has given you a second chance. Many don’t get that. Make the most of it.
 
Any progress is possible as long as you are dedicated and consistent with your workout. Personally, I improved a lot over a two week span so you can definitely improve over a month.

I'm male, but my weakness was running and the mile SUCKS. However, you have to dig deep and fight the urge to slow down. The first time I ran my mile during my practice CFA, I got a 9:34.

To improve my mile, I ran on a treadmill every other day for two weeks straight. I ran half a mile at a 7 minute pace and then walked .1 mile. (the treadmill gives you a semi-accurate distance). I then repeated this 6 times. Once I finished repeating that 6 times, that was the end of my running for the day. I noticed that every day that I ran, I became less tired and had more endurance and stamina. I noticed improvement and on my official CFA I ran my mile at a 7:13. That's significant improvement over my original mile time. If I can do it, I am confident that you can. One thing I did to keep me from walking or slowing down was legit YELL at myself during my run. I would yell out loud "LETS GO. PUSH IT. LETS GO LETS GO." or "You want to go to Air Force running like this? PUSH IT". Motivation can only come from yourself. I found that yelling out loud and being verbal pushed me to go harder and farther.

For the shuttle run, you just need to practice it. I ran the shuttle run on the days where I wasn't doing my treadmill runs. I had my dad time me and I just ran the event. I got used to the transitions and I learned how to keep my momentum going during my turns. The worst mistake you can do during the shuttle run is lose your kinetic energy. This will slow you down and result in a higher time. There are videos on YouTube on specific techniques that I would reference.

Another area I think you can improve in is your BB throw. To get good at the BB throw you really just have to practice the movement. I play varsity water polo so throwing the BB from my knees wasn't too bad (during water polo we throw the ball just using our upper body). It is a similar concept for the BB throw. Make sure to use your core when you throw and snap forward at the waist. Another tip is to generate momentum before you throw. Move your arms around with the ball before you throw. "Pump throw" before you actually throw. The more energy and movement you have before you throw it, the more likely it is to go further. If you have trouble gripping the ball, I would bend your hand towards you forearm and sort of cup the ball. This should provide a more stability. There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to improve your BB throw.

Sit-ups are fine and the pushups may be fine. Not too sure. I would definitely try to increase your pushup rep by 5 just to ensure that it is a pass.

I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the advice! I thought about ending my application because I didn't think it was possible to improve that quickly, but I'm definitely not going to now. Definitely going to use your tips, they are really useful!
 
Any progress is possible as long as you are dedicated and consistent with your workout. Personally, I improved a lot over a two week span so you can definitely improve over a month.

I'm male, but my weakness was running and the mile SUCKS. However, you have to dig deep and fight the urge to slow down. The first time I ran my mile during my practice CFA, I got a 9:34.

To improve my mile, I ran on a treadmill every other day for two weeks straight. I ran half a mile at a 7 minute pace and then walked .1 mile. (the treadmill gives you a semi-accurate distance). I then repeated this 6 times. Once I finished repeating that 6 times, that was the end of my running for the day. I noticed that every day that I ran, I became less tired and had more endurance and stamina. I noticed improvement and on my official CFA I ran my mile at a 7:13. That's significant improvement over my original mile time. If I can do it, I am confident that you can. One thing I did to keep me from walking or slowing down was legit YELL at myself during my run. I would yell out loud "LETS GO. PUSH IT. LETS GO LETS GO." or "You want to go to Air Force running like this? PUSH IT". Motivation can only come from yourself. I found that yelling out loud and being verbal pushed me to go harder and farther.

For the shuttle run, you just need to practice it. I ran the shuttle run on the days where I wasn't doing my treadmill runs. I had my dad time me and I just ran the event. I got used to the transitions and I learned how to keep my momentum going during my turns. The worst mistake you can do during the shuttle run is lose your kinetic energy. This will slow you down and result in a higher time. There are videos on YouTube on specific techniques that I would reference.

Another area I think you can improve in is your BB throw. To get good at the BB throw you really just have to practice the movement. I play varsity water polo so throwing the BB from my knees wasn't too bad (during water polo we throw the ball just using our upper body). It is a similar concept for the BB throw. Make sure to use your core when you throw and snap forward at the waist. Another tip is to generate momentum before you throw. Move your arms around with the ball before you throw. "Pump throw" before you actually throw. The more energy and movement you have before you throw it, the more likely it is to go further. If you have trouble gripping the ball, I would bend your hand towards you forearm and sort of cup the ball. This should provide a more stability. There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to improve your BB throw.

Sit-ups are fine and the pushups may be fine. Not too sure. I would definitely try to increase your pushup rep by 5 just to ensure that it is a pass.

I hope this helps.
Nice job with the motivation there. I always yell at myself whenever I'm training too.
 
Keep working hard to get all your scores up but I agree with others that the run is probably what failed you.

Yes, you can get those scores up! In one month you should be able to add at least 5-10 push-ups/sit-ups, max the FAH, and drop a full minute or more off your mile.
 
Keep working hard to get all your scores up but I agree with others that the run is probably what failed you.

Yes, you can get those scores up! In one month you should be able to add at least 5-10 push-ups/sit-ups, max the FAH, and drop a full minute or more off your mile.
I would add that this is likely going to be a pretty painful month for you. But yes, it is definitely possible.
 
Good news is that BB throw and shuttle depend a lot on technique - so spend a little time searching here for tips on those and you should see some nice increases there. Also make sure you are taking the test on a good surface for the shuttle - gym floor is usually best, parking lots are not ideal ;)

That run is definitely the biggest problem. No way that's passing - a run time like that is a red flag that you won't be able to handle the physical demands of USAFA (especially given the additional high altitude challenge if you live somewhere lower). There are lots of great running programs out there to help you improve quick - pick one that will get you to your goal (I agree, get it below 8:30 at least) and stick to it. The next month is going to be pretty miserable, but getting those scores up is totally doable if you fully commit to it.
 
Good news is that BB throw and shuttle depend a lot on technique - so spend a little time searching here for tips on those and you should see some nice increases there. Also make sure you are taking the test on a good surface for the shuttle - gym floor is usually best, parking lots are not ideal ;)

That run is definitely the biggest problem. No way that's passing - a run time like that is a red flag that you won't be able to handle the physical demands of USAFA (especially given the additional high altitude challenge if you live somewhere lower). There are lots of great running programs out there to help you improve quick - pick one that will get you to your goal (I agree, get it below 8:30 at least) and stick to it. The next month is going to be pretty miserable, but getting those scores up is totally doable if you fully commit to it.
To go along, there is nothing saying that you need to keep you lunch down at the end. I can personally attest to this.
I am athletic (soccer) but I do not like running just to run. For the mile, I had a plan. Start off the first 300 meters strong. Not a sprint, but faster than is comfortable for a mile. Then coast. Don’t take you foot off the pedal, but just run. I had my administrator call out my lap times so I could see if I was on pace. That last lap, will test you both mentally and physically. It will be painful. It will hurt. At the end, you will be dead, but you will be done. And I mean puking is only a bonus to the pain.
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your helpful tips and encouragement! I plan to retake the CFA in about a week and my scores have all improved tremendously, particularly my mile run (today I ran an 8:36). I recently learned a technique for the shuttle run so that should improve too. My bb throw is usually about 35', so I think I made need to work a bit more on that one. However, I have been able to max or nearly max out sit-ups every time I try, and my push-ups have improved by around 10. It really is true that you can improve way more than you ever thought if you get yourself in a mental state of not giving up!
 
That's some massive improvement on your run! Just be sure you have literally nothing left at the end of the run and know you ran the absolute fastest you could. If you haven't taken a full test in a while, just remember you will be way more tired on that run than on practice runs without all the other events. BUT - now you know how fast you can do it, so push yourself to get there on test day.

For the basketball throw - one thing that helped me a lot that you could try is using a kids basketball or small medicine ball to practice. The advantage is that then you can focus on the throwing technique only, instead of dealing with trying to hold the massive basketball. Once you get the technique down, then switch back to the basketball. I found this helped me improve a lot - I have tiny hands and had a lot of trouble holding the ball. Taking that out of the equation for a bit was useful.
 
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