How to Pass the ACE Certification Exam?

So you are enthusiastic about a career in the fitness and health industry, and you want to take the next step by taking an ACE certification exam. But you’re a little confused about how to begin your preparation? Studying for such an exam can seem like an intimidating task. Fortunately, we are here to help.

This article will discuss what an ACE certification exam is and what you can expect to face in it. We will give you tips on best utilizing the time you have to prepare for the exam and how exactly you should prepare for it.

What is an ACE Certification Exam?

Before we get into how to prepare for an ACE certification exam, let’s take a minute to talk about what is an ACE certification and why it’s even helpful? The American Council of Exercise (ACE) certification is one of the most popular and widely accepted fitness certifications. Suppose you are enthusiastic about a career in the fitness industry. In that case, an ACE certification can go a long way, as it is widely accredited. Passing an ACE certification exam earns you a respected credential that can spark opportunities for exciting career paths in the fitness industry.

Although earning the ACE certification can be a rewarding experience, it can also be quite formidable. That is due to the sheer volume of knowledge you are expected to have. However, there is no need to fret since we are here to help.

The first thing to do is decide which ACE certification suits you best. There are four types of ace certifications you can vie for:

• Personal trainer
• Group fitness instructor
• Health coach
• Medical exercise specialist

Depending on the certification program you want to go for, the eligibility requirements vary, which you can find at Ace Fitness.

For the ACE exam registration, go through their website.

Is it Hard to Pass the ACE Certification Exam?

So is the ACE exam hard to pass? The ACE exam is graded on a scale of 200 to 800. As for the ACE exam passing score, it’s 500 out of 800. The success rate for people taking the ACE exam is 70%. Therefore, with ample preparation, you have a solid chance of “acing” the test. Even if you don’t manage to pass the first time, you are eligible to take the exam for a second time (for a fee).

How Do You Prepare for the ACE Test?

When you start studying for your ACE exam, it is essential to ensure your study materials are up to date. The organization can change from exam to exam as the field gets more advanced. We recommend you purchase the latest version of the course textbook and carefully go through it. This will ensure you are familiar with the terminology you will face in the ACE exam. We also recommend you give yourself ample time to prepare for the exam. How much time is required depends on your previous familiarity with the subject.

For example, if you have a background in exercise, you will find a fair bit of the material familiar. You will have to spend less time on it compared to someone who does not have a background in exercise science. Therefore, previewing study materials can help you figure out how much time YOU will need.

ACE recommends you approach the exam with 3-4 months of prior preparation. Depending on your background knowledge, you can decide whether you need more or less time to prepare.

5 Study Tips to Help You Pass the ACE Exam

Passing any examination requires an ample amount of preparation. However, going through resources and exam material is not the only method of ensuring your successful passing. Below are our top tips to aid you through the process:

Making a schedule

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty, organizing your study materials and creating a schedule is essential. Once you have decided on a general time window in which you want to give the exam, you should preview the study materials. Then, figure out how much time you need to dedicate to the topics. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to review the issues, and make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to practice questions once you have covered the material.

Going about your preparation in a systematic and organized fashion will ensure you continuously get work done. That’ll also aid you in not being left scrambling with too much to do as the test gets closer and closer. Here is how to pass the ACE certification exam:

Utilizing your resources

We recommend that you buy and thoroughly read the ACE exam textbook. Although this seems like a tiring exercise given the length of the book, this will help you familiarize yourself with the specific terminologies used in the exam.

Once you finish the book, you can use online resources like Quizlet or Tests.com to test yourself on the material. This will give you a gauge on which topics you need to revisit.

Practice makes perfect!

Once you go through the test material, you should start attempting practice exams. Well, how many questions are on the ACE? The test is 3 hours long and has 150 questions that focus on applying the concepts you have learned rather than just recalling them. Hence, attempting practice tests will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and give you an idea of what to expect in the exam.

We recommend you time yourself while attempting practice exams to learn how to properly manage your time in the exam. Practice tests will also help you find gaps in your knowledge so you know which topics to revisit and reconsolidate.

Applying your knowledge

Relating your knowledge to real-life applications can be extremely useful in furthering your understanding of the concepts you have learned. Interact with certified trainers and ask them to help you relate what you have learned to situations you might face in your profession. This will help you appreciate the significance of what you have learned and prepare you for a career in the fitness industry. An exercise professional to guide you during your preparation can help you relate the theory with its practical applications.

Believe in yourself!

Your test is in a week. You have thoroughly covered all the study material. You attempted practice exams and realized your understanding of behavioral concepts was relatively weak. Still, since you had a recurring schedule and plenty of time, you were able to fill that gap in your knowledge. You talked to your friend who has an ACE certification and got insight on how your knowledge translates to real life. The final thing you must do before your exam believes in yourself. Approach the test with calm confidence. The world is your oyster.

Can You Retake the Exam?

So you failed ACE exam on your first try? There is no need to worry. Failure is part of the learning process. You are eligible to retake the ACE exam for a fee. If you reside in the United States, you can retake the exam for $199. For international applicants, the price is $299.

Remember, the point of the examination is to ensure you are competent enough to be a trainer. If you instruct others regarding their fitness, you owe them for being capable. Passing the exam is merely a stepping stone to a career in the fitness and health industry. Being a fitness professional will require continuous effort and commitment, as your clients will be entrusting you with their well-being.

Therefore, if you cannot pass the test on your first try but are passionate about a fitness career, you should consider the failure as an opportunity to fill the gaps in your knowledge. Before you retake the test, you need to figure out where you went wrong.

When you give the exam, you can see which of the four domains you did well in and which of the four domains you did poorly, which can help you figure out which of your concepts require revisiting. Go through the study material again and fill the gaps in your understanding. Figure out what you were lacking and overcome it. Learn from your mistakes and ace the test the second time around.

Wrapping Things Up: How to Pass the ACE Certification Exam?

As daunting as the task seems, we hope with our tips, you can nail the exam, whether it’s your first try or the second. In a nutshell, you need to be thorough and organized with your preparation. Ensure you have ample time to cover the study material and much time to practice it. Knowing how your knowledge translates to real-life applications doesn’t hurt either.

Once you have followed our advice, with your thorough understanding of the concepts and your self-confidence, you can be assured to do well. Getting an ACE certification can spark many exciting opportunities for a career in fitness and health. With your exam nearing, we are confident you will ACE it since you have followed our advice.