best way to study?

E

Excder

0
OK, i just got in my study materials from NSCA for there CPT exam. The main focus of this material is a big a$$ book "The essentials of personal training" and some dvd's and 3 practice exams.

For those of you that have taken this test or one similar, how did u study for it? I mean read each chapter, take notes, out line it and make a test to test yourself? Im used to an instructor giving a test and lecturing and i know what to do(in college)

It may sound like a dumb question but any advise would be mush appreciated. Thanks.
 
I havent done those qualifications but I have always found that the best way to study is how you said. Read a chapter, summarize the chapter, read the summary notes, get someone to test you on it.

I write cue cards and stick them all over the house like in the lounge on the wall will be a piece of paper with say chemical makeup of something everytime I walk past it I look at it.

The best thing to do is start early. Its the old saying fail to plan, plan to fail.

Good Luck
 
It has been a minute since I have taken an NCSA exam, but if memory serves me correctly, there is a quiz/test at the end of each chapter. If you know the answers to the questions at the chapter ending tests you will most likely pass the test.

I remember the questions on the actual exam and the questions at the end of each chapter being very similar.

Learn that, then take the practice exams. At that point you should get almost all the questions correct.

If you know that information, you should be good to pass the test.

Hope that helps.
 
no science behind this but i do:
read a chapter 1, read chapter 2, read chapter 1, read chapter 2, read chapter 3, read chapter 2, read chapter 3, read chapter 4 etc etc : finish book read chapter 1 , read chapter 2 read chapter 3 , then 4 .... that was all i did,
 
The best way to study is the way that works best for you. some people love studying over the long term and can retain that information, and some (me) do well with short term studying, like a night or 2 before.

Regardless, make sure you read. If you can retain what you read just by reading then do that. if you need to make summaries of each chapter then do that.

Just do what you're comfortable with.
 
From what I remember, the quizzes you find at the end of each chapter are somewhat lacking. But they're a barometer nonetheless I suppose.

How you should study really depends on your background. If you're well versed in this stuff, the exam is extremely simple. If not, then your best bet IMO would be to read through each chapter methodically and keep tabs of sections you don't quite 'get.'

When finished reading the chapter, go back and read though the foggy areas.

Then take the end of chapter quiz.

Move on to next chapter, rinse and repeat.

Once you're finished with the book, start taking the practice tests to pinpoint your weaknesses that are still persisting after all of this. If you have questions, start an "NSCA CPT study thread." There are enough knowledgeable people around here to give you a hand. I've seen this work quite well on a number of other forums.

I think the biggest thing is being consistent. I know a bunch of people who started studying for this test and a year later they're only half way through. Invariably they're very inconsistent b/c they let all the information overwhelm them... at least those without much of a background.

IME, you really have to tackle this stuff head on.

Best to ya.
 
For stuff like this when you have tons of practice questions, I've notice that for me it works to actually try doing the questions before even reading anything. After that I read the chapter (paying particular attention to stuff I noticed earlier), and then go back to the questions again and hopefully answer all without looking this time.

This is usually enough for me (and the people I've talked to), but if you get stuck somewhere, you can always go back and re-read the part of the chapter you didn't learn.

Good luck!
 
Both Essentials are pretty large books (a lot of info to go over). When is your exam Excder? That may determine just how in depth you want to get in each chapter.

I had quite a while when I received the Essentials for CSCS, and this allowed me to focus on each chapter thoroughly. My study style might not suit you, but what I did was read a chapter, then go back to write outlined notes for myself. Just writing the material after reading was good for me. I haven't read the CPT Essentials, but I felt the CSCS bounced around quite a bit (I need the new edition).

I thought the practice questions at the end of each chapter helped out, and I've heard that from a lot of people.

Good Luck, and I'm glad you decided with the NSCA-CPT!!
 
I dont have a test date yet. Havent actually bought the "test" but im planning on taking it mid to late december so i can get in to my gym before new years:D Iv started outlining and reading and its not too bad actually
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top