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NASM Certified Personal Trainer Practice Test

Full mock exam100 questions Β· 120 min Β· 4 choices β†’πŸ“– Review key concepts by unit first β†’

Exam info

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Type
Professional certification
Field
Fitness
Provider
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Sections
Exercise Technique and Training Instruction (24) Β· Program Design (20) Β· Assessment (16) Β· Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts (15) Β· Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching (15) Β· Professional Development and Responsibility (10)
Questions Β· Time
100 questions Β· 120 min
Format
NASM describes the NASM-CPT exam as 120 multiple choice questions with four answer choices, taken in 2 hours. Only 100 questions are scored; the other 20 are unscored pretest questions that are mixed in. This practice mock covers the 100 scored questions across the six exam domains.
Passing score
You need a scaled score of 70 (on a 0 to 100 scale) to pass. Scaled scores convert your raw score so different exam forms can be compared, so 70 is not exactly 70 correct answers. There is no separate minimum score for each domain.
Eligibility
Check NASM's current requirements before you register, including the minimum age, education, and CPR/AED requirements. The exam is closed-book and proctored, and it can be taken online or in person.

Exam outline

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Tap a unit name to see its key concepts and sample questions.

Exercise Technique and Training Instruction24 questions

  1. Unit 1: Flexibility, Core, and Balance Techniqueβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 35%
  2. Unit 2: Resistance and Cardio Techniqueβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Weight 35%
  3. Unit 3: Cueing, Spotting, and Safetyβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 30%

Program Design20 questions

  1. Unit 1: The OPT Model and Its Phasesβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Weight 40%
  2. Unit 2: Acute Variables and Progressionβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 30%
  3. Unit 3: Cardio and Flexibility Programmingβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†Weight 30%

Assessment16 questions

  1. Unit 1: Health Screening and Client Intakeβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 25%
  2. Unit 2: Fitness Assessmentsβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 40%
  3. Unit 3: Movement and Posture Assessmentβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Weight 35%

Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts15 questions

  1. Unit 1: Anatomy and Biomechanicsβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 35%
  2. Unit 2: Exercise Physiology and Energy Systemsβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 35%
  3. Unit 3: Nutrition Basicsβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†Weight 30%

Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching15 questions

  1. Unit 1: Communication and Rapportβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 50%
  2. Unit 2: Motivation and Behavior Changeβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Weight 50%

Professional Development and Responsibility10 questions

  1. Unit 1: Scope of Practice and Ethicsβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Weight 50%
  2. Unit 2: Safety, Emergencies, and Business Practicesβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†Weight 50%

NASM Certified Personal Trainer study tips

Written by our team
Study order
Start with The OPT Model and Its Phases in Program Design, then Movement and Posture Assessment, because many questions build on them. Next study the three Exercise Technique chapters, which together are the largest domain at 24 of 100 scored questions. Finish with Anatomy and Biomechanics, Motivation and Behavior Change, and Scope of Practice and Ethics.
Topics people often miss
The OPT Model and Its Phases is full of details that sound alike, such as which phase pairs strength with stabilization and which pairs strength with power, plus rep ranges and rest times. Movement and Posture Assessment asks which muscles are overactive or underactive for each squat compensation, so make a table and review it often. Anatomy and Biomechanics also trips people up on planes of motion and muscle roles.
Test day tips
The exam has 120 questions in 2 hours, and 20 of them are unscored, so you cannot tell which ones count. Treat every question the same and aim for about one minute each. You need a scaled score of 70 to pass. When a question asks what a trainer should do, choose the answer that keeps the client safe and stays within a trainer's scope of practice.
β–Ό More about NASM Certified Personal Trainer (trends Β· overview Β· FAQ)β–² Hide

NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam trends

The two biggest domains, Exercise Technique and Program Design, make up 44% of the scored questions. Topics that are easy to mix up include the five OPT phases and their reps and rest, overhead squat assessment findings (which muscles are overactive or underactive), planes of motion, and what a trainer may and may not do within their scope of practice. The chapters on this site are study groupings of those domains.

Start with the OPT model and the overhead squat assessment, because many other topics connect to them. Then practice exercise technique, planes of motion, and scope of practice in short Beginner sets. When you can answer most Intermediate questions, take a full 100-question Mock Exam and review every miss.

NASM Certified Personal Trainer Sample Questions and Explanations β†’

About NASM Certified Personal Trainer

The NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) exam tests the knowledge a new personal trainer needs to work safely with clients. It covers six domains: Exercise Technique and Training Instruction (24%), Program Design (20%), Assessment (16%), Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts (15%), Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching (15%), and Professional Development and Responsibility (10%). Short practice sets help you remember the OPT model phases, assessment findings, and scope of practice rules.

FAQ

Q. How many questions are on the NASM-CPT exam?
The exam has 120 multiple choice questions. 100 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest questions. You get 2 hours.
Q. What score do I need to pass the NASM-CPT exam?
You need a scaled score of 70. A scaled score converts your raw score so that different exam forms can be compared.
Q. What topics does the exam cover?
Six domains: Exercise Technique and Training Instruction (24%), Program Design (20%), Assessment (16%), Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts (15%), Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching (15%), and Professional Development and Responsibility (10%).
Q. Are these the real NASM exam questions?
No. Every question here is an original practice question. The real exam questions are confidential, so use this site for practice and study NASM's own materials too.
Q. Is this site connected to NASM?
No. This site is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NASM.

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