KSA's - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[lettyram]

Hello. I am going to take my test in a couple of weeks and have read been reading this site to get an idea of how to study for the exam. I read a thread mentioning KSA. Can someone tell me about this? How do I approach the KSA? I have the second edition of ACSM material. I am now studying the Certification Review book more than any thing else at this point. Any suggestions on KSA would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much! Love this site!

[Dinah]

Hi there! Glad to know that you are finding the Forum useful.

The KSAs (stands for Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) are essential to understanding what is required for one to become -- in this case -- a certified personal trainer. Everyone has their own way of incorporating the KSAs into their study plans. For me, my study partner and I made slides for every KSA. It sounds like a lot of work -- and it was -- but it was critical to us that we covered everything that was required for us to know. Basically, the KSAs let you know what is in and out of scope for you to know. I've told people who asked about certain topics being included in the exam -- if it's a KSA, then it's fair game.

You will find the KSAs in the back of the major textbook - Resources for the Personal Trainer. I believe you can also obtain an updated list of KSAs from ACSM (acsm.org)

IMO, the Certification Review book is an important part of the study process, but in order to really absorb and understand the material, reading the major textbook and being very familiar (I'll go so far as to say comfortable) with the KSAs should be part of the plan.

Not sure of your background (already have a degree in exercise science, have another PT cert, etc.), but if you're new to this like I was, you'll want to take advantage of as many tools as you can -- not just to pass the test, but to create a foundation to be the best trainer you can be.

Hope this helps and good luck!


Dinah

[lettyram]

Thank you for responding to my post. I did take the test twice. I didn't pass. I was actually much closer the first time. I am frustrated at this point. I will take it again next month. At the moment I am trying to figure out or plan how to study this time around. I didn't think the practice exam was helpful at all in preparing me for the real exam. Thanks again for your advise.

[lettyram]

I forgot to mention that I did, at one point have a cert via NASM, It did expire and decided to go thru ACSM. I have been training for the last seven years. I took a yr and a half off bc I was pregnant but am looking to get back to training. Thanks Dinah!