The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the new official physical fitness assessment of the United States Army, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) on June 1, 2025. It consists of five events designed to measure a soldier’s strength, endurance, and combat readiness. Scores determine whether a soldier meets physical readiness standards.

The AFT is a five-event physical test used by the U.S. Army starting June 2025 to assess overall combat fitness. Soldiers must meet minimum standards in each event to pass. Scores impact readiness status and career progression.

If you’re here, you probably have a test date approaching — and one question:

“Will I pass?”

Let’s calculate that first.

AFT Calculator (2025 Standards)

Events Included in the AFT:

1. 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift
2. Hand-Release Push-Ups
3. Sprint-Drag-Carry
4. Plank
5. Two-Mile Run

How to Use the Calculator:

1. Enter your reps/time for each event
2. Select your age group (if scoring tier applies)
3. Review your total score
4. Check pass/fail status

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How AFT Scoring Works (Simple Breakdown)

The AFT uses a point-based scoring system. Each event has:

• A minimum passing standard
• A maximum performance cap
• A scoring range (e.g., 0–100 points per event)

Total score = Sum of all five event scores.

Most military PT tests follow this logic:

Event	Minimum Required	Maximum Points
Deadlift	Meet baseline weight	100
Push-Ups	Minimum rep count	100
Sprint-Drag-Carry	Max time allowed	100
Plank	Minimum hold time	100
2-Mile Run	Max time allowed	100

Maximum total score (example model): 500 points

Passing typically requires:

• Meeting minimum in each event
• Achieving overall minimum composite score

Failing even one event may result in overall test failure, regardless of total score.

That’s where many soldiers get surprised.

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What Is a Good AFT Score?

Here’s how scores generally break down conceptually:

• Minimum Passing: Meets Army standard
• Moderate Competitive: Strong across all events
• High Competitive (Elite): Near max in 3+ events

A “good” score depends on:

• MOS requirements
• Promotion goals
• Unit expectations

Passing keeps you compliant.
High performance moves your career forward.

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ACFT vs AFT: What Changed?

This is where confusion happens.

Many soldiers are still training based on the ACFT structure. But starting June 1, 2025, the AFT becomes the official standard.

Feature	ACFT	AFT
Events	6 events	5 events
Focus	Combat simulation	Balanced combat fitness
Implementation	2020–2025	Begins June 2025
Adjustments	MOS-tiered standards	Revised scoring structure

The AFT streamlines the test while maintaining combat readiness metrics.

If you trained heavily for a specific ACFT event that was modified or removed, your training priorities may need adjustment.

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Why the Army Replaced the ACFT

The transition reflects:

• Standardization needs
• Policy refinement
• Feedback from implementation
• Readiness optimization

The Department of Defense regularly evaluates physical standards to align with operational readiness demands.

Policy shifts like this are not cosmetic.
They impact training programs across units nationwide.

If your weakest event improved by 10%, would that change your pass/fail outcome?

Most soldiers focus on strengths.
Scores are usually lost in weakest areas.

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Common Scoring Mistakes Soldiers Make

1. Training only for the run
2. Ignoring plank endurance
3. Underestimating sprint-drag-carry fatigue
4. Not practicing deadlift technique
5. Failing to pace correctly

Most failures happen due to imbalance, not lack of effort.

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What This Means for You

If you’re testing soon:

• Don’t just calculate.
• Interpret.
• Adjust.

The calculator gives you numbers.
Understanding gives you control.

What Happens If You Fail the AFT?

Failing the Army Fitness Test is not just about fitness. It affects readiness status, career progression, and sometimes administrative standing within the United States Army.

A soldier fails the AFT if they do not meet the minimum standard in any one event, even if their total composite score is high. All five events must meet baseline requirements to pass.

Immediate Consequences May Include:

• Enrollment in remedial physical training
• Flagging action (administrative hold)
• Delayed promotion eligibility
• Requirement to retest within a designated timeframe

Policies are governed under Army training and readiness standards, often referenced in documents such as Army Regulation 350-1.

Failing once is manageable.

Repeated failure can create career friction.

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Can You Retake the AFT?

Yes — soldiers who fail are typically allowed a retest after a structured improvement period.

Retesting timelines are command-directed. Soldiers are given time to train before reattempting the failed event(s). Passing restores compliance status.

However, relying on a retest is risky.

The smarter strategy? Fix weak events before test day.

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How to Improve Your AFT Score (30-Day Tactical Plan)

Most score improvements don’t require extreme changes. They require targeted adjustments.

Let’s break it down by event.

1️⃣ Deadlift: Strength & Technique

Common problem: Technique inefficiency.

Fix:

• Practice form twice weekly
• Strengthen posterior chain (glutes, hamstrings)
• Focus on bracing core before lift

Quick win: Improving form alone can increase output without adding strength.

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2️⃣ Hand-Release Push-Ups: Muscular Endurance

Common problem: Early fatigue due to pacing.

Fix:

• Interval rep sets (e.g., 10 reps every 30 seconds)
• Focus on consistent tempo
• Train to near-failure twice weekly

Most soldiers burn out in first 30 seconds.

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3️⃣ Sprint-Drag-Carry: Power + Conditioning

This event exposes conditioning gaps.

Fix:

• Short shuttle sprints (25m intervals)
• Sled pulls or resistance drags
• Grip strength training

It’s not just cardio.
It’s power endurance.

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4️⃣ Plank: Core Stability

Common problem: Mid-test core collapse.

Fix:

• Progressive holds (increase 15 seconds weekly)
• Anti-rotation exercises
• Train under fatigue conditions

A 20-second plank improvement can change pass/fail outcome.

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5️⃣ Two-Mile Run: Pacing Strategy

Most runners fail due to pacing errors.

Fix:

• Negative split training
• Tempo intervals
• Weekly timed practice

Run smarter — not just harder.

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30-Day Score Boost Framework

Week	Focus	Goal
Week 1	Technique correction	Improve efficiency
Week 2	Volume increase	Build endurance
Week 3	Intensity spike	Simulate test fatigue
Week 4	Taper + mock test	Peak performance

Consistency beats intensity.

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What Is a Passing AFT Score?

A passing AFT score requires meeting the minimum standard in each of the five events. Even if your total score is high, failing one event results in overall failure. Soldiers must demonstrate balanced fitness across strength, endurance, and power domains.

Passing ≠ Competitive.

Competitive scores improve promotion potential and unit standing.

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ACFT vs AFT: Which Is Harder?

The AFT is designed to streamline and refine the previous ACFT structure. While both measure combat readiness, the AFT reduces event complexity while maintaining strength and endurance standards. Difficulty depends on individual strengths and weaknesses rather than overall structure.

If you were strong in explosive events, you may notice shifts.

If endurance was your weakness, scoring adjustments may help or hurt depending on event weighting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Army Fitness Test (AFT)?

The Army Fitness Test is a five-event physical assessment used by the U.S. Army starting June 1, 2025. It measures strength, endurance, and combat readiness. Soldiers must meet minimum standards in every event to pass.

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2. What happens if I fail one event?

Failing one event results in failing the entire AFT. Soldiers are usually enrolled in remedial training and must retest within a designated timeframe determined by command policy.

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3. Is the AFT easier than the ACFT?

The AFT simplifies event structure compared to the ACFT but maintains readiness standards. Whether it is easier depends on your individual strengths in strength, endurance, and conditioning.

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4. What is the maximum AFT score?

Scoring frameworks typically assign up to 100 points per event, for a potential 500-point maximum. Exact scoring scales depend on official Army standards and age categories.

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5. Does age affect AFT scoring?

Scoring categories may vary by age and gender, depending on final Army implementation guidelines. Always confirm with official scoring charts for your demographic bracket.

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6. How often is the AFT taken?

Most soldiers take the fitness test biannually, though scheduling may vary based on unit and deployment status.

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Key Takeaways

• The AFT replaces the ACFT on June 1, 2025
• Five events determine your score
• You must pass each event individually
• Weakest event determines outcome
• Targeted 30-day training can significantly improve results

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Before Your Next Test…

Ask yourself:

Is your weakest event improving weekly?

If not, your overall score won’t change.

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Final Next Step

Use the AFT calculator at the top of this page.

Then:

1. Identify your weakest event
2. Apply the 30-day framework
3. Retest yourself in 2 weeks
4. Adjust

Small improvements across all five events outperform overtraining one.