Are you looking to become a certified personal trainer through the ACSM certification?
Becoming an ACSM certified personal trainer is a great first step towards your career as a personal trainer.
Worried about passing the ACSM certification exam?
Trainer Academy has your back!
Our free ACSM CPT practice exam has the hardest questions from the ACSM personal trainer curriculum.
This ACSM personal training practice test contains the toughest ACSM exam questions from the following domains:
Rest assured, if you can score well on our ACSM practice test and answer the practice questions correctly, you will pass your ACSM CPT exam and earn your personal trainer certification.
Without further ado, let’s get you cracking on your practice test!
Domain I: Initial Client Consultation and Assessment
What is Syncope?
A. An uncomfortable and abnormal awareness of someone’s breathing
B. Loss of consciousness
C. Knifelike, sharp jabs aggravated by respiration
D. Unpleasant awareness of how rapid the heart is beating.
Correct answer: B. Loss of consciousness.
Reference: ACSM Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Discussion of ACSM Signs and Symptoms: Chapter 11, page 30
Which muscle is not in the posterior spine musculature?
A. Quadratus lumborum
B. Intrinsic rotators
C. Erector spinae
D. Multifidus muscles
Correct answer: A. Quadratus lumborum
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Lumbar: Chapter 3, Page 107-108.
Which Transtheoretical Model stage shows a planned change within 6 months?
A. Maintenance
B. Contemplation
C. Pre-contemplation
D. Preparation
Correct answer: B. Contemplation
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. The Transtheoretical Model: Chapter 7, Page 204-205
What is an antalgic gait?
A. An abnormal gait resulting from deformity, laxity, or stiffness
B. An abnormal gait due to a leg length difference
C. An abnormal gait resulting from injury to the pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, or foot
D. A gait that is abnormal from less dorsiflexion range
Correct answer: C. An abnormal gait resulting from injury to the pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, or foot.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Common Gait Abnormalities and Associated Biomechanical Responses: Chapter 4, Page 131.
Which is a social barrier to exercising?
A. Lack of time
B. Poor body image
C. Lack of extrinsic motivation
D. Caregiving responsibilities
Correct answer: D. Caregiving responsibilities.
Reference: American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Social Barriers: Chapter 8, Page 235.
Which is the force of blood acting in the arterial walls and veins?
A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Blood pressure
D. Maximum heart rate
Correct answer: C. Blood pressure.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Blood Pressure: Chapter 5, Page 137-138.
Which two factors are measured in the Rockport 1 mile walk test so we can predict VO2 max?
A. Heart rate and age
B. Time and weight
C. Weight and age
D. Time and heart rate
Correct answer: D. Time and heart rate.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Rockport 1-Mile Walk Test Procedures: Chapter 12, Page 337
Which exercise method is used when someone does the Astrand Rhyming test for cardio fitness?
A. Walking
B. Stepping
C. Jogging
D. Cycling
Correct answer: D. Cycling.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Astrand-Rhyming Test Procedures: Chapter 12, Page 338-339.
Which is not a social cognitive theory component?
A. Situational factors
B. Behavior
C. Personal factors
D. Environmental factors
Correct answer: A. Situational factors.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Social Cognitive Theory: Chapter 7, Page 212.
What stage of change of the TTM is someone in if they have completed their preparticipation screening and are about to do their fitness assessment two weeks from now?
A. Preparation
B. Precontemplation
C. Action
D. Contemplation
Correct answer: A. Preparation.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer, Fifth Edition. Social Cognitive Theory: Chapter 7, Page 212.
Domain II: Exercise Programming and Implementation
Which strength curve makes it possible to lift the weight when only using the bottom half of the motion?
A. Bell-shaped strength curve
B. Descending strength curve
C. Ascending strength curve
D. Inverted-U strength curve
Correct answer: B. Descending strength curve.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Variable-Resistance Devices: Chapter 14, Page 383.
What progression per week is appropriate for advancing a beginner’s cardio when they already do 60 minutes of low-intensity work for the first week?
A. Progress to 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise in week two
B. Add 10-15 minutes/week until they reach 120 minutes/week
C. Progress to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week
D. Add 20-25 minutes per week until they reach 150 minutes/week
Correct answer: B. Add 10-15 minutes/week until they reach 120 minutes/week.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Page 442
How many sets per exercise need to be done for the advanced people looking to train for muscular power?
A. 1-3 sets per exercise
B. 2-4 sets per exercise
C. 3-6 sets per exercise
D. 3-5 sets per exercise
Correct answer: C. 3-6 sets per exercise.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Resistance Training: Chapter 19, Page 525-526.
What is the most basic position for the hip rotator stretch?
A. Lying prone
B. Lying supine
C. Seated on the floor
D. Seated in a chair
Correct answer: D. Seated in a chair.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Types of Stretching: Chapter 16, Page 454, 458
Which movement is not a risk for people with osteoporosis?
A. Bending forward
B. Hip abduction
C. Supine spinal rotation
D. Back extension
Correct answer: B. Hip abduction.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Osteoporosis: Chapter 16, Page 476.
Which resistance exercise has an active extension of the glenohumeral joint?
A. Dumbbell lateral raises
B. Dumbbell overhead presses
C. Dumbbell pullovers
D. Dumbbell front raises
Correct answer: C. Dumbbell pullovers.
Reference: American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Chapter 3, Page 60.
Which goal is not appropriate for pregnant clients?
A. Increase cardiorespiratory fitness
B. Lower the incidence of low back pain
C. Avoid excessive weight gain
D. Reduce the risk of gestational diabetes
Correct answer: A. Increase cardiorespiratory fitness.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Programming during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Chapter 20, page 563..
How much bone mineral density loss happens in women every year after the age of 35?
A. About 5% to 6%
B. About 4%
C. About 1%
D. About 2% to 3%
Correct answer: C. About 1%.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Physiological Changes with Aging: Chapter 20, Page 552..
Which exercise is not intended to improve power?
A. Clean and snatch
B. Sprint drills
C. Box jumps
D. Medicine ball back throw
Correct answer: B. Sprint drills.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Plyometric Training: Chapter 19, Page 538-540.
Of these, what might a client use for variable resistance training?
A. Battling Ropes
B. Kettlebells
C. Stability ball
D. Chains
Correct answer: D. Chains.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Variable Resistance Training: Chapter 19, Page 528.
Domain III: Exercise Leadership and Client Education
What is informational support?
A. Encouragement or acceptance from others
B. Material aid is given to provide an individual the opportunity to exercise
C. Advice or information is given regarding exercise
D. Providing an individual with constructive feedback
Correct answer: C. Advice or information is given regarding exercise.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Social Support: Chapter 8, Page 242-243.
What vitamin has limited storage in the body?
A. Vitamin D
B. Vitamin A
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin E
Correct answer: C. Vitamin C.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Water-Soluble Vitamins: Chapter 6, Page 179.
For adult athletes, what is the protein amount recommended per day?
A. 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight
B. 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight
C. 2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight
D. 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight
Correct answer: A. 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Protein: Chapter 6, Page 172-175.
Which trait is not possessed by a professional that creates a hospitality experience?
A. Self-awareness
B. Perseverance
C. Optimistic warmth
D. Work ethic
Correct answer: B. Perseverance.
Reference: American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Customer Service and Hospitality: Chapter 10, Page 271-273.
Which is not a technique to build rapport?
A. Affirm client strengths
B. Be a good listener
C. Impose own viewpoints
D. Engage in self-disclosure
Correct answer: C. Impose own viewpoints.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Rapport: Chapter 7, Page 224.
What is the mechanical work of 3 sets of ten reps of a bicep curl with a 10-pound weight moving one meter every rep?
A. 10 lb.*m
B. B. 300 lb.*m
C. 3,000 lb.*m
D. 30 lb.*m
Correct answer: B. 300 lb*m.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Mechanical Work: Chapter 4, Page 122.
What goals are helped to be set by motivational interviewing?
A. Intrinsically motivating goals
B. Health outcome goals
C. Outcome goals
D. Extrinsically motivating goals
Correct answer: A. Intrinsically motivated goals.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Motivational Interviewing: Chapter 9, Page 260.
There are how many stages of change in the TTM?
A. 6 stages
B. 5 stages
C. 7 stages
D. 4 stages
Correct answer: B. 5 stages
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. The Transtheoretical Model: Chapter 7, Page 203-208.
Which is not a phase of appreciative inquiry?
A. Design
B. Determine
C. Dream
D. Discover
Correct answer: B. Determine.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Appreciative Inquiry: Chapter 9, Page 257-258.
Domain IV: Legal and Professional Responsibilities
HIPAA’s main purpose is:
A. To protect a client’s confidentiality
B. To ensure the client is aware of the risks associated with exercise
C. To protect a personal trainer from liability
D. To ensure a client’s safety during a workout
Correct answer: A. To protect a client’s confidentiality.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Client Confidentiality: Chapter 22, Page 624.
What activity is outside a trainers’ scope of practice?
A. Developing meal plans
B. Discussing diets
C. Talking about calories
D. Addressing protein intake
Correct answer: A. Developing meal plans.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Scope of Practice: Chapter 6, Page 163.
Which would not happen during the hands-on part of an interview?
A. The personal trainer engages in motivational interviewing with the hypothetical client
B. The personal trainer takes the hypothetical client through a cardiovascular endurance assessment
C. The personal trainer takes resting measures of the hypothetical client
D. The personal trainer engages in spotting techniques with the hypothetical client
Correct answer: A. The personal trainer engages in motivational interviewing with the hypothetical client.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Hiring Personal Trainers: Chapter 21, Page 590-592.
What is the main reason trainers need to avoid selling supplements?
A. It is outside their scope of practice to do so
B. It takes away potential profits from the personal trainer
C. Lack of certainty of the ingredients in supplements
D. The high price of supplement cost for the client
Correct answer: C. Lack of certainty of the ingredients in supplements.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Supplements: Chapter 22, Page 611.
What is the number one claim against both fitness facilities and fitness professionals?
A. Falling
B. Negligence
C. Abuse
D. Harassment
Correct answer: A. Falling.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Slip-and-Fall Injuries: Chapter 22, Page 614.
What other certification is needed by a lot of training facilities in addition to a PT certification?
A. Corrective exercise certification
B. Specific population certification
C. CPR and AED certification
D. Post-secondary degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or human movement
Correct answer: C. CPR/AED certification.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Emergency Response: Chapter 21, Page 612-613.
If a facility surface is wet and won’t be dry before a session starts, what should the trainer do?
A. Cancel the session and reschedule
B. Cancel the session and refund their money
C. Only perform exercises that do not require standing
D. Dry the surface and start the session late
Correct answer: A. Cancel the session and reschedule.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Slip-and-Fall Injuries: Chapter 22, Page 614.
What disorder of the hip may cause sciatica symptoms?
A. Bursitis
B. Osteoporosis
C. Arthritis
D. Piriformis syndrome
Correct answer: Piriformis syndrome.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Chapter 3, Page 90.
Incident reports include which of these?
I. Facts surrounding the incident
II. Opinion about what caused the incident
III. Names and contact information of witnesses
IV. Signature of individual who experienced the incident
A. I, III, and IV only
B. I and IV only
C. II and III only
D. II, III, and IV only
Correct answer: A. I, III, and IV only
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Emergency Response: Chapter 22, Page 613-614.
Which situation can the ACSMCP not disclose their affiliation and credentials according to the code of ethics for ACSM professionals?
A. When implying ACSM endorsement
B. Listing it on their business cards
C. Orally, provided it is currently accurate
D. Informing the public during a presentation
Correct answer: A. When implying ACSM endorsement.
Reference: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer 5th Edition. Public Disclosure of Affiliation: Chapter 1, Page 22.
ACSM Practice Test FAQ
What is the best exam prep and study material for the ACSM test?
Your test preparation for the ACSM personal training certification revolves around the ACSM textbook. Additional online materials are available to streamline the process of learning from the book. These guides include practice test questions, a quiz per chapter, a detailed content guide, and additional ACSM study guide materials like flashcards.
What topics are on the ACSM exam?
ACSM exam topics include exercise physiology, exercise modalities, program design, physical activity screens, fitness testing, and risk management.
How much study time and review do I need to pass the ACSM personal trainer exam?
Your study time needed to pass the ACSM CPT test depends on your background knowledge. Using an ACSM study guide to efficiently review material can drastically decrease the amount of time it takes to prepare for the ACSM CPT exam. The ACSM personal trainer study guide
How do I get my ACSM personal trainer cert?
To get your ACSM personal trainer certificate, you need to take the ACSM CPT exam and receive a passing score of at least 550/800. If you did well on our ACSM practice tests, you should not have to retake the ACSM exam.
How do I get my ACSM personal trainer cert?
To get your ACSM personal trainer certificate, you need to take the ACSM CPT exam and receive a passing score of at least 550/800. If you did well on our ACSM practice tests, you should not have to retake the ACSM exam.
Is the ACSM CPT a specialist certification?
The ACSM CPT is a general fitness certification, however, the ACSM does offer specialist certifications such as the ACSM certified exercise physiologist and the ACSM group exercise certification.