Studying of the NSCA-CSCS

[busupshot83]

I am currently studying for for the NSCA-CSCS certification, and lack an exercse-related bachelor's degree (I did gain acceptance into medical school, so I have taken quite a bit of science courses). I recently purchased the "CSCS ElitePlus + Exam Package" (NSCA Certification Commission:) from the NSCA's online store, and was wondering: what is the most efficient method of utilizing the materials?

Here's my current plan:

1) Review the CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet to familiarize myself with the test.

2) To learn the Scientific Foundation Section, I plan on thoroughly studying the Essentials of Stength Training and Conditioning Multimedia Symposium CDs, using the Essentials of Stength Training and Conditioning Textbook as a supplemental source.

3) To learn the Practical/Applied Section, I plan on studying the Exercise Technique Videos and Checklist Manual.

4) Take the official CSCS Practice Exam.

5) Take the real NSCA-CSCS exam.

Does that sound like a solid idea? I understand different methods work for different individuals, but I would appreciate any tips or feedback, especially from those who have passed the CSCS examination without an exercise-related bachelor's degree.

bus

[Lisa~]

I think your plan sounds solid. There were two practice exams when I bought my materials. I took one of the them right away to see what I already knew. I was very close to passing and the answers I missed help me know where to focus my studies.

We've had several other threads on this topic too. They should be in the forum somewhere. One of them links Jonathan Fass' (bipennate) journey through his study and successful CSCS exam.

[busupshot83]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

I think your plan sounds solid. There were two practice exams when I bought my materials. I took one of the them right away to see what I already knew. I was very close to passing and the answers I missed help me know where to focus my studies.

We've had several other threads on this topic too. They should be in the forum somewhere. One of them links Jonathan Fass' (bipennate) journey through his study and successful CSCS exam.

Thanks Lisa... since joining this forum, I have found your feedback to be the most informative . As for bipennate's "journey," the link on his profile is broken.

[Barrett]

Has anyone taken the computer based CSCS Exam? What are the pros/cons to this version?

[kjoyo]

I am training to be a PT via NSCA. I chose NSCA bc a friend used them and has good things to say about them. What are your views? My views? its really hard. im on chapter 3.

[John Blackthorne]

Originally Posted by Barrett

Has anyone taken the computer based CSCS Exam? What are the pros/cons to this version?

I passed the CSCS computer-based exam the first time, so I can't compare and contrast it to the paper and pencil version, but I've taken many multiple-choice tests with fill-in-the-bubble answer sheets. The whole process of reading the question, selecting an answer, finding the bubble that corresponds to the answer choice, and then making sure to carefully fill the bubble in enough so that it registers when scanned by the grading machine is unnecessarily distracting, frustrating, and irritating. There have been exams that I've taken in the past wherein I knew that time would expire before I answered the last one or two questions in each section. The bubbling process becomes even worse for me under those conditions. Not to mention the few times that I accidentally put the answer to question #2 in bubble #3 such that each answer was off by one and I didn't catch the mistake until question #37 out of 50.

The computer-based exam alleviates this issue. You either click on your answer choice and there is a mark placed on top of the letter you chose or you use the keyboard to input your answer. Also, on the computer-based exam you can mark questions that you want to review later before submitting all your answers for the section, you can skip from question to question, you can add comments to the questions for the test-writers to see (if you think the answer choices are erroneous, the question is ambiguous, poorly written, none of the answer choices are correct given the wording of the question, more than one answer choice is correct given the wording of the question, etc), there is a timer that shows the elapsed time (or time remaining, I forget which), and I prefer looking at the big, bright computer screen with its large, crisp font rather than the dingy, gray/brownish tinted 40%-post-consumer-waste recycled paper with its small, closely spaced text.

I found the online practice exams to be very helpful in assessing my strengths and weaknesses with respect to mastery of the subject matter, learning the format of the questions and answers, and familiarizing yourself with the testing software. The package of 3 online practice exams (which may each be taken only twice, so make sure to have plenty of time to finish the test before beginning) is worth the price.

HTH

[John Blackthorne]

The biggest difference between the practice tests and the real test is the number of questions and the time. The first section wasn't that bad with respect to number of questions, but the second section seemed to take forever. After a while I started to feel some deja vu, but though the questions seemed to be repeating, they definitely were not. I finished the first section with about 15mins left to spare and the second section with about 45mins to spare, so its not likely that you will run out of time if you know the material.

The other suggestion that I have is for the video questions. Make sure to read and re-read the answer choices before watching the video so that you know what to look for in the video. You can only watch it once and the video only shows the movement two or three times. With most of the video questions one answer was nonsense, one looked good at first but was wrong on a closer reading, and the last two appeared to have merit--that's where familiarizing yourself with the answer choices before watching the video becomes very helpful. The plyo video questions were the most difficult IMO because everything happens quickly and you have to know the terminology very well to differentiate between those two remaining answers that appear to merit.

HTH

[Barrett]

Hey everyone I was trying to sign up for the computer based CSCS exam. I will need special accomdations yet, I was not able to go to the Special Accommodation request form. Has anyone else needed special accommodations?? If so, did you encounter this problem?