OPA Calculation - USAFA

DomerDad

DomerDad

Proud Dad of a USAFA 2026 DD
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How is OPA calculated? According to usafa.edu, "Overall Performance Average. Determines graduation order of merit. OPA is the weighted combination of 60% GPA, 30% MPA and 10% PEA (Physical Education Average)". GPA is straightforward, but how are MPA and PEA determined? There is an app that shows how AFT and PFT scores are determined. It looks like PEA is 50% PFT, 35% Phys Ed and 15% AFT... but how are PFT & AFT scores converted from a 500 score scale to a 4.0 GPA scale? How is MPA calculated? Is MPA calculated on a 500-point scale Like AFT and PFT or on a 4.0 scale, like GPA?
 
I'm still learning, but DS said he got a 98 on SAMI today which was 4.0. So I'm assuming the MPA is on 4.0 scale.

I'm assuming there is a way to convert AFT and PFT to 4.0 scale as well but I don't know the process.
 
Overall, probably not something you need to really worry about, but if you wish to satisfy your curiosity. . .

First, the usafa.edu page appears to be out of date. The current weight for GPA, MPA, and PEA in the calculation of OPA are 50%, 40%, and 10%, respectively.
- Source: 2022-2023 Course of Instruction Handbook - pg. 47

Second, the MPA system is. . . complex. It is laid out in USAFA Instruction 36-2401 Military Performance Appraisal. The table you probably care most about is on pg 41, but it'll be to understand on its own. You might venture to read the 40 preceding pages and I'm sure that will raise more questions.

Finally, the PFT/AFT conversions appear to be the most elusive, but must exist somewhere. The best I can tell you is that the breakdown of PEA into 50% PFT, 35% Phys Ed and 15% AFT is correct, per the COI handbook I linked earlier.
 
AFrpaso said:
Overall, probably not something you need to really worry about, but if you wish to satisfy your curiosity. . .

First, the usafa.edu page appears to be out of date. The current weight for GPA, MPA, and PEA in the calculation of OPA are 50%, 40%, and 10%, respectively.
- Source: 2022-2023 Course of Instruction Handbook - pg. 47

Second, the MPA system is. . . complex. It is laid out in USAFA Instruction 36-2401 Military Performance Appraisal. The table you probably care most about is on pg 41, but it'll be to understand on its own. You might venture to read the 40 preceding pages and I'm sure that will raise more questions.

Finally, the PFT/AFT conversions appear to be the most elusive, but must exist somewhere. The best I can tell you is that the breakdown of PEA into 50% PFT, 35% Phys Ed and 15% AFT is correct, per the COI handbook I linked earlier.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the helpful info. I am curious about how these things work.
 
Momto5 said:
I'm still learning, but DS said he got a 98 on SAMI today which was 4.0. So I'm assuming the MPA is on 4.0 scale.

I'm assuming there is a way to convert AFT and PFT to 4.0 scale as well but I don't know the process.
Click to expand...
I don’t know all the conversions, but 500 is 4.0 (aft-7:45)
and 400 is 3.0 ( aft- 9:22)
 
MPA is calculated like GPA. Throughout the semester we have Commissioning Education Quizzes, AMI's, SAMI's, PAI's, and stratifications (rankings). These all factor into your MPA, which is calculated on a 4.0 scale. As for the AFT and PFT, you score points based on how well you do. Your points then convert to a 4.0 scale based on these benchmarks: <200 = 0, 200-225 = 1.0, 226-249 = 1.7, 250-290 = 2.0, 291-330 = 2.3, 331-370 = 2.5, 371-399 = 2.7, 400-425 = 3.0, 426-450 = 3.3, 451-475 = 3.7, and 476-500 = 4.0
 
USAFA_86 said:
MPA is calculated like GPA. Throughout the semester we have Commissioning Education Quizzes, AMI's, SAMI's, PAI's, and stratifications (rankings). These all factor into your MPA, which is calculated on a 4.0 scale. As for the AFT and PFT, you score points based on how well you do. Your points then convert to a 4.0 scale based on these benchmarks: <200 = 0, 200-225 = 1.0, 226-249 = 1.7, 250-290 = 2.0, 291-330 = 2.3, 331-370 = 2.5, 371-399 = 2.7, 400-425 = 3.0, 426-450 = 3.3, 451-475 = 3.7, and 476-500 = 4.0
Click to expand...
This is super helpful. Thank you!
 
Cooperate and Graduate

2-oh and go

If the min wasn’t good enough it wouldn’t be the min

These are the key benchmarks for cadets
 
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