I Failed the NSCA CSCS Exam, Now What?

This is the question everybody wants to know, and unfortunately I have to give a clichéd response…….it depends.

Unsuccessful CSCS examination candidates fall into different categories based on their results, with a different remediation plan per each category.

  • Passed one section but barely failed the other
  • Passed one section but significantly failed the other.
  • Barely failed both sections
  • Significantly failed both sections.

What does barely and significantly failed translate to?

  • While this is open to interpretation, I will classify barely failing a section as less than 5-7 questions short of the passing score depending on what section you took as the practical/applied section has more questions. This roughly translates into needing to answer less than 10% more questions correctly in order to pass a section. For instance if the passing score for the practical/applied section required 78 correct answers and you had 71 correct then you needed to answer 7 more questions correctly in order to pass. 7 out of 78 is 9%.
  • Significantly failing a section would then be classified as greater than 5-7 questions short of the passing score. This roughly translates into needing to answer more than 10% more questions correctly in order to pass a section. Again, this is open to some interpretation but provides an idea of what category you fall into.

Clearly passing one section and barely failing another is the best place to be if you must take the CSCS examination again, while significantly failing both sections brings you right back to your starting point.

Regardless of what category you fall into all unsuccessful CSCS examination candidates must ask themselves the following questions, and answer with honesty.

If you answered “No” to any of these questions then we have identified some low hanging fruit that resulted in your poor performance. Fix any one of these problems and you can certainly improve your scores. Notice how the question says “Make an effort to commit to memory”. Nobody can memorize everything in the preparation text but you and only you know how much effort you applied to that task.

Passed one section but barely failed the other

While I know you wanted to pass the entire examination, you’re not that far away from earning your CSCS. You do not need to re-take the section you passed and can focus all of your efforts on the section of the examination that you barely failed. Look over your score report from the NSCA on the section your failed. The section score report for Scientific Foundations will identify the number of questions missed for exercise sciences and nutrition. The section score report for Practical/Applied will identify the number of questions missed for exercise technique, program design, organization administration, and testing and evaluation.

A trend will often emerge and you might identify a domain which caused you to fail the section. For instance if you barely failed the scientific foundations section, you might notice that you missed 5 questions from nutrition. You would then pay extra attention to Nutrition when you are re-studying for the exam and so on.

Section Retake Preparation Plan (Barely Failed)

  • Review Exam Content Description for Section you barely failed.
  • Review this section’s material in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
  • Pay particular attention to the domain where you missed most of the questions.
  • Not only memorize the information “word for word” out of the text but learn how to apply it based on a given situation.
  • Study up on techniques for answering multiple choice questions.
  • Consider purchasing additional practice questions as an ongoing self-assessment.

Passed one section but significantly failed the other

You are not in as good of shape if you barely failed a section, but you did pass one section and can focus all your efforts on the section of the exam that you must retake. Since you significantly failed a section, we cannot attribute this to bad luck, poor guessing, or any other excuse except the fact that for some reason you did not grasp the material. Again, look over your score report and see if you missed a lot of questions from a particular domain. If a trend emerges pay particular attention to the content from that section, however, since you significantly failed a section, re-read that section’s material in its entirety in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Let me repeat myself, re-read the Chapters of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning that are related to the section you failed. There is no magic bullet or quick fixes. Ask yourself, are you grasping the material? Can you apply it to various situations? Do you know the rationale behind the correct answer to every practice question related to this section?

Section Retake Preparation Plan (Significantly Failed)

  • Do not rush to re-take the examination (You will not like your results)
  • Purchase the CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet from the NSCA if you have not done so already. This contains a very detailed outline of the exam.
  • Review the section you failed in the CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet and attempt to answer every question (In the booklet) that a candidate is expected to know for that particular section.
  • Re-read the chapters of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning relating to the section you failed.
  • ont-Find the answers to the questions in the CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet by looking them up in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Commit the answers and rationale to memory.  
  • Pay particular attention to the domain where you missed most of the questions.
  • Not only memorize the information “word for word” out of the text but learn how to apply it based on a given situation.
  • Purchase additional study materials such as outlines and practice questions. Outlines allow for quick review, application, and memorization, while answering practice questions tests your knowledge, comprehension, and ability to recall key points.
  • When you have done all of the following then you will be ready to re-take the particular section.

 Barely failed both sections

While you must re-take both sections of the examination again, you clearly had a firm grasp of the material and success is not that far away. Minor improvements or emphasis on a particular domain might be all you need to earn your CSCS. Look for a trend in your score report to see if you failed because of a particular domain. Your re-take preparation plan would be similar to the plan for barely failing one section however you must apply it to all the material required of a candidate.

Retake Plan (Barely failed both sections)

  • Do not rush to re-take the examination (You did fail both sections)
  • Review the entire exam content description
  • Review Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
  • Pay particular attention to the domains where you missed most of the questions.
  • Not only memorize the information “word for word” out of the text but learn how to apply it based on a given situation.
  • Study up on techniques for answering multiple choice questions.
  • Since you failed both sections purchase outlines and additional practice questions. Outlines allow for quick review, application, and memorization, while answering practice questions tests your knowledge, comprehension, and ability to recall key points. You have come this far, and re-taking the exam is costly, now is not the time to skimp on the preparation material
  • When you have done all of the following, then you will be ready to re-take the examination.

Significantly failed both sections

Let’s face it, you bombed the test. It’s time to ask yourself, was your examination preparation plan adequate? Do you have the recommended study materials? Do you think you have the capacity to pass this test? Unless you completely underestimated the difficulty of this test and dedicated little if any time to studying, there is no quick fix or solution.

If you dedicated little time to studying, did not read Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, and did not take practice examinations from the NSCA, then your poor results are obvious. Please read CSCStestprep’s Structured CSCS Examination Plan.

However, if you at least read Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning and took the practice questions from the NSCA, then the following section is for you.

Some questions to ask yourself. Do I have the capacity to pass this examination? Did I dedicate time and effort to studying, yet the material went completely over my head? Do I have an exercise science related background? Is the CSCS credential right for me? Should I be pursuing another exercise/fitness related credential? Do I want to attempt the CSCS Examination another time?

If you are going to re-take the examination, you have certainly earned my respect. Pursue your goals and dreams and don’t back down in the face of failure. Failure is not a fixed condition, treat failure like a learning experience.

You significantly failed both sections of the examination. Put the past behind you and start your preparation again from scratch. Do not take the examination for at least 6 months, and do not skimp on the study material. You clearly need the help.

Retake Plan (Significantly Failed Both Sections)

  • Prepare to re-take the examination for at least 6 months or longer.
  • Purchase the following if you have not done so already. (Do not skimp on study material, it’s more expensive to retake the test then it is to buy study material) CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet, NSCA CSCS Examination Review and Study Guide eBook, Exercise Technique manual for Resistance Training.
  • Seriously consider purchasing the NSCA’s CSCS Online Study Course through Human Kinetics.  
  • Re-Read Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning cover to cover.
  • Review the CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet and attempt to answer every question (In the booklet) that a candidate is expected to know. This will take some time, but do you want to pass the exam or not?
  • Find the answers to the questions in the CSCS Exam Content Description Booklet by looking them up in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Commit the answers and rationale to memory.
  • Not only memorize the information “word for word” out of the text but learn how to apply it based on a given situation.
  • Read and Review the Exercise Technique Manual for Resistance Training. Understand how to perform and correct each and every technique.
  • Utilize the Chapter outlines in the NSCA CSCS Examination Review and Study Guide eBook to allow for quick review, memorization, and to identify areas needing further review.
  • Take every practice question contained in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning and understand the rationale behind every correct answer.
  • Take every practice question that the NSCA offers and understand the rationale behind every correct answer.
  • Take every practice question in the NSCA CSCS Examination Review and Study Guide eBook and understand the rationale behind every correct answer.
  • Expose yourself to as many practice questions as you can find.
  • Find others who have passed the CSCS exam and seek out their advice, look to message boards, forums, and social media.
  • Attempt to teach the information to others to assist with your own learning.
  • When you have done all of the following and you feel you are ready to sit for the exam again, wait another month, continue to review the material and then schedule your exam.  

Best of luck to all those needing to re-take the CSCS exam (Do not rush to take the exam again),

Ryan J. Grella, PT DPT, OCS, CSCS