Passed the CSCS!!!

[Frankovic]

Hey guys,

I am so happy that I passed!! I honestly did not leave that exam very confident, but I did rather well! Part of the reason I was not so confident was the fact I only studied a month. Even though I studied a couple hours a day, I started having second thoughts when I heard people usually study 4-6 months. Oh well..it doesn't matter any more. It definitely feels good to have earned the top training cert out there.

[ExtremeEnigma]

how much education/experience did you have prior? i'm looking to schedule it but honestly cant find time to study... ive had the book since undergrad but im wondering how long i need

[askthetrainer]

Hey guys,

I am so happy that I passed!! I honestly did not leave that exam very confident, but I did rather well! Part of the reason I was not so confident was the fact I only studied a month. Even though I studied a couple hours a day, I started having second thoughts when I heard people usually study 4-6 months. Oh well..it doesn't matter any more. It definitely feels good to have earned the top training cert out there.

Contrats, I thought for sure I failed it as I showed up late after driving 100+mph from Corvallis to Portland to barely make it, and I didn't study but luckily I passed...

Just keep up your CEUs so you don't have to take it again

[Frankovic]

how much education/experience did you have prior? i'm looking to schedule it but honestly cant find time to study... ive had the book since undergrad but im wondering how long i need

Well I have been certified as a personal trainer through NSCA for 2 years now. I also have a bachelor's degree in nutrition as well. Aside from my PT cert (which wasn't too hard), I don't have much formal education in exercise science. I frequently read articles online from T-nation and such, which I believe has helped over the years.

I feel if you have an exercise science degree, you can just briefly look through the book and do well. I only studied a month, but several hours per day as I had a lot of free time. Overall I believe it depends on your education background. Just try to squeeze in a chapter or two every week, and you'll be done before you know it.

[carl.c]

congradulations on passing the test.

[BSCSCS]

I only studied for one month and passed. My Exercise Science degree really helped though.

[Sicshift]

congrats! That's a tough one. I wanted to get that cert but no bio related degree so no go for me. Congrats again!

[jamesbondc]

OP

Congrats brother.....can you tell me how the exam is structured and how does it compare to ACSM academically and marketability wise? Thanks.

[Environ]

Congrats.

I flew from Ireland to Phoenix, Az, via San Francisco, to take the test (cheap flights and I planned a road trip as part of the trip to the US). Arrived the night before in terrible rain, found the university where the test was taking place and booked into the nearest hotel. Came down stairs the following morning and asked the concierge if he knew the layout of the college campus so that I could get to the exam hall easily. He told me that I was at the wrong campus and that the exam was taking place in the campus on the other side of the city. He Google mapped the directions and I tore off across the city.

I arrived with 1 minute to spare. Thank God I passed because I didn't fancy another expensive trip to the US to retake the test (the exam is hosted in Ireland now though).

Anyway, congrats again.

[flexapeal]

Way to go dude!!!! Now go out and make someone smile.

[Frankovic]

congrats! That's a tough one. I wanted to get that cert but no bio related degree so no go for me. Congrats again!

A bio related degree is not required. Any Bachelor's Degree fits the requirement to take the CSCS. Go get it!

[Frankovic]

OP

Congrats brother.....can you tell me how the exam is structured and how does it compare to ACSM academically and marketability wise? Thanks.

The exam is broken up into 2 sections. The first section consists of 90 questions regarding exercise sciences and nutrition. The second section contains 120 questions dealing with exercise technique, program design, organization and administration, and testing and evaluation.

As far as how it compares to the ACSM academically, I have no clue as I am not too familiar with the ACSM. Marketing wise, the CSCS is pretty much considered the top cert if you are interested in training athletes. If you are looking for a strength and conditioning coach type of position, then CSCS is definitely the way to go. ACSM is probably better for you if you are interested in working with the general population.

Hope this helps.

[ExtremeEnigma]

sweet. i have a bs in ES so ill study for a month or two i guess.

[BSCSCS]

sweet. i have a bs in ES so ill study for a month or two i guess.

Just read the book front to back and answer the questions at the end of each chapter, watch your dvd and you should be fine.

[labradarep]

WELCOME to the Fraternity & Best of Luck in all your future training endevours!!

[Paul_Rockey]

congrats. i studied a few to several hours a day, too, and took it after 6 weeks. I think it's more about the hours than anything else. I'd hate to spread that over 6 months, like they say other people do. I liked getting it all in at once and being done with it.

[cantide5ga]

Hey guys,

I am so happy that I passed!! I honestly did not leave that exam very confident, but I did rather well! Part of the reason I was not so confident was the fact I only studied a month. Even though I studied a couple hours a day, I started having second thoughts when I heard people usually study 4-6 months. Oh well..it doesn't matter any more. It definitely feels good to have earned the top training cert out there.

I've seen so much sweat and tears come out of (before and after) that damn test. Congrats!

I myself have an irrelevant degree, so I gotta jump through hoops to get it. But it still scares the hell out of me.

[tinman15]

Contrats, I thought for sure I failed it as I showed up late after driving 100+mph from Corvallis to Portland to barely make it, and I didn't study but luckily I passed...

Just keep up your CEUs so you don't have to take it again

Yeah I did that... had to take the fning test again, sucked! but i only have the cpt. This years test is way different from last years.... What were most the questions based on for the cscs? Is it mostly physiology, or is their a lot of liability type stuff like the cpt. It looks pretty tough...

My boss already wants me to take it and take over as district director and I just started... A little overwhelming but they are really lacking talent. I'm only assistant store director right now, and most of the guys here are certified through issa or some others I've never heard of...

[tinman15]

Well I have been certified as a personal trainer through NSCA for 2 years now. I also have a bachelor's degree in nutrition as well. Aside from my PT cert (which wasn't too hard), I don't have much formal education in exercise science. I frequently read articles online from T-nation and such, which I believe has helped over the years.

I feel if you have an exercise science degree, you can just briefly look through the book and do well. I only studied a month, but several hours per day as I had a lot of free time. Overall I believe it depends on your education background. Just try to squeeze in a chapter or two every week, and you'll be done before you know it.

I have three friends who have taken the test, all graduated in exercise science. Only one passed, the other two are athletic trainers now...

[Sicshift]

A bio related degree is not required. Any Bachelor's Degree fits the requirement to take the CSCS. Go get it!

Really? That wasn't the case a few years ago to the best of my knowledge. I know they were changing something, maybe that was it.

I'm not personal training anymore. So no more certs for me. I have enough anyway. I'd be getting it just for respect from other trainers Since clients have no clue one cert from another.

But it's one of the only ones I really respect. I may train again someday, but just a couple clients. Nothing worthy of going after a new cert. Sure wish I had that one years ago though.