Passed NSCA CPT

by Richard Anantua

Thanks so much for your product. I am writing a review since it was instrumental in my passing the NSCA-CPT exam.

I passed the NSCA-CPT with a scaled score of 77 (the passing mark is 70)! The exam was difficult, but the review course provided much of the information needed to do well on the sections dealing with anatomy, nutrition and cardiovascular disease. I am happy I did not pay the NSCA many times the cost of this review course for their study materials (except for the Essentials of Personal Training Book, 3rd Edition that I purchased for around $50 on Amazon). The online quizzes are a fun and efficient way of preparing for the exam.

Richard

Passed the NSCA exam after two tries

by Janet
(Richmond, VA)

I had to take the NSCA exam twice before passing. I just missed the first time but was weak in a few areas. I recommend having some training experience before taking the exam. Maybe start with one of the easier certification programs to help you get a job, and then study for the personal trainer certification from NSCA while you work and earn money.

NSCA exam: program design and metabolic changes

by ryan
(reno, nevada)

I took the computer based NSCA test and if you have taken your time learning the information instead of cramming, you will do better. The practical section was hard because you could only watch the video once and then answer.

I learned a lot about program design, metabolic changes, and exercise technique that I incorporate every day with my clients. NSCA is one of the best certifications for a reason, so study.

Studied NSCA 7 Weeks and Passed!

by Brenda H
(Chicago)

I do have a few degrees, but all are unrelated to exercise science. I had also never studied physiology or kinesiology, but I am an instructional designer. To pass this test in a short amount of time, you need a strategy. The information is overwhelming. First, I went to ACTION Certification's Web site and downloaded their study materials and read them.

Next I went to wikipedia and read about myofibrils (the article is excellent). Read the article on Bohr curve, too. Then I realized I needed to write articles and essays about what I was learning to help integrate the material. So I wrote essays on the cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory systems, plyometrics, muscle alignments... and how to determine such things as Vo2max, etc. I developed exercise charts showing muscle actions. I was sure to include the formulas in my essays.

Yes, you must read the book and take the practice exams, because NSCA uses language in a unique way and the various organizations differ when it comes to such things how to do assessments and programming. However, if you've never studied the physiology and kinesiology... before, prep with lighter materials first.

What surprised me about the test was the number of questions dealing with plyometrics. At times, I thought the test was easy, and at times I though it was difficult. Part of the difficulty is that you really have to get in a certain frame of mind to answer some questions, like the analysis ones, but then the next question can be completely different in terms of topic and type. It may be a recall type question. It's difficult to keep switching modes of thinking.

NSCA cPT exam

by Tom
(Baton Rouge, LA)

The NSCA cPT exam is tough but you don't want to be working with clients with special needs and not know what you are doing. Mistakes with these clients can do a lot of damage. I chose the NSCA personal trainer certification because it is so rare and respected in the industry. It was worth the extra studying.

Just passed my CPT exam!

by Becky Clark
(Seattle)

I am SO relieved to have passed my NSCA test today on the first try. 87%. It was very hard and very comprehensive. I think the fact that I've worked as a trainer for 10+ years (with ISSA cert) really helped (my degree in graphic design sure didn't LOL). But I don't know that I would've passed as handily (if at all) without the study guides/quizzes from this site. Those really nailed down the items I needed to focus on and gave me the confidence to take the test.

My suggestions:
1. Read the textbook and highlight key areas.
2. Purchase the review package from this site and do all the quizzes, following the directions on what to do next.
3. Buy and take the practice exams from the NSCA, then study the areas you're weak in (it'll tell you).
4. Cram, cram, cram for a few days before your test.

You can do it!

Make exercise technique a priority

by Susan
(Mechanicsville, VA)

Study long and hard for the NSCA exam, especially if you have no college degrees after your name. It took the better part of 3 months to absorb all of NSCA's exam prep material, of which I purchased the text book and the complete set of DVD symposiums as well as practice exam vol. one. It was money well spent. Topics to know cold: safety issues, exercise technique and nutritional guidelines such as necessary daily protein, fat, ect. There are lots of scenario questions and many are worded so as to confuse you with superfluous information. I passed on the first try so it's definitely possible. I found very few questions on the structure of a muscle or the sliding-filament theory. Concentrate on client evaluation, program design and common errors in technique and you'll do well. The prep material spends little or no time teaching the proper names of bones and muscles so it's helpful to either look it up online or snag an anatomy book. Good luck!

Passed the NSCA CSCS 1st attempt 01/25/2011

by Will
(Seattle)

Hello fellow trainers and trainers-to-be!!

The CSCS exam was hard and comprehensive in terms of the material covered in the text and exam, BUT it is TOTALLY manageable if you put in hard work.

I don't have a degree in physiology, kinesiology, etc., but a bachelors in Economics. I was NASM-CPT, CES, PES certified about 1.5 year ago.

I am not going to discuss the exam format since much of that information is covered on their website.
How I studied:

1) I read the text cover to cover and highlighted important points. Trust me, after the first time around your head will be spinning!

2) I HIGHLY recommend purchasing the multimedia symposium CDs; they were EXTREMELY helpful in terms of clarifying and breaking down the important concepts. I took notes and copied the outline from the videos; this really helped me retain the concepts. Once I was completed with the notes from the symposium CDs, I easy had two 1 subject notebooks filled.

3) I read through the text from cover to cover 2 more times and made additional short notes onto my notebooks.

4) Memorized the main points in the notebooks and text.

5) Took a week off during Thanksgiving and studied about 4 hours a day.

6) Took the 3 practice exams twice before another one full week of studying before the exam. I have a full time job in investment sales, but took vacation weeks to study for this.
A lot of you will wonder if all topics were covered, and ON MY exam, pretty much everything from each chapter came up. Topics ranged from the 3 energy pathways, sport psychology, to the administration chapter.

I studied off and on for 9 months and hit it hard for 3.
Good luck! It’s do-able once you put in your effort!

Regards,
Will CSCS, NASM-CPT, CES, PES

Here’s the link to the NASM-CPT exam I posted a while back for those who are interested:
https://www.starting-a-personal-training-business.com/i-passed-the-nasmcpt-07272009-1st-attempt.html

Overstudied! but dont underestimate the NSCA CPT test

by Steve
(San Pedro)

I just took the NSCA CPT test and passed comfortably. They design the test with safety in mind. Most of the questions pertain to body positioning (i.e. the planes of movement, flexion, abduction, protraction, etc..), ways to make an exercise more or less difficult (which by the way was not covered in the text), some muscle anatomy, and case studies. definitely know when a client needs referral to a professional, when an alarming situation calls for medical attention, and methods of motivation. I know the test always changes, but there is little by way of technical jargon. know the bold and italics for sure, and graze over the rest. More important than anything, I've been exercising for many years, so I understand manipulating body position for the desired effect (pain reduction, ease of motion).

NSCA: Just study until you are absolutely comfortable

I took and passed the NSCA CPT. It was not easy. I feel as if I memorized the book before walking into the exam. Which isn't a bad thing professionally. The good things in life do not come easy but are truly worth the work