Normal cadence, or 'quick time', is ______ steps per minute.

• A. 100
• B. 140
• C. 90
• D. 120

Answer: (D)

Normal cadence is the pace used for standard marching, the rhythm that keeps a group in step with each other. This pace is quick time, defined as 120 steps per minute—that’s about two steps each second. That tempo makes it easy to follow commands and stay evenly aligned across the formation. The other options are simply slower or faster than the standard quick-time tempo: 100 or 90 steps per minute would fall below the normal marching pace, while 140 steps per minute is faster than quick time and not used as the standard pace (aside from even faster drills, like double time, which is 180 steps per minute). So 120 steps per minute is the correct normal cadence.