ACFT raised a new challenge for all aspiring US Army soldiers. It’s an official test that the US Army uses to test the fitness levels of soldiers, such as endurance, agility, strength, and mental health, so that only fully fit soldiers can join.
The primary purpose of the ACFT was to provide the upcoming soldiers with a combat environment so that when they’re actually in combat, they’re fit enough to handle the obstacles. Let’s learn more about what ACFT is in the Army, how many events it has, and how you can train and get a good score to pass it.
What is ACFT In The Army? Explained?
The ACFT(Army Combat Fitness Test) is an official US Army fitness test that every aspiring soldier has to get through. The main purpose behind launching the ACFT test was to ensure that no soldier got into the army without assessing their fitness.
The APFT test, which was used in the army for over 40 years, was replaced by the ACFT. Because, the APFT test involved only push-ups and sit-ups, and also a two-mile run that didn’t fully assess and test the soldiers’ capabilities. Hence, despite giving the test, the soldiers would not be as successful during combat.
They also faced many injuries as their health and fitness weren’t ready enough to tackle the difficulties of combat.
But the ACFT changed the game of fitness completely and has allowed the army to let in only the capable and fittest candidates. It’s because it includes six events instead of the three that the APFT had.
That includes deadlifts, standing power throws, hand-release pushups, sprint-drug-carry, planks, and a two-mile run. Each of the events has 0 to 100 points, 60 being the minimum to pass the test in every single event.
When Was The ACFT Launched?
Nobody noticed that the fitness of the soldiers was highly declining, and they weren’t ready for any combat until the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. The US military was involved fully in the war, and the army was shocked to see that many soldiers were overweight and struggling to even pass the basic entry-level test.
Most of them even faced injuries due to poor physical conditioning. That raised questions about the soldiers’ fitness tests, and hence, the improved version of the APFT, the ACFT, was launched.
This test was initiated in 2019 and tested on 63 reserve and National Guard personnel, and the results were amazing in terms of fitness. Therefore, after years of testing, in 2022, the APFT test was officially replaced by the ACFT.
Events of ACFT
There are 6 total ACFT events that the soldiers have to pass. Each test the candidates’ different capabilities.
Deadlift
The first event of the ACFT is the Deadlift, in which the soldiers lift a bar three times with the heaviest weight that they can manage. When the heaviest weight is lifted correctly, that is counted.
The main purpose of the ACFT Deadlift event is to test the soldiers’ overall strength, including their legs, core, and back.
Standing Power Throw (SPT)
The SPT event is mainly organised in the test to check the crucial movements of the soldiers like throwing the equipment, jumping or helping a fellow soldier over when needed.
In this event, the soldiers throw a 10-pound (4.5kg) medicine ball backward over their heads as far as possible. They can try doing it twice in the event, and the maximum distance is counted.
Hand Release Push-Up
Soldiers get two minutes to crank out as many reps as possible. They drop chest-to-ground, flare their arms out, and push back up. If form slips—like sagging hips or half-reps—the count stops.
This drill builds upper body, shoulder, and core strength so soldiers can haul gear, tackle obstacles, and power through long missions without gassing out.
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
The SDC ACFT event checks the soldiers’ agility, speed, and endurance, which are the most important capabilities to have in combat. The soldiers start in a prone position and then complete five tasks up and down a 25-meter (82 ft) strip: a sprint, a 90-pound (41kg) sled drag, a lateral shuffle, a 40-pound (18kg) kettlebell carry, and another sprint.
Plank (PLK)
The Plank is a new addition to the ACFT test that replaced the leg tuck that was before the part of it. The reason to include the plank position is to check the stability and prepare the soldiers to prevent any sort of injuries. In this test, the soldiers hold a plank position for as long as possible.
Two-Mile Run (2MR)
The two-mile run is basically another event of ACFT in which you need to run and reach the destination in the shortest time possible. This ensures that the soldiers are able to move quickly over the surface when needed on the battlefield. The faster you reach the destination, the more points you earn out of 100.
Benefits Of ACFT In The Army
Passing the ACFT test gives you many advantages, such as:
- Career Advancement – Strong ACFT scores boost promotion and leadership chances. Fit soldiers climb the ranks faster.
- Leadership and NCO Training – Failing the ACFT at the NCO Academy can result in dismissal. Leaders must set the fitness standard.
- Special Training Schools – High ACFT scores help land elite schools like Air Assault or Sniper School. Only the best get picked.
- Promotion Points – Better ACFT scores mean more points. Skip wait times for promotions.
- Readiness for Deployment – Strong ACFT scores prove you’re mission-ready. Stay sharp for sudden tasks.
What’s A Good ACFT Score That You Should Aim For?
A good ACFT score depends on the rank you want to get, the category you’re applying for, your gender, and your age. But getting a 70+ score in each of the six events and a 450+ score in total is great to get a good rank in the US Army.
You must score at least 60 in each event, and if you don’t take that much, even in one event, you’ll fail the entire test.
How To Train For ACFT?
Proper Training for ACFT is a key to success in it. You need to follow these steps to train for the ACFT test to pass it with a good score out of 600 and get the rank in the US Army that you want.
- Build Strength with Weight Training – Focus on squats and deadlifts three times weekly for power and injury prevention.
- Improve Cardiovascular Endurance – Combine distance runs, sprints, and intervals for two-mile stamina.
- Master the Hand-Release Push-Up – Use push-ups and bench presses to build upper-body stamina.
- Enhance Core Stability for the Plank – Daily planks, sit-ups, and leg raises strengthen the core for longer holds.
- Increase Explosiveness for the Power Throw – Medicine ball slams and box jumps boost throwing explosiveness.
- Train for Agility in the Sprint-Drag-Carry – Practice sled drags, sprints, and shuffles for speed and endurance.
Final Words
What is ACFT in the army? ACFT, also known as the Army Combat Fitness Test, is a test that the US Army uses to determine whether a soldier is capable and fit enough to join the army. It’s the improved version of the APFT that was used for 40 years in the military to test soldiers’ fitness. However, it only had three exercises, which weren’t enough and didn’t offer good fitness results for the soldiers.
Then, the ACFT was launched and made official in 2022 by the US Army. It has six events and each is graded from 0 to 100. The minimum ACFT passing score is 60 in each exercise, and the excellent score is 450+.
Therefore, focus on your fitness, do all the exercises for the ACFT test at home, and also track your score using our Free ACFT score calculator. This way, you’ll know your weaknesses and strengths to mend them on time before the test.
FAQS
What does the ACFT consist of?
There are a total of six events in the ACFT tests that include deadlift, power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run. You get 0 to 100 points for each, depending on your performance.
What is a good Army ACFT score?
Scoring 470+ (70+ per event) is strong for most roles, but elite schools or promotions often demand 540+. For that reason, aim higher if you’re competing for top slots.
Is the ACFT hard?
It’s tough but manageable with training. The mix of strength, speed, and stamina challenges unprepared soldiers, but consistent practice makes it achievable.