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Free CSCS Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CSCS practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

An untrained individual begins a resistance training program and gains significant strength in the first 4 weeks without measurable increases in muscle size. The PRIMARY explanation is:

  1. Neural adaptations including improved motor unit recruitment and rate coding
  2. Increased muscle fiber pennation angle improving force production efficiency
  3. Enhanced intramuscular coordination and intermuscular coordination patterns
  4. Improved muscle glycogen storage capacity and phosphocreatine system efficiency
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Neural adaptations including improved motor unit recruitment and rate coding

Question 2

A soccer midfielder who plays the full 90-minute match primarily relies on the oxidative system but performs repeated sprints during play. This demonstrates that:

  1. Energy systems operate independently with only one system active during each phase of activity
  2. Energy systems work on a continuum with all systems contributing simultaneously throughout exercise
  3. The phosphocreatine system provides the primary energy source for sustained aerobic activities
  4. The glycolytic system only activates during maximal intensity efforts lasting longer than two minutes
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Energy systems work on a continuum with all systems contributing simultaneously throughout exercise

Question 3

A coach wants an athlete to drive their knees out during a squat. The MOST effective external cue is:

  1. Activate your gluteus medius bilaterally
  2. Spread the floor apart with your feet
  3. Push your knees toward the walls
  4. Drive through your heels and engage your glutes
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Spread the floor apart with your feet

Question 4

An athlete's knees collapse inward (valgus) during the ascent of a back squat. This error is MOST likely caused by:

  1. Weak hip abductors and external rotators
  2. Excessive ankle plantar flexion mobility
  3. Overactive hip adductors and internal rotators
  4. Insufficient thoracic spine extension
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Weak hip abductors and external rotators

Question 5

Using the Karvonen method, the target heart rate for 70% intensity with HRmax of 200 bpm and HRrest of 60 bpm is:

  1. 148 bpm
  2. 158 bpm
  3. 168 bpm
  4. 178 bpm
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 158 bpm

Question 6

An athlete training for hypertrophy performs 4 sets of 10 reps on the bench press at 70 kg with 75-second rest periods. If this athlete transitions to a strength phase, the MOST appropriate change is:

  1. Increase reps to 12-15 and decrease rest to 45-60 seconds
  2. Decrease reps to 3-5, increase load to ≥85% 1RM, and increase rest to 3-5 minutes
  3. Keep reps at 10 but increase load to 75 kg and rest to 90 seconds
  4. Decrease reps to 6-8, keep load at 70 kg, and increase rest to 2 minutes
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Decrease reps to 3-5, increase load to ≥85% 1RM, and increase rest to 3-5 minutes

Question 7

A female distance runner presents with stress fractures, menstrual irregularity, and significant weight loss over 2 months. These findings are MOST consistent with:

  1. Overtraining syndrome
  2. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
  3. Iron deficiency anemia
  4. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)

Question 8

An athlete weighs 75 kg before training and 73.5 kg after training. They consumed 500 mL of water during the session. Their estimated sweat loss is:

  1. 1.5 L
  2. 2.0 L
  3. 2.5 L
  4. 3.0 L
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 2.0 L

Question 9

Power exercises such as the power clean, snatch, and push jerk should:

  1. Be spotted by two experienced spotters positioned on each side
  2. NEVER be spotted; the athlete should be taught to safely bail out of a failed lift
  3. Be spotted from behind by a single spotter using proper hand placement
  4. Be spotted from the front by one spotter focusing on the barbell path
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - NEVER be spotted; the athlete should be taught to safely bail out of a failed lift

Question 10

The FIRST action when exertional heat stroke is suspected is:

  1. Transport the athlete to the hospital immediately
  2. Begin immediate whole-body cold water immersion to rapidly lower core temperature
  3. Give the athlete cold fluids to drink and monitor vital signs
  4. Move the athlete to shade and apply ice packs to major pulse points
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Begin immediate whole-body cold water immersion to rapidly lower core temperature

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