California Physical Fitness Test (PFT)  

Welcome! Here you will find information about the California Physical Fitness Test (PFT). You can also find more information on the California Department of Education's PFT webpage by clicking here.

About the Fitness Test:  

In 1976, Physical Fitness Testing was first approved in California. The legislation lead to the adoption of FITNESSGRAM in 1996 as the assessment for the PFT. The FITNESSGRAM outlines tests to be administered to measure physical fitness. (You can find more information by visiting http://www.cooperinstitute.org/fitnessgram.)

FITNESSGRAM outlines a comprehensive, health-related, physical fitness battery of tests in these 5 fitness zones:

1. Aerobic Capacity
2. Abdominal Strength and Endurance
3. Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility
4. Upper Body Strength and Endurance
5. Flexibility

How is the Fitness Test given?

For each fitness area, there are up to 3 different tests approved. Our district administers these:

• Mile Run (Aerobic Capacity)
• Curl Ups (Abdominal Strength)
• Trunk Lift (Trunk Extensor)
• Push Ups (Upper Body Strength)
• Shoulder Stretch (Flexibility)

Who takes the Fitness Test?

Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 are required to be tested. Typically, in 5th grade, their homeroom teacher and in 7th and 9th grade, their PE teachers administer the tests.

Testing Window:  

The Physical Fitness Test is required to be administered between February and May every year. Once the tests are administered, each student is given their "raw scores". For example, your student will be told the total number of curl ups they completed (number of push ups completed, time run in the mile, etc.).

In addition, the teacher must document if your student participated in that exercise or not. This information is aggregated together to form a participation rate for the exercise and grade level. Starting with the 2021-2022 School Accountability Report Card (SARC), PFT participation is included (you can find your school's SARC here: School Accountability Report Card).

Additional Resources:

For more information, you can visit the CDE PFT webpage here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/

Also, below is a 2-page document the CDE developed to help further explain the overall Physical Fitness test. Check it out!