CERTIFIED LIFE COACH EXAM QUESTION
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary role of a certified life coach?
A. To diagnose mental health disorders
B. To give direct advice and solutions
C. To facilitate client self-discovery and goal achievement
D. To provide psychotherapy
Rationale: A life coach partners with clients to help them clarify goals,
discover solutions, and take action rather than diagnosing or treating
mental illness.
2. Which principle is foundational to professional life coaching?
A. Fixing client weaknesses
B. Coach-directed outcomes
C. Client autonomy and empowerment
D. Emotional dependency
Rationale: Coaching emphasizes empowering clients to make their own
choices and decisions.
3. The coaching relationship is best described as:
A. Hierarchical
B. Directive
C. Evaluative
D. Collaborative
Rationale: Coaching is a partnership where coach and client work
together as equals.
,4. Which skill is most critical for effective coaching?
A. Advising
B. Diagnosing
C. Active listening
D. Lecturing
Rationale: Active listening allows the coach to fully understand the client’s
perspective and needs.
5. What is active listening?
A. Waiting to speak
B. Interpreting client problems
C. Fully focusing, understanding, and reflecting client messages
D. Challenging the client constantly
Rationale: Active listening involves attention, reflection, and
understanding rather than interruption.
6. Open-ended questions are used in coaching to:
A. Limit conversation
B. Get yes/no answers
C. Encourage exploration and insight
D. Test client knowledge
Rationale: Open-ended questions help clients think deeply and explore
possibilities.
7. Which question is open-ended?
A. Did you meet your goal?
B. Is this difficult for you?
C. What challenges are you experiencing right now?
D. Are you motivated?
Rationale: Open-ended questions cannot be answered with a simple yes or
no.
8. The GROW coaching model stands for:
A. Goals, Results, Options, Work
B. Growth, Reality, Outcomes, Will
, C. Goal, Reality, Options, Will
D. Guidance, Reflection, Outcome, Work
Rationale: GROW is one of the most widely used coaching frameworks.
9. In the GROW model, the “Reality” stage focuses on:
A. Setting future goals
B. Assessing the current situation
C. Brainstorming solutions
D. Creating action plans
Rationale: Reality helps the client understand where they are now.
10.The “Will” stage of GROW emphasizes:
A. Identifying obstacles
B. Reviewing past failures
C. Commitment and action planning
D. Evaluating coaching success
Rationale: Will focuses on what the client will do and their level of
commitment.
11.SMART goals are:
A. Simple, Measured, Accurate, Realistic, Timed
B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
C. Strategic, Meaningful, Actionable, Realistic, Timely
D. Structured, Motivational, Achievable, Recorded, Tested
Rationale: SMART criteria help ensure goals are clear and attainable.
12.Which is an example of a SMART goal?
A. Be more confident
B. Improve communication someday
C. Exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times per week for the next month
D. Try harder at work
Rationale: The example is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and
time-bound.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary role of a certified life coach?
A. To diagnose mental health disorders
B. To give direct advice and solutions
C. To facilitate client self-discovery and goal achievement
D. To provide psychotherapy
Rationale: A life coach partners with clients to help them clarify goals,
discover solutions, and take action rather than diagnosing or treating
mental illness.
2. Which principle is foundational to professional life coaching?
A. Fixing client weaknesses
B. Coach-directed outcomes
C. Client autonomy and empowerment
D. Emotional dependency
Rationale: Coaching emphasizes empowering clients to make their own
choices and decisions.
3. The coaching relationship is best described as:
A. Hierarchical
B. Directive
C. Evaluative
D. Collaborative
Rationale: Coaching is a partnership where coach and client work
together as equals.
,4. Which skill is most critical for effective coaching?
A. Advising
B. Diagnosing
C. Active listening
D. Lecturing
Rationale: Active listening allows the coach to fully understand the client’s
perspective and needs.
5. What is active listening?
A. Waiting to speak
B. Interpreting client problems
C. Fully focusing, understanding, and reflecting client messages
D. Challenging the client constantly
Rationale: Active listening involves attention, reflection, and
understanding rather than interruption.
6. Open-ended questions are used in coaching to:
A. Limit conversation
B. Get yes/no answers
C. Encourage exploration and insight
D. Test client knowledge
Rationale: Open-ended questions help clients think deeply and explore
possibilities.
7. Which question is open-ended?
A. Did you meet your goal?
B. Is this difficult for you?
C. What challenges are you experiencing right now?
D. Are you motivated?
Rationale: Open-ended questions cannot be answered with a simple yes or
no.
8. The GROW coaching model stands for:
A. Goals, Results, Options, Work
B. Growth, Reality, Outcomes, Will
, C. Goal, Reality, Options, Will
D. Guidance, Reflection, Outcome, Work
Rationale: GROW is one of the most widely used coaching frameworks.
9. In the GROW model, the “Reality” stage focuses on:
A. Setting future goals
B. Assessing the current situation
C. Brainstorming solutions
D. Creating action plans
Rationale: Reality helps the client understand where they are now.
10.The “Will” stage of GROW emphasizes:
A. Identifying obstacles
B. Reviewing past failures
C. Commitment and action planning
D. Evaluating coaching success
Rationale: Will focuses on what the client will do and their level of
commitment.
11.SMART goals are:
A. Simple, Measured, Accurate, Realistic, Timed
B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
C. Strategic, Meaningful, Actionable, Realistic, Timely
D. Structured, Motivational, Achievable, Recorded, Tested
Rationale: SMART criteria help ensure goals are clear and attainable.
12.Which is an example of a SMART goal?
A. Be more confident
B. Improve communication someday
C. Exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times per week for the next month
D. Try harder at work
Rationale: The example is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and
time-bound.
