<p>As it seems you guys like hearing about things that happen with regards to the CFA, I'll tell you my experience, so that you know that yes, sometimes West Point does offer you a second chance.</p>
<p>I was really scared about the sit-ups, as I had read here that the minimum was 40 something. Anyway, about 4 days later, I recieved a letter from West Point saying that I was "Authorized" to take the CFA again. In the letter they said that my sit-ups did not indicate that I would be able to sucessfully complete West Point Physical Training. "However, due to the strength of your overall record, I am authorizing you to take the CFA again." So basically they are giving me another chance, a chance for which I am very grateful. </p>
<p>Just trying to help you guys out. It is good to know that not passing the CFA is not the end-all. If they see you as a possible candidate they will be willing to give you a second chance (very kind of them!). </p>
<p>As a side note, any ideas on getting my sit-ups up? I'm a tall, thin kind of guy and sit-ups have never been easy for me (long torso). </p>
<p>Thanks, and good luck to my fellow Applicants for the Class of 2013!</p>
<p>LOL "sit-ups did not indicate"...I've seen people come into the Academy who couldn't do more than five or ten sit-ups, sometimes none at all, and made it through Beast just fine. Not sure how they made it in to begin with, if 34 indicates to Admissions that you might not make it through training; but they will definitely get you to where you need to be by the end of your eight weeks regardless!</p>
<p>As for getting sit-up numbers up, do multiple sets of mid to high reps; for instance, if you can do 25 or 30 in one set, then do 3 sets a day quickly, mixed with sets of push-ups (which could also use some work). During Beast you will perform sets of push-ups, pull-ups, dips and sit-ups, as many as you can do in the space of about thirty seconds, rotating through about 3 or 4 sets each. It's fast-paced, meaning you don't take a break in between sets except halfway for a couple of minutes. Give it a try; doing this every other day will at least get you used to high-speed workouts, not to mention greatly improve your rep speed and overall strength.</p>
<p>I'm a tall, thin kind of guy and sit-ups have never been easy for me (long torso). </p>
<p>dude im 6'5" and put out 145 sit ups on my CFA so believe me you can get them done if you really want it badly, think about it one sit up ever 2 seconds is gunna give you 60 just go from the start to the finish and remember what it is your going after</p>
<p>Ok guys, thanks for the advice. I just did the CFA again, and I don't know, it isn't looking too pretty. Since two weeks ago (when they first told me I would have to re-take it), I've worked really hard at getting into better shape. I really don't know if I made it though. I was able to do 50 situps in practice, but I don't know, everything else makes you so tired. </p>
<p>As you can see I did do slightly better in all the events except for bball thro and pullups.
Knocked 26 seconds off my mile, added 4 pushups, 5 situps, knocked .2 seconds off the shuttle. </p>
<p>I don't know, I have to admit I'm feeling a little discouraged, though I'm trying to stay positive. I read somewhere on here the minimum for the Sit-ups was 42 - is this an absolute value where nobody below that can get in?</p>
<p>Let me know what you guys think of all this</p>
<p>Two weeks is actually plenty of time to build strength with. I think that you could crank out even more if you rearranged the events; I can't remember if you are allowed to do them in any order, but if you are, I would put the events you are weaker in, such as SU's, closer to the beginning, to maximize strength economy.</p>
<p>And while 42 isn't an arbitrary "you-can't-get-in", it's certainly a factor. Work on SU's every day instead of every two, which I'm going to assume that you are. Go for four days straight, then rest a day, and then give it another four. Sure, u'll have sore abs but i betcha in just a few short weeks you'll see a remarkable difference. Work to muscle failure, and when you get to that point, do assisted SU's or negatives (slowly lower yourself to the ground instead of working to sit up). Reaching complete muscle failure lets you know that you have worked your muscles to their full potential.</p>
<p>Thanks Soldier, I definitely worked it to muscle failure during the CFA. I could not have done a single more SU. </p>
<p>I like your idea - I'll try that. I'll do a set tonight, even though my abs are insanely sore from the test yesterday. Yes - I have been taking breaks in between (every other day) to let the soreness reduce, but I am definitely willing to try what you are suggesting if that will make me better. Should I do them fast or slow? </p>
<p>When I set out to go to muscle failure, am I expecting to get only one set in a day? As in just do SU's until I can't do anymore, and then that's it for that day? Or do I do that a couple times with rest in between sets?</p>
<p>Doing slow sit-ups works your muscles harder...if you're doing regular sit-ups, go up slowly and down quickly, and the opposite for negatives. When you're looking for muscle failure, that's all you're looking for. Do multiple sets if you can; exhaustion is exhaustion no matter how you reach it. Change it up to see what works best for you; but if you're trying to achieve muscle failure, generally the best way is how i described above, alternating with other exercises in a short time period; at least, this is how the PE department here teaches it, and they've had a lot of experience with it! :D</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my file is not 'at risk' according to the admissions officer. I'm not allowed to re-take the CFA in a couple months, even though that makes sense to me. They are trying to tell if the applicant can handle West Point athletics, so why not offer admission to someone contingent on their being able to take a CFA right before they go into West Point, say in June, a month before R-Day?</p>
<p>I'm pretty discouraged. I'm told my file will still go before the admissions committee (by my regional commander), but when I asked him about the sit-ups he told me they put me 'at risk.' </p>
<p>Jeez I'm frustrated. All the work I've put into this application, I received the congressional nomination....passed the interviews, got my letters of recommendation from my teachers and coaches, everything could be compromised because I could do only 39 sit-ups. I could shoot myself right now, I really could.</p>
<p>"They are trying to tell if the applicant can handle West Point athletics, so why not offer admission to someone contingent on their being able to take a CFA right before they go into West Point, say in June, a month before R-Day?"</p>
<p>I can understand your disappointment, but you must understand that admission to USMA is a competitive process. USMA has more "fully qualified" applicants each year than it can accept. If your CFA is "at risk" you are not fully qualified and an appointment will not be awarded contingent on you passing the CFA at a later date.....That would be unfair to all of the other candidates who are fully qualified.</p>
<p>"I received a letter from West Point saying that I was "Authorized" to take the CFA again"
It sounds as if USMA has gone the extra mile for you already - you are being allowed to take the test again (many candidates do not have this opportunity). Have you retaken the test??</p>
<p>you should have given yourself a mock test before actually having it monitored for a score. I feel bad for ya but you could have avoided this. you could have put off the cfa until you were ready.</p>