Personal Trainer Certification

1
AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE BOARD OF
CERTIFICATION

• Personal Trainer Certification
• Examination Format for the Written Simulation

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies
(NCCA) has accredited all the ACE professional
fitness certifications programs
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Written Simulation - Introduction

• The purpose of this presentation is to help the
  ACE Personal Trainer certification candidate
  become more familiar with the written simulation
  examination.
• This presentation provides information on the
  purpose of the examination, how the problems are
  developed, and includes a sample problem for
  candidates to complete for practice.

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Written Simulation General Overview

• Personal trainers frequently encounter situations
  where they are asked to apply their knowledge in
  working scenarios.
  
• To better assess a candidates ability to apply
  exercise science knowledge, the written
  simulation has been created to gauge the
  decision-making abilities of the candidate.
• The problems in the exam are intended to
  simulate, as closely as possible, the various
  situations that a personal trainer may encounter
  in actual practice.

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ACE Exam Development

• All ACE examinations are developed using a
  six-point exam development process guided by
  standards accepted by the American Psychological
  Association, the American Educational Research
  Association and the National Council on
  Measurement in Education.
• This process adheres to accepted certification
  practices ensuring that certified professionals
  meet minimum standards of knowledge and skills
  necessary to provide safe and effective fitness
  instruction.

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ACE Exam Development

• The questions on all ACE exams are carefully
  constructed using qualified and experienced
  subject matter experts (SMEs), working under the
  supervision of psychometricians from CASTLE
  Worldwide, Inc.
• Each exam offered by ACE is developed around a
  role delineation study, which defines the scope
  of practice for the professional and serves as
  the blueprint for the examination content
  outline.

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Written Simulation Exam Format

• The Personal Trainer examination requires
  completion of two portions
  
• A three-hour multiple-choice examination.
• A one-hour written simulation examination.
• The written simulation examination begins after
  the scheduled break between the examination
  portions.
  
• All Personal Trainer certification candidates
  must return to the exam site to check in for the
  written simulation examination at the time noted
  on the admission ticket.

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Written Simulation Exam Format

• The candidate will receive two booklets
• A problem booklet.
• An answer booklet.
• PROBLEM BOOKLET
• The booklet contains two problems. Each problem
  is divided into several sections. Additionally,
  the booklet contains a short example to help
  candidates understand the examination format
• Each problem contains a set of instructions that
  must be followed carefully.

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Written Simulation Exam Format

• PROBLEM BOOKLET
• Each problem begins with an introduction or
  scenario that describes a set of circumstances.
  
• Each section also contains a list of actions
  and/or decisions that the candidate selects based
  upon those that he/she deems appropriate given
  the circumstances at that time.
• In each section, the choices presented appear in
  random order, but should all be considered before
  making any selection
  

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Written Simulation Exam Format

• PROBLEM BOOKLET
• While a number of choices reveal important
  information, an equal number of choices will
  reveal irrelevant information.
  
• The candidate must be able to identify pertinent
  information and will earn positive points for
  making good decisions, while earning negative
  points for making poor decisions
• For scoring purposes, the choices are weighted
  according to how appropriate or inappropriate
  they are at that time

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Written Simulation Exam Format

• ANSWER BOOKLET
• The answer booklet is printed on special latent
  image paper which essentially appears as a set of
  blank pages.
  
• After considering the choices offered within a
  section of the problem booklet, the candidate
  must indicate his/her selection(s) in the answer
  booklet
• This is accomplished using a special latent image
  pen to highlight the blank area to the right of
  the item(s) selected.

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Written Simulation Exam Format

• ANSWER BOOKLET
• When a selection is made by gently highlighting
  an item, a printed response or consequence to the
  selection is revealed.
  
• The entire response or consequence has been
  exposed when a double asterisk () appears.
  
• Once a response has been uncovered, it cannot be
  erased or undone and will be scored. Always
  exercise caution in when highlighting selected
  items
• The candidate may highlight as many items as
  he/she deems appropriate

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Written Simulation Sample Problem

• The purpose of this sample problem is to
  familiarize candidates with the testing technique
  used in this examination.
  
• Candidates are advised that the actual problems
  on the exam are more involved and longer than the
  sample problem provided.
  

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Written Simulation Sample Problem

• Notes The candidate begins by reading the
  Opening Scene. Section A should then be read,
  where after the candidate should review all the
  choices provided in Section A.
• OPENING SCENE
• A potential client approaches you in the gym
  stating he talked to a friend who referred him to
  you. He would like to lose 20 pounds (9 kg) and
  wants to improve his overall fitness and health.
  
• You are both free to talk so the potential client
  joins you in your office. At this time, you learn
  the following information about the individual
  
• 43-year-old, non-smoker
• Total cholesterol 254 mg/dL, blood pressure
  128/80 mm Hg, body fat 28 (all measured 6
  months ago during his last physical)
  
• Communicates he has no apparent health
  challenges, but has not successfully sustained an
  exercise habit for the past 20 years
  

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Written Simulation Sample Problem

• SECTION A
• With the information you now have, what
  question(s) would you ask and/or action(s) would
  you take to assess the clients cardiovascular
  risk?
• "Do you have any exercise equipment at home?"
• "Does anyone in your immediate family have a
  history of heart disease or diabetes?"
  
• "Do you ever feel pain or discomfort in your
  chest when you perform physical activities?"
  
• "What have you been doing for physical activity
  during the past 12 months?"
  
• "I need your physician's clearance before we
  proceed."
  
• Perform a step test to determine the heart-rate
  response.
  
• Perform a bench press test

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Written Simulation Sample Problem
Answer Booklet Section A

• After considering all the choices, the candidate
  must decide which items to select.
  
• In the answer booklet, the candidate gently
  highlights the blank area to the right of the
  item(s) selected.
  
• For the purposes of this demonstration, items 2,
  3 and 4 are selected.
  

"No."
"No."
I occasionally play golf.
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Written Simulation Sample Problem

• Notes The information obtained in Section A
  should be used by the candidate in making
  decisions pertaining to Section B. The next step
  is to read Section B and review all of the
  choices in the section
• SECTION B
• Following the assessment of the client's
  cardiovascular risk, you inquire about
  limitations and perform a musculoskeletal
  assessment. What question(s) and/or action(s) are
  necessary at this time? Choose all those
  questions and actions that are appropriate at
  this time.
• "Do you have a bone or joint problem that could
  be made worse by a change in your physical
  activity?"
  
• "Do you have any strength-training experience?"
• "Has anyone in your family ever had knee
  surgery?"
  
• Perform a knee extension strength test.
• Perform a sit and reach test.

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Written Simulation Sample Problem
Answer Booklet Section B

• After considering all the choices, the candidate
  must decide which items to select.
  
• In the answer booklet, the candidate gently
  highlights the blank area to the right of the
  item(s) selected.
  
• For the purposes of this demonstration, items 8,
  9 and 12 are selected.
  

My knees have been getting progressively worse,
and my doctor said I should avoid high-impact
activities."
"I used to lift when I was in college."
Client has average flexibility
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Written Simulation Sample Problem

• Notes The information obtained in Sections A and
  B should be used by the candidate in making
  decisions pertaining to Section C. The next step
  is to read Section C and review all of the
  choices in the section
• SECTION C
• Based on the information that you have gathered
  in your assessments, which exercise program
  design would be the most appropriate for your
  client at this time? Choose the best program
  option(s)
• Low/non-impact Intensity 55-65 Maximum Heart
  Rate Frequency 3-4 times per week Duration
  10-20 minutes.
  
• Low/non-impact Intensity 155 bpm Target Heart
  Rate Frequency 3-4 times per week Duration
  30 minutes.
  
• Progressive resistance training 3 times per week
  on non-consecutive days.
  
• Interval walking program on treadmill in the gym
  Ensure incline does not drop below 3 incline
  Duration minimum 30 minutes.
  
• The program progression must be determined
  through further fitness assessment.

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Written Simulation Sample Problem
Answer Booklet Section C

• After considering all the choices, the candidate
  must decide which items to select.
  
• In the answer booklet, the candidate gently
  highlights the blank area to the right of the
  item(s) selected.
  
• For the purposes of this demonstration, items 13
  and 15 are selected.
  

The client agrees to do this.
The client agrees to do this.
Additional testing is recommended prior to
beginning the exercise program.
Notes The information obtained in Sections A, B
and C should be used by the candidate in making
decisions pertaining to Section D. The next step
is to read Section D and review all of the
choices in the section
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Written Simulation Sample Problem

• SECTION D
• Your client returns to you after following your
  program design for two weeks. He complains of no
  weight loss and seems discouraged. He states that
  he does not understand why he has not lost
  weight. Based on the information you have now,
  what action(s) would you take to address your
  client's concerns? Choose all those actions that
  are appropriate at this time.
• Recommend the client reduce caloric intake by 300
  calories per day.
  
• Recommend high-intensity interval training.
• Review your client's training journal to ensure
  compliance.
  
• Review appropriate goal setting and weight loss
  expectations with the client.
  
• Ask the client to explain his disappointment.
• Perform a body composition analysis.
• Encourage the client to be more active throughout
  the day.

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Written Simulation Sample Problem
Answer Booklet Section D

• After considering all the choices, the candidate
  must decide which items to select.
  
• In the answer booklet, the candidate gently
  highlights the blank area to the right of the
  item(s) selected.
  
• For the purposes of this demonstration, items
  20, 21 and 24 are selected.
  

You find that the client's compliance is
reasonable.
Client agrees to continue program
The client agrees to take the stairs and walk
more frequently.
The exam is now complete. View the next step to
review the scoring process of the exam.
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Written Simulation Scoring

• For scoring purposes, the items listed under each
  section are weighted according to how appropriate
  or inappropriate the decision is at that time.
  
• Individual items on the written simulation are
  scored using an item weighting scale as follows
  
  
• CI or Clearly Indicated (must be selected). Items
  essential to solve the problem. Failure to take
  such action has the potential for causing harm to
  either the client or the trainer. These items
  earn the greatest amount of positive points

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Written Simulation Scoring

• I or Indicated (should be selected). Items that
  help solve the problem but are not absolutely
  essential. Failure to take such action does pose
  a significant threat of causing harm to either
  the client or trainer. These items earn fewer
  positive points
• N Neutral (does not matter). Items where
  selection has no real consequence. These items
  earn zero points
  

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Written Simulation Scoring

• C Contraindicated (should not be selected).
  Items considered improper or inappropriate and
  will impede resolution to the problem. Such
  action does pose a threat of causing harm to
  either the client or the trainer. These items
  earn fewer negative points
• CC Clearly Contraindicated (must not be
  selected). Items considered improper or
  inappropriate and have a significant potential
  for causing harm to either the client or the
  trainer. These items earn the greatest amount of
  negative points

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Written Simulation Scoring

• Scoring is cumulative for each problem, adding
  the sum of positive and negative points. Each
  written simulation problem is scored
  individually.
• The multiple choice portion accounts for 75 of
  the overall score for the Personal Trainer
  examination while the written simulation accounts
  for the remaining 25.
• The overall score needed to pass the ACE Personal
  Trainer exam is a total of 500 out of 800 points
  combined between the multiple-choice and written
  simulation portions.

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Written Simulation Scoring

• SAMPLE PROBLEM SCORING SECTION A

N
CI
CI
I
C
CC
CC
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Written Simulation Scoring

• SAMPLE PROBLEM SCORING SECTION B

CI
I
C
CC
I
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Written Simulation Scoring

• SAMPLE PROBLEM SCORING SECTION C

CI
CC
CI
C
N
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Written Simulation Scoring

• SAMPLE PROBLEM SCORING SECTION D

CC
CC
CI
CI
N
C
I
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For additional information on ACE certification
exams, the NCCA-accreditation, or exam
registration, please visit the ACE website at
www.acefitness.org or contact ACE Customer
Service at [phone]
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies
(NCCA) has accredited all the ACE professional
fitness certifications programs