PT requirements to apply

[acecreator71]

To apply to the USCGA, is there a minimum PT requirement? I understand they will need to complete the pushups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile, but is there a minimum score they will have to achieve in order to accept their application? Or is the overall score evaluated and taken into consideration along with everything else? I see the chart where their number is given a score, but my daughter is struggling very much with the pushups. Just trying to see if she doesn't complete very many, how bad that will effect her overall application. Her 1.5 mile is very good and sit-ups are average. Thank you.

 

[CGQMforlife]

There is no minimum score that I’m aware of. Max push ups is 60. Be aware the the push ups are required to be done at a cadence. The cadence is available on the USCGA website. My son is a current 4th class cadet who was able to improve his push-ups from 40 in August last year to 60 by the time he took the CFA in October. Keep working at it and you will get better

 

[Capt MJ]

Point your daughter to the Stew Smith website and his YouTube videos on all things related to the test elements. He is a former SEAL, USNA grad, and now a fitness professional.

 

[PapiBear]

While probably none of us can speak authoritatively about how the scores factor in to the admissions equation, there are actually some minimum thresholds for the PFE. If memory serves for example, I believe you have to score 130 or greater at the beginning of swab summer to stick around, and above a 160 or 165 to avoid remedial physical training… and it takes a required PFE score of 200 (a “C” grade) to graduate.

if those aren’t the exact numbers they are pretty darn close, hopefully that helps provide the background context you were seeking for planning and expectations purposes.

 

[shiner]

@PalmTreeBreeze - per the PFE instruction manual "There is not a prescribed minimum performance for each individual event on the PFE; only total scores are assessed."

Doing poorly in one area just means you need to be extraordinary in the other areas. Failing the fitness assessment is a barrier to entry. As pointed out by @PapiBear, there are scoring thresholds that the Academy takes seriously - serious enough to fail out of the school for. Just like GPA and military performance average, the Fitness performance scores have equal bearing and people are dismissed from the school for failing to score in the required range. In general, should a student make it into the school and then perform poorly on the physical fitness exam(s), there is typically a probationary period prior to disenrollment, but trust that they take the test seriously.

Plenty of people pass the assessments. This is not a "whole person concept" kind of discussion - pass or fail. There is no gray area in this case.

 

[ProudMom7]

There is no minimum score that I’m aware of. Max push ups is 60. Be aware the the push ups are required to be done at a cadence. The cadence is available on the USCGA website. My son is a current 4th class cadet who was able to improve his push-ups from 40 in August last year to 60 by the time he took the CFA in October. Keep working at it and you will get better

For females, the max for push-ups is 48.

 

[StPaulDad]

One good thing about the CFA is that you can move your numbers through simple work, unlike, say, raising three years of aggregated indifferent grades. So start working now through any program you like. In your final tune-up for your official CFA you'll want to learn the cadenced pushups, but get to 25 before you start to sweat the style, just like running 1.5 miles without stopping is a first goal before worrying too much about time. Get going, don't skip days, be diligent about full effort and the results will come.

 

[UXO2020s]

To apply to the USCGA, is there a minimum PT requirement? I understand they will need to complete the pushups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile, but is there a minimum score they will have to achieve in order to accept their application? Or is the overall score evaluated and taken into consideration along with everything else? I see the chart where their number is given a score, but my daughter is struggling very much with the pushups. Just trying to see if she doesn't complete very many, how bad that will effect her overall application. Her 1.5 mile is very good and sit-ups are average. Thank you.

Asking about a minimum requirement might miss the mark just a bit. Candidates to USCGA or other SAs generally are not routinely receiving appointments with minimum scores - not that it doesn't happen. With two months left before even the EA period closes, there is plenty of time for improvement. Your daughter should aim for a minimum score of 220, but a 280 would be much better.

 

[Impulsive]

While probably none of us can speak authoritatively about how the scores factor in to the admissions equation, there are actually some minimum thresholds for the PFE. If memory serves for example, I believe you have to score 130 or greater at the beginning of swab summer to stick around, and above a 160 or 165 to avoid remedial physical training… and it takes a required PFE score of 200 (a “C” grade) to graduate.

if those aren’t the exact numbers they are pretty darn close, hopefully that helps provide the background context you were seeking for planning and expectations purposes.

I think you are "in the ballpark" as far as the numbers go. Back in 2019, they wouldn't even look at your application without a 165 on the PFE, but in reality you were not a good candidate for admission without around a 220. Our son scored a 205 and was told "not good enough", get it up. He ran out of time to get it up and never received an appointment. To be safe, IMHO score around a 200 for females and 220 for males to be really considered. If @Objee is around, he will have a better answer..

 

[OHunts]

To apply to the USCGA, is there a minimum PT requirement? I understand they will need to complete the pushups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile, but is there a minimum score they will have to achieve in order to accept their application? Or is the overall score evaluated and taken into consideration along with everything else? I see the chart where their number is given a score, but my daughter is struggling very much with the pushups. Just trying to see if she doesn't complete very many, how bad that will effect her overall application. Her 1.5 mile is very good and sit-ups are average. Thank you.

My PFE in the beginning of Swab Summer was just below a 200 but it rose to over 220 for the beginning of the 4/C fall semester. I’d say shoot for higher than that, given she’s accepted. I don’t remember what I had on my application, but it should be at least a 165. During Swab Summer, I wasn’t falling out on runs and could hold my own just fine, but there’s a high expectation for athletics there. She doesn’t want to be the weakest link! I feel as though I was prepared, and I stand by that. Before she’s accepted and is leaving for R-Day, tell her to learn how to enjoy push-ups, and she’ll be more than ready. For my platoon, IT sessions seemed to favor push-ups and static holds more than any other exercise.

If she’s a well-rounded applicant, don’t worry about maxing everything out. Yeah, it’d help, but there’s a reason you get a star on your uniform for scoring a 270 on the PFE… because it’s difficult.