For Wes--CSCS testing

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evolution

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Wes,

I know you have your CSCS certification and I'll be testing for mine in Feb when they hold the test here in Edmond, OK. I was wondering if you can give me a low down of how long it took you to take the test and if I need to look over anything besides my NSCA's Essentials of Strenth and Conditioning textbook and class notes from my kinesiology classes?

Plus, any tips you have would be really cool.
 
hey Evo!
I read Essentials pretty much cover to cover, highlighteing along the way.
My intention was to go back and re-read the highlighted stuff, but I simply ran out of time.
I bought a book by Douglas Brooks (out of print now, but I think his new one will have all the old stuff in it), that really put the ex. phys stuff into easier-to-understand speak.
I took the exam 6 years after I graduated, so if this stuff is fresh in your head, you may do well!

A few of the video questions seemed like there could have been several answers, if you got picky. I don't remember the written blowing my mind or anything. I passed both parts the first time with about a 77 on both.

Although it's been, geez almost 5 years now since I took it (can that be right?), the thing I remember wishing I had studied more was the olympic lifts (not having performed or seen them other than in the book).

I remember a few question that got pretty specific about where the hips should be in a specific lift: over the tarsals, calcaneus, talus; very subtle things, and the video, while it gives you time to think in between questions, doesnt give ou a whole lot of time to think!

Hope this helps!

Good luck with it and let me know if I can help any more!!

Wes
 
oh, and I think it took between 2-3 hours.
I think I had 2 hours to take the written. I think I went to lunch and then came back for the video which is timed anyway. So probably 2 and a half to 3 hours.
 
Excellent. Thanks for your time in answering these questions. I'm pretty much finishing the last of my kinesiology classes I can fit in before I start in on my student teaching and graduate. I've done anatomy with cadaver disection, applied anatomy, ex phys, ex prescription, applications of strength and conditioning program development, theory of athletic coaching, theory of coaching wrestling, and now I'm finishing up my athletic injury management class. My sub-specialty areas are track and field and wrestling. I'm also persuing my level 1 Oly coach certification.

I'm pretty familiar with the Olympic lifts as I spend time every few weeks with a friend whose finishing up his Ph.D. in exercise science with an emphasis in biomotor mechanics and analysis. He is a national level coach that worked at the USA Regional Weight Lifting Center...not to mention he's a wealth of information in the exercise science area relating to athletes.

I know the test can be pretty challenging so I was just wanting to get a feel for it. Since I'll have a month off classes in December, I'll read through the Essentials book two times over and re-read Serious Strength Training by Bompa.

Again thanks,
Josh
 
you got it! I think the experience with the olympic lifts will help a lot. Provided that they are in synch with NSCA's guideliines. Dont forget, sometimes people develop variations and tweaks of some movements.
Make sure you know the differences, and go by NSCA.
 
gymcoch said:
you got it! I think the experience with the olympic lifts will help a lot. Provided that they are in synch with NSCA's guideliines. Dont forget, sometimes people develop variations and tweaks of some movements.
Make sure you know the differences, and go by NSCA.
Click to expand...

Good point. I know that a couple of kinesiology professors have taken the test (they all pretty much either hold NSCA or ACSM or both) and they said that there were a few questions they disagreed with, but in the end it's not about what you know is right but what the NSCA believes to be right.
 
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