The exam will be delivered in a computer-based testing format (English only) at Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Centers worldwide. There are 100-135 multiple-choice questions based on KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) distributed across eleven content areas. The table below lists the approximate percentage of questions from each content area:
| KSAs Competency Area |
% |
| Health Appraisal and Fitness Exercise Testing |
26% |
| Exercise Prescription (Training) and Programming |
19% |
| Electrocardiography and Diagnostic Techniques |
17% |
| Exercise Physiology and Related Exercise Science |
10% |
| Pathophysiology and Risk Factors |
10% |
| Human Behavior |
5% |
| Safety, Injury Prevention and Emergency Procedures |
5% |
| Nutrition and Weight Management |
2% |
| Patient Management and Medications |
2% |
| Program Administration, Quality Assurance, and Outcome Assessment |
2% |
| Medical and Surgical Management |
2% |
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The exam is composed of approximately 100-135 multiple choice questions drawn from the KSAs found in the 7th edition of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. It includes “trial” questions that are being tested for use in future examinations. These trial questions are randomly distributed throughout the exam and will not be counted in the final results.
You will not be allowed to bring any materials or equipment into the examination area. A calculator will be provided within the exam as needed. All formulas necessary to complete an answer will be made available within the exam as needed.
The following texts are recommended to prepare for the ACSM Exercise Specialist® exam:
- ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7th edition
- ACSM’s Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 5th edition
- ACSM’s Certification Review, 2nd edition
LWW publications can be ordered directly from the publisher, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins (LWW) by calling 800-486-5643, at any major bookstore, or any major online distributor or reseller.
The cost for the ACSM Exercise Specialist® exam is $299 for non-ACSM Members and $239 for ACSM Members. The cost of the re-test is $155.50.
Sign up through ACSM’s secure website and become an ACSM member in 1-2 days. For a list of benefits or to become a member, visit www.acsm.org/join. Once you join as a member (online option), you will receive your ACSM membership ID by email within one business week. If you need a member exam voucher in less than one week, please email certification@acsm.org after you’ve completed your online membership payment.
Workshops are offered for all certifications. ACSM workshops are designed to develop and enhance the knowledge base and practical skills of the participants. The curriculum has been developed so that didactic material and its practical application are scheduled in concert. In this way, the participant is better able to assimilate theory and practice.
The passing score for all ACSM certification exams is set in advance and applied to all candidates’ exam results. Similar to exam scoring for a wide variety of other high stakes, national standardized exams (e.g., GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc.), ACSM certification exams are reported on a 200-800 score scale.
Specifically, all candidates are expected to meet the passing standard of a scaled score of 550 in order to receive a “Pass” on any respective ACSM certification exam. This passing standard is based upon the expectations of the subject matter experts/test developers across all topics of the competency areas, as related to each respective credential’s examination blueprint. Passing candidates are expected to answer a sufficient number of test questions correctly that demonstrates a summative amount of knowledge at a level of at least minimal competency or the lowest acceptable score to pass the exam.
Finally, each content area is weighted proportionally, based on the results of a periodic comprehensive job task analysis/role delineation study. In other words, some content areas are more important (thus, have more questions) and count more with respect to the overall score than other content areas. On the score report, candidates receive their overall score, their pass/fail status, as well as a breakdown by each specific content area (either by a percentage or a sub-section scale score, respectively).
You will receive your results immediately upon completion of the exam. If you pass the exam, a certificate will be sent to you in 6-8 weeks.
If you do not pass the exam, a code to be used when scheduling your re-test will be printed on your score report. You may retake the exam 15 days following your initial exam and every 15 days following until successfully completed.
ACSM currently offers three other certifications. For general information about ACSM certifications, please call the ACSM Certification Resource Center at 800-486-5643, or visit www.acsm.org/certification.
Yes, the ACSM Exercise Specialist® exam is available in English at any Pearson VUE Authorized Test center worldwide. Please visit www.pearsonvue.com/acsm/locate for international testing centers.
In the future, the ACSM Exercise Specialist® exam will be made available in different languages as demand dictates. Currently, the ACSM Exercise Specialist® exam is available in English.
