CPAT
CPAT Preparation: A Practical Guide
The eight CPAT events, the physical qualities each one demands, and a training approach that builds capacity without burning you out.
9 min read · Updated 2026-02-02
What CPAT measures
The Candidate Physical Ability Test is a timed sequence of job-related events performed in weighted gear. It rewards aerobic capacity, grip endurance, and the ability to keep working while breathing hard.
Confirm the exact event standards, weights and time limits with the service or the test administrator running your session.
Training priorities
Build an aerobic base first: without it, every later event feels heavier than it is. Add loaded stair work, carries and drags in the middle block of your preparation.
Grip is the single most common failure point. Train it in short frequent doses rather than one exhausting session per week.
Tapering
In the final ten days, cut volume sharply while keeping some intensity. Arriving fresh is worth more than one extra hard session.
Related reading
Turn reading into readiness
Knowing the process is step one. Find out where you actually stand with a readiness check.