Details about the Naval Academy exam

I'm preparing to apply to the Naval Academy and heard there's an exam involved. Can someone explain what this exam entails? How should I prepare for it, and is there anything specific I should focus on?

The exam that you're referring to is most likely the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), which is a physical fitness test required for all service academies, including the U.S. Naval Academy. It's worth noting that academics and character are heavily weighed throughout the application process, but your physical fitness does play an important role too.

Here's what you can expect on the CFA:

- Basketball throw: This measures upper body strength and endurance. You'll have three tries to throw a basketball as far as possible while on your knees.

- Pull-ups for males/Push-ups for females: Tests the strength and endurance of your arm and shoulder muscles. You’ll do as many as you can in two minutes.

- Shuttle Run: This measures your speed and agility. You will sprint between two points that are 30 feet apart as quickly as possible.

- Modified Sit-ups: This tests abdominal strength and endurance. You will do as many sit-ups as you can in two minutes.

- Push-ups: This measures upper body strength and endurance. You will do as many push-ups as you can in two minutes.

- One-mile run: This tests your cardiovascular endurance. You’ll run a mile as quickly as possible.

As for preparation strategies, you should focus on fitness conditioning. Regular cardiovascular workouts like running and swimming can help increase your endurance. Strength training exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, can help improve your performance as well.

In addition to the CFA, also prepare for the academic aspects of the application which include high school transcript analysis, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and the candidate writing sample. It's also important to seek recommendations from those who can speak to your leadership, character, and physical fitness.

Remember, admittance to the U.S. Naval Academy is highly competitive, and passing the CFA does not guarantee admission. Showing a strong academic profile and leadership qualities in addition to physical fitness will make you a more competitive candidate. Good luck with your preparations!