Get Certified - NCSF-CPT: Pass the NCSF-CPT Exam and Become a Personal Trainer Paperback – July 4, 2015

The last multiple choice exam I took was the Multistate Bar Exam and that was 30+ years ago so when I decided to become a CPT, an area totally outside my field, I was more than a little daunted.But I pulled it off. How?1. I gave myself a time limit. NCSF gives you 6 months from signing up to take the exam, but there are ways to extend the deadline. I decided not to do that and to commit fully to completing the exam within 6 months.2. I spun the learning funnel around. Instead of tackling the textbook first, which is hundreds of pages long and densely packed, I started with Michael Rosengart’s Study Guide. He distills the main points of each chapter and presents them in a way that’s easy to digest and assimilate. I recommend buying the hard copy so that you can mark it up.3. Then I moved on to the Course Manual. You have to buy this separately from the textbook. You can find used copies online. Get one that is not heavily marked up with all the practice questions already answered. I moved through the Course Manual at the rate of a few chapters per day during the two months before the test - there are 23 chapters all together. I did the multiple choice and matching questions at the end of each chapter. I used the textbook as a back up resource when I needed more depth.4. I targeted my studying to the exam. The NCSF website has information about what’s emphasized on the test - they give you percentages on each area of study (each area rolls up a few chapters of the Course Manual/Textbook). If you pay attention to this, you can prioritize your study focus. That means spend more time on exercise selection than on professional ethics, for example.5. Buy the two practice tests offered on the NCSF website. These are golden. I took each test three times over the course of the last week leading up to the test. If you pay attention, you can glean what NCSF thinks is important.6. When you finish the practice test each time you take it, the website will present the questions you got wrong and offer an explanation of the correct answer. These are very valuable.7. Good luck. And buy Michael’s Study Guide. Full disclosure, I train with Michael at Equinox Tysons Corner, and he’s the one who made me realize that I could do this. You can, too!I received no compensation and no consideration for writing this review.

I am wondering who proofread this before printing because in the first 3 pages I found so many errors it was hard to take it serious and continue on. I seriously know kids in elementary school that could write better and that could point out these mistakes in a heart beat. Very disappointing, and I haven't even started it yet!

Good product and fast delivery.