Looking for feedback on my study plan - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[BrianB]

OK, so my materials are here. I have the 3 books that come in the ACSM CPT "study kit":

ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 2d Ed.
ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7th Ed.
ACSM's Certification Review, 2d Ed.

I also checked out the "ACSM's Resources Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription", 5th Ed. from the medical library at school just for good measure.

Having read all the posts in this category, and other Googling, I have devised the following study strategy. Those of you that have done the CPT, please let me know what you think.

1. Read "Resources for the Personal Trainer" cover to cover and take notes. Along the way, as the various KSA topics are come upon, notate in my KSA list where that topic was covered (and *that* it was covered).

2. Once done with #1, see what KSA's have not yet been covered. Find those topics in the "Guidelines" or "Certification Review" book (or the "Resources for Guidelines" as a last resort). Once found, read, and notes taken, notate the KSA list for that item to indicate where found and that it is done.

3. Buy and take the practice exam.

4. Using the KSA index created in steps #1 and #2, re-study any KSA's indicated to be deficient as a result of the practice test.

5. Sell the KSA index created in steps #1 and #2 for lots of money. :-)

The reason I'm not planning on reading "Guidelines" cover to cover is I'm sure there is a lot of material in there that is a) not needed for the CPT exam (more applicable to HFI, ES, etc.), and b) may be duplicative of material in "Resources".

What do you all think of my plan?

Thanks so much for your guidance. I hope I'm not trodding too heavily over old ground. I've not seen anyone lay out this exact approach before.

[BrianB]

Just a quick update to let you all know that I took the ACSM CPT exam today and passed with 700 (out of 800). Since only 550 is required to pass, I'm fairly pleased with my score. I really feel like my existing scientific, nutritional, and medical knowledge (not from any formal education, just a lifelong interest) really helped me go from "OK, I've got my books" to "I passed the exam" in only 16 days. I might be wrong, but I don't think that is a typical turnaround time.

When I get some free cycles later I plan to do some more detailed posts about my exam preparation strategy, my impression of the exam itself, etc., for whatever benefit those topics may hold for people working on this certification.

Of course now I need to go order some ACSM shirts and such. Then I can truly say "been there, done that, got the t-shirt".

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Congratulations BrianB!!! Not only in passing with such a high score but for getting it all done in under a month! You must be a fast learner!

Keep us updated with your career and keep posting your input into the forum.

Great Job! :medal:

Dave

[BrianB]

Thanks Dave! This is really a side passion for me right now -- a luxury permitted by having a day job that I really enjoy and pays the bills. In the beginning I plan to find a gym like a YMCA, or maybe the local university, and ask them if they'd like a free personal trainer for a bit. That way I can get some good hands-on experience, help some people that might not otherwise be able to afford a trainer, and also not have to worry about the person thinking "I'm paying for this!?!?!" if I'm a little green here and there.

After a little while of that, we'll see where things go. At best I could only train clients in the evening and on weekends (due to my day job), so that in and of itself will be a limitation.

My education has only begun. I have a stack of books I ordered from Human Kinetics that I need to start going through now. One is the Strength Training book from the NSCA. It looks like a good text and I think I'll start with it.

Thanks again for the positive feedback.

[Christina]

Congratulations, Brian!!! :thumb:

How were you able to work full time and get through all 3 books in 2 weeks?!?

Christina

[BrianB]

Congratulations, Brian!!! :thumb:

How were you able to work full time and get through all 3 books in 2 weeks?!?

Christina

Thanks Christina!

Did I mention I'm also going to class in the evening finishing the last semester of my bachelor's degree? I also had a major exam for school the night before the CPT exam -- talk about overload.

No pain no gain applies to the brain too I suppose. :-)

Just a note for those buying materials -- I also bought the "Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription" book. It wasn't part of the study kit, but it turns out that some of the KSAs are only covered in that book (and not anywhere in the other 3). Obviously I didn't read it cover to cover -- I just looked up specific topics to fill in the gaps.

When I get a chance (maybe this weekend) I'll try to post my rather lengthy study tips and hints.

Heck, I should put together a study course for the thing. I couldn't guarantee that anybody else could pass the test with 2 weeks of study, but I certainly have a bunch of tips that would help. By the way, the 3-day workshop was very helpful as well.