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ACE'S TEST IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!

This is the third time I've taken this dammed exam, and I have to agree with most of the people on this site that this test does not accurately, test your on situations from a real workplace scenario.

Almost all the questions have three or all four of the choices are correct, but you have to somehow figure out the answer ACE wants.
Its so stupid. I took my exam the first time with a good amount of studying, got a 359. I was shocked and ashamed, I was get 100s on the practice test, it made no sense!!!

I took it a second time after 3 more months of studying, again I FAIL!!! At this point could nearly recite the book word for word!!!
I got a 461.

So yet ANOTHER 3 months later just this past Jan 13. I took it again, I fail...........
This time a 474.

I am extremely frustrated at this point.
ACE's personal trainer exam is the most unprofessional, inaccurate exams I've ever seen in my life.

Comments for ACE'S TEST IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!

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I agree about ACE
by: Anonymous

I failed the test the first time I took it. After months of studying, I knew I would fail it, but I just took it to see how badly I would fail. I have already posted about this elsewhere, but what saved me was attending NPTI. If there is a school near you I highly encourage you to look into it. Once I graduated from NPTI, I passed the ACE test with just a little last-minute studying and did well. NPTI is a hands-on program in a classroom and that's what I needed, and I am now doing very well in my career. Good luck!!!

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same
by: Anonymous

ive failed it 4 times already and i'm already so lost at where to start with studying. ive done everything i could but it's just annoying that i know my stuff for sure but its not what the test wants. its just extremely frustrating and i feel like i'm wasting money. i love the books and everything. its just the test that makes it so frustrating

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more about ACE
by: Anonymous

There are several stupid "psychological" questions on the test that are ridiculous. They come up with scenarios where two answers could be right. You waste a lot of time trying to figure out what the ACE people want you to answer. I'm not saying it hurts me to have the ACE cert, however, getting that cert had nothing to do with the education I received at NPTI that I use every single day. I have said it time and again, that ACE is a good cert if you already have a background in ex. phys or a related field. If you don't, do not expect it to give you what you need for a career as a personal trainer. It may land you a job but once you're on the job, I can't imagine how it prepares you for your career at ALL.

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Have not taken the test yet. is it REALLY that bad?
by: Anonymous

Just a question for all of you who are professing that this test is impossible and ridiculous.....Do you have background in exercise science or was personal training just an after thought? I really just want to know if this is why you all are having problems or if it is in fact the test that is too hard? I have a BS in exercise science and have recently finished a personal training class and I plan on taking the certification exam within the next 2 months. Just wondering if I should be worried. thanks.

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ACE'S TEST IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!
by: Anonymous

The NASM exam is just as (or even more) ridiculous! I received my 1st certification in 1989 and have spent years with some of the best personal trainers in the industry, including former Mr Universe & Mr America winners, Fitness Model competitors, College Strength & Conditioning coaches, and professional athletes who all now make their living by earning the trust of their clients. The best ones will tell you that the certification doesn't make the trainer. Having the ability to recognize EXACTLY what a client needs and matching those needs with their goals, and training them effectively & producing results is what makes a good trainer. However, these cert exams have proven to be a "Money Grab" and are structured to require that you not pass the exam on the 1st try. They then brainwash owners and supervisors of health clubs (especially the country club managers, who are typically just "wanna be" golf pros) and convince them that they shouldn't hire a trainer (regardless of their experience, accomplishments, and track records) unless they have the ACE or NASM cert. So, these two companies exploit that. They have somehow convinced these owners that they can't be insured unless these certs are obtained. This is a lie! IPFA, ISSA, & AFFA are all good certs. Beginners can even start with a simple online cert from Expert Rating. Try to get in with a facility that will allow you to start with one of these certs with the commitment that you will register to take the ACE and buddy up with someone who has passed it and take notes.

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FAIL...!!! (3rd Time)
by: Sue

Today I failed for the 3rd time. The proctor knows me now so she didn't even bother to look at my I.D. lol 416 the first time (deserved because I winged it) 463 the second time (after a course via Loyola University which consisted of the instructor running through ACE produced powerpoints and passing out quiz copies) and today I boosted up to 480 after studying for six hours a day for two weeks. I felt more sure of my answers this time and made logical choices in terms of answers but still...I just can't give the ACE answer for these questions. I am so hurt but I know if I give up, I will be missing an opportunity to free myself from a dead end job and create a new level of independence. I'm at a crossroads; take it a 3rd time, get a more streamlined certification via another body.

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Difficult but definitly doable
by: Anonymous

I am in my senior year last semester at Kansas State studying Kinesiology and I just took the ACE test. I only had a little over 20 days to study for this but I feel like having a good background in exercise physiology definitely helped. A lot of people think its an easy cert to get but there's a lot that goes into it. Im pleased to say I passed with a score of 720 but again there is no way I would have done this without help from my college courses. If you plan on taking this test make sure you give yourself plenty of time to really study, understand, and apply the material. Good luck to everyone out there getting ready to take it. Its a great feeling being able to help others through physical activity and exercise!

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I happy to know I'm not alone
by: Kevin May

I too failed the ACE exam first time by 12 points second time 05/23/2014 by 5 points I have a 3.7 GPA never failed a test until ACE what a scam I pasted the dame test back in 1982 I think since Ace is not longer the gold standard they milking anyone who cross their path another point their text book suck my I had to use my wife's anatomy books and go on line to get better explanations on most topics in the ACE manual overall the whole process suck I felted like I was being fisted.

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Passed ACE Oct 2014
by:

Just in case some of you were wondering about the exam, 500 is a passing score. I got 634 and studied for less than a month. I have completed CPT exams/course from other certs( CANFITPRO, PTA Global) and have EMR (EMT-B in some places).

Some folks on here seem to say it was difficult and questions were out of the blue. I found 1/3 question to be hard. Everything you need to know is covered in the manual. If you know it you should have no trouble passing, if you don't you'll struggle.

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It's Not...That Hard
by: Anonymous

I know this is a late answer, but I passed just this month, the first time around. I studied a little over 5 months and I don't have a background in exercise science at all. I have a background in English. However, I still managed to score 647 out of 800 on the exam, and I found it very easy. So I fail to see how ACE is designing it so that you fail the first time through when the only science class I have from college is astronomy.

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ACE exam is ridiculous
by: Anonymous

If you pass it the first time without exercise science background, I would say you had beginner's luck.

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I passed in my first time.
by: Anonymous

I bought study material and studied for 1 month even they recommended study for 3-4 months.English is my second language it is pretty hard for me to complete study material in 1 month. I have no background in anatomy and physiology what so ever. I have been lifting for 4 years. .I got 540 out of 800. I have to agree, the exam is different from sample test and harder than practice test. The point is you really need to understand how to practice your clients and try to apply assessment to your client. Also, read different types of skeleton msucle and what is their functions. If you could not sure what right answer is, always choose the most conservative one Read PT manual chapter 7-12 carefully and also remember basic knowledge, such as what is the normal blood pressure, nail down the math part because it was easy and you should not lose the point in math section which is sucks.

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Ace Health Coach Test
by: Karen Wilhour

I passed this test in 4 1/2 months I study a ton and use a bunch of clients for assessments I loved this program but the test was hard. I am an A student and work hard to keep this. I ended with an 80 and I am very happy about my score. When you take the test you have to get into the mind ser of of an "ACE" health coach. How would they want me to answer this. Know all you facts and math equations. Understand the law and what wavier is important any why!

Feels great to be finished!

Hope this helps,

Karen

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It’s weird but not that bad
by: Anonymous

Took the test today. Passed with 714 first try. Some of the questions are a little weird but if you know anything about fitness and anatomy you can think through them. Honestly if you if you be take it over 3 times and don’t past maybe it’s time to think if this is the right profession. Not trying to be rude, just saying.

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Not agree
by: Anonymous

I have passed 4 ACE including PS, AI, DR, FL without any additional training materials. Please be remind that ACE is only for expert.

PS: I am a Adobe Certified Web Specialist and Adobe Certified Instructor.

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Not hard.
by: Anonymous

I studied for 2 months leading up to the ACE exam and made a 704 on it. Some questions were challenging but most were not. All is covered in the manual. Don't freak, just prepare yourself!!

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I studies for a year sorta
by: Anonymous

Ok well i signed up and studied off and on for a year, but hardly, then I decided to buckle down and REALLY study the material for 6 weeks. The first time I took it I made a 496! Not to mentune the reason I was studying off and on is because i was pregnant, and my daughter was almost 5 months old when I took it the first time. I suggest watching as many youtube videos first on people who passed, and writing down all there suggestions then literally applying them.

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Study hard for the last few days of your exam.
by: Anonymous

I passed the exam today and it was honestly not that hard, even if you only study for an hr a day for 6 months (which I actually did, for the most of it). The only complicated questions for me were the ones that were exercise-science related. As long as you study for the last couple days (go through all the chapters via Ace University) you will be fine. I read through these comments on here a day before taking the test and I thought I was gonna fail 100% because of how many people finding it difficult, but in reality its not.. even if I didnt have a background on kines, exercise science, etc.. I still passed. To that one comment up there thats specifically saying you need a degree on kines or exercise science and need to re-evaluate one's decisions if they fail to pass the test.. that is not true at all. As long as you have the drive to be a personal trainer you will be just as good. To anybody reading this that will be taking the ACE cpt exam, finish the book and study hard on last week. Review review review. I advise you to make your own flashcards via quizlet (I did this 3 days prior to the exam) and I found myself memorizing the vocabulary words and most of the terms even better! So I highly advise you to do that!

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I FAILED THREE TIMES ALSO
by: Anonymous

I just failed the exam for a 3rd time. I intentionally studied the material again after failing the first 3 times. The last time i tested was in October, so i really took my time. Read the book, listened to countless youtube videos, actually passed two practice exams, first with 92% and the second with an 87%. I am feeling defeated.

Any tips on how to pass would great. I could recite every concept, IFT, behavioral models, every deviation, even most muscles by this point.

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What a disappointment!
by: Anonymous

Yes, it is daunting! I am an older participant but am very involved with exercise and have a background in social work. Looking over all of the materials and reading these comments, I have decided it is more than what I am capable of at this point of my life. Too bad ACE doesn’t consider the holistic approach to testing. They lose a lot of good possibilities.

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First Time - Passed it!
by: Anonymous

I agree with most comments regarding a question and the number of correct answers or, sometimes there are no correct answers. Not sure if the question was a "test" question or an actual question.

My background is not in exercise science but I have been exercising for 50 years so that helped.

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