United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test The United States Marine Corps requires that all Marines perform a Physical Fitness Test ( PFT ) and a Combat Fitness Test ( CFT ) once per fiscal year . Each test must have an interval of 6 months ( same standards apply for reservists ) . The PFT ensures that Marines are keeping physically fit and in a state of physical readiness . It consists of pull - ups , crunches and a 3 - mile run for males . For females it consists of flexed arm hang , crunches and a 3 - mile run . This test is known to older Marines as " PRT " for Physical Readiness Test , and was required at a three - month interval however , that didn ' t happen on schedule much . On 1 October 2008 the Marine Corps introduced the additional pass / fail Combat Fitness Test ( CFT ) to the fitness requirements . The CFT is designed to measure abilities demanded of Marines in a war zone . < ref name = ALMAR032 / 08 > < / ref > Tests . Pull - up or Flexed arm hang . The standard Marine Corps pull - up begins at the " dead - hang " with arms locked out and the body hanging motionless . A successful pull - up is performed without excess motion , the body rising until the chin is above the bar , and body lowered back to the " dead - hang " position . Changes in grip during the chinning are allowed as long as the feet don ' t touch the ground and only the hands come in contact with the pull - up bar . There is no time limit . Both an overhand ( pronated ) and underhand ( supinated ) hold on the bar can be used . < ref name = " MCO6100 . 13 W / CH 1 " > < / ref > Until January 1 , 2014 , female Marines will continue to perform the flexed hang instead of the pull - up . The flexed hang is started with the chin above the pull - up bar . The timer is started and does not stop until the arms become fully extended . The feet may not touch the ground or any part of the pull - up bar at any time . However , as of January 1 , 2014 , female Marines must perform a minimum of three ( 3 ) pull - ups in order to pass the PFT . < ref name = " ALMAR046 / 12 " > < / ref > Crunches . Crunches are executed with the feet flat on the ground together or 12 inches apart ( whichever is more comfortable ) , knees bent at a 90 degree angle , and arms on the ribcage or chest . One crunch is completed when the upper body is lifted until both arms touch the thighs and then lowered until the shoulder blades touch the ground . The arms must be in constant contact with the chest or rib cage ; the buttocks must be in constant contact with the ground . The exercise is performed with the heels of the feet kept in constant contact with the ground . The Marine is given two minutes to complete as many crunches as possible . Run . The Marine runs three miles on reasonably flat ground . ( Actual distance may vary slightly . ) " Old Corps " Marines ran the three miles over irregular terrain with pack , rifle , canteen full of water , web gear with accoutrements , helmet and full field utilities . Scoring . Marine Corps PFTs are scored the following way for males : Marine Corps PFTs are scored the following way for females : Maximums and minimums . To earn a perfect PFT score of 300 points , a male must do 20 pull - ups , 100 crunches in less than two minutes , and complete the three mile run in 18 minutes or less . A female perfect score is 70 seconds on the flexed arm hang , 100 crunches , and a 21 minute three mile run . Marines who score above a 285 receive certifications as an award for their higher than average fitness . The minimum a 17 to 26 year old male Marine must complete are 3 pull - ups , 50 crunches , and a 28 minute 3 - mile run . The minimum a female Marine in the same age group must complete are 15 seconds on a flexed arm hang , 50 crunches and a 31 minute 3 - mile run . Note that merely completing the minimum in each category is not sufficient for passing the test ( i . e . , one must achieve a passing score and complete at least the minimum in each category in order to pass the test ) .