Just Took and Passed! - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[KLA88]

I have been a lurker on this message board for the last few months (since I received my NSCA-CPT study materials in February).

After 4 months of steadily studying, I took the computer-based exam this past Thursday. It was hard, but I passed with a score of 83 (you need a 70). After the exam (and celebrating!), I went back and looked up the answers I was unsure of and noted what the right answers would have been.

Some advice: really study exercise techniques for resistance training & aerobic training (proper body position, common technique mistakes, etc.), what muscles are working concentrically and eccentrically during the different exercises, normal health stats (what numbers indicate a risk for cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.), and the different steps of the initial fitness consultation.

I purchased the textbook, one practice exam and the multimedia symposiums and I'm glad I did. I never took anatomy in school and actually received my bachelor's degree in communications (a.k.a - not very much science was included in my education). I felt like I would be doing myself a favor by spending a little extra money and getting some more study aids.

I also made a lot of flashcards and typed up all the chapter study questions from the book and multimedia symposiums with the answers and then noted on the sheets WHY the answers were, well, the answers. That all may seem like a lot of work, but it helped the material really sink in (and it was spread out over 4 months).

I'm excited to be an NSCA-CPT and wish everyone else luck who is currently studying or getting ready to take the test!

[Dinah]

Hi KLA88 --

Congratulations on passing the exam!!! Way to go! Thanks for letting us know the study tips that helped you. It actually feels very similar to what I did for the ACSM CPT exam. In fact, I am coming from a "comms" background and had no prior knowledge of exercise science. What little I did know was from being a consistent gym-goer or doing my own research.

Let us know how you're making out with your newly-minted certified self!

Dinah