Unofficial practice test for the strength and conditioning specialist exam, in its two sections and seven domains.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Bank checked October 7, 2026.
The real exam, as the NSCA describes it
Sections
Two: Scientific Foundations, 95 questions in 1.5 hours, and Practical/Applied, 125 questions in 2.5 hours. Each has 15 non-scored questions that are mixed in an
A report gives a team's vertical jump as a mean plus a figure for how widely the athletes' scores are spread. Which statistic describes that spread?Andrade, Understanding the Difference Between Standard Deviation and Standard Error of the Mean, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine (2020), Standard Deviation; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
A respiratory quotient close to 0.7 means the body is mainly oxidizing which fuel?StatPearls, "Physiology, Respiratory Quotient" (NCBI Bookshelf), Introduction and Related Testing; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
An athlete at rest has an end-diastolic volume of 130 mL, an end-systolic volume of 60 mL and a heart rate of 60 beats per minute. What is the cardiac output?StatPearls, "Physiology, Stroke Volume" (NCBI Bookshelf), Introduction; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
The connective tissue coverings of a muscle extend past its belly as a broad, flat sheet. What is that sheet called?National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Anatomy and Physiology: Structure of Skeletal Muscle, Structure of Skeletal Muscle; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Show all 60 questions (56 more)
Exercise science, continued
In the cardiac cycle, what is systole?National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Anatomy and Physiology: Physiology of the Heart, Physiology of the Heart, Cardiac Cycle; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
In the phosphagen system, which enzyme rebuilds ATP from creatine phosphate and ADP?Baker, McCormick and Robergs, Interaction among Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Energy Systems during Intense Exercise, Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (2010), section 2, The Phosphagen System; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Under anaerobic conditions, what does lactate dehydrogenase do in the cytosol?StatPearls, "Biochemistry, Anaerobic Glycolysis" (NCBI Bookshelf), Fundamentals; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
What do recent recommendations and position statements say about resistance training for children and adolescents?Zwolski, Quatman-Yates and Paterno, Resistance Training in Youth: Laying the Foundation for Injury Prevention and Physical Literacy, Sports Health (2017), abstract, Results; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
What does the strength of the signal that a stretched muscle spindle sends to the spinal cord depend on?Davies, Riemann and Manske, Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Neurophysiological Basis; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
What makes up one motor unit?Purves and others (editors), Neuroscience, 2nd edition, "The Motor Unit" (NCBI Bookshelf), The Motor Unit; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Which connective tissue sheath surrounds a whole skeletal muscle?National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Anatomy and Physiology: Structure of Skeletal Muscle, Structure of Skeletal Muscle; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Which motor units have small red fibers, rich in myoglobin and mitochondria, that resist fatigue?Purves and others (editors), Neuroscience, 2nd edition, "The Motor Unit" (NCBI Bookshelf), The Motor Unit; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Which nutrient is the only one whose stored energy can be used to make ATP through glycolysis?Baker, McCormick and Robergs, Interaction among Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Energy Systems during Intense Exercise, Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (2010), section 4, The Importance of Lactate Production; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Which part of which gland secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine when sympathetic nerves stimulate it?National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Anatomy and Physiology: Adrenal Gland, Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Which statement is Wolff's law?StatPearls, "Physiology, Bone Remodeling" (NCBI Bookshelf), Introduction; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Exercise Science
Sport psychology 6
A coach cues a jumper to think about the effect of the movement on the environment and not about the body's own movements. What is this called?van der Veer and others, How Can Instructions and Feedback With External Focus Be Shaped to Enhance Motor Learning in Children? A Systematic Review, PLoS ONE (2022), Introduction; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Sport Psychology
How does self-determination theory define intrinsic motivation?Teixeira and others, Exercise, Physical Activity, and Self-Determination Theory: A Systematic Review, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2012), Introduction; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Sport Psychology
In the female athlete triad, low energy availability from disordered eating leads to which two other problems?StatPearls, "Female Athlete Triad" (NCBI Bookshelf), Pathophysiology; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Sport Psychology
Under the Yerkes-Dodson law, how does task difficulty change the best level of arousal?Rowland and van Lankveld, Anxiety and Performance in Sex, Sport, and Stage: Identifying Common Ground, Frontiers in Psychology (2019), General Models of Anxiety, Arousal, and Disrupted Performance; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Sport Psychology
Under the Yerkes-Dodson law, what happens to performance as arousal keeps rising?Rowland and van Lankveld, Anxiety and Performance in Sex, Sport, and Stage: Identifying Common Ground, Frontiers in Psychology (2019), General Models of Anxiety, Arousal, and Disrupted Performance; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Sport Psychology
Which three basic psychological needs does self-determination theory name?Teixeira and others, Exercise, Physical Activity, and Self-Determination Theory: A Systematic Review, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2012), Introduction; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Sport Psychology
Nutrition 4
Beta-alanine supplements raise the synthesis of which compound that buffers changes in muscle pH?NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance: fact sheet for health professionals, Table 1, beta-alanine; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Nutrition
In the studies the NIH fact sheet cites, about how much caffeine before exercise might enhance performance?NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance: fact sheet for health professionals, Caffeine, Efficacy, and Table 1; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Nutrition
What overall daily protein intake does the International Society of Sports Nutrition call sufficient for most exercising individuals to build and maintain muscle mass?Jager and others, International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Protein and Exercise, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2017), Position statement; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Nutrition
What typical creatine protocol for adults does the NIH fact sheet describe?NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance: fact sheet for health professionals, Creatine, Implications for use; exam outline: Scientific Foundations, Nutrition
Program design 14
A review of youth resistance training found that the most effective average program used which sets, repetitions and loads?Zwolski, Quatman-Yates and Paterno, Resistance Training in Youth: Laying the Foundation for Injury Prevention and Physical Literacy, Sports Health (2017), Training Prescription for Youth; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
An athlete in a hypertrophy phase follows the repetition continuum with sets of 8 to 12 repetitions. Which load range goes with that scheme?Schoenfeld and others, Loading Recommendations for Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Local Endurance: A Re-Examination of the Repetition Continuum, Sports (2021), Introduction; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
By the plyometric guidelines of Davies and colleagues, about how many foot contacts in one session count as low volume?Davies, Riemann and Manske, Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Clinical Guidelines, Volume; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
How does nonlinear (undulating) periodization differ from the linear model?Lorenz and Morrison, Current Concepts in Periodization of Strength and Conditioning for the Sports Physical Therapist, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Non-linear/undulating; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
How much rest do Davies and colleagues recommend between high-intensity plyometric workouts?Davies, Riemann and Manske, Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Periodization Program and Training Components; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
In block periodization, which phase builds work capacity with a higher volume of general movements at 50% to 70% of 1RM?Lorenz and Morrison, Current Concepts in Periodization of Strength and Conditioning for the Sports Physical Therapist, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Block periodization; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
In classic periodization, what is planning that spans a 12-month period called?Lorenz and Morrison, Current Concepts in Periodization of Strength and Conditioning for the Sports Physical Therapist, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Linear periodization; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
In Selye's general adaptation syndrome, in which phase does the body adapt to the stressor with less soreness and improved performance?Lorenz and Morrison, Current Concepts in Periodization of Strength and Conditioning for the Sports Physical Therapist, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Introduction; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
In the repetition continuum, sets of 15 or more repetitions with loads below 60% of 1RM are aimed at which adaptation?Schoenfeld and others, Loading Recommendations for Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Local Endurance: A Re-Examination of the Repetition Continuum, Sports (2021), Introduction; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
In the repetition continuum, which loading scheme is proposed to optimize maximal strength?Schoenfeld and others, Loading Recommendations for Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Local Endurance: A Re-Examination of the Repetition Continuum, Sports (2021), Introduction; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
In which kind of taper is the training load suddenly reduced by a constant amount?Travis and others, Tapering and Peaking Maximal Strength for Powerlifting Performance: A Review, Sports (2020), section 1, Introduction; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
Increased training brings a temporary drop in performance, then improved performance after days to weeks of rest. Which term fits?Kreher and Schwartz, Overtraining Syndrome: A Practical Guide, Sports Health (2012), Table 1, terminology; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
Lorenz and Morrison describe which subdivision of the training year as lasting 1 to 4 weeks?Lorenz and Morrison, Current Concepts in Periodization of Strength and Conditioning for the Sports Physical Therapist, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Linear periodization; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
What is the general recommendation for training intensity during a taper?Travis and others, Tapering and Peaking Maximal Strength for Powerlifting Performance: A Review, Sports (2020), section 4, Discussion, and section 5, Conclusions; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Design
Exercise technique 9
An athlete's knees move inward (valgus) during the squat. Which finding may influence this, by the back squat assessment paper?Myer and others, The Back Squat: A Proposed Assessment of Functional Deficits and Technical Factors That Limit Performance, Strength and Conditioning Journal (2014), frontal knee position, Common Deficits; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
How is the bar (a dowel in the assessment) gripped and placed for the back squat set-up?Myer and others, The Back Squat: A Proposed Assessment of Functional Deficits and Technical Factors That Limit Performance, Strength and Conditioning Journal (2014), Arm Position Instructions; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
In a plyometric jump, what is the amortization phase?Davies, Riemann and Manske, Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Amortization Phase (Time to Rebound); exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
In the back squat assessment, what is the correct head position?Myer and others, The Back Squat: A Proposed Assessment of Functional Deficits and Technical Factors That Limit Performance, Strength and Conditioning Journal (2014), Table 1, criterion 1, head position; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
Into which three main phases is the 100 m sprint traditionally divided?Haugen and others, The Training and Development of Elite Sprint Performance, Sports Medicine - Open (2019), Sprint performance determinants; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
What depth does the common instruction for the back squat descent call for?Myer and others, The Back Squat: A Proposed Assessment of Functional Deficits and Technical Factors That Limit Performance, Strength and Conditioning Journal (2014), The Back Squat; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
Which pressures can the Valsalva maneuver raise during a heavy lift?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), Introduction and Table 1; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
Which starting stance does the back squat assessment instruct?Myer and others, The Back Squat: A Proposed Assessment of Functional Deficits and Technical Factors That Limit Performance, Strength and Conditioning Journal (2014), Stance instructions; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
Why should the amortization phase of a plyometric movement be kept short?Davies, Riemann and Manske, Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (2015), Amortization Phase (Time to Rebound); exam outline: Practical/Applied, Exercise Technique
Program implementation 7
An athlete rates a 75-minute practice as 6 on the session-RPE scale. What is the training load for that session?Haddad and others, Session-RPE Method for Training Load Monitoring, Frontiers in Neuroscience (2017), Session-RPE method: rationale; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
In the European College of Sport Science terminology, how long does the performance decrement last in overtraining syndrome?Kreher and Schwartz, Overtraining Syndrome: A Practical Guide, Sports Health (2012), Table 1, terminology; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
On the 0 to 10 session-RPE scale used to monitor training load, which descriptor sits at 7?Haddad and others, Session-RPE Method for Training Load Monitoring, Frontiers in Neuroscience (2017), Table 1; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
On the repetitions-in-reserve RPE scale, a lifter ends a set able to do exactly one more repetition. Which RPE is that?Helms and others, Application of the Repetitions in Reserve-Based Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale for Resistance Training, Strength and Conditioning Journal (2016), Incorporating the Scale Into Programming; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
What body mass loss by the end of exercise do the athletic trainers' fluid recommendations aim to stay under?National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active, Journal of Athletic Training (2017), recommendation 7; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
What should active people monitor to confirm that they have not drunk more fluid than they lost in exercise?National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active, Journal of Athletic Training (2017), recommendation 5; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
Which measurement is the clinical gold standard for core body temperature in a patient with suspected exertional heat stroke?National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses, Journal of Athletic Training (2015), recommendation 8; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Program Implementation
Organization and administration 5
By the athletic trainers' position statement, how should emergency action plans be organized across an institution's facilities?National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Emergency Action Plan Development and Implementation in Sport, Journal of Athletic Training (2024), recommendations, Optimizing Patient Outcomes; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Organization and Administration
How often must an employer's bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan be reviewed and updated?29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens, paragraph (c)(1)(iv); exam outline: Practical/Applied, Organization and Administration
To what depth should chest compressions go for an average adult in cardiac arrest?American Heart Association, What is CPR?, How is CPR Performed?; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Organization and Administration
Which set lists elements typically required to prove negligence?Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute, Wex: negligence, elements of negligence; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Organization and Administration
Within how many minutes should an automated external defibrillator be retrievable for use at a sport venue?National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Emergency Action Plan Development and Implementation in Sport, Journal of Athletic Training (2024), recommendations, Response; exam outline: Practical/Applied, Organization and Administration
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the two sections and seven domains of the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam description of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (https://www.nsca.com/cscs-exam-description/, read 2026-10-07): Scientific Foundations (80 scored questions): Exercise Science 60%, Sport Psychology 25%, Nutrition 15%; Practical/Applied (110 scored questions): Program Design 40%, Exercise Technique 25%, Program Implementation 20%, Organization and Administration 15%. The bank holds 15, 6 and 4, then 14, 9, 7 and 5. Every fact was read on 2026-10-07 in a public text named under the question: open-access journal articles at PubMed Central (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), chapters at the NCBI Bookshelf, the National Cancer Institute's SEER training modules, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, the American Heart Association, Cornell's Legal Information Institute and 29 CFR 1910.1030 at ecfr.gov. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This free CSCS exam practice test has 60 CSCS practice questions of our own in the exam's two sections and seven domains. It is unofficial, not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Read the full guide
What the exam covers
The NSCA CSCS exam has two sections, by the association's exam description, and this bank follows their shares: 25 questions on Scientific Foundations (exercise science 15, sport psychology 6, nutrition 4) and 35 on Practical/Applied (program design 14, exercise technique 9, program implementation 7, organization and administration 5).
Timing
Exam mode asks 40 questions in 44 minutes, the pace of the real exam: 220 questions in four hours across the two sections.
Where the answers come from
Each answer names the public text it was read in: open-access journal reviews at PubMed Central, NIH pages and federal rules. Nothing is taken from the association's textbook.
The real Practical/Applied section has 30 to 40 video or image items. Every question here is text with one right answer.
Questions and answers
Is there a CSCS practice exam PDF?
After a round, Print puts the questions on paper, and With answer key adds the key. To keep it as a file, choose "Save as PDF" in the print window of your browser.
Are these real CSCS exam questions?
No. All 60 CSCS test questions were written for this site from the published exam description and public sources. None repeats or rewords a question from the real exam or from the association's practice exams, and a result here forecasts no score.
How many questions are on the CSCS certification exam?
Scientific Foundations has 80 scored and 15 non-scored questions in 1.5 hours. Practical/Applied has 110 scored and 15 non-scored questions in 2.5 hours. All are multiple choice, by the association's exam description.
What is a passing score on the NSCA CSCS exam?
A scaled score of 70 or higher, and candidates must pass both sections, by the exam description. A scaled score is not a percent.
Is this the CSCS test for a construction card?
No. This exam prep page practices only the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam, the strength coaching certification of the NSCA. It has no questions on construction site safety.