MARCH 5, 2020 – The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) is a battery of four events used to assess a recruit’s capabilities to engage in physically demanding Army training. As an assessment, the OPAT measures physical capacity in the three major areas of physical readiness: upper- and lower-body power, lower-body strength, and aerobic endurance. Recruits take four OPAT test events: Standing Long Jump (known as SLJ), Seated Power Throw (known as PWT), Strength Deadlift (known as SDL), and the Interval Aerobic Run (known as IAR). Recruiters can administer the Standing Long Jump, Seated Power Throw, and Strength Deadlift in any order. The Interval Aerobic Run is always the last test event.
TEST ADMINISTRATION
1. The purpose of the OPAT is to certify that individual recruits, cadet candidates, and reclassified Soldiers are physically prepared to begin training. The OPAT predicts whether Trainees or cadet candidates can safely and effectively engage in the physical training required for their military occupational specialty (MOS) school or area of concentration. Training for the OPAT improves an individual’s physical and mental readiness for initial training.
2. Individuals must achieve a physical demand category (known as PDC) (heavy, significant, or moderate) equal to or greater than the physical demand category required for their MOS or area of concentration prior to shipping to initial training. In some cases Soldiers attempting to reclassify into a higher physical demand category MOS or area of concentration must re-test. Individuals are authorize unlimited retests after an appropriate training interval. This interval depends upon the physical condition of the individual and the amount of improvement required in his or her OPAT score. Individuals have achieved substantial improvements in OPAT performance after committing to a 30-day conditioning program that follows the OPAT improvement and Future Soldier Program (known as FSP). If the logistics of re-testing make it unfeasible to test at a later date, a Soldier can re-test can on the same day. Test results are valid for up to 90 days. See appendix B for more on OPAT improvement.
3. All OPAT test events — Standing Long Jump, Seated Power Throw, Strength Deadlift, and the Interval Aerobic Run — must be administered on the same day. Soldiers must complete all four events within one hour. The test period is defined as the period that elapses from the start to the finish of the four events: for example, from the first trial on the Standing Long Jump to the last shuttle of the Interval Aerobic Run. Individuals are authorized to take up to five-minutes to recover between events, but may elect to proceed sooner with the next event if they are ready.
4. Graders—an event supervisor, grader, officer in charge (OIC), or noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC)—administer the OPAT. A minimum of two Soldiers are required to administer an OPAT: OIC or NCOIC, and an event supervisor or grader. Graders record OPAT scores on DA Form 7888 (Occupational Physical Assessment Test Scorecard). Graders maintain one scorecard for each individual. The recruiter, OIC, or NCOIC keeps the scorecard and enters scores into the command’s system of record. Typically, recruiters grade and monitor the progress of individuals. Read more about OPAT Grading Standards.
5. The Army physical fitness uniform (APFU), Army combat uniform (ACU), or civilian attire equivalent to the APFU is permitted for wear during the OPAT. Devices or equipment that offer any potential for unfair advantage during testing are unauthorized. This includes nasal strips, weight lifting gloves, braces for the spine or extremities, elastic bandages, or sunglasses. Electronic devices are also not authorized (electronic music players and cell phones). AR 670-1 specifies components of the APFU ensemble.
