Edited by: Danielle Abel

How hard is it to pass the CSCS exam?

According to the NSCA, the 2021 pass rate for the CSCS exam was 57% for first-time candidates. 

This included passing scores on the Scientific Foundations and Practical/Applied sections. 

Test Goals

The goal of the test, according to the NSCA, is to evaluate the tester's knowledge related to anaerobic and aerobic training programs as they relate to a given athlete's sport, strength and conditioning ability, and the athlete or sport's training goals.

Additionally, the NSCA goes on to explain that the tester must understand how to administer performance testing as well and be able to evaluate the results of performance testing to inform and support their training decisions. 

Test Format

The exam is 100% online and is taken through a testing center that NSCA works with. All questions are multiple-choice, select the best single answer, and 30 to 40 of the questions are video or image-based.

There are 2 portions to the exam, a scientific foundations portion, and a practical/applied portion. 

• Scientific Foundations
  • 95 total questions (80 scored and 15 non-scored)
    • 44 questions on exercise science
    • 19 questions on sport psychology
    • 17 questions on nutrition
    • 15 non-scored questions (questions that NSCA is testing out)
• Practical/Applied
  • 125 total questions (110 scored and 15 non-scored)
    • 40 questions on exercise technique
    • 38 questions on program design
    • 20 questions on testing and evaluation
    • 15 non-scored questions (questions that NSCA is testing out)
    • 12 questions on organization and administration

If a tester fails one of the sections but passes the other section, they will only be required to take the failed portion of the exam again, within one year. 

Looking for a step-by-step program to help you learn the NSCA’s CSCS certification exam content and requirements step by step? Then you might want to check out our online CSCS Prep Course here.

Exam Questions

The NSCA refers to exam questions as "items." All exam "items" are multiple choice, and testers should choose "the best" answer out of the 3 possible answers that are provided. 

Some "items" will be paired with a video or image, and others might be a case study or present a situation. There is no essay or write your own answers.

Exam questions are categorized into the following formats:

• Recall
• Application
• Analysis

Recall - require testers to recall principles, concepts, facts, or procedures

• Information is easily found in the textbook or other resources 
• Generally, start with "what is xyz" 
  • Which of the following describes fast twitch muscle fibers?
    1. High resistance to fatigue
    2. High power output (correct answer)
    3. Low contraction speed

Application - require testers to apply the knowledge that is situationally dependent

• Includes basic calculations or identifying relationships between 2 or more concepts
• Questions might be things like "if this, then that" - if this variable is present, then this outcome is likely to occur
  • If a 20-year athlete has a resting heart rate of 60 bpm, what is this athlete's exercise heart rate at an exercise intensity of 85% using the Karvonen formula?
    1. 187 bpm
    2. 196 bpm
    3. 179 bpm (correct answer)

Analysis - testers must consider and evaluate different pieces of information or variables to find the most appropriate answer

• Complex calculations and identifying patterns within data
  • A Division I college soccer player who is 21 years old, 5 ft 10 inches (170cm), weighs 165lbs (74.8kg) and has the following assessment results:
    • Back squat: 285lbs (129.2kg)
    • Body fat: 12%
    • Vertical jump: 23 inches (54.42cm)
    • 5-10-5 agility: 4.5 seconds
    • 40 m sprint: 7.5 seconds
      • Which of the following is the MOST important for the athlete to improve?
        1. Strength
        2. Agility
        3. Speed (correct answer) 

Test Specifics

Scientific Foundations - designed to assess the tester's knowledge of exercise science, specifically anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, and nutrition. This section is approximately 1.5 hours in length. 

• Exercise Science
  • anatomy and physiology of muscles, neuromuscular system, bones, connective tissue, and cardiopulmonary systems
  • biomechanics, bioenergetics, and metabolism
  • neuroendocrine physiology
  • physiological adaptations
  • differences amongst athletes (athlete age, their sex, or their training ability)
  • knowledge of scientific research and statistics 
• Sports Psychology
  • psychological foundations as they relate to performance
  • motor learning and acquisition of skills
  • mental health considerations in athletes 
• Nutrition
  • factors affecting health related to nutrition
  • improving performance through nutritional intervention
  • common supplements
  • performance-enhancing substances

Practical/Applied - designed to assess the tester's knowledge of exercise techniques, program design, testing and evaluation, and organization and administration. This section is approximately 2.5 hours in length. 

• Exercise Technique
  • preparation for movement
  • resistance training techniques (resistance machines, free weight training, alternative modes, non-traditional implements
  • Olympic weight lifting
  • plyometric exercise
  • speed & sprint technique
  • agility technique
  • energy systems adaptations (anaerobic and aerobic conditioning)
  • techniques to maximize recovery
• Program Design
  • athlete needs analysis
  • training methods and modalities 
  • exercise selection
  • exercise order
  • exercise intensities
  • training volumes
  • work to rest periods
  • recovery and unloading
  • exercise progression
  • periodization models and concepts
  • programming athletes with injuries or are reconditioning
• Organization and Administration
  • organizational environment 
  • design
  • layout
  • organization of a strength and conditioning facility
  • professional practice
  • litigation issues that are commonly encountered 
• Testing, Ongoing Monitoring, and Data Evaluation
  • selection of appropriate evidence-based tests
  • testing administration
  • test monitoring protocols and procedures
  • evaluating and interpreting test results 

As simple as it sounds, reading the CSCS Certification Handbook and reading the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning textbook can be really helpful. Additionally, taking practice tests to improve your test-taking ability can also help as well. 

Support & Courses Available

If you're looking to study beyond just reading the handbook and textbook, you might want to check out our "Strength and Conditioning Study Group" on Facebook here. Or if you're ready for even more, check out our 24 Module CSCS Prep Course here to help you improve your chances of passing the NSCA exam, the first time.