• 56 questions

ACSM EP-C Practice Test

Unofficial practice questions for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist exam (ACSM-EP), in the four domains of its outline.

By the CDC definition, blood pressure is high when it is consistently at or above which reading?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 40 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 40 questions, 60 minutes.

More options

Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Bank checked October 7, 2026.

The real exam, as ACSM describes it

Questions
140
Time limit
210 minutes
Items
140 items in a seat time of 210 minutes: 125 scored and 15 non-scored pretest items, mixed in and not marked.
Content
Health and fitness assessment 33%; exercise prescription and implementation 40%; exercise counseling and behavior modification 20%; risk management and professi
Passing score
550, on a scale of 200 to 800.
Question levels
Recall, application and synthesis.
Where
At a Pearson testing center in person, or online.
Outline
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam Content Outline, effective July 10, 2025.

Checked October 7, 2026 against ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam Content Outline (effective July 10, 2025) and ACSM Candidate Handbook (July 2025), American College of Sports Medicine. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

ACSM's own exercise physiologist certification page

Next step ACSM CPT practice testCSCS exam practice test

All 56 questions

Health and fitness assessment 18

  • A 40-year-old takes a treadmill test with the typical target of 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate, found by subtracting age from 220. What is the target heart rate? StatPearls, "Treadmill Stress Testing" (NCBI Bookshelf), Introduction; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • A client asks to stop during a treadmill test but shows no abnormal signs. How do the ACC/AHA criteria class the request? StatPearls, "Treadmill Stress Testing" (NCBI Bookshelf), Technique or Treatment; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • A client weighs 81 kg and is 1.80 m tall. What is the body mass index? StatPearls, "Physiology, Body Mass Index" (NCBI Bookshelf), Introduction; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • An HDL cholesterol level lower than which value counts as one of the conditions of metabolic syndrome in a woman? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Metabolic Syndrome: Diagnosis, Cholesterol; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • By the CDC definition, blood pressure is high when it is consistently at or above which reading? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About High Blood Pressure, Definition of high blood pressure; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
Show all 56 questions (51 more)

Health and fitness assessment, continued

  • By the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, healthy blood triglyceride levels for adults are below which value? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Metabolic Syndrome: Diagnosis, Triglyceride levels; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • How long is each stage of the Bruce treadmill protocol? StatPearls, "Treadmill Stress Testing" (NCBI Bookshelf), Technique or Treatment; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • How long should a person be seated, without talking or moving around, before the first blood pressure reading is recorded? Muntner and others, Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Hypertension (2019), BP Measurement in the Office; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • In blood pressure measurement by auscultation, what does the first appearance of the Korotkoff sounds represent? Muntner and others, Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Hypertension (2019), BP Measurement in the Office, Overview; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • In the pulmonary circuit, where does oxygen-poor blood travel? National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Anatomy and Physiology: Circulatory Pathways, Pulmonary Circuit; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • In which client does body mass index tend to overestimate body fat? StatPearls, "Physiology, Body Mass Index" (NCBI Bookshelf), Issues of Concern; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Where is the center of the blood pressure cuff bladder placed? Muntner and others, Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Hypertension (2019), Cuff placement and stethoscope; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Which A1C result does the CDC list as diabetes? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diabetes Testing, A1C test; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Which finding is an absolute indication for terminating an exercise test? StatPearls, "Treadmill Stress Testing" (NCBI Bookshelf), Technique or Treatment; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Which functional type of joint is freely movable? National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Anatomy and Physiology: Articulations, Articulations; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Which lipoprotein is called "good" cholesterol because high levels can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Cholesterol, What do blood cholesterol numbers mean?; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Which position does the American Heart Association statement give for a seated blood pressure reading? Muntner and others, Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Hypertension (2019), BP Measurement in the Office; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment
  • Which three factors regulate stroke volume? StatPearls, "Physiology, Stroke Volume" (NCBI Bookshelf), Introduction; exam outline: Domain I, Health and Fitness Assessment

Exercise prescription and implementation 23

  • A client has an estimated 1RM of 120 kg on the leg press. A set written at 75% of 1RM uses which load? Schoenfeld and others, Loading Recommendations for Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Local Endurance: A Re-Examination of the Repetition Continuum, Sports (2021), section 1, Introduction; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • A client walks at an intensity of 4 METs for 40 minutes on 5 days a week. How many MET-minutes a week is that? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Appendix 1; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • A meal has 60 g of carbohydrate, 25 g of protein and 20 g of fat. About what share of its calories comes from fat? USDA National Agricultural Library, Food and Nutrition Information Center, frequently asked questions, How many calories are in one gram of fat, carbohydrate, or protein?; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • The adult target of 150 to 300 moderate minutes, or 75 to 150 vigorous minutes, a week equals about how many MET-minutes a week? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Appendix 1; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • An 80 kg client has an oxygen uptake of 35 mL per kg per minute during a run. What is that as an absolute oxygen uptake? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Glossary, Intensity; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Below which blood sugar level does the CDC call blood sugar low? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia), Key points; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • By the CDC Yellow Book, what is the biggest concern for the body at high altitude? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Yellow Book: High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Illness, Introduction; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • By the second edition of the federal Physical Activity Guidelines, how long must a bout of moderate-to-vigorous activity last to count toward the key guidelines? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Appendix 1; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • The Compendium of Physical Activities defines one MET as 1 kcal per kg per hour. About how much energy does a 70 kg client expend in 30 minutes of a 6 MET activity? Compendium of Physical Activities, definition of terms, Definition of terms used in the Adult Compendium; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • In relative terms, what share of aerobic capacity reserve do the federal Physical Activity Guidelines define as moderate intensity? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Appendix 1, Relative Intensity; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • In the federal Physical Activity Guidelines, why does the aerobic key guideline for older adults encourage the use of relative intensity? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Appendix 1; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • In the standard Valsalva maneuver, what stops the air pressure? Blazek and others, Systematic Review of Intra-abdominal and Intrathoracic Pressures Initiated by the Valsalva Manoeuvre During High-Intensity Resistance Exercises, Biology of Sport (2019), Conclusions; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • In the stretch-shortening cycle, which muscle action is the lengthening movement? Davies, Riemann and Manske, Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Phases of Plyometrics; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Intense training causes a performance drop that lasts weeks to months, with full recovery after rest. Which term fits? Kreher and Schwartz, Overtraining Syndrome: A Practical Guide, Sports Health (2012), Table 1, terminology; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • One MET generally corresponds to an oxygen uptake of 3.5 mL per kg per minute. What oxygen uptake does an activity of 7 METs require? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Glossary, Metabolic equivalent of task; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • What do the federal Physical Activity Guidelines say for preschool-aged children, ages 3 through 5? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Chapter 3, Key Guidelines for Preschool-Aged Children; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • What do the federal Physical Activity Guidelines say to women who did vigorous-intensity aerobic activity before pregnancy? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Chapter 6, Key Guidelines for Women During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • What energy expenditure defines sedentary behavior while sitting, reclining or lying awake? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Glossary, Sedentary behavior; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Which adverse effect does the NIH fact sheet table report for creatine? NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance: fact sheet for health professionals, Table 1, creatine; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Which aerobic target do the federal Physical Activity Guidelines set for adults with chronic conditions or disabilities who are able? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (2018), Chapter 6, Key Guidelines for Adults With Chronic Health Conditions and Adults With Disabilities; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Which cells resorb old bone as bone tissue is remodeled? StatPearls, "Female Athlete Triad" (NCBI Bookshelf), Pathophysiology; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Which three energy systems replenish ATP in muscle? Baker, McCormick and Robergs, Interaction among Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Energy Systems during Intense Exercise, Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (2010), section 1, Introduction; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation
  • Which urine sample do the athletic trainers' fluid recommendations say to test for urine specific gravity, when feasible? National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active, Journal of Athletic Training (2017), recommendations, Hydration Assessment; exam outline: Domain II, Exercise Prescription and Implementation

Exercise counseling and behavior modification 11

  • A client began regular exercise four months ago and has kept it up. Which stage of change is this? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Table 3, Stages of Change Model; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • A client intends to start exercising within the next six months but has made no plan. Which stage of change is this? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Table 3, Stages of Change Model; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • In Bailey's review of goal setting, what do the letters of the SMART criteria stand for? Bailey, Goal Setting and Action Planning for Health Behavior Change, American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (2019), Other Goal Characteristics; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • In motivational interviewing, what does an affirmation include? Bischof, Bischof and Rumpf, Motivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach for Use in Medical Practice, Deutsches Arzteblatt International (2021), Techniques of motivational interviewing, Third intervention element; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • In Social Cognitive Theory, how can negative reinforcement affect a behavior? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Social Cognitive Theory; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • In the Health Belief Model, people are ready to act if they believe what about the costs of taking action? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Health Belief Model; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • In the Theory of Planned Behavior, what is behavioral intention? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Table 4, Theory of Planned Behavior; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • In the Theory of Planned Behavior, what is the subjective norm? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Table 4, Theory of Planned Behavior; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • Into which four processes can motivational interviewing be divided? Bischof, Bischof and Rumpf, Motivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach for Use in Medical Practice, Deutsches Arzteblatt International (2021), Box 2, Processes of motivational interviewing; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • Which change strategies does the Stages of Change table pair with maintenance? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Table 3, Stages of Change Model; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification
  • Which construct does the Theory of Planned Behavior add to the Theory of Reasoned Action? National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, 2nd edition (2005), Theory of Planned Behavior; exam outline: Domain III, Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification

Risk management and professional responsibilities 4

  • By the Small Business Administration, which insurance protects a business against financial loss from bodily injury, property damage and medical expenses? U.S. Small Business Administration, Get business insurance, Six common types of business insurance; exam outline: Domain IV, Risk Management and Professional Responsibilities
  • Containers for contaminated sharps must be closable, leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, and what else? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens, paragraph (d)(4)(iii)(A)(1); exam outline: Domain IV, Risk Management and Professional Responsibilities
  • Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, when must gloves be worn? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens, paragraph (d)(3)(ix); exam outline: Domain IV, Risk Management and Professional Responsibilities
  • Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, in which forms is individually identifiable health information held by a covered entity protected? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, What Information is Protected; exam outline: Domain IV, Risk Management and Professional Responsibilities

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the four domains of the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam Content Outline, effective July 10, 2025, of the American College of Sports Medicine (https://acsm.org/acsm-certified-exercise-physiologist-exam-content-outline/, read 2026-10-07): Health and Fitness Assessment 33%; Exercise Prescription and Implementation 40%; Exercise Counseling and Behavior Modification 20%; Risk Management and Professional Responsibilities 7%. The bank holds 18, 23, 11 and 4. Every fact was read on 2026-10-07 in a public text named under the question: the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, the American Heart Association's scientific statement on measuring blood pressure (at PubMed Central), StatPearls chapters at the NCBI Bookshelf, the National Cancer Institute's Theory at a Glance and SEER modules, CDC and NIH pages, the HHS summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule and 29 CFR 1910.1030 at ecfr.gov. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free ACSM EP-C practice test has 56 questions of our own in the four domains of ACSM's exercise physiologist outline. It is unofficial practice, not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Read the full guide

What the exam covers

This bank follows the four domains of ACSM's exam content outline in their shares: health and fitness assessment 18 questions; exercise prescription and implementation 23; exercise counseling and behavior modification 11; risk management and professional responsibilities 4.

Timing

Exam mode asks 40 questions in 60 minutes, the pace of the real exam: 140 items in a seat time of 210 minutes.

Where the answers come from

Each answer names the public text it was read in: the federal Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, an American Heart Association statement on measuring blood pressure, StatPearls chapters at the NCBI Bookshelf, and CDC and NIH pages.

  • Eight questions are arithmetic: MET-minutes, oxygen uptake, calories, body mass index, target heart rate and training loads. Keep a simple calculator at hand.

Questions and answers

What is the ACSM EP-C?

EP-C is a short name many people use for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist exam. ACSM's own pages write the credential ACSM-EP, and this page follows the ACSM-EP exam content outline.

Are these ACSM's own practice questions?

No. The outline prints three example items and ACSM offers a 50-question practice exam; neither is used or reworded here. Every question on this page was written for this site, and a score here forecasts nothing.

How many questions are on the ACSM exercise physiologist exam?

140 items in a seat time of 210 minutes. 125 are scored and 15 are non-scored pretest items that are mixed in and not marked, by ACSM's exam content outline.

What is a passing score on the ACSM-EP exam?

550, on a scale of 200 to 800, by ACSM's candidate handbook of July 2025. That is a scaled score, not a percent.

More tests

Show 7 more

Browse Safety and Trades