Last verified: August 2026
Army Fitness Test (AFT): 2025–2026 Guide
The Army Fitness Test is the official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers, effective June 1, 2025. This army fitness test guide covers the five events, official scoring, pass standards, test schedule, and retest rules. The standards and pass numbers are from Army Directive 2025-06 and the official AFT score tables. Use the free army fitness test calculator to convert your results into a score.
Army Fitness Test at a Glance
The army fitness test summary before the official tables:
Official test of record since June 1, 2025 (replaces the ACFT)
5 events: max deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, two-mile run
Maximum army fitness test score 500 — 100 points per event
Combat specialties: pass at 350 points, minimum 60 per event
General standard: pass at 300 points, minimum 60 per event
For combat specialties, the AFT is combined with the CFT in the annual testing cycle
The army fitness test is not a one-time event: it is a recurring readiness check, with standards that change by age and by duty. To convert results into a score, use the army fitness test calculator. The sections below cover each event, each threshold, and each relevant date, all verified against the official army fitness test standards.
What Is the Army Fitness Test?
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the Army's official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers, established by Army Directive 2025-06. It replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) on June 1, 2025. The change was intended to increase warfighting readiness, reduce injury risk, and better align physical fitness standards with operational demands.
The Army designed the AFT around five events that mirror real combat tasks — lifting heavy loads, pushing through fatigue, sprinting under load, bracing under strain, and running under pressure. The Combat standard uses a sex-neutral, age-normed scoring column, while the General standard uses separate M/C and F columns in the official AFT score tables.
The standard AFT consists of five scored events, each worth up to 100 points for a total out of 500. Soldiers with an authorized permanent profile may use approved profile-authorized alternate events where applicable. If you want to know what your results are worth, check your AFT score with the official scoring tables. Compared with the ACFT, the AFT removes the Standing Power Throw and uses the plank in place of the six-event ACFT structure. Anyone preparing for a record test in 2025 or 2026 must train to the current standards, not to the ACFT they remember.
The Five Army Fitness Test Events
What each of the five army fitness test events measures, and how it is scored:
Max Deadlift (MDL)
You perform three continuous repetitions of the deadlift at the same weight. Your heaviest successful three-repetition attempt determines your score on this event; you may attempt a higher weight after a successful set. What it measures: muscular strength, grip strength, and lower-body strength.
Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)
In two minutes, you complete as many correct hand-release push-ups as possible. At the bottom of each repetition, both hands must be lifted from the ground before returning to the starting position.
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
You run five lengths of a 25-meter lane: sprinting, then dragging a 90-pound sled, then carrying two 40-pound kettlebells. What it measures: anaerobic endurance, speed, and the work capacity to move under load.
Plank (PLK)
You hold a proper straight-line plank position for as long as possible. The plank was retained from the ACFT after replacing the leg tuck in 2022. What it measures: core endurance and bracing strength.
Two-Mile Run (2MR)
A timed two-mile run that measures aerobic endurance. It is the final event of the army fitness test.
Army Fitness Test Scoring & Pass Standards
Each army fitness test event is scored out of 100 points, for a maximum total of 500. The official Army Fitness Test Score Tables provide points by event, age group, and gender category: ten age groups from 17-21 through Over 62, each with an M/C (male/combat) column and an F (female) column.
- Combat standard (sex-neutral, age-normed): 350 points total, with a minimum of 60 points on every event. Applies to Soldiers in combat specialties.
- General standard (performance-normed by sex and age): 300 points total, with a minimum of 60 points on every event. Applies to Soldiers not assigned to a designated combat specialty.
In both cases you must score at least 60 points on every single event — an army fitness test total of 300 with one event at 55 is still a failure. A maximum performance scores 500. The full army fitness test standards by age and gender are published on our scoring tables page.
Who Has to Take the Army Fitness Test?
The army fitness test requirements apply to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Initial Entry Training and Professional Military Education courses that administer a fitness test after May 31, 2025 must administer the AFT.
Combat specialties follow a separate, higher army fitness test standard. The current CFT requirement applies to Soldiers in 24 designated combat MOSs, including infantry, Special Forces, armor, field artillery, combat engineers, and other designated specialties. Soldiers in these roles must meet the combat standard: 350 points with 60 points per event. The full Combat Field Test requirements — seven events, timing, and rollout — are covered on the updates page.
For recruits, meeting army fitness test requirements starts before basic training. For in-service Soldiers, the requirement is continuous: you are tested every year, and your score follows you into promotion boards.
How Often Is the Army Fitness Test Taken? Frequency & Retest Rules
- Regular Army, Active Guard Reserve, and Reserve Component Soldiers on active-duty orders for 365 days or more who hold a designated combat specialty: one record AFT plus one record CFT per year, with at least four months between tests.
- Other Reserve Component Soldiers in combat specialties: alternate between the AFT and CFT in separate years.
- General standard Soldiers (not assigned to a designated combat specialty): the AFT is the record physical fitness test, with the schedule set by the applicable Army policy.
- After an AFT failure: Soldiers are subject to the applicable Army retest and reconditioning policy; the timeline depends on component and status. See the test day and retest page for current rules.
The Combat standard took effect for Active Component Soldiers in designated combat MOSs on January 1, 2026, and for Reserve and National Guard Soldiers on June 1, 2026. For Soldiers in the 24 designated combat specialties, the Army now also uses the Combat Field Test (CFT) as part of the physical fitness testing program. The CFT uses a single age- and sex-neutral standard and is currently in its implementation/diagnostic period: full record-testing requirements begin April 17, 2027, and during the initial implementation year no adverse administrative action is taken solely for a CFT failure — see the Combat Field Test policy updates for the full timeline. Record ACFT scores taken before May 31, 2025 remained valid for promotion purposes through September 30, 2025. The AFT is used for all promotion actions effective October 1, 2025. If your unit has not published its schedule, ask for the record-test calendar.
ACFT to AFT: What Changed and When
- Before 2025: the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was the Army's six-event test of record.
- June 1, 2025: the army fitness test becomes the official test of record; the Army no longer conducts the ACFT.
- October 1, 2025: the army fitness test is used for all promotion actions.
- January 1, 2026 (RA) / June 1, 2026 (RC): combat specialties must meet the combat standard.
The key change is focus: the army fitness test keeps the deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run, and drops the standing power throw and leg tuck from the ACFT. Scoring moved to a cleaner 100-point-per-event system. Alongside the army fitness test, the Army also introduced the pass/fail Combat Field Test for combat specialties — a separate seven-event assessment covered on the updates page.
AFT vs ACFT vs APFT (Legacy Comparison)
| Test | Events | Max Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFT (current) | 5: deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, 2-mile run | 500 | Official army fitness test since 2025-06-01 |
| ACFT (legacy) | 6: deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck/plank, 2-mile run | 600 | Retired 2025-05-31 |
| APFT (legacy) | 3: push-ups, sit-ups, 2-mile run | 300 | Army Physical Fitness Test, retired (historical) |
The army fitness test sits between the old Army Physical Fitness Test and the ACFT in scope: more complete than the three-event APFT, simpler than the six-event ACFT.
Alternate Events & Profile Rules
Soldiers on a permanent profile can take approved alternate aerobic events instead of the two-mile run: the 2.5-mile walk, 5,000-meter row, 12,000-meter bike, or 1,000-meter swim. These events are evaluated on a GO/NO-GO basis rather than a points curve; for the applicable alternate aerobic event, a GO is recorded as 70 points toward the AFT total, per the official AFT score tables. Soldiers subject to the applicable Combat standard must also meet the required average score across the events they can perform. Eligibility and profile-specific rules are covered on the alternate events page.
How to Prepare for the Army Fitness Test
Train the five events, not the old three, and keep every event above the 60-point floor. For detailed event technique and drills, see the AFT event guide; for a structured weekly program, see the AFT training plan.
Recruits vs In-Service Soldiers
- Recruits and IET students: initial training courses administer the army fitness test after May 31, 2025. Prepare for all five events before shipping; the deadlift and two-mile run events have the largest performance ranges in the scoring tables.
- In-service Soldiers: follow the current record-test schedule, including the AFT and, for designated combat specialties, the Combat Field Test, with retest rules and the combat standard for combat arms. Army fitness requirements differ between entry and career, and this page keeps both straight.
Army Fitness Test Scoring Preview (22-26 M/C)
A preview of the official army fitness test scoring table for the 22-26 age group, M/C column, before the full tables:
| Event | 100 pts | 80 pts | 60 pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Deadlift (lb) | 350 | — | 150 |
| Hand-Release Push-Up (reps) | 61 | 37 | 14 |
| Sprint-Drag-Carry (m:ss) | 1:30 | 1:53 | 2:31 |
| Plank (m:ss) | 3:35 | 2:30 | 1:25 |
| Two-Mile Run (m:ss) | 13:25 | 15:38 | 19:45 |
The full army fitness test scoring tables for every age group and category are on the standards page, with the 60-point line highlighted on every table.
Army Fitness Test Worked Scoring Example
A 24-year-old Soldier in the M/C category lifts 190 pounds on the deadlift (70 points), completes 37 hand-release push-ups (80 points), finishes the sprint-drag-carry in 2:05 (70 points), holds the plank for 2:30 (80 points), and runs two miles in 18:23 (70 points). Using the official army fitness test score tables for the 22-26 age group, that is 70+80+70+80+70 = 370 points. Every event clears the 60-point floor and the total clears both the 350 combat standard and the 300 general standard, so this Soldier passes the army fitness test under both standards. Consistent mid-range scores pass even when a single weak event fails the total.
How to Read the Official AFT Score Tables
Find your age group across the top of the table (17-21, 22-26, 27-31, and so on through Over 62), then pick your column: M/C for male and combat-standard Soldiers, F for female Soldiers. Read down to your performance — for the deadlift and push-ups, higher numbers earn more points; for the sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run, faster times earn more points. The row where your result meets or beats the listed value is your army fitness test score. Scores run from 0 to 100 per event, and the 60-point row marks the passing line. The full army fitness test standards tables for all five events are on our scoring page.
Common Army Fitness Test Mistakes
Two army fitness test mistakes are common: ignoring the 60-point floor and misreading the time tables. One event at 55 points fails you even with a 350 total — train every event, not your best three. On timed events, faster is better: a quicker sprint-drag-carry or two-mile run earns more points, so the best scores sit at the top of the table. Another mistake is test-day surprise: if you have never scored your own results against the official tables, you will not know your real pass margin. Do not start a brand-new training program the same week as the test — the army fitness test measures current readiness.
Army Fitness Test Summary
The Army Fitness Test is five events, scored 0-100 each for a maximum of 500. Combat specialties pass at 350, everyone else at 300, and every event must reach 60 points. The army fitness test replaced the ACFT on June 1, 2025, and is the standard for promotions effective October 1, 2025. For designated combat specialties, the Army now also uses the Combat Field Test as part of the annual testing cycle. For the complete age and gender breakdown, see the army fitness test standards page; to check your own score before test day, use the free army fitness test calculator.
Age Group Changes and Your Score
Army fitness test scoring is age-normed across ten groups, from 17-21 to Over 62. That means the exact same performance can score differently the year you change age groups — a 22-year-old and a 27-year-old with identical two-mile times will not earn identical army fitness test points. When you read your army fitness test score, always confirm which age group column you are using, and re-check your standard after your birthday. The army fitness test calculator does this automatically, but the principle matters: your score is only meaningful against your own age group.
What Happens If You Fail the Army Fitness Test
A failed army fitness test — any event under 60 points, or a total under your standard — triggers the applicable Army retest and reconditioning policy. The retest timeline depends on component and status; see the test day and retest page for the current rules. Combat specialists who cannot reach the Combat standard face in-service reclassification or utilization action. The record stays until you pass.
✓Official Source
“This directive establishes the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as the physical fitness test of record... The AFT includes one fitness standard for all combat areas of concentration (AOCs) and military occupational specialties (MOSs) and increases fitness standards for all Soldiers.”
Source: U.S. Army Directive 2025-06 (Army Fitness Test), §2 Purpose
Sources & Verification
Key standards on this page are based on:
Army Directive 2025-06 — the AFT implementation directive and pass standards.
— U.S. Army Directive 2025-06
Official AFT Score Tables — event scoring standards, effective June 1, 2025.
— U.S. Army AFT Score Tables
Army Directive 2026-07 and HQDA EXORD 103-26 — the Combat Field Test and its implementation timeline.
— U.S. Army Directive 2026-07 / HQDA EXORD 103-26
Last verified: August 2026.
— Fitness Test Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers about the Army Fitness Test.
What is the Army Fitness Test?
The AFT is the Army's official physical fitness test of record since June 1, 2025. It has five events scored out of 500.
What did the Army Fitness Test replace?
The AFT replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) on June 1, 2025. The ACFT retired on May 31, 2025.
What are the five army fitness test events?
Max deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run.
What is a passing army fitness test score?
Combat specialties pass at 350; the General standard is 300. Every event must be at least 60 points.
How is the army fitness test scored?
Each event is worth 100 points, for a maximum total of 500, using tables by age group (17-21 to Over 62) and M/C or F category.
How often do Soldiers take the AFT and CFT?
For Regular Army combat specialties, the annual cycle includes one record AFT and one record CFT; other Reserve Component combat specialties alternate the AFT and CFT in separate years. Retests follow a failure within 90 or 180 days.
Do I have to pass the army fitness test to promote?
Yes. The AFT is used for all promotion actions effective October 1, 2025.
Is the army fitness test harder than the ACFT?
Difficulty depends on the Soldier's strengths and the applicable scoring standard. The AFT has five events instead of the ACFT's six and uses different age- and duty-based scoring standards, so a direct comparison depends on the Soldier's event profile.
Who has to take the Army Fitness Test?
All Soldiers — Regular Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve — plus Initial Entry Training students.
How can I check my army fitness test score?
Use the free army fitness test calculator, or view the official army fitness test standards by age and gender.
How long does the army fitness test take?
The total time depends on event transitions, required rest periods, and test-site setup. Follow the schedule and rest intervals established by the administering unit.
Can I take the army fitness test on my own?
You can reproduce the events for training and practice, but an official record AFT must be administered according to Army testing procedures.
What should I know for test day?
For test-day preparation, gear, and retest rules, see the test day and retest page.
Does the army fitness test change by gender?
Combat specialties use one sex-neutral standard; the General standard uses separate M/C and F columns on the official army fitness test scoring tables.
Check Your Army Fitness Test Score
Use the free army fitness test calculator to score your five events against the official tables, then check the army fitness test standards page for full age-group data. Every number on this page is sourced from Army Directive 2025-06 and the official AFT Score Tables — last verified August 2026.