Physical Pre-entry Fitness Assessment
During the process of applying for the Army, you’ll undertake an initial fitness assessment: this is commonly known as the Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA).
Soldier performing a pushup
The assessment tests muscular endurance and cardiovascular strength, through push-ups, sit-ups and a 20-metre shuttle run test. The test is mandatory for entry into training as it confirms the recruits’ baseline fitness and through scientific studies, also provides an indicator for susceptibility to injury.
Physical fitness plays a vital role in the Army and that is why we teach a different kind of fitness to anything that is out there in the civilian world. We focus on areas like all over body strength, endurance and co-ordination, which will help our recruits prepare for the challenging physical demands of their job in the Army.
The three components of the PFA are explained below in detail. There are different PFA requirements for males and females joining the Army. The specified number of exercises will vary depending on the role you’re applying for.
There are three levels of PFA requirements, categorised for:
- General Entry Combat roles
- General Entry Non-Combat roles
- Commando role
Push-Ups
Push-ups are a military push-up, where the toes and hands are in contact with the ground and the back is straight. The shoulders are lowered so that a 90-degree angle forms between the upper and the lower arm at the elbow. It is important that the back remains straight whilst performing each push-up. The push-up style is the same for both male and female. The Physical Training Instructors will review your technique during the assessment to confirm whether you are doing the push-ups correctly. The standards required to pass are:
General Entry Combat roles
Full-time and Part-time
Male: 15
Female: 8
General Entry Non-Combat roles
Full-time and Part-time
Male: 8
Female: 4
Sit-Ups
Sit-ups are a military style sit-up. The feet are anchored and a 90-drgree angle is formed between the upper and lower leg at the knee. The hands are run along the top of the upper leg and a sit-up is counted when the wrist reaches the kneecap. Hands are not used to pull the torso up but are to run freely up and down the legs. One repetition is to be completed every three seconds to a cadence. The Physical Training Instructors will review your technique during the assessment to confirm whether you are doing the sit-ups correctly. The standards required to pass are:
General Entry Combat roles
Full-time and Part-time
Male: 45
Female: 45
General Entry Non-Combat roles
Full-time and Part-time
Male: 20
Female: 20
Shuttle Run (Beep Test)
The Shuttle Run (Beep Test) or known in the Army as the Multi-Stage Fitness Test consists of a series of 20 metre shuttle runs or sprints. Each level of the test is composed of a number of sprints or 'shuttles'. As the test progresses, the time allowed for each shuttle reduces and has the effect of increasing the running speed necessary to complete the shuttle in the time allowed. The test begins at a speed just above a quick walking pace and increases to a full running speed by the time level 7.5 is reached. The test to level 7.5 involves 56 shuttles, and takes approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds to complete. The test is an indicator of individual aerobic capacity fitness and the bodies’ ability to withstand the dynamics associated with the recruit training program. The Physical Training Instructors will review your technique during the assessments to confirm whether you are doing the Shuttle Run (Beep Test) correctly. The standards required to pass are:
General Entry Combat roles
Full-time and Part-time
Male: 7.5
Female: 7.5
General Entry Non-Combat roles
Full-time and Part-time
Male: 6.1
Female: 6.1
View Defence Jobs to find out which PFA is relevant to you and for detailed information on fitness preparation for soldier training.