I'm thinking about applying to the Naval Academy and am curious about the physical entrance requirements. What do I need to know to prepare? Are there specific exercises or tests I should focus on?
Prospective candidates for the United States Naval Academy need to pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), which is important to measure your physical readiness for service. Here's an outline of the challenge you'll be facing:
The CFA consists of six events:
1. Basketball throw: This measures upper body strength and is performed from a kneeling position.
2. Pull-ups (male applicants) or flexed-arm hang (female applicants): Pull-ups test upper body strength without the momentum of swinging while the flex-arm hang helps assess arm and shoulder girdle endurance.
3. Shuttle run: This checks your speed and agility. You sprint back and forth between two lines 30 feet apart.
4. Modified Sit-ups (crunches): Sit-ups test abdominal or trunk muscle endurance. You'll perform sit-ups to a metronome set at a specific tempo.
5. Push-ups: Pushups test your upper body endurance.
6. One-mile run: This tests total body endurance.
It's crucial to note that there's no passing or failing score as such. Each event is scored, and these scores are compiled and compared against other candidates' scores to determine fitness and readiness for service.
However, standards are rigorous, so it would be beneficial for you to maintain robust physical health and practice often to ensure a solid performance across all the assessments. Keep in mind that simple exercises can go a long way in preparing your body for the more challenging parts of the physical exam. Regular running, swimming, push-ups, and pull-ups may aid in improving your stamina and overall physical health. Good luck with your training and application to the Academy!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.