When do you do PCFT?

<p>I was wondering when they start giving Pre-candidate fitness tests. I need to know how long I have to get into shape (gotta work on those pull-ups)</p>

<p>if I remember right, it'll be towards the end of your junior year during the application process, about the same time as your interviews for a nomination.</p>

<p>I'm sure someone who's done it before could give you more details but as far as I know, you can take it anytime after you get your candidate kit (Possibly before that). But I think most people take it in early fall.</p>

<p>Current appointees? Some kind of timing that works well? Advice?</p>

<p>yeah, you can pretty much choose...i had most of my stuff done, but kept that 'til almost last. i think i did it in mid-september.</p>

<p>I'm mainly relying on passing at NASS, otherwise I'll probably have it done sometime in the fall or as soon after NAPS as possible.</p>

<p>you can do it as soon as you get your candidate kit (the website w/ all your forms and stuff on it) i'd practice it a few times, especially w/ the timing and such just to get used to it, then take it as soon as you're comfy with your scores. shoot for above averages</p>

<p>My son did his in the summer before his senior year.</p>

<p>I did mine last of everything in the application, in September I think. I would take it when you feel like your in peak physical condition, so if you have time to work over the summer, and are dedicated enough, I would take it before school starts. If your lazy over the summer, then you should wait a little and take it later.</p>

<p>Quick question... Is there any kind of "form" that is good for the shuttle run? I know its one of those things that kinda just needs practice and form to get a really good score on, but I was wanting to hear from others.</p>

<p>From track I would say run on your toes mostly and make sure your arms swing from cheek to cheek (not chicken winged). Thats running at least. I'd like to hear some help on the transitions of how to touch the line and stuff though.</p>

<p>okay i can help here. for the shuttle run, start bent over, and STAY DOWN through the first two or three turns. if you come up and run straight up, you'll be slower, no doubt. you dont have to start on blocks or three point or 4 point like track. for the turns, plant your dominant foot before you get to the line and touch your hand on/beyond the line. repeat... when you finish, do NOT stop, run through the finish as if it were really another 10 feet farther away. hope this helps some!</p>

<p>For pullups do they follow the regulation or is it just whatever?
Palms facing out.
Start at a dead hang/ Go back down to dead hang
must be performed at a cadence?</p>

<p>By the way I have been training for the regulation.</p>

<p>palms facing away, start from a dead hang, have to return to a dead hang, yes. i dunno of anyone who actually did it by cadence, but im sure some ALOs somewhere still do that. my coach just let me do them at my own pace and counted the ones i did right..</p>

<p>When you take the PFT in basic, they'll be really strict about grading pullups. During the academic year, it just depends on who your grader is. But for the most part, they really won't count pullups here unless they're done properly. I would try to get in the habit of doing as many as you can as close to perfect as you can and then work your way up from there, rather than doing a ton of crappy ones. On the CFA your grader will probably be more lenient if he or she isn't military (like a PE teacher as opposed to your ALO), but they still have certain standards that they are supposed to grade off of.</p>

<p>I took mine in December, but tht was a bad idea cuz it was one frigid mile and my system was shot from starving for wrestling... :(</p>

<p>Get a good weekend early and nail it, remember you can take it many times but only get to submit your scores ONCE!!! ;)</p>

<p>yeah, my ALO said he won't even allow me to take the CFA until after every other part of my application is complete...</p>