Royal Marines · Recruit
Royal Marines fitness test: what is the Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment (PJFA)?
The Royal Marines Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment (PJFA, which the Royal Navy's pages also call the PJFT+) is a bleep test to level 10.8, then maximum-effort press-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups, each done up to the bleep. The published minimums to pass the Commando Preparation Course are 30 press-ups, 40 sit-ups and 4 pull-ups. You can attend as many PJFA events as you need.
Verified 2026-11-01 against Royal Navy — Royal Marine Officer: Pre-Joining Fitness Test Plus (PJFA).
The pass mark
Bleep test
10:8
published as 'level 10.8'; the Royal Navy pages do not say which shuttle length (15 m or 20 m) the assessment uses
Press-ups (minimum)
30
maximum effort, up to the bleep; 30 is the published minimum to pass the Commando Preparation Course
Sit-ups (minimum)
40
maximum effort, up to the bleep; 40 is the published minimum to pass the Commando Preparation Course
Pull-ups (minimum)
4
maximum effort, up to the bleep; 4 is the published minimum to pass the Commando Preparation Course
Our practice tool uses 20 m shuttles; the Royal Navy pages do not say which length the assessment uses.
Good to know
Do not aim for the minimum
The Royal Navy's page says the minimums do not show your true fitness and that you should never aim for the minimum during the test. Aim for as many repetitions as you can.
Where the PJFA is held
The two Royal Navy pages describe the venue differently. The Officer page says the PJFT+ has been held at Nuffield Health gyms since June 2021. The Commando page says the PJFA is run by six regional teams at locations across the whole of the UK, and to find your nearest location you should speak to your careers adviser. Because the pages differ, ask your careers adviser where your own event will be.
The swimming assessment
Everyone joining the Royal Navy is assessed on swimming before joining, and it is conducted across the Candidate Preparation Course, the Recruit Orientation Phase and, for Royal Marines Officer candidates, the Royal Marine Officer Selection Course. You step off a 3 m platform, swim two laps (about 150 m) of breaststroke without touching the sides or floor, with no time limit, tread water for 2 minutes and climb out without using the steps. It is done in swimming trunks or shorts, with no goggles unless medically necessary.
A second test is also called PJFT+: the circuit
The Royal Navy uses the name PJFT+ for two different things: the bleep test and repetitions on this page, and a circuit. The circuit page describes it as a step up from the pre-joining test across the rest of the Royal Navy: three circuits of 20 burpees, 30 sit-ups, 20 press-ups and a one-minute plank, then, after a two-minute recovery, one set of five pull-ups. It says that to continue your journey as a Royal Marines Commando you will have three attempts to pass the Pre-Joining Fitness Test Plus, that it is held at Nuffield Health gyms, and that it is typically booked after your Recruiting Test. The pages do not say which test a given candidate sits or whether both apply, so ask your careers adviser. Our circuit timer can run the circuit.
What is not published
The pages above give no age or sex variation, no cadence for the bleep-paced exercises and no rest times between parts. Candidates who have transitioned and are unsure which standard applies are told to contact their local Careers Office.
Common questions
What level is the Royal Marines (PJFA) bleep test?
Bleep test to level 10:8 (published as 'level 10.8'; the Royal Navy pages do not say which shuttle length (15 m or 20 m) the assessment uses).
When do I take the Royal Marines (PJFA)?
At a Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment (PJFA) event, before the Commando Preparation Course. The Officer page says invitations typically come within 28 days of passing your medical. The two Royal Navy pages give different venue details (see below), so ask your careers adviser where yours will be.
How many attempts do I get?
You can attend as many PJFA events as you need.