Just passed on the 1st try
I just got done taking the NASM exam and I am thrilled to say I passed on the first try. This thread helped so much!
After the first 20 questions I was pretty confident I was going to pass. My testing center DID allow me to have a pencil and paper to brain dump and they provided a calculator. Only needed it for one question and it was just to prove to myself I was going with the best answer.
Here is what it took for me to get here:
- 6 months of personal training school through NPTI
- On my own I read through the entire book (4th edition) highlighting key points in each section. Took it slow and finished the book in 6 weeks making sure I reread what i didn't understand before moving on.
- After reading the book I took word for word notes on the NASM 4 CPT prep course.
- Made up acronyms of most over/under muscles on the OH squat Solution table. For overactive I remembered VBAT, HAGS, HEL, LPT, SUL and MRR, AGE, and HIG for underachieve. Know the stretches and strength exercises for each.
- Made up sentences for pronation distortion over and underactive- Gabby says please add limes, ham, and butter and Aunt Patty vacuums gummy hair. For lower crossed over and under- Gabby says have a late Easter and Gabby says go in to. Upper crossed was very similar to OH squat chart so just remembered those and and a couple more from the under crossed chart.
- Made flash cards of all acute variables, water intake, stretches, progression and regression for all exercises and what phase, special population do's and don'ts, SMART, READ, 4 P's of marketing, stages of change, and general adaptation syndrome. Basically anything I had trouble with plus suggestions from this thread.
- It was helpful taking practice tests on NASM jblearning, using apps (pocket prep did me no good as the questions were worded way harder and confusing than the actual exam, liked upward and the blue NASM CPT apps best), doing the NASM exam practice test that I received after registering for test (did this once a week for 3 weeks, 71% on first try, 86% 2nd and 3rd try, and 96% day before test). None of my test questions were identical to the practice tests but still found the them helpful so I could go back an study things I didn't test well on. Loved the NASM CPT prep. Anything I didn't understand in the book was simplified here. There were also brief quizzes to follow most sections.
Here was what was on my test: (some are copied from what someone else had on pg. 35) :)
** Where to take measurements w/skin fold (same anatomic locations both times)
** 3 cardio training zones
** P's of marketing
** pronation distortion over and underactive
** over and underactive muscles on OH squat stretches and strength exercises
** one question on view for arched back
** Where foam roll should be placed on body and if it's inferior or superior (example place foam roll inferior or superior to hip when foam rolling TFL)
** difference between an Attainable goal and a Realistic goal.
** ATP pathways
** purpose of balance stabilization training
**Know which type of exercises are performed in which plane of motion
** Exercises for Fexibility, Core, Balance, Plyo and Resistance exercises. (know progressions and regressions)
** I had one questions asking how many reps should be performed during a power plyo exercise (8-12)
** Know the acute variables for each phase resistance training (pg 370-379)
** I had a few questions about pregnant clients and obese clients but they were simple.
** Know balance progressions (floor, balance beam, half foam roll, foam pad, balance disc. My exam said Dyna Disc instead of balance disc, which would have confused me if i didnt know what a dyna disc was. so remember Dyna Disc lol, I think this was one of the research questions because I dont remember them using that specific name in the book..only balance disc.
** EPOC
** rest time after completing 1 circuit
**Plyometric training may be called reactive training on your exam
** Know why periodization is important
** Where are proteins broken down in the body?
** Recommended protein consumption
** Benefits of protein in diet
** Recommended carb consumption
** Recommended fat consumption
** Properties of fat
** Negative effects of dehydration
** Know everything about water (pg. 490 & 491)
** You should keep all documents for at least 4 years
** Know SMART goals, i had a few questions list goals and it asked which was most in line with SMART goals
** Directive and non-directive questions (close-ended and open-ended questions)
** There were actually a lot of questions from chapter 19
**Sales decisions are based off emotions
**What is the next step after you know how much weekly income is needed
** NASM code of conduct
Here are a few questions I can recall:
Which is intrinsic motivation?
a. weight loss goal
b. improve mood
c. improve posture
d. improve overall health
Which is a dynamic stretch?
a. lunge and reach
b. SL balance
c. SL DB scaption
d. ice skaters
What is the formala to calculate max heart rate? (YES, it say 208 and not 220!)
a. (208 - age) x 85%
b. 208- RHR
c. 208 - (age x RHR)
d. 208 - (.7 x age)
How many reps in stage 3 plyo?
A. 5-10
B. 8-12
C. 8-10
D. 3-5
Overall it wasn't too difficult but I studied pretty hard core for the last month. No way I could have just winged it. I probably studied 4-8 hours a day 3 for weeks before the test however, I already had months of being familiar with the material. If you take your time to know the material you will be okay. Good luck :)
They must have made it easier since this thread
I just took NASM on Saturday (Passed). I read this thread before, and I think I would have really wasted my time if I followed preparation advice here. You just have to have some common sense, and read the book a couple of times about a month apart ( to let stuff settle in your head from the first time) and you will be fine. Some questions were repeated twice with slight modification. Overall I found it to be way easier than is portrayed in all the prep guids, threads, etc. Just read the book and have some common sense. The questions are not very intricate.
Passes NASM Exam 12/27/2016
Hey guys,
So I recently took and passed the NASM exam on my first try on 12/27/2016. While I was studying I wished that there was a study guide that outlined more of the important information so that I wasn't wasting my time trying to memorize the whole 16 chapter book and then the dreaded Appendix D.
I have created a study guide that is available for $20 via Paypal that includes important information, videos that I found helpful, apps that I used on my phone and more. I am also including free tips and tricks, as well as emailed guidance if you need further help during the time you study for your exam.
If you're interested please email me at [email]tonyataughtme@gmail.com[/email]
I wish you all the best of luck on your NASM journey!
Happy training!
xo, Tonya