ACE CPT Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: B

"You should try working out in the morning before your day starts.": This is unsolicited advice. It may cause resistance and does not show the client she has been heard.

"It sounds like your energy is pretty much gone by the evening.": Correct. A reflection restates the client's meaning in the trainer's own words, which shows understanding and invites her to say more.

"You're doing great just by coming in to talk with me today.": This is an affirmation, another OARS skill, but it does not reflect what the client said.

"What time do you usually leave work on a normal weekday?": This is a closed, fact-finding question. It does not reflect her feelings.

OARS = Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summarizing. Reflections mirror what the client means and build rapport and change talk.

Answer: B

Obtain medical clearance first, because he is inactive and over 40 years old: The current algorithm does not require clearance based on age or inactivity alone when there is no known disease and no symptoms.

Begin light-to-moderate exercise without clearance and progress gradually: Correct. For an inactive person with no known disease and no signs or symptoms, medical clearance is not necessary. Start at light-to-moderate intensity and progress gradually as tolerated.

Begin vigorous-intensity training now, since he reports no known disease: Inactive clients should start at light-to-moderate intensity. Jumping to vigorous work raises the risk of adverse events and poor adherence.

Complete a maximal graded exercise test before any program is designed: Routine maximal testing is not required for asymptomatic people without known disease, and a maximal test is outside typical trainer practice.

ACSM screening asks three things: current activity level, known cardiovascular/metabolic/renal disease, and signs or symptoms. No disease and no symptoms means no clearance is needed. Inactive clients start light-to-moderate.

Answer: A

It shortens the resistance moment arm, which lowers the torque at the shoulder.: Correct. Bringing the load closer to the shoulder shortens the moment arm. Torque = force × moment arm, so the same weight produces less torque.

It shifts the main work from the deltoids to the biceps, which are stronger.: The deltoids still abduct the shoulder. Bending the elbow isometrically does not transfer the work to the biceps.

It reduces the weight of the dumbbells by changing their angle to the floor.: The dumbbells' mass and weight do not change. Only the lever geometry changes.

It changes the movement from the frontal plane into the transverse plane.: Shoulder abduction remains a frontal-plane movement whether the elbows are straight or bent.

Torque = force × moment arm. Moving the load closer to the joint (bent elbows, shorter lever) makes an exercise easier; lengthening the lever makes it harder.

Answer: D

66 bpm: This is 60% of the heart-rate reserve (110 × 0.60 = 66) without adding back the resting heart rate.

108 bpm: This is 60% of maximal heart rate (180 × 0.60). The Karvonen method uses heart-rate reserve.

178 bpm: This takes 60% of the maximal heart rate and then adds the resting rate (108 + 70), mixing two methods.

136 bpm: Correct. HRR = 180 − 70 = 110; 110 × 0.60 = 66; 66 + 70 = 136 bpm.

Karvonen: THR = (HRmax − HRrest) × % intensity + HRrest. Always add the resting heart rate back at the end.

Answer: D

Increase training volume to push her through the plateau: More volume will deepen the problem. Her signs point to excessive training stress, not too little training.

Keep the program unchanged and recheck in another month: Ignoring several warning signs risks worsening fatigue and injury. The program should change now.

Switch her to daily high-intensity intervals for variety: Adding high-intensity work raises total stress. Variety is not the issue.

Reduce volume and intensity and add rest and recovery days: Correct. A rising resting heart rate, poor sleep, lasting soreness and falling performance suggest overreaching or overtraining. Reduce load and prioritize recovery, and refer if symptoms persist.

Overtraining red flags: rising resting heart rate, poor sleep, mood changes, persistent soreness, falling performance. The fix is less training stress plus more recovery, not more work.

Answer: C

It protects the trainer from every claim, including those for gross negligence.: Courts generally do not enforce waivers against gross negligence or reckless conduct.

It is the same as an informed consent form and serves the identical purpose.: Informed consent documents that the client understands the risks. A waiver releases the provider from liability. They are different documents.

Where enforceable, it may release ordinary negligence but not gross negligence.: Correct. A well-drafted waiver, where state law allows, can release the trainer from liability for ordinary negligence. It does not cover gross negligence and does not replace safe practice.

It is required by federal law before a trainer can work with any adult client.: No federal law requires waivers. Their use and enforceability are governed by state law.

Waiver = release of liability for ordinary negligence (where enforceable). Informed consent = acknowledgment of risks. Neither protects against gross negligence.