19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

All components of the fitness assessment must be completed within a three-hour window on the same day, with a minimum five-minute rest period between components.

The composite score is 0 to 100: 60 points for the aerobic component, 20 for the muscular component, and 20 for the sit-up component.

Excellent is a composite score at or above 90; satisfactory is 75 to 89.99; unsatisfactory is at or below 74.9 or a missed component minimum.

Retest intervals are 12 months for excellent with all components at or above 90, six months for satisfactory, and 90 days for unsatisfactory.

Meeting the minimum score in each component will not generate enough points to earn a composite score of 75 or greater.

Last updated: August 2026

Assessment Procedures

"All components of the fitness assessment must be completed within a three-hour window on the same day." If FAC staff or augmentees determine extenuating circumstances prevent completion — rapidly changing or severe weather, natural disasters, emergencies, or safety issues — all components must be rescheduled and completed at the earliest opportunity.

The Component Order

AFH 1 gives a fixed sequence:

Order Component Options
1 Body composition Measuring height and weight
2 Muscular strength 1-minute push-ups or 2-minute hand release push-ups (HRPU)
3 Core endurance 1-minute sit-ups , 2-minute cross leg reverse crunch (CLRC) , or timed forearm plank

4 Cardiorespiratory fitness 1.5-mile run , 20-meter HAMR , or 2-kilometer walk (if not medically cleared to run)

"There is a minimum five-minute rest period between components," and components should be scheduled to allow adequate rest for members on irregular or shift work hours.

Two administrative rules: Reserve members must be in a duty status for fitness assessments , and ARC Airmen will be required to retest no later than the next Unit Training Assembly or Regularly Scheduled Drill. And a flat prohibition: "Videotaping of fitness assessments is not allowed, nor should it be used in the appeal process."

The Fitness Screening Questionnaire is completed in myFitness when scheduling, prior to the assessment , to allow time for medical evaluation. "Failure to complete the fitness screening questionnaire does not invalidate the fitness assessment," but the member must inform the PFA Administrator if responses have changed between submission and execution.

The Composite Score

Airmen receive a composite score on a 0 to 100 scale based on these maximum component values:

Component Maximum points
Aerobic 60
Muscular 20
Sit-up 20
Total 100

Aerobic is 60 percent of the score — three times either strength component. That weighting is the single most tested number in Section 22B.

The minimum-score trap is equally testable: "Meeting the minimum score in each of the components does not constitute the minimum points required to earn a passing fitness assessment score. Scoring the minimum component values in all components will not generate enough points to earn a composite score of 75 or greater."

So an Airman can hit every component minimum and still fail . Age and sex-specific score charts are provided in myFSS.

The Four Result Levels

Level Composite score Retest interval

Excellent At or above 90 12 months if all three applicable components scored at or above 90 . Six months if fewer than three components scored at or above 90 and the individual is not on a chronic profile

Satisfactory 75 – 89.99 Six months
Unsatisfactory At or below 74.9 and/or one or more component minimums was not met 90 days
Component exemption Exempt from one or more components , but assessed on the remaining components —
Composite exemption Exempt from all components —

The excellent-level split is the detail candidates miss: scoring 90+ overall earns "excellent," but the 12-month retest requires all three components individually at or above 90. Otherwise the retest is at six months , the same as satisfactory.

Worked example. An Airman scores 58 aerobic, 18 muscular, and 17 sit-up for a composite of 93 . That is excellent — but because the sit-up and muscular components are not each at or above 90 percent of their maximums, the relevant question is whether all three component scores were at or above 90 on their scales. Where fewer than three components reach that level and the member is not on a chronic profile, the retest falls at six months rather than 12.

Documenting Failures
"Assessment failures will be annotated in myFitness (myFSS) and will be considered against the individual."

Two commander discretions:

The commander has the discretion to annotate a non-current/failing assessment within the reporting period on the performance evaluation

It is the commander's discretion to document the evaluation as a referral for a non-current/failing assessment at the evaluation close-out date

"Commander responses for fitness assessment failures range from verbal counseling to placement on control roster, to administrative separation." That range — counseling → control roster → separation — mirrors the graduated-discipline logic in Chapter 20.

Deployments. "Members must have a current fitness score on file prior to deployment," and "members will not be considered 'exempt' in the deployed location until their current fitness assessment expires."

Medical exemptions. Providers may recommend temporary or permanent medical exemptions for conditions preventing safe participation. The commander, in consultation with the fitness program manager and upon provider recommendation, may grant exemption from aerobic and muscle fitness components for a limited period. Exemptions are entered into myFSS using the AF Form 469 following assessment completion.

The partial-exemption rule is heavily tested: "Airmen with a medical profile prohibiting them from performing one or more of the components of the fitness assessment will still be tested on the components not specifically exempted." A profile is not a blanket pass.

The Components Explained

Type AFH 1's definitions

Muscular fitness Includes both muscular strength and muscular endurance . Muscular strength is the maximum force generated by a specific muscle or muscle group ; muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle group to execute repeated contractions over a period of sufficient time to cause muscular fatigue

Aerobic fitness "Cardiorespiratory endurance, known as aerobic fitness, is the ability to perform large muscle, dynamic, moderate-to-high intensity exercise for prolonged periods," depending on the functional state of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle systems — more simply defined as the ability to produce energy

Benefits of muscular fitness AFH 1 names: helps with metabolism, strengthens connective tissue, increases bone density, facilitates recovery, helps prevent injury, may increase cardiorespiratory fitness, and may improve mood and self-image.

Aerobic Activity Targets

Intensity Description Target

Moderately intense Continuous exercise that raises heart and respiratory rates, initiates sweating, and permits conversation or controlled breathing At least 30 minutes a day / five days a week

Vigorously intense Elicits higher physiological responses and permits light or broken conversation At least 20–25 minutes a day / three days a week

The conversation test is the practical discriminator — full conversation means moderate; light or broken conversation means vigorous. AFH 1 also notes that intensity is "considered the most important variable in training," measurable by percentage of maximal oxygen consumed or percentage of maximal heart rate.

Training Principles

Warm-up: a five to seven minute dynamic warm-up increases blood flow, reduces the risk of injury , and increases the joint's range of motion . The recommended sequence: slowly jog in place or walk , slowly rotate joints , then slowly mimic the activities to be performed — lifting lighter weights helps prepare the neuromuscular pathways.

Cool-down: provides a gradual reduction in activity to prevent blood pooling, hasten recovery, and avoid injury. After a run, jog slowly then walk for one to two minutes while rehydrating.

Flexibility: "the maximum ability to move a joint freely, without pain, through a range of motion." Although flexibility is not assessed during the fitness assessment, it is an important aspect of overall health. Two aspects: stability (maintaining non-movement functional positions, including postural stability) and mobility (controlled, functional movement through an active range of motion).

Stretching: stretch when muscles are warmer , hold stretches for 10 to 30 seconds , and repeat each stretch three to four times . "Ballistic stretching (bouncing) is not recommended."

Principle What it requires

Specificity Target specific muscle groups by assessing functional movement. AFH 1's example: an Airman whose job requires lifting objects from the ground to overhead locations is doing the functional equivalent of a squat and an overhead press

Regularity "Establishing a routine of three workouts per week is best for optimal gains," striving to exercise all target muscle groups at least twice each week

Recovery Allow at least a 48-hour recovery period between workouts for the same muscle groups. Recovery between sets should range from 30 seconds to three minutes

Balance Include exercises for all major muscle groups in both upper and lower body . Because most muscles are organized into opposing pairs , follow a pushing exercise with a pulling exercise — an overhead press followed by a lateral pull-down

Variety Different equipment, changed exercises, and altered volume and intensity add variety and may produce better results

Three numbers to lock down: 48-hour recovery for the same muscle group, three workouts per week, and 10–30 second stretch holds repeated three to four times.