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Service Academy Applications include a fitness exam. What to DO and what to AVOID!
The United States Naval Academy (Annapolis), United States Military Academy (West Point), United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Poing), and United States Air Force Academy all use the same exam, the Candidate Fitness Assessment or CFA.
The United States Coast Guard Academy uses the Physical Fitness Exam, which is a different (shorter) exam. Do NOT make the mistake of thinking the Coast Guard takes fitness less seriously. All though most would say the fitness aspect is equal among the Academies, some might point out the strict bodyfat and fitness standards at USCGA might make it the MOST difficult. At Coast Guard Academy, there is a process/exam where you can be dismissed the first day!
The actual fitness events (push ups, sit ups, etc) and sequence of the exam can be found on the web and read on the fitness pages of this website. What is often misunderstood is the PROCESS. YOU are responsible for arranging and taking the exam on your own schedule. The most often instruction is this... you are told you can only submit the exam ONCE!
So the typical response to the above is the following. The applicant reads the requirements about WHO can proctor the exam (Military Officer, Fitnesss teacher at school, Coach, etc) and arranges a time to take the exam with a convenient and qualified person. Applicant takes the exam and submits the scores. Sounds pretty simple. While this may technically meet the requirements, does this sound like the way to optimize your exam?
We are talking about a fitness exam. Push ups, pull ups, running a mile or a mile and a half are among the exam items to be scored. If you were asked to do push-ups right now, how many do you think you could complete in 2 minutes? If you knew you were taking a push up exam in a month, do you think you could do more push ups later than you can do today? Of COURSE you could do more repetitions. Now here is the question that most people get wrong. Can you improve your SCORE?
Your gut response is OF COURSE you can improve your score, and the fact is that you MAY improve it, but that is not assured. There is a maximum for each event, beyond which you can score no higher. You should know these numbers.
Thirty years ago the system was a bit different. One tactic that was used in the past... Sit ups were scored 1 point for each sit up. There were certain people who would simply do an incredible number of sit ups in two minutes. They could get 120-150 points for the one event and then jog the mile run and still score "Outstanding", even though the run was poor.
So if you can already do the maximum push-ups, you CANNOT improve your score in a month. Also, you can/should save your energy in the exam and stop after you have achieved the max SCORE for an event.
I hope this helps. Next I'll write about how and when to submit your scores.
Good Luck! |
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Service Academy Fitness Blog So you understand the differences between the CFA and PFE?
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Besides the actual exam, there is the question of when to submit your scores for your Service Academy Fitness Exam.
A couple of logistical points.
The exam MUST be scored by a proctor with certain qualifications which are listed in the website. The short answer is that your Mom or your neighbor won't be keeping score. That means you will have to arrange a convenient time that matches you, your proctor, and the facilities.
You can only SUBMIT the scores one time. By submit, that means "send/mail" the score to the respective Academy or Academies. This point is often misunderstood.
Your application is not considered complete without this score.
Now what sometimes happens, and I mean every year, is that a student feels they can only take the test ONE TIME! This is not correct.
The next most common mistake is that they feel when they take the exam, that is it! They have to turn in that score. Again, not correct.
Finally, many students feel the only score that counts is the one that is recorded by the authorized Proctor. Well, it is the only one that the Academy will accept, but that doesn't include all uses for your scores.
First, you should practice as much as possible. 3-4 times a week at the end, but at least weekly with training on scheduled intervals to improve your run, push up, etc scores.
You need to practice the exact exam. Same rest periods, same place, everything. I'm not saying the only time you run is when taking this exam. Jog, run, do what you need to improve your time. Run FURTHER than required. I'm just saying to be careful not to build the parts without training the whole.
Second, KEEP RECORDS. Know the start date and your scores. Use your own watch. These are not official, but they will let you know where you need improvement and how far you have to go.
Third, arrange for a test date and at least one back-up with the appropriate Proctor. This way you won't feel rushed and as if you only had that one chance. Doesn't have to be the same Proctor, just two exams with two suitable Proctors.
Fourth, after the exam... DON'T STOP PRACTICING! There is a very low chance, but you may be asked to take the exam and re-submit your score. This would be most likely if you were close to getting an appointment and they were looking for just a few more points. Wouldn't it be terrible if your score got worse?
Last, if you start a workout program and keep good records, MAKE THE MOST OF IT! Often you will bring extra documents (Transcripts, SAT Scores, resume, ECA's, etc) to your NOMINATION INTERVIEW. Wouldn't it be a great addition to show your workout schedule to the Member Of Congress board? You can show how you workout, how your scores have improved, AND HOW YOU HAVE CONTINUED TO IMPROVE EVEN AFTER THE SCORES WERE SUBMITTED? How serious must you be to put in that kind of effort? SHOW, don't TELL!
So when to submit? Well, as soon as you are happy with the scores. Get some practice and then do it. If you need to improve, make it the last thing you submit (that is, if you are waiting for SAT's or transcripts, don't rush the fitness exam- your application isn't complete anyway).
Hope that answers what-when-and how.
Good Luck! |
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