If you need help studying for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free ACSM-CPT practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the ACSM-CPT exam, you’ll have to meet all of the requirements below:
- You need to be at least 18 years old
- You need a high school diploma or an equivalent
- You need an adult CPR/AED certification
If you meet these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 135 multiple-choice questions total, but only 120 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 15 unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
Each question falls under one of the following three cognitive levels:
- 🧠 Recall: The recall questions test your ability to recall/recognize information.
- 🛠️ Application: The application questions test your ability to apply knowledge to given situations.
- 🔍 Analysis: The analysis questions test your ability to analyze and evaluate solutions.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
1. Initial Client Consultation and Assessment
25% of the exam
- Providing documents and clear instructions to the client in preparation for the initial interview
- Interviewing the client to gather and provide pertinent information prior to fitness testing and program design
- Reviewing and analyzing client data to identify risk, formulate a plan of action and conduct physical assessments
- Evaluating behavioral readiness and develop strategies to optimize exercise adherence
- Assessing the components of health- and/or skill-related physical fitness to establish baseline values, set goals and develop individualized programs
- Developing a plan and timeline for reassessing physical fitness, goals and related behaviors
2. Exercise Programming and Implementation
45% of the exam
- Reviewing the client’s goals, medical history, and assessment results and determine exercise prescription
- Selecting exercise modalities to achieve the desired adaptations based on the client’s goals, medical history, assessment results and available resources
- Determining initial FITT Principle of exercise based on the client’s goals, medical history and assessment results
- Reviewing the proposed program with the client, demonstrate exercises and teach the client how to perform each exercise
- Monitoring the client’s technique and response to exercise, providing modifications as necessary
- Recommending exercise progressions to improve or maintain the client’s fitness level
- Obtaining client feedback to ensure exercise program satisfaction and adherence
3. Exercise Leadership and Client Education
20% of the exam
- Optimize participant adherence by using effective communication, motivational techniques and behavioral strategies
- Educate clients using scientifically-sound resources
4. Legal and Professional Responsibilities
10% of the exam
- Collaborating with health care professionals and organizations to create a network of providers who can assist in maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risk of an exercise program
- Implementing a comprehensive risk management program consistent with industry standards of care
- Adhering to ACSM Certification’s Code of Ethics
- Following industry-accepted professional, ethical and business standards
- Respecting copyright laws by obtaining permission before using protected materials and any form of applicable intellectual property
- Safeguarding client confidentiality and privacy rights unless formally waived or in emergency situations
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on ACSM’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $410. If you’re an ACSM member, you will only have to pay $310.
ACSM Study Guide and Flashcards
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Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 200 and 800.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test after a 15-day waiting period.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay $205 re-testing fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
How many questions are on the ACSM-CPT exam?
The exam contains 135 questions.
What is the time limit for the ACSM-CPT exam?
The exam is timed at 2.5 hours.
What is the passing score for the ACSM-CPT exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 550 to pass.
How much does the ACSM-CPT exam cost?
The testing fee is $410 ($310 for ACSM members).