Question 1Training phases
What is the main goal of Phase 2, Strength Endurance Training?
The NASM CPT exam format and domains
The exam has 120 four-option multiple-choice questions in two hours, 100 of them scored. It covers six domains, weighted by NASM's job analysis.
| Questions | 120 (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest) |
|---|---|
| Time | 2 hours |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 70 |
| Delivery | PSI test center or live remote proctor, closed book |
| Eligibility | High school diploma or GED, current CPR and AED |
| Exam window | Within 180 days of purchase |
The six domains and their weights
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts | 15% |
| 2. Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching | 15% |
| 3. Assessment | 16% |
| 4. Program Design | 20% |
| 5. Exercise Technique and Training Instruction | 24% |
| 6. Professional Development and Responsibility | 10% |
What each domain covers
- Sciences and nutrition: body systems, human movement science, energy systems, macronutrients, hydration and supplements.
- Client relations and coaching: communication, goal setting, stages of change and behavior change strategies.
- Assessment: health screening, heart rate, blood pressure, body composition, cardio tests, posture and movement assessments.
- Program design: periodization, training phases, acute variables, flexibility, cardio, core, balance, reactive and SAQ training, and special populations.
- Exercise technique: set-up, cueing, spotting, breathing, progressions and regressions, and signs to stop.
- Professional practice: ethics, scope of practice, credentials, marketing and sales, equipment safety and emergencies.
Our practice exams
Our practice exams set 120 questions in the full two hours, split across the domains by their weights. All 120 count here, since there is no way to reproduce unscored pretest items.
Try 3 questions
Question 2Cardiorespiratory tests
What does the VT2 talk test estimate?
Question 3Emergency protocols
An AED is attached to a collapsed client and announces that it is analyzing the heart rhythm. What should the rescuers do?
Next step
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the NASM CPT exam?
120 multiple-choice questions with four options each. 100 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest questions.
How long is the NASM exam?
Two hours. That is one minute a question.
Which domain carries the most weight?
Exercise Technique and Training Instruction, at 24%. Program Design follows at 20% and Assessment at 16%.