If you need help studying for the NCSF 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 NCSF-CPT practice test!
What’s on the NCSF-CPT Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 150 multiple-choice questions total, but only 125 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 25 unscored questions on the NCSF-CPT exam are used 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.
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the NCSF-CPT exam.
1. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY
12% of the exam
- Muscle identification
- Joint movements
- Muscle actions
- Planes of motion
- Movement analysis
2. EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
9% of the exam
- Energy systems
- Muscle physiology
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Respiratory physiology
- Neuromuscular adaptations
3. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
11% of the exam
- Components of fitness
- Physical activity guidelines
- Health-related fitness assessment
- Fitness testing protocols
- Interpretation of fitness results
4. SCREENING AND EVALUATION
11% of the exam
- Client health history
- PAR-Q and other screening tools
- Risk stratification
- Fitness assessments
- Body composition analysis
5. NUTRITION
7% of the exam
- Macronutrients
- Micronutrients
- Dietary guidelines
- Supplementation
- Hydration
6. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
8% of the exam
- Energy balance
- Weight loss strategies
- Behavioral change theories
- Exercise for weight management
- Nutritional interventions
7. EXERCISE PROGRAMMING
19% of the exam
- Program design principles
- Periodization
- Resistance training
- Aerobic training
- Flexibility training
8. TRAINING INSTRUCTION
16% of the exam
- Exercise technique
- Instructional cues
- Safety and spotting
- Modifications for different populations
- Use of equipment
9. CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
4% of the exam
- Training for older adults
- Training for youth
- Pregnancy and postpartum training
- Chronic conditions and exercise
- Adaptive fitness
10. PROFESSIONALISM AND RISK MANAGEMENT
3% of the exam
- Code of ethics
- Client confidentiality
- Legal issues and liability
- Emergency procedures
- Professional development
How to Register
To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to visit the NCSF website to fill out or download a registration form, or you can call an NCSF representative. You’ll need to pay the $349 exam fee as part of the registration process.
Once you’ve registered successfully, you should be sent a unique eligibility number.
NCSF-CPT Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
NCSF-CPT Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 70 to pass the test.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the NCSF-CPT 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 as many times as you need.
The good news is that each attempt within 6 months of your first attempt only costs $99!
FAQs
How many questions are on the NCSF-CPT exam?
The exam contains 150 questions.
What is the time limit for the NCSF-CPT exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the NCSF-CPT exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 70 to pass.
How much does the NCSF-CPT exam cost?
The exam fee is $349.