How to pass the Army Fitness Test (AFT)
To pass the AFT you need at least 60 points in each of the five events, the deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and 2-mile run, and 300 points total. Falling below 60 on any single event fails the test even if your total is high. Some combat roles require a higher minimum.
The five events and how they are scored
The AFT replaced the ACFT on 1 June 2025 and dropped the standing power throw, leaving five events. Each is scored from 0 to 100 for a maximum of 500. The performance required for each score shifts with your age and gender.
| Event | What it tests | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 3-rep max deadlift | Lower-body and grip strength | 0–100 |
| Hand-release push-ups | Upper-body endurance (2 min) | 0–100 |
| Sprint-drag-carry | Anaerobic power and grit | 0–100 |
| Plank | Core endurance | 0–100 |
| 2-mile run | Aerobic endurance | 0–100 |
The exact reps, weights and times behind each score depend on your bracket. To see the numbers for your age and gender, run them through the AFT calculator.
The one-weak-event trap
The most common way to fail is not a low total, it is a single event below 60. You can score 90s across four events and still fail if the fifth drops under the line. Treat your weakest event as the one that decides pass or fail, and train it first. A quick check on the calculator shows exactly which event is dragging you down.
How to train for each event
- Deadlift: build a real 3-rep max with progressive loading; technique under heavy weight is what earns points.
- Hand-release push-ups: train volume and the full chest-to-floor, hands-off rep so reps count on test day.
- Sprint-drag-carry: practice the actual event, the sled drag and carries gas people who only run.
- Plank: train timed holds with a braced, neutral spine; it is endurance, not a max effort.
- 2-mile run: mix easy aerobic base miles with weekly intervals to move your time down.
The combat-role standard
Soldiers in designated combat roles face a higher, sex-neutral minimum rather than the general 300. If that applies to you, aim well above the general pass line, and remember that body composition is scored separately now, the Army's waist-to-height standard replaced the old tape test.