The pre-joining fitness test (PJFT)

Everyone who joins the RAF must have a basic level of fitness. So before you can join, you must pass the pre-joining fitness test (PJFT).

This test take place at your armed forces careers office (AFCO) or, more likely, at a local gym. The test is a 2.4 km run on a treadmill, which must be completed in an allocated time, and a specified number of press-ups and sit-ups.

What are the limits?

Time limits for the run vary according to your age, but this is a guide for people between the ages of 17 and 29 years:

• Men – 11 minutes 11 seconds for the run, 20 press-ups and 35 sit-ups
• Women – 13 minutes 23 seconds for the run, 10 press-ups and 32 sit-ups

Make the grade and we’ll invite you to RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire for the pre-recruit training course (PRTC).

• Text trainer
• Progress tracker
• Fitness widget

Pre-recruit training course (PRTC)

The pre-recruit training course (PRTC) is a two-day visit designed to introduce you to the recruit training environment and to help you prepare for the recruit training course. It also includes:

• an RAF fitness test, where we will assess your physical fitness and ability to succeed following further training
• functional skills tests in English and Maths

You have to attend and pass the course at least six weeks before you join the RAF.

Fitness test

The fitness test includes a number of elements, including:

• a multi-stage fitness test (MSFT), where you run between two markers set exactly 20 meters apart, while keeping up with a series of bleeps that start off slowly but increase in speed every minute
• doing as many press-ups and sit-ups as you can within a prescribed time

To get an RAF fitness test (RAFFT) pass, you have to reach this standard:

If you find the fitness exercises difficult, our physical training instructors will give you advice on the best way forward.