1. Use earplugs. It doesn't matter what fitness certification you are trying to pass, if you are in a room with a bunch of other people, you may be easily distracted during the test by all the little noises that others make. This can mean the difference between passing and failing a test.
2. Sit in the front of the class. Not all fitness certification classes use a teacher like me. For example, some certification exams are taken in large classrooms without prior teaching (e.g. NSCA) and some are taken using a computer (e.g. ACE). Some exams you take in the privacy of your home on your personal computer (e.g. Expert Rating) and some are take-home tests where you mail the test to the organization for grading (e.g. ISSA). If that's the case with the certification you're trying to attain, it obviously doesn't matter where you sit.
However, if there is somebody teaching you stuff prior to the certification test, it's in your best interest to sit at the front of the class. This makes it easier for you to ask questions, hear what the teacher is saying and see any illustrations that the teacher is trying to show you.
Also, do NOT ASSUME that the teacher is going to teach you everything you need to know for the test. this is called "teaching to the test" and nobody does this. During the lecture portion of the class you will learn things that may be on the test and information that you will not be tested on. Also, some things that you will have to know will NOT be covered in class.
3. Bring something to write with. I have seen many people who walk into the classes I teach with nothing to take notes with. After about five minutes they start asking others for pen and paper. The people who usually do this are novices, who do not know what to expect and unfortunately listen to the bad advice of friends. When I was in college I would take notes and also tape record lectures. Later, I would copy all the information into a "good" notebook so I had complete record of what was discussed in class.
4. Study before the test. Never assume that you are going to be taught everything on a certification test on the day the test is given. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make and it almost certainly dooms you to failure. All certification organizations have manuals to help you study. All of these manuals are basically the same when it comes to presenting the core-essential information that personal trainers should be familiar with. Where they differ however is how intricate and in-depth they go.
There is no way that anyone will be successful as a personal trainer if they do not study before attempting the test. People must study before walking in the door on the day of the exam. I usually recommend at least 1-3 months of studying (depending on your starting point) before taking a fitness exam.
5. Take a practice test. Some organizations give you the opportunity to purchase practice exams. These are designed to show you the types of questions you will encounter on the certification exam. They will not be the same questions you will be asked on the "real test."
Remember, a fitness certification only demonstrates that you have passed the MINIMUM requirements. This is true for ALL certifications. Thus, it's important to stay educated after the certification.
Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT is a self employed personal trainer, author and educator. He has an MS degree in exercise science and a BS in biology and chemistry He has authored books on personal training, dietary supplements and sports nutrition and written in for several publications including Today's Dietitian, weightwatchers.com and Strength and Conditioning Journal. His website is http://www.Joe-Cannon.com
