Army ROTC Fitness Test: PFA and AFT Explained

Most families assume there is one Army ROTC fitness test. There are actually two, and they measure different things at different stages of the process.

The first is the Physical Fitness Assessment, or PFA. It has three events, your student takes it while still in high school, and it feeds directly into the scholarship selection board score. The second is the Army Fitness Test, or AFT. It has five events, your student takes it after enrolling in ROTC, and it determines whether the scholarship continues.

Getting the two tests confused, or preparing for the wrong one at the wrong time, is one of the most common mistakes families make. This page explains both tests in detail, shows you how each one is scored, and lays out a training timeline that moves from the PFA through to the AFT.

Here is the short version:

• The PFA (push-ups, sit-ups, one-mile run) is part of the scholarship application. It is worth 150 of 1,400 Whole Person Score points.
• The AFT (five events including deadlift, sprint-drag-carry, and a two-mile run) replaced the ACFT on June 1, 2025. Your student takes it after enrollment.
• There is no published pass/fail minimum on the PFA, but scores feed directly into a competitive board score.
• The AFT has a clear minimum: 300 total (60 per event) for the General standard, 350 total for Combat MOS.
• A new Combat Field Test with seven events is coming for combat branches. Diagnostic testing begins April 2026, with for-record testing starting April 2027.

Two Tests, One Goal: How Army ROTC Fitness Requirements Work

The PFA is a three-event test that your student completes before submitting the scholarship application. It covers push-ups, modified sit-ups, and a one-mile run. A non-related adult proctors the test, and the results are submitted to Cadet Command as part of the completed scholarship packet.

The AFT is a five-event test that replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) on June 1, 2025. It adds a deadlift, a sprint-drag-carry lane, and doubles the running distance to two miles. Cadets take the AFT after enrollment, and their scores determine whether they remain in good standing on the scholarship.

Per GoArmy.com, applicants must “pass the PFA” during the application process, then “pass the AFT upon contract completion.” Despite the word “pass,” the PFA has no published minimum score. The AFT does.

Here is a side-by-side comparison:

What Is the Scholarship PFA?

The PFA is the fitness test your student takes at home, at school, or at a gym before submitting the Army ROTC scholarship application. It has three timed events, performed in order: push-ups for one minute, modified sit-ups for one minute, and a one-mile run. The execution standards come from USACC Form 145-1-1 (June 2025).

Push-Ups (1 Minute)

Your student starts in the front-leaning rest position with arms fully extended, hands placed shoulder-width apart. On the command “Go,” they lower the body until the upper arms are at least parallel to the ground, then push back up to full arm extension. That counts as one repetition. The body must remain in a generally straight line from head to heels throughout. Resting is permitted only in the up position. If the knees touch the ground or the form breaks, the proctor stops counting until the student returns to a correct position.

Modified Sit-Ups (1 Minute)

The student lies on their back with knees bent at approximately 90 degrees, feet flat on the floor, and arms folded across the chest. A partner holds the feet. On “Go,” the student raises the upper body until the forearms or elbows touch the upper thighs, then lowers back until the shoulder blades touch the ground. The arms must stay folded across the chest for the entire repetition. No arching the back or lifting the buttocks off the ground.

1-Mile Run

The student runs one mile on a flat, measured course. Treadmills are not permitted. Indoor tracks are acceptable if the distance is accurately measured. The proctor records the finish time to the nearest second.

A non-related adult must proctor the PFA. Cadet Command recommends a JROTC instructor, PE teacher, or coach. A parent cannot serve as the proctor. Results are submitted through the online application portal or by email to ROTCScholarships@army.mil, per USACC Form 145-1-1.

How Does the PFA Score in the Scholarship Application?

The PFA is worth 150 of 1,400 total Whole Person Score (WPS) points. That is 10.7 percent of the overall score the selection board uses to rank applicants.

Here is the full WPS breakdown, per USACC Pamphlet 145-1 Table 2-2-1:

At 10.7 percent, the PFA carries less weight than the board evaluation, academics, or the interview. But it has one distinct advantage: it is the fastest-improving category in the entire WPS. A student who commits to 8 to 12 weeks of consistent training can see meaningful score gains, while improving GPA or standardized test scores typically requires semesters of sustained work.

The practical takeaway is straightforward. The PFA will not win a scholarship on its own, but a weak PFA score in a competitive cycle can cost one.

What Competitive PFA Scores Look Like

Because Cadet Command does not publish official PFA minimums, families have to look at what established programs recommend. The University of North Georgia, one of the six Senior Military Colleges, publishes the following targets for incoming scholarship applicants:

These are aspirational targets from one program, not Army-wide official minimums. Other programs may set their own internal benchmarks. But these numbers give your student a concrete goal to train toward, and a score at or above these levels positions the PFA as a strength in the packet rather than a drag on the overall WPS.

Context matters. In the 2025-2026 cycle, 2,326 winners emerged from 3,959 applicants, a 58.8 percent win rate. That means more than 40 percent of applicants did not win. When the board is comparing two otherwise similar files, the student with 55 push-ups and a 6:15 mile is going to edge out the student with 30 push-ups and an 8:00 mile.

The Cadet AFT: Five Events Your Student Will Face After Enrollment

The Army Fitness Test replaced the ACFT on June 1, 2025. It is a five-event test scored on a 500-point scale, with a maximum of 100 points per event. This is the Army ROTC fitness test your student will take each semester as an enrolled cadet.

The standing power throw, which was part of the original ACFT, was removed based on a RAND Corporation analysis that identified elevated injury risk and limited diagnostic value. The five events that remain are described below.

3-Rep Max Deadlift (MDL)

The cadet lifts a hex bar loaded to the appropriate weight for three repetitions. This event measures lower-body and grip strength. The weight starts at a baseline and increases in set increments. Proper form requires a flat back, neutral head position, and full hip and knee extension at the top of each rep.

Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)

The cadet performs as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes. At the bottom of each rep, the cadet lowers completely to the ground and lifts both hands into a T-position before pushing back up. This is different from a standard push-up and requires practice.

Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)

This is a 250-meter shuttle combining five 50-meter segments: sprint, sled drag (90-pound sled), lateral shuffle, two-kettlebell carry (40-pound kettlebells), and a final sprint. The event tests anaerobic capacity and functional strength. It is timed.

Plank (PLK)

The cadet holds a forearm plank for as long as possible. Scoring is based on hold time. The body must form a straight line from head to heels, and the hips cannot sag or pike. This event replaced the leg tuck from the original ACFT.

Two-Mile Run (2MR)

The cadet runs two miles on a measured outdoor course. This event is the primary test of aerobic endurance and typically accounts for the widest scoring range among cadets.

AFT Scoring: General Standard vs. Combat MOS Standard

The AFT uses two scoring tiers. Every cadet must meet the General standard. Cadets pursuing a Combat MOS must meet a higher threshold.

The per-event minimum of 60 is non-negotiable under both standards. A cadet who scores 95 on four events and 55 on one event fails the entire test. Maxing one event cannot compensate for failing another.

The 21 Combat MOSs include Infantry, Armor, Field Artillery, Combat Engineer, and other branches that involve direct ground combat. The full list is maintained by Cadet Command and can change with Army force structure decisions.

The Combat Field Test: What Is Coming for Combat Branches

The Army is introducing a third fitness assessment: the Combat Field Test, or CFT. This test is separate from the AFT and applies specifically to soldiers in 24 designated combat MOSs. It is a pass/fail test with a single standard that does not vary by age or sex.

The CFT consists of seven events completed in 30 minutes, performed in the Army Combat Uniform and combat boots:

The timeline for implementation is phased. Diagnostic testing begins in April 2026, meaning units will administer the test but results will not count against soldiers. For-record testing, where results carry consequences, starts in April 2027.

The CFT is designed to replicate the physical demands of close combat. The combination of two timed runs, loaded carries, and ground-based movements in full gear creates a test that looks nothing like the AFT. The uniform and boot requirement alone changes the physical demands significantly.

How to Prepare: A Training Timeline for Both Tests

The two Army ROTC fitness test formats require different training approaches at different points in the process. Here is how to structure the preparation.

Preparing for the PFA

Start dedicated PFA training 8 to 12 weeks before your student plans to take the test. The PFA has three events, and each responds to a different training stimulus.

For push-ups and sit-ups, daily practice with progressive volume works. A simple approach: test the current max, train at 60 to 70 percent of that max in multiple sets throughout the day, and retest every two weeks. Most students can add 10 to 15 reps per event in eight weeks using this method.

For the one-mile run, interval training two to three times per week produces faster results than steady-state jogging alone. Alternate between 400-meter repeats at goal pace and easy recovery runs. The target is to build enough aerobic base that the mile feels controlled rather than desperate.

Bridging to the AFT

Once the PFA is complete and the scholarship application is submitted, shift training toward the five-event AFT format. Do not wait until campus arrival to start.

The two biggest gaps between PFA training and AFT readiness are the deadlift and the sprint-drag-carry. Both require equipment and technique that most high school students have never practiced. Start with basic barbell or hex-bar deadlift technique at moderate weights, focusing on form before load. For the SDC, practice sled drags and loaded carries if equipment is available, or simulate the demands with heavy farmer carries and shuttle sprints.

Frequently Asked Questions

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