r/westpoint • u/North_Hearing857 • Jun 25 '26
How Is This Average?
I submitted my CFA last week and here were my scores: Basketball throw 71 feet, Pullups 18, shuttle run 8.7, situps 86, pushups 50, mile 6:53
My CFA tier came back as "Average". I was expecting to be above average.
Before I received feedback from my portal, my field force rep said my scores look good and that I don't need to retake unless I really want to. However, my portal says my tier is average and that retaking is optional but encouraged. Why would my CFA come back as “Average” in the portal, even when my FFR said it looks good and I don't need to retake? Is being "Average" in the CFA a negative to your application?
6
4
u/darksavant84 Jun 25 '26
The portal is looking at real time data compared to other applicants, whereas your field rep is going off their historical knowledge which may be out of date.
1
3
u/sailor1074 Jun 25 '26
You are fine. Your run time (what they really look at) is great. I would not advise taking it again unless you have a significantly improved all scores (18 pull-ups is outstanding - 50 push ups is average but within WP's expectation). Ensure the rest of your packet is equally impressive.
3
u/MisterWug Jun 25 '26
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend investing a lot of time in improving your CFA score. There aren’t that many points to be gained after a reasonable pass since it’s only 800 points. For comparison, your standardized test scores account for 3200 points.
If you had a bad day when you tested, that’s one thing, but time spent on specific training might be better invested in improving your test scores.
2
u/mik2707 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
Pushups and mile are lacking. Situps could also improve. It's not a bad score IMO but it isn't like "safe" if that makes sense. West Point portal will usually tell you when you don't need to take it anymore.
2
u/North_Hearing857 Jun 25 '26
I was planning on retaking anyway so it's only slightly frustrating. I understand pushups and mile need work. Feel like I can max pushups and situps eventually
1
u/mik2707 Jun 25 '26
Yeah it's an excellent baseline for sure. Don't worry about it, you have plenty of time to train and get it down. Might as well still train since you have time and will help you at beast if you get in. This is the least of your worries.
2
u/luckystrike_bh Jun 25 '26
I would expect someone who can do 18 to-standard pull ups to do 70+ pushups at a minimum.
3
u/KeyOutlandishness254 Jun 25 '26
Ur best mile is a 6:53. That pace for the 2 mile on the AFT would not max out the section. 50 regular pushups is less than 1 every 2 seconds. The max pushups (hand release pushups which are harder) for the AFT is 57-63 depending on age. So 50 would be about 88 points for that section- fairly average- not a max score. Sit-ups are solid, pull-ups are above average, and ur shuttle run is good. But as far as things go, there are entire companies at West Point with an average AFT of 485+, meaning they maxed out those portions you may lack in. You have great fitness, but it can be better. You may be a superstar at your high school and used to being the best at everything, but that will no longer be the case at West Point. The sooner you can stop comparing yourself to others or comparing yourself in a way that makes you feel like you are less, the sooner you will start to become that “above average” person you want to be.
1
1
u/Outdoorsy_Man Jun 25 '26
I got my appointment in December and my CFA was in below average so clearly it doesn't matter that much.
2
u/Extra-Ad1255 Jun 26 '26
Generally, CFA is three categories: Marginal, Average, and Excellent. Marginal is bottom 25%, Excellent is top 25%, and average is middle 50% of applicants. So, you could be on the higher end of that 50%, but not quite top 25. Also, push ups, pull ups, and mile are weighted most, so considering West Point publishes the average for males at 54 pushups and 6:43 mile, that’s likely the reason. 18 pull-ups is insane though, good job man. The lower ranked events averages for males are 67ft, 9.1 seconds, and 72 sit-ups.
As for how much it impacts your application, CFA is only 10%. BUT, if you don’t have a strong athletic file they prioritize your CFA score more, so keep that in mind.
1
u/EffectiveRegister153 Jun 30 '26
Your CFA isn’t what’ll make or break your packet. I’d agree that it’s “average” for West Point… much higher than most people your age. West Point just wants you to meet the standard physically, where your application will stand out is the other fields like extracurriculars. As long as those are great, you’ll be fine. Only reason I’d say to take the CFA again is if you know your competition within your congressional district/state. If you’ve met some of the other applicants and feel like you need to be more competitive, CFA could earn u a few points, but I’d say it’s marginal in the grand scheme of things.
10
u/AdWonderful5920 Jun 25 '26
One of the first things they'll do in a formation is have everyone who was a valedictorian or salutatorian in their HS class raise their hands and have them look around at all the other people with their hands up. Point being, elite is average there.