Is the CFA REALLY Pass/Fail?

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OrangeFamily

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Is the USNA CFA really pass/fail? I already have a passing score on the USNA CFA, and it’s got a green box around it in my portal. I am retaking the CFA for another Service Academy.

Is it worth submitting an updated score to USNA if my overall score improves? Ie., if I’ve already passed, does having improved performance in 3 events make a difference, especially if my updated performance is worse on 2 events (push-ups and 1 mile run time, both of which were excellent on my first CFA, but I’ve been focused on training for the other events)?

I‘ve already passed, I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot by putting up 10 fewer push-ups or a 1 minute slower 1 mile run.
 
If Im not mistaken, they will just take your best scores, so it shouldn't hurt. Although, don't quote me on this. Please wait for confirmation or correction from another more knowledgable member.
 
Pluto said:
If Im not mistaken, they will just take your best scores, so it shouldn't hurt.
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No! The CFA is not superscored like the SAT/ACT. Your one submission — and its individual components — is your score. You can only submit another CFA if USNA explicitly requests/allows it.

(Please, unless you’ve already been through a complete admissions cycle — as a candidate or a parent — refrain from guessing. It sows misinformation among people who are already unsure about the process.)
 
MidCakePa said:
No! The CFA is not superscored like the SAT/ACT. Your one submission — and its individual components — is your score. You can only submit another CFA if USNA explicitly requests/allows it.

(Please, unless you’ve already been through a complete admissions cycle — as a candidate or a parent — refrain from guessing. It sows misinformation among people who are already unsure about the process.)
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I was not implying they superscore, rather take the better set of scores.
 
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MidCakePa said:
No! The CFA is not superscored like the SAT/ACT. Your one submission — and its individual components — is your score. You can only submit another CFA if USNA explicitly requests/allows it.

(Please, unless you’ve already been through a complete admissions cycle — as a candidate or a parent — refrain from guessing. It sows misinformation among people who are already unsure about the process.)
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Also, I would like to say for my own sake, that I had not guessed. Rather it was a recitation of memory from correspondences with my BGO and admissions counselor.

What I was unsure of was if they take the better set or purely the new set, regardless of its strength compared to the old one as A1Janitor suggests.
 
Pluto said:
Also, I would like to say for my own sake, that I had not guessed. Rather it was a recitation of memory from correspondences with my BGO and admissions counselor.

What I was unsure of was if they take the better set or purely the new set, regardless of its strength compared to the old one as A1Janitor suggests.
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That’s why I didn’t answer the OP. I wasn’t sure either.

Your first post came across like you were sure. :)
 
That is a personal choice! It’s good to think about in the overall performance picture, imo. If you request to resubmit, that will be your new performance. IOW, the CFA isn’t ‘superscored’.

I would advise my own to only resubmit if he/she had a poor ‘passing’ test, but has had significant improvement since.
 
justdoit19 said:
That is a personal choice! It’s good to think about in the overall performance picture, imo. If you request to resubmit, that will be your new performance. IOW, the CFA isn’t ‘superscored’.

I would advise my own to only resubmit if he/she had a poor ‘passing’ test, but has had significant improvement since.
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Thank you justdoit19, that is actually the crux of my question…. If the CFA is REALLY a pass/fail basis, that seems to imply that a pass or say 75% is just as good as a passing grade of 90%. If it’s really pass/fail, then the 75% is just as good. If it’s “pass and have a good score,” then clearly the 90% would be preferred. That’s what I don’t understand.
 
OrangeFamily said:
Thank you justdoit19, that is actually the crux of my question…. If the CFA is REALLY a pass/fail basis, that seems to imply that a pass or say 75% is just as good as a passing grade of 90%. If it’s really pass/fail, then the 75% is just as good. If it’s “pass and have a good score,” then clearly the 90% would be preferred. That’s what I don’t understand.
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It is pass fail … but is a small part of the whole candidate score.

So a better score will add a little but won’t add much, as CFA is a small part compared to academics, etc. Search the site - you will find discussion.
 
Based on BGO training and discussion, a higher CFA score can help-but it may not make up for other measured areas that are not strong. My advice: if you can improve your CFA, why not submit it? And yes no super scoring is done. I was writing this as A1Janitor posted a similar response.
 
In the past the most RECENT CFA score replaced any previous one. This was at least under the old Candidate and Admissions Information System. To be frank, I don’t know how many BGOs on here know how Salesforce (new Candidate, Admissions, and Blue and Gold Officer Information System) works. However, the latest published guidance is what I put in the first sentence. So unless you know all of your scores will be better OR that some test element scores are likely to be very much better and a few at/about your previous ones, I wouldn’t recommend re-testing. Again, you also need to factor the CFA is a rolling test…just because you can do the fourth testing element to a certain standard by its own, doesn’t necessarily mean you will perform the same during the test environment…you need to account for fatigue as you progress through the CFA testing elements.

As a general rule, the CFA is pass/fail, but if your performance is superior or barely passing…that could either help a bit or hurt. More emphasis will be placed on the CFA if your record indicates a lack of sports/athletics, conversely, if you are a three sport athlete with a lot of accomplishments, it’ll probably mean less, since there is demonstrated physical performance. As said above, a great CFA isn’t likely to be a difference maker…it might help Admissions for someone who doesn’t have a record of athletics…to make sure they are up to standards.
 
usnabgo08 said:
In the past the most RECENT CFA score replaced any previous one. This was at least under the old Candidate and Admissions Information System. To be frank, I don’t know how many BGOs on here know how Salesforce (new Candidate, Admissions, and Blue and Gold Officer Information System) works. However, the latest published guidance is what I put in the first sentence. So unless you know all of your scores will be better OR that some test element scores are likely to be very much better and a few at/about your previous ones, I wouldn’t recommend re-testing. Again, you also need to factor the CFA is a rolling test…just because you can do the fourth testing element to a certain standard by its own, doesn’t necessarily mean you will perform the same during the test environment…you need to account for fatigue as you progress through the CFA testing elements.

As a general rule, the CFA is pass/fail, but if your performance is superior or barely passing…that could either help a bit or hurt. More emphasis will be placed on the CFA if your record indicates a lack of sports/athletics, conversely, if you are a three sport athlete with a lot of accomplishments, it’ll probably mean less, since there is demonstrated physical performance. As said above, a great CFA isn’t likely to be a difference maker…it might help Admissions for someone who doesn’t have a record of athletics…to make sure they are up to standards.
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This is really good. And a great example of how it’s an individualized situation/choice.

USNA admissions looks at the whole candidate. In totality. You may or may not have attributes including, or not including, a great CFA. There could be something about YOU that admissions likes. Where a lesser CFA may not matter. Or? It could be that another desirable candidate has a stellar CFA, which *could* be a tipping point.

There isn’t a single, objective, one size fits all formula. Or answer. Have you spoken with your own BGO for their opinion if your stats? That may be helpful to make your decision.

I’m of the opinion, leave nothing on the table. Do your best. If you have significant improvement….retake. If you don’t possess overall improvement? I personally wouldn’t risk a ‘worse’ score.

Technically it’s pass/fail. But barely passing, vs doing quite well….when competing against others….could very well matter.

Both of my guys did it once. They were 4-year varsity, 3 sport athletes. Their fitness was not an issue.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that YOU have to be satisfied with all elements of your application. You don’t want to ‘always wonder’ if doing xxx would have gained you an appointment. But rather know that you did your very best. Couldn’t do any better.

Good luck to you!!
 
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