The short version
- •The AFT has 5 events. The ACFT had 6.
- •The Standing Power Throw was removed.
- •The AFT uses age and gender normed scoring. The ACFT used MOS-based tier scoring.
- •The AFT minimum is 300 points (General) or 350 points (Combat MOS).
- •The ACFT minimum was 360 points (Blue standard).
Why the Army Replaced the ACFT
The Army Combat Fitness Test was introduced in October 2020 as a more demanding replacement for the older Army Physical Fitness Test. The ACFT was designed to better reflect the physical demands of combat with 6 events including the hex bar deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck or plank, and two-mile run.
However the ACFT generated significant controversy during its rollout. Independent research including a RAND study found substantial differences in pass rates between male and female soldiers under the original sex-neutral scoring scheme. The MOS-based tier system also proved complex in practice. Units had to track multiple performance standards tied to each soldier's job code, making administration and counseling difficult.
After rounds of revisions and policy changes, the Army announced the transition to the Army Fitness Test in 2025. The AFT retained the most effective elements of the ACFT while simplifying scoring and removing the most controversial event.
AFT vs ACFT: Complete Comparison
| Category | ACFT | AFT |
|---|---|---|
| Effective date | October 2020 | June 1, 2025 |
| Number of events | 6 | 5 |
| Events | MDL, SPT, HRP, SDC, PLK/Leg Tuck, 2MR | MDL, HRP, SDC, PLK, 2MR |
| Removed event | None | Standing Power Throw (SPT) |
| Scoring system | MOS-based performance tiers | Age and gender normed |
| General minimum | 360 points (Blue) | 300 points |
| Combat minimum | Varied by MOS (Grey/Black) | 350 points |
| Performance tiers | Black/Gold/Grey/Green/Blue | Pass/Fail with promotion point tiers |
| Scoring equation | Same score regardless of age | Score varies by age group |
| Gender scoring | Originally sex-neutral, later revised | Separate male/female tables (except PLK) |
| PLK vs Leg Tuck | Both used at different times | Plank only |
| Administered by | Unit | Unit |
| Governing regulation | AR 350-1 | AR 350-1 |
What Changed Event by Event
What Stayed the Same
Three events carried over largely unchanged from the ACFT to the AFT:
- •The Hand-Release Push-Up remains the upper-body endurance test with the same execution rules.
- •The Sprint-Drag-Carry remains with the same 5 shuttle format using the same sled and kettlebell equipment.
- •The Two-Mile Run remains the aerobic endurance assessment with the same distance and format.
- •The Plank carried over from the later ACFT versions as the core endurance test.
What Changed
The Deadlift: The MDL continues in the AFT using the same hex bar but scoring tables changed from the ACFT's MOS-based tiers to age and gender normed values.
The Standing Power Throw: Completely removed for the AFT. The SPT required soldiers to throw a 10-pound medicine ball for distance. It was the most criticized ACFT event due to equipment requirements, technique dependency, and questionable correlation with combat tasks. The AFT eliminated it entirely.
The Leg Tuck: The ACFT originally required the leg tuck but allowed the plank as an alternative for soldiers who could not perform the leg tuck. The AFT standardized on the plank only. The leg tuck is no longer part of Army fitness testing.
Scoring System Changes
This is the most significant change for most soldiers. The ACFT used performance tiers tied to MOS codes. A soldier in an infantry MOS had different passing requirements than a soldier in an administrative MOS. This created complexity in units with mixed MOS populations.
The AFT replaced this with two clean standards. The General standard uses age and gender normed scoring with a 300-point total minimum. The Combat MOS standard applies to 21 designated combat MOS codes and uses sex-neutral scoring with a 350-point total minimum. Every soldier knows exactly which standard applies to them.
Training Implications: Moving from ACFT to AFT Preparation
If you trained for the ACFT
Most of your training transfers directly. The deadlift, push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and run training all carry over. The main adjustment is dropping Standing Power Throw training from your program and reallocating that time to your weaker events.
The scoring change matters
Under the ACFT, your score was compared against MOS-specific standards. Under the AFT, your score is compared against age and gender norms. Depending on your age group, this may make some events easier or harder to score well on.
Focus areas for AFT success
Soldiers transitioning from ACFT training should check their scores under the new age and gender normed tables since their effective point values may have changed. Use the AFT calculator to see exactly where you stand under the new scoring system.
Calculate your AFT score under the new system →Promotion Points: ACFT vs AFT
The ACFT used performance tier labels (Black, Gold, Grey, Green, Blue) that contributed to promotion points based on tier achievement.
The AFT uses a simpler points-based system:
| AFT Total | Promotion Points |
|---|---|
| 400 or above | 30 promotion points |
| 380 to 399 | 20 promotion points |
| 350 to 379 | 10 promotion points |
| Below 350 | 0 promotion points |
For soldiers focused on promotion, the AFT system is more transparent. You know exactly what total score you need to reach each promotion point tier.
Calculate your AFT promotion points →AFT vs ACFT: Common Questions
Read more: How to Pass the Army Fitness Test →