Physical Fitness at West Point

Duty Honesty and Respect

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Dec 9, 2011
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Morning all!

Is the APFT the only physical fitness test taken at West Point?
Also, does West Point have its own maximum for the APFT?
If so or if not, what are they?
 
As for maxing, West Point has the same "maxes", but getting a 300 is still only an A- (seriously). To get above a 300 you must max ALL three events, then you can start accumulating points up to a supermax of 375.
 
What are the passing low marks?

The lowest mark that you can have total (and still be considered passing) is a 230 total (which is a D grade physically). However, if you are below a 70 in any of the three events, you are considered deficient.

Nonetheless, every company has their own set standards that you must make. For instance, my company standard was 270 and if you could not make that mark, then you had to wake up 3 times a week at 0500 to work out in the gym until you could reach the standard.
 
What are the passing low marks?

You really do not want to go there.... :smile:

Cadets need decent APFT's to balance the sucky DPE grading in boxing / combatives & mil movement.

We know of cadets who were varsity athletes in HS that are on probation/ penalty box over APFT or mil movement. DPE is just tough!

For a plebe the average of your APFT scores is roughly 5% of your Cadet Performance Score (rank), with your graded DPE classes another 5%.
 
You really do not want to go there.... :smile:

Cadets need decent APFT's to balance the sucky DPE grading in boxing / combatives & mil movement.

We know of cadets who were varsity athletes in HS that are on probation/ penalty box over APFT or mil movement. DPE is just tough!

For a plebe the average of your APFT scores is roughly 5% of your Cadet Performance Score (rank), with your graded DPE classes another 5%.

Really? wow! what percent of plebes don't pass the required DPE courses?
 
Really? wow! what percent of plebes don't pass the required DPE courses?

Don't have a percentage, but mil movement seems to be the killer. Boxing is just hard to make decent grades in. DS's experience was that Loser gets a C+, winner gets a B-, if they both do everything right. And you can do worse.

I know of multiple plebes at risk of separation due to mil movement. You get two shots in the year at passing, then (apparently) a shot in the summer. If still no pass, you are separated.

More who did not get to take leave due to not being in good standing over mil movement.

DS came within a few points of supermaxing the APFT this semester, yet only made a B- in mil movement, which he thought would be a breeze compared to boxing. And fought hard for that!!!

I've not seen it in writing, but have been told that DPE has a different grading scale than the academics as well. Something is up for sure!

Similar for APFT. I know one plebe separated last summer over APFT, and two at risk this year. Just in DS's circle of acquaintances (company or sports) or those in our parents club.

The only saving grace for your CPS (cadet performance score) is that the individual academic, military, and physical averages are normalized statistically. So for many their adjusted average is higher than the raw average once std deviation is applied.

Don't mean to sound scary, it's just reality at USMA. If you are not fit you will be significantly challenged. And will get way more help than you can ever imagine!!!
 
Don't have a percentage, but mil movement seems to be the killer. Boxing is just hard to make decent grades in. DS's experience was that Loser gets a C+, winner gets a B-, if they both do everything right. And you can do worse.

I know of multiple plebes at risk of separation due to mil movement. You get two shots in the year at passing, then (apparently) a shot in the summer. If still no pass, you are separated.

More who did not get to take leave due to not being in good standing over mil movement.

DS came within a few points of supermaxing the APFT this semester, yet only made a B- in mil movement, which he thought would be a breeze compared to boxing. And fought hard for that!!!

I've not seen it in writing, but have been told that DPE has a different grading scale than the academics as well. Something is up for sure!

Similar for APFT. I know one plebe separated last summer over APFT, and two at risk this year. Just in DS's circle of acquaintances (company or sports) or those in our parents club.

The only saving grace for your CPS (cadet performance score) is that the individual academic, military, and physical averages are normalized statistically. So for many their adjusted average is higher than the raw average once std deviation is applied.

Don't mean to sound scary, it's just reality at USMA. If you are not fit you will be significantly challenged. And will get way more help than you can ever imagine!!!

What's the big killer in the APFT? the run? I just can't imagine 15:56 being ridiculously difficult to reach...
 
What's the big killer in the APFT? the run? I just can't imagine 15:56 being ridiculously difficult to reach...

Could be any of the three as a below minimum score in any event is a fail.

The run is hard on some stocky/muscle types. There are provisions for alternate APFT's for certain corps squad positions, but not for rank & file

No clear pattern on the females I know.

Mil movement is apparently hard on the girls just due to body strength on the shelf and traverses. (and some very dense guys)

To be clear, most cadets turn in decent APFT scores, the average is quite high. Which is why I say you really don't want to be near the minimums. :smile:
 
People also tend to forget that not only do you need to pass the IOCT as a cow for graduation requirement, but you have to pass it plebe year in order to pass Military Movement Class.

Don't let anyone scare you, it's fun. :)


Also-- I know a few plebes who got separated this year due to physical failure (APFT, military movement). Best way to work on pushups/situps/running? Do pushups, do situps, and run. I would not recommend scraping by with the minimum. The PFTs don't have to be a challenge for you at the academy, if you're willing to put up an effort to be in decent physical shape. One less thing to worry about if you ensure you're well above the minimums! As for mil movement... just go in with a good attitude and a willingness to accept that maybe you won't get everything on the first try. Come in, practice, and retest anything and everything you can.
 
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