Breaking Down the New Ranger School RPA 2.0: What You Need to Know (Effective April 21, 2025)

Ranger School Just Got a New PT Test

The U.S. Army’s Ranger School has always demanded the highest levels of physical and mental performance. With the introduction of the Ranger Physical Assessment (RPA) 2.0, starting April 21, 2025, those standards are evolving once again to ensure candidates are fit enough to keep up with the physical rigors of the course. It is the first “gate” of the course, and the first opportunity for a Ranger candidate to fail…

If you’re preparing for Ranger School, understanding the new RPA 2.0 standards is critical. Here’s what to expect—and how to train.

RPA 2.0: What Has Changed?

The new RPA 2.0 is divided into two distinct parts:

Part 1 – Combat Readiness Test (Must Complete in Under 14 Minutes)

This section is designed to simulate high-intensity combat movements and test anaerobic capacity, strength, and grit. It includes:

• 800-meter run – Kicks off the test and elevates the heart rate immediately.
• 30 Dead-Stop Push-Ups – No momentum allowed; pure upper body and core control.
• 100-meter sprint – Short burst to assess explosive speed.
• 16 Sandbag Lifts (onto a 68-inch platform) – Requires strength, coordination, and full-body power.
• 50-meter Farmer’s Carry (2 x 40-lb water cans) – Tests grip strength and stability.
• 50-meter Movement Drill – 25m high crawl followed by a 25m 3-to-5 second rush.
• Final 800-meter run – Seals the deal, testing endurance under fatigue.

You must complete all of this within 14 minutes. Time and movement quality matters.

Part 2 – Endurance and Bodyweight Strength

Once recovered, candidates must complete:

• Four-Mile Run – In 32 minutes or less. This isn’t a jog—it’s a consistent sub-8:00/mile pace after already taxing your body.
• 6 Chin-Ups – Strict form required. No kipping or swinging.

Why the New Standard Matters

The new RPA 2.0 (or whatever we’ll end up calling it) is meant to more accurately test a candidate’s physical abilities to continue on with Ranger School training, and to do so in a way that is more aligned with current U.S. Army fitness standards. The update makes the assessment more combat-relevant while raising the bar for what it means to be Ranger-qualified. The layout does require the Soldier to train independently to find success, but against standards that are already very prevalent throughout the force (i.e. the Expert Badge testing - E3B).

How to Prepare
To meet the new Ranger School RPA 2.0 standard, your training should include:

• Sprint Intervals + Distance Running – Prepare for both anaerobic and aerobic demands.
• Dead-stop push-up practice – Train strict form under fatigue.
• Loaded carries + sandbag work – Replicate the grip, strength, and movement patterns.
• Crawl and rush drills – You want to be very familiar with these movements and build the explosive power required to do them with speed.
• Pull-up and chin-up mastery – Full control, full range.

Final Word

If you’re aiming to earn the Ranger tab, passing the RPA 2.0 is your first gut check. It’s designed to weed out the unprepared. Start training now, diligently and with purpose. If you fail this first gate, it will be your fault. Ranger School doesn’t care about your excuses. They only cares if you’re ready. Stay gritty. Stay prepared. Earn it.

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