Free Practice Questions for NASM CPT Exam

NASM’s scope-of-practice guidelines clearly state that personal trainers must refer clients to qualified medical professionals when they suspect or become aware of any undiagnosed condition that could impact health and exercise safety. Undiagnosed osteoporosis poses significant risks for fractures and requires a physician’s evaluation before beginning or continuing a program. Conversely, diagnosed conditions (like diabetes or hypertension) can be trained for within guidelines, provided the trainer follows physician recommendations.

In the Stages of Change Model, the preparation stage is when a client intends to start exercising soon (within the next 30 days) and may already be taking small steps toward change, such as seeking a workout partner.

In contrast:

Contemplation = thinking about change but not ready to start soon.

Action = actively engaging in new behavior.

Maintenance = sustaining the behavior for 6+ months.

Therefore, actively looking for a committed workout partner indicates preparation.

The NASM CPT7 Study Guide describes the drawing-in maneuver as an activation technique to engage local core stabilizers such as the transversus abdominis, internal obliques, and multifidus. This involves pulling the navel in toward the spine while maintaining a neutral pelvis and spine.

The “bear down” cue is associated with the Valsalva maneuver, which increases intra-abdominal pressure but does not specifically target local stabilizers. “Retract” usually refers to scapular movement, and “brace” is more about global core stabilization involving simultaneous contraction of the abdominal and low back muscles. For training local stabilizers, the correct verbal cue is “Draw-in.”

NASM uses the SMART goal framework—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely—to help clients set effective goals. The statement “I want to be in better shape in 1 month” is vague because “better shape” is not defined or measurable.

By contrast, the other goals: losing 8 pounds in 1 month (Option A), running a 5K in 1 month (Option B), and going to the gym three times a week for 1 month (Option C) are more specific and measurable. The trainer should clarify vague goals by asking probing questions to define what “better shape” means to the client (e.g., improved strength, endurance, weight loss). Therefore, the goal requiring clarification is Option D.

In the overhead squat assessment (OHSA), one common compensation observed at the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex (LPHC) is excessive lumbar extension, also referred to as “low-back arches.” The NASM CPT7 Study Guide lists this as an indication of overactivity in the hip flexor complex, latissimus dorsi, and erector spinae, and underactivity in the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and core stabilizers.

Other options—knees moving inward (frontal plane), arms falling forward (upper body compensation), and feet turning out (foot/ankle compensation)—are observed in other kinetic chain checkpoints but not classified under LPHC compensations.

The NASM CPT7 Study Guide emphasizes that when a client has a large, long-term goal—such as losing 30 pounds in a year—the CPT should break this into achievable short-term goals that act as stepping stones toward the ultimate objective. This strategy aligns with the SMART goal-setting framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely), which NASM identifies as essential for adherence and motivation.

For example, a trainer might help the client set a goal of losing 2–3 pounds per month through consistent exercise and nutrition habits, which, when compounded over the year, leads to the desired weight loss.

While open-ended questions (Option B) can help explore motivation, and outcome goals (Option C) define the desired result, neither directly ensures the process is broken down into realistic milestones. Telling a client their goal is “unrealistic” (Option D) may damage rapport and is not in line with NASM’s client-centered coaching approach. Thus, creating short-term, realistic goals is the most effective way to keep the client engaged and progressing toward a big target.

Upper crossed syndrome is a common postural distortion pattern characterized by forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and thoracic kyphosis. NASM identifies overactive muscles in this condition as the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major/minor, and suboccipitals. Underactive muscles include the deep cervical flexors, serratus anterior, lower trapezius, and rhomboids. Corrective exercise strategies involve inhibiting (SMR) and lengthening the overactive muscles—thus the levator scapulae is a primary stretch target. Stretching it helps restore cervical and scapular alignment, improve movement mechanics, and reduce compensations. The other listed muscles—serratus anterior, lower trapezius, and teres minor—are underactive and require strengthening, not stretching.

A rotation chest pass in a power training context uses a pivot of the back leg to generate rotational force. Proper mechanics require triple extension—simultaneous extension at the hip, knee, and ankle—to produce maximum power from the lower body through the kinetic chain. This extension helps transfer force from the ground through the core to the upper body and into the throw. NASM emphasizes that triple extension is critical in movements involving force generation like sprints, jumps, and rotational throws. Triple flexion is the opposite movement (hip, knee, ankle flexion) and occurs during load absorption phases.

NASM clearly differentiates between process goals (specific actions or behaviors) and outcome goals (the end result). Process goals focus on what you will do—the behaviors that lead to an outcome. The Study Guide gives examples such as “Jog for 45 minutes starting at 6:30 a.m. Monday–Friday” or “Strength training 5 days per week.” In this case, the client’s plan—“jog for 1 hour 3 days per week and attend two personal training sessions per week”—is a description of specific, repeatable behaviors, not the final achievement (e.g., losing 10 pounds or completing a race). Process goals are crucial because they are entirely within the client’s control, build consistency, and lead toward long-term success. NASM emphasizes that focusing on process goals can improve adherence and motivation, as progress is measurable by completion of the planned actions, regardless of the final outcome.