Modified NAPFA test for pre-national service students from 2015

Pull-ups give way to push-ups in Napfa test for pre-enlistment
By Amelia Teng, The Straits Times, 7 Nov 2014

MALE students in junior colleges, Millennia Institute, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will be tested with push-ups instead of pull-ups for the National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) test, from January next year.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) said yesterday that this change is in line with the modifications in the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) announced earlier by the Ministry of Defence. The change is meant to make it simpler for servicemen to train for the test and keep fit.

The new IPPT for servicemen, which will kick in next year, will have just three categories: the 2.4km run, sit-ups and a new category - push-ups.

The other existing stations - standing broad jump, shuttle run and pull-ups - will be removed.

Currently, the NAPFA test, which students take every two years, comprises six items that assess different aspects of overall fitness.

For post-secondary students, these are sit-ups, pull-ups for males and inclined pull-ups for females, sit-and-reach, standing broad jump, shuttle run and 2.4km run or walk.

The MOE said there is no change to the NAPFA test for primary and secondary students, and female students in junior colleges, Millenia Institute - which offers a three-year A-level course - polytechnics and the ITE.

These students will still be tested through pull-ups and inclined pull-ups.

Third-year Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Clarence Ching, 19, who prefers push-ups to pull-ups, said: "You can train for push-ups almost anywhere, but for pull-ups, you have to find the bar or install one at home.

"Push-ups also require less effort than pull-ups, although both are difficult in their own ways."