NASM Certified Sports Performance Coach (CSPC) Practice Test

You must hold a current Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) credential from NASM, ACE, ACSM, or NSCA. There is no separate experience requirement, but a foundational understanding of personal training and the NASM OPT model is essential for success.

The exam consists of 129 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 120 minutes. The questions are a mix of recall and applied knowledge scenarios. A scaled score of 70 or higher is required to pass. Note that 20 questions are unscored pretest items, but they are indistinguishable from the scored questions.

Absolutely. A significant portion of the CSPC curriculum addresses the unique considerations for training youth and adolescent athletes, including long-term athletic development (LTAD), age-appropriate programming, and motivational strategies. This makes it highly valuable for coaches in school, club, or private youth sports settings.

The CSPC is a more recent and comprehensive credential that incorporates and expands upon much of the PES curriculum. It places a stronger emphasis on practical coaching strategies, communication, and the application of the OPT model specifically for athletic populations. NASM positions the CSPC as the premier sports performance certification within its ecosystem.

Develop a study schedule that reviews all modules, with extra focus on performance assessments, periodization strategies, and exercise techniques. Actively create sample programs for different sports and phases. Consistently taking and reviewing full-length practice exams is critical to build test endurance and identify weak areas for further review.