Understanding the Army Combat Fitness Test
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) evaluates your physical and mental abilities every year, starting at Basic Training for enlisted Soldiers and during initial training for those commissioning as Officers.
Periodically Tested
You’ll take the ACFT several times a year and have your scores recorded twice a year as an active duty Soldier in the Army, or once a year as a member of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
Keeps Soldiers Prepared
As part of the Army's Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F), the ACFT helps maintain Soldiers’ physical and mental well-being, and plays a big role in the Army’s fitness culture.
The Six Events That Make Up the ACFT
Each event is designed to assess and improve your physical strength, mental toughness, coordination, and flexibility, while reducing preventable injuries.
3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
In this event, you will lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates.
This event will assess your muscular strength, balance, and flexibility.
Standing Power Throw (SPT)
In this event, you will throw a 10-pound medicine ball backward and overhead as far as possible.
This event will assess your physical power, balance, and flexibility.
Hand Release Push-Up—Arm Extension (HRP)
In this event, you will complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using the proper technique:
- Start with the body face-down on the ground
- Push the body up as one unit
- Lower it back down as one unit
- Extend both arms out in a T- formation without moving any other body part
- Bring arms back to push-up position
- Repeat
This event will assess your muscular endurance.
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
Do five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as fast as possible using two 40-pound kettlebells, and a 90-pound sled.
Muscular endurance
Plank (PLK)
During this event, you will maintain a plank for as long as possible, in the proper position:
- Position hands no more than one fist-width apart
- Position feet no more than one boot-width apart
- Position elbows under the shoulders
- Push up the body as one unit and hold the body in a straight line from head to ankles
This event will assess your muscular strength endurance.
Two-Mile Run
During this event, you will run for two miles on a generally flat outdoor course while being timed.
This event will assess your aerobic endurance.
A Scoring Scale Based on Gender and Age
The ACFT is scored using different requirements depending on gender and age.
- You’ll need to score a minimum of 60 points on each of the six events in order to pass the ACFT with a minimum total score of 360
- The maximum score per event is 100 points, with a total maximum ACFT score of 600
- What you’ll need to achieve in each event to earn 60-100 points varies according to gender and age—see your details in the scoring scale below
Download ACFT Scoring Scale
Train for Army Physical Fitness
Being prepared to meet Army fitness standards will give you the peace of mind you need to feel more confident. Here are some tips to ensure you’re physically fit for any challenge:
- Pace yourself and slowly increase your activity
- Focus on cardio, strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition
An Emphasis on Your Total Wellbeing
The Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System focuses on your total health and wellness as a Soldier, combining your physical fitness with proper sleep, nutrition, and spiritual health.
Prevention and Recovery
Athletic and training facilities are not only available to help you stay physically fit and prepared, but also to help prevent injury and improve rehabilitation.
Mental and Spiritual Health
With counseling, spiritual services, and retreats, there are a variety of opportunities available to ensure you feel good both mentally and spiritually.
Activities to Stay Physically Fit
Besides running and biking trails, some facilities have parks, pools, lakes, and hiking trails that you can enjoy, to maintain good health and wellbeing.
Sleep and Nutrition
The Army makes it a priority to ensure that you get the proper amount of sleep and nutrition to feel energized every day.
Fitness on the Job
No matter what career field you’re in, whether you’re in infantry or the medical field, you’ll need to maintain your mental health and physical fitness.
Fitness as Part of Army Life
Physical fitness is ingrained in the DNA of every Soldier. It’s not just a necessary part of Army career training, but a passion that becomes part of every Soldier’s lifestyle.
Unit Physical Training (PT)
Unit physical training, or Unit PT, is a foundational part of the daily Army experience and ensures all Soldiers are ready to perform their jobs, and stay at a minimum fitness level, while building key relationships among team members.
Fitness Centers
Most centers provide athletic and training facilities that include exercise and weight rooms, and various sports-related courts.
Recreational Sports Leagues
The Army has several sports leagues to participate in, from football, basketball, and golf, to bowling, fishing, and more.
Outdoor Activities on Post
Besides running and biking trails, your post may have parks, pools, lakes, hiking trails, and other fun activities to maintain good health and wellbeing.
Fitness in Basic Training
As an enlisted Soldier, you’ll attend Basic Training where you’ll continue your physical fitness training and be expected to navigate obstacle courses, complete drills, and learn important maneuvering techniques.
Common Questions About Army Physical Fitness
What is a good score on the ACFT?
A minimum passing score for each ACFT event is 60 points, for a total score of 360 for all six events. The required minimum score is the same for all Soldiers, regardless of career field.
What if I can't complete the ACFT due to a medical condition?
After you join, if a permanent medical condition prevents you from completing the ACFT, there are alternate events you can do for your assessment, like walking or swimming instead of the two-mile run.
For temporary medical conditions, you can use alternate events to train. But you won’t take the scored ACFT until you’re medically cleared.
What happens if I don’t pass the ACFT?
If you don’t pass a recorded-score ACFT, the Army will provide you with support and training to improve your score, and you’ll have a chance to retake the ACFT. If you don’t pass two consecutive recorded-score ACFTs, you may be involuntarily separated from the Army.
Do commissioned Officers take the ACFT?
Yes, if you join the Army on a path to commission as an Officer, you will take the ACFT as a cadet,
and every year after.