Curl-Up (Sit-Up) Test: Standards by Age & Sex
How many curl-ups should you be able to do? These are the curl-up norms from the Presidential Fitness Test's 1985 survey, by age and sex. A partial curl-up was offered as an alternate.
Curl-Up (Sit-Up) Test norms by age
Curl-ups are done in 60 seconds with knees bent and feet flat, curling up until the shoulder blades clear the floor and the elbows touch the thighs.
| Age | Boys 85th | Boys 50th | Girls 85th | Girls 50th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 33 | 22 | 32 | 23 |
| 7 | 36 | 28 | 34 | 25 |
| 8 | 40 | 31 | 38 | 29 |
| 9 | 41 | 32 | 39 | 30 |
| 10 | 45 | 35 | 40 | 30 |
| 11 | 47 | 37 | 42 | 32 |
| 12 | 50 | 40 | 45 | 35 |
| 13 | 53 | 42 | 46 | 37 |
| 14 | 56 | 45 | 47 | 37 |
| 15 | 57 | 45 | 48 | 36 |
| 16 | 56 | 45 | 45 | 35 |
| 17 | 55 | 44 | 44 | 34 |
Verified source: Presidential Physical Fitness Test standards — President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, 1985 National School Population Fitness Survey (85th percentile validated 1998; 50th validated 1994). Reproduced verbatim and checked cell-by-cell. Recovered from the President's Challenge archive and verified cell-by-cell against the authoritative GPO publication (p. 8). Partial Curl-Up norms: Canada Fitness Award Program; ¼/½-mile: AAU. Official source · Sources & methodology
Frequently asked questions
How many curl-ups is good for my age?
On the Presidential Fitness Test scale, the 50th percentile is the median for your age and sex and the 85th is a top score. A 12-year-old boy averaged 40 curl-ups, with 50 at the 85th percentile.
Are curl-ups the same as sit-ups?
They're closely related. The Presidential Fitness Test used the curl-up (a partial sit-up to a 30-degree trunk angle) to reduce strain, counting reps completed in 60 seconds.
Other events: Push-Up Test · Pull-Up Test · Sit & Reach Test · One-Mile Run · Shuttle Run Test · Flexed-Arm Hang Test