FAQs
Ok, some people might be able to but it's not worth it trying to find out if you are one of them. As with every personal trainer certification offered by the full range of organizations, the NSCA CPT exam is pretty tough. And that means you need to know your stuff, inside and out!
What is the pass rate for NSCA CPT exam? ›
The pass rate for the Scientific Foundations section of the exam was 66% and the pass rate for the Practical/Applied section was 44%. The internal consistency reliability1 of the Scientific Foundations section and the Practical/Applied section were (respectively) 0.86 and 0.84.
What is the hardest CPT exam? ›
The ACE CPT Exam is known for being one of the most difficult personal training certifications to pass. Out of the almost 800-page textbook they select 150 questions that need to be completed in a three hour time limit. This can cause major anxiety as knowing what to study can be hard to determine.
What score do you need to pass the NSCA CPT exam? ›
There are 25-35 video and/or image items that assess competencies across multiple domains. To pass any NSCA certification exam, you must earn a scaled score of 70 or higher. More information on scaled scores can be found on the exam scoring page.
How many people pass NASM CPT exam first try? ›
The passing rate for this exam is about 61%, so do not fret if you do not pass on your first attempt. In the event that you do not pass the exam your first attempt a re-test will cost $199.
What is the pass rate for the NCSF CPT exam? ›
Bottom Line
| NCSF-CPT | NASM-CPT |
|---|
| Pricing | $799 to $1,399 | $899 to $3,499 |
| Term length | 6 months | 6 months |
| Exam passing score | 70% | 70% |
| Pass rate | 79% | 74% |
5 more rowsJan 4, 2024
We can see that NASM has the most difficult exam based on pass rate stats. NSCA is much more lenient to candidates, while still providing a great certification and academic experience.
What is the 2 for 2 rule NSCA? ›
The rule that both NSCA and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend is the “2-for-2 rule.” After a few workout sessions, you can increase the weight for a certain exercise once you can perform two more repetitions beyond your repetition goal for the last set for two weeks in a row.
How many times can you take the CPT exam? ›
After the first time, you can retake the test following a one-week waiting period. Those who fail the test a second time must wait at least 30 days before retaking the test. Anyone who fails the test after a third attempt has to wait a year before trying again. In each case, additional retest fees apply.
What personal trainer certificate is most respected? ›
- Best overall: National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)
- Most affordable: National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
- Best for brand recognition: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- Best for career development: Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
The ACE exam may be intimidating, as it is known to be a difficult one to pass in the fitness industry – at least on the first try. Not to worry, though – there are some significant ways you can prepare for your exam, pass in on the first try, and go further in your personal training career even sooner.
Which personal trainer exam is the easiest? ›
The easiest personal training certification to get from a reputable provider is the ISSA-CPT certification. Even though it is the easiest PT certification to get, with around a 90% pass rate, it is still highly recognized in the fitness industry.
What is the best way to study for the CPT exam? ›
Study recommendations:
- Answer the open-ended questions found in the NSCA-CPT Study Guide.
- Complete domain-specific quizzes if using the NSCA's CPT Quizzes and Practice Test.
- Enhance your knowledge and skills by reviewing topic-specific webinars, articles, and references.
For more information, view the Candidate Handbook. The NCCPT NCCA accredited certification exams are 140 multiple choice questions. 125 questions are graded (scored on the exam) and 15 questions are field items (pre-test, not scored on the exam).
How long does NSCA CPT certification last? ›
NSCA recertification follows a three-year cycle, ensuring certified individuals stay on top of industry trends, technology, regulations, and laws. Three years also gives you enough time to gain continuing education units without causing significant disruption or difficulty.
How hard is the CPT test? ›
NASM Test Difficulty – How Hard Is The NASM CPT Exam? The NASM CPT exam is all multiple choice questions, and you need to score at least 70% to pass. Some questions are easy, but others are hard and need more thinking. With diligent studying, many students have reported amazing exam results.
How hard is the NCSF CPT exam? ›
Exam Difficulty
You need a 70 percent score to pass the NCSF CPT exam. In our experience, if you can get through the practice quizzes with a passing score, you are more than prepared for the exam.
How long does it take to study for CPT? ›
This self-paced personal trainer certification allows for a minimum of three to six months to prepare for your exam, but most ACSM CPT exam students take three to nine months to study.
How long does the NSCA CPT exam take? ›
The NSCA-CPT exam contains 155 multiple-choice questions, 15 of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 3 hours. The unscored questions are scattered throughout the exam and are unmarked, so you will not know which questions are scored and which are unscored.
