Service Academy & CFA FAQ

Question 1

What is the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)?

Accepted Answer

The CFA is a standardized physical fitness test required for admission to West Point (USMA), the Naval Academy (USNA), the Air Force Academy (USAFA), and the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) uses a separate Physical Fitness Examination (PFE) — not the CFA. The test has six events, done in order in under 40 minutes: kneeling basketball throw, pull-ups (women who can't do one pull-up do the flexed-arm hang instead), shuttle run, abdominal crunches, push-ups, and a 1-mile run. Scores are evaluated as part of each academy's whole-person review.

Question 2

When should my child take the CFA?

Accepted Answer

Most candidates take the CFA in the spring of junior year or early in the fall of senior year. Testing in the spring leaves time to retake it if needed. It must be given by an approved administrator, who submits the scores to the academy (USNA emails the administrator an electronic score form).

Question 3

Who can administer the CFA?

Accepted Answer

For USNA, the administrator must be a high school or prep school PE teacher, a coach, a current JROTC instructor, an active-duty commissioned officer, a USNA Admissions staff member, or your Blue and Gold Officer. Family members may not administer it. You list your administrator in the USNA application, and USNA emails them an electronic form to submit the scores. Other academies publish their own lists, so check the academy's admissions instructions.

Question 4

Can my child retake the CFA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. USNA says candidates may take the CFA as many times as they like to improve their score, and it considers the best overall passing attempt. For each new official attempt, ask your USNA admissions counselor to send your administrator a new score-entry link. All six scores must come from one test session. Other academies set their own retake rules, so check with each one.

Question 5

What are competitive CFA scores?

Accepted Answer

USNA publishes the 100-point maximum for each event. Men: 102-ft basketball throw, 18 pull-ups, 7.8-sec shuttle run, 95 crunches, 75 push-ups, 5:20 mile. Women: 66 ft, 7 pull-ups, 8.6 sec, 95 crunches, 50 push-ups, 6:00 mile. Extra reps past the maximum earn no extra points, so candidates should stop there. For context, USNA's Class of 2030 averaged (men / women): 68 / 42 ft, 13 / 4 pull-ups, 8.8 / 9.6 sec, 75 / 73 crunches, 61 / 39 push-ups, and 6:37 / 7:29 in the mile. Our coaching targets sit between the average and the maximum. See our CFA page for the full table.

Question 6

How is the CFA scored?

Accepted Answer

Each event's raw result is converted to a 0–100 scale score. USNA requires every candidate to pass the CFA. USNA does not publish its passing cutoffs on its website, so ask USNA Admissions or your Blue and Gold Officer for the current standard. Passing isn't the goal, though: USNA moves a candidate's Whole Person Multiple up by as much as 5% for a maximum CFA score, or down by as much as 5% for a minimum passing score. Other academies set their own policies, so check with each one. Balance across all six events matters.

Question 7

Do all five service academies require the CFA?

Accepted Answer

No. The Candidate Fitness Assessment is required by West Point (USMA), the Naval Academy (USNA), the Air Force Academy (USAFA), and the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) requires its own Physical Fitness Examination (PFE) instead — the CFA cannot substitute for the USCGA PFE. While each of the four CFA academies may have slightly different scoring benchmarks, the six-event test format is consistent across all of them.

Question 8

Are CFA scoring standards different for each academy?

Accepted Answer

The test procedures and the 100-point maximums come from the shared Service Academies' CFA. How each academy weighs the result is up to that academy. USNA, for example, adjusts the Whole Person Multiple by up to 5% either way based on CFA performance. We train candidates to the highest standard so their scores hold up at every academy they're targeting.

Question 9

What GPA and test scores do service academies look for?

Accepted Answer

Competitive candidates typically have a GPA of 3.8 or higher (unweighted) and SAT scores of 1300+ or ACT scores of 29+. That said, the CFA is one component of a multi-factor review. We focus exclusively on CFA preparation — for academic and admissions strategy, we recommend working with a dedicated service academy admissions counselor.

Question 10

What is the "whole-person score"?

Accepted Answer

Service academies evaluate candidates on a whole-person score that combines academic performance, leadership potential, physical fitness (CFA), and character. The CFA is one important piece of that picture. We help candidates maximize their CFA component — the physical fitness portion of the whole-person review.

Question 11

Do you help with nominations, DoDMERB, or the application itself?

Accepted Answer

No — we specialize exclusively in CFA preparation and physical fitness training. For nominations, DoDMERB, application essays, and full admissions strategy, we recommend working with a dedicated service academy admissions counselor. We're happy to refer you to resources that can help with those components.

Question 12

When should my child start the admissions process?

Accepted Answer

For CFA prep specifically, we recommend starting 6–12 months before the planned test date. The earlier the better — the CFA requires progressive physical training that can't be rushed. For the broader admissions process (nominations, applications, etc.), that's best handled by a service academy admissions counselor who can map out the full timeline.

Question 13

How long does it take to prepare for the CFA?

Accepted Answer

Most candidates need 3–6 months of structured, progressive training to reach competitive CFA scores. Athletes who are already fit may need less time, but event-specific preparation is still essential — the CFA tests specific movements (basketball throw, shuttle run) that most athletes haven't trained for. Starting 6–12 months out gives the most flexibility.

Question 14

My child is already a varsity athlete. Do they still need CFA prep?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Being generally athletic helps, but the CFA tests specific events that most sports don't train directly. The basketball throw requires rotational power and technique. The shuttle run requires agility and change-of-direction speed. Pull-up standards are demanding even for strong athletes. Targeted preparation consistently produces higher scores than general fitness alone.

Question 15

What does a CFA training program look like?

Accepted Answer

An effective CFA training program is structured in phases: a foundation phase building base strength and endurance (weeks 1–4), a development phase increasing volume and intensity (weeks 5–8), and a peak phase simulating CFA conditions and refining technique (weeks 9–12). Training should address all six events specifically, not just general fitness. Our blog has detailed training guides for each event.

Question 16

Are there specific training tips for the basketball throw?

Accepted Answer

The basketball throw is often the most overlooked event, and it's where candidates leave the most points on the table. It's thrown from both knees, so you can't step into it. Power comes from trunk rotation and the shoulder. Key factors: rotation from the hips and core, not just arm strength; a good release angle (roughly 45 degrees); and regular practice from the kneeling position with a regulation men's basketball.

Question 17

How do I know if my child's CFA scores are competitive?

Accepted Answer

Book a free strategy call and we'll assess your child's current fitness level against the competitive benchmarks for their target academy and give you a clear picture of where they stand.

Question 18

What does a free strategy call include?

Accepted Answer

A free 30-minute call with a CFA coach. We'll assess your child's current fitness across the six events, review the CFA requirements for their target academy, identify the events that need the most work, and give you a clear training plan. No sales pressure and no obligation.

Question 19

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with candidates at all stages — 9th graders building a long-term plan, juniors beginning the formal application process, seniors preparing for the CFA, and reapplicants strengthening a second application. We also work with parents who want to understand the process and support their child effectively.

Question 20

What academies do you specialize in?

Accepted Answer

We work with candidates targeting all five U.S. service academies: West Point (USMA), the Naval Academy (USNA), the Air Force Academy (USAFA), the Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), and the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Our CFA coaching programs are specifically designed for the four academies that require the CFA.

Question 21

How is CandidateFitnessAssessment.com connected to Platoon Fitness?

Accepted Answer

CandidateFitnessAssessment.com is operated by the team at Platoon Fitness, a fitness and performance coaching organization with deep expertise in military fitness standards. We specialize exclusively in CFA preparation — event-specific training, scoring benchmarks, and structured programs. We do not provide admissions consulting, nomination guidance, or DoDMERB support. You can reach us at info@PlatoonFitness.com or call or text us at (215) 752-8666.

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