NSCA CPSS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM | CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE
AND SPORT SCIENTIST PRACTICE TEST BANK | 250+ VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES FOR
THE NSCA CPSS CERTIFICATION
Question 1
What is the underlying concept of the training process in athlete monitoring?
A. Maximizing external load at all times
B. Balancing stimulus and recovery for adaptive responses
C. Eliminating all inherent training risks
D. Reducing training load to prevent any fatigue
Answer B
Explanation The core concept of the training process in athlete monitoring is
balancing stimulus and recovery to achieve adaptive responses. Without adequate
recovery, the body cannot supercompensate and performance may decline. This
balance prevents maladaptation and overtraining .
Question 2
The CPSS exam consists of approximately how many scored questions and what is
the time limit?
A. 100 scored questions, 2 hours
B. 100 scored questions, 2 hours 45 minutes
C. 150 scored questions, 3 hours
D. 115 scored questions, 2 hours
Answer B
Explanation The CPSS exam contains 100 scored questions plus 15 pretest
(nonscored) questions for a total of 115 items. Candidates have 2 hours and 45
minutes (165 minutes) to complete the exam. The passing scaled score is 70 or
higher .
,Question 3
Which of the following best describes periodization?
A. A daily workout plan focusing on specific exercises
B. A macro-management strategy that serves as a training blueprint assigning
periods of time targeting specific skills or fitness factors C. A method of
measuring athlete fatigue
D. A type of nutritional periodization for competition
Answer B
Explanation Periodization is a macro-management strategy that serves as a
training blueprint, from which periods of time are assigned that target specific
skills, fitness, or performance-related factors. Volume and intensity are inversely
related throughout the periodization cycle .
Question 4
How is biological adaptation achieved according to training principles?
A. By maintaining constant training volume
B. By disturbing the current capacity of the system
C. By eliminating all training stressors
D. By increasing rest periods only
Answer B
Explanation Biological adaptation is achieved by disturbing the current capacity of
the system. When the body experiences a training stressor that exceeds its
current homeostasis, it adapts to become more capable of handling that stressor
in the future .
Question 5
What is supercompensation?
A. The immediate fatigue following exercise
B. The effect whereby performance is enhanced if the body is allowed to adapt
following a training stimulus
C. The loss of fitness during detraining
D. The decrease in muscle protein synthesis
,Answer B
Explanation Supercompensation is the effect whereby performance is enhanced if
the body is able or allowed to adapt following a training stimulus. During the
recovery period, the body overcompensates, leading to a higher level of
performance than before the training bout .
Question 6
What syndrome is supercompensation related to?
A. Metabolic syndrome
B. General adaptation syndrome
C. Overtraining syndrome
D. Relative energy deficiency syndrome
Answer B
Explanation Supercompensation is related to the General Adaptation Syndrome
(GAS), which provides a framework for understanding the interaction between
imposed training stress, the acute fatigue response, adaptation, and a new level of
homeostasis or performance .
Question 7
The CPSS exam content is divided into how many domains and what are they?
A. 2 domains: Scientific Foundations and Applied Practice
B. 3 domains: Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation
C. 4 domains: Training Theory and Process, Needs Analysis, Acute and Chronic
Monitoring, Communication and Education
D. 5 domains: Physiology, Biomechanics, Nutrition, Psychology, Statistics
Answer C
Explanation The CPSS exam covers four main domains: Training Theory and
Process (23-29%), Needs Analysis (24-30%), Acute and Chronic Monitoring
(2530%), and Communication and Education (19-24%). These domains are further
broken down with crosscutting concepts in scientific disciplines, assessment
technology, and research process .
Question 8
, What is the difference between periodization and programming?
A. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
B. Periodization is a macro-management strategy serving as a training blueprint;
programming is an operational strategy best accomplished when ongoing
monitoring is integrated
C. Programming is long-term planning; periodization is daily planning
D. Periodization applies only to team sports; programming applies to individual
sports
Answer B
Explanation Periodization is a macro-management strategy that serves as a
training blueprint, while programming is an operational strategy that is best
accomplished when ongoing monitoring is integrated into the periodization
process. Programming involves the specific day-to-day decisions about exercise
selection, volume, and intensity .
Question 9
How does overtraining syndrome develop?
A. After a single high-intensity workout
B. After continued high-volume, high-intensity training or both when an athlete is
over-reached without adequate recovery C. Only from psychological stressors
D. From inadequate nutritional intake alone
Answer B
Explanation Overtraining syndrome develops after continued high-volume,
highintensity training or both when an athlete is over-reached. When the balance
between training stress and recovery is chronically disrupted, the athlete may
progress from functional overreaching to non-functional overreaching and
eventually to overtraining syndrome .
Question 10
What is the dose-response relationship in training?
A. The relationship between the size of an administered dose (training load) and
the intensity of the response produced (adaptation)
B. The relationship between medication dosage and side effects
AND SPORT SCIENTIST PRACTICE TEST BANK | 250+ VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES FOR
THE NSCA CPSS CERTIFICATION
Question 1
What is the underlying concept of the training process in athlete monitoring?
A. Maximizing external load at all times
B. Balancing stimulus and recovery for adaptive responses
C. Eliminating all inherent training risks
D. Reducing training load to prevent any fatigue
Answer B
Explanation The core concept of the training process in athlete monitoring is
balancing stimulus and recovery to achieve adaptive responses. Without adequate
recovery, the body cannot supercompensate and performance may decline. This
balance prevents maladaptation and overtraining .
Question 2
The CPSS exam consists of approximately how many scored questions and what is
the time limit?
A. 100 scored questions, 2 hours
B. 100 scored questions, 2 hours 45 minutes
C. 150 scored questions, 3 hours
D. 115 scored questions, 2 hours
Answer B
Explanation The CPSS exam contains 100 scored questions plus 15 pretest
(nonscored) questions for a total of 115 items. Candidates have 2 hours and 45
minutes (165 minutes) to complete the exam. The passing scaled score is 70 or
higher .
,Question 3
Which of the following best describes periodization?
A. A daily workout plan focusing on specific exercises
B. A macro-management strategy that serves as a training blueprint assigning
periods of time targeting specific skills or fitness factors C. A method of
measuring athlete fatigue
D. A type of nutritional periodization for competition
Answer B
Explanation Periodization is a macro-management strategy that serves as a
training blueprint, from which periods of time are assigned that target specific
skills, fitness, or performance-related factors. Volume and intensity are inversely
related throughout the periodization cycle .
Question 4
How is biological adaptation achieved according to training principles?
A. By maintaining constant training volume
B. By disturbing the current capacity of the system
C. By eliminating all training stressors
D. By increasing rest periods only
Answer B
Explanation Biological adaptation is achieved by disturbing the current capacity of
the system. When the body experiences a training stressor that exceeds its
current homeostasis, it adapts to become more capable of handling that stressor
in the future .
Question 5
What is supercompensation?
A. The immediate fatigue following exercise
B. The effect whereby performance is enhanced if the body is allowed to adapt
following a training stimulus
C. The loss of fitness during detraining
D. The decrease in muscle protein synthesis
,Answer B
Explanation Supercompensation is the effect whereby performance is enhanced if
the body is able or allowed to adapt following a training stimulus. During the
recovery period, the body overcompensates, leading to a higher level of
performance than before the training bout .
Question 6
What syndrome is supercompensation related to?
A. Metabolic syndrome
B. General adaptation syndrome
C. Overtraining syndrome
D. Relative energy deficiency syndrome
Answer B
Explanation Supercompensation is related to the General Adaptation Syndrome
(GAS), which provides a framework for understanding the interaction between
imposed training stress, the acute fatigue response, adaptation, and a new level of
homeostasis or performance .
Question 7
The CPSS exam content is divided into how many domains and what are they?
A. 2 domains: Scientific Foundations and Applied Practice
B. 3 domains: Assessment, Intervention, Evaluation
C. 4 domains: Training Theory and Process, Needs Analysis, Acute and Chronic
Monitoring, Communication and Education
D. 5 domains: Physiology, Biomechanics, Nutrition, Psychology, Statistics
Answer C
Explanation The CPSS exam covers four main domains: Training Theory and
Process (23-29%), Needs Analysis (24-30%), Acute and Chronic Monitoring
(2530%), and Communication and Education (19-24%). These domains are further
broken down with crosscutting concepts in scientific disciplines, assessment
technology, and research process .
Question 8
, What is the difference between periodization and programming?
A. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
B. Periodization is a macro-management strategy serving as a training blueprint;
programming is an operational strategy best accomplished when ongoing
monitoring is integrated
C. Programming is long-term planning; periodization is daily planning
D. Periodization applies only to team sports; programming applies to individual
sports
Answer B
Explanation Periodization is a macro-management strategy that serves as a
training blueprint, while programming is an operational strategy that is best
accomplished when ongoing monitoring is integrated into the periodization
process. Programming involves the specific day-to-day decisions about exercise
selection, volume, and intensity .
Question 9
How does overtraining syndrome develop?
A. After a single high-intensity workout
B. After continued high-volume, high-intensity training or both when an athlete is
over-reached without adequate recovery C. Only from psychological stressors
D. From inadequate nutritional intake alone
Answer B
Explanation Overtraining syndrome develops after continued high-volume,
highintensity training or both when an athlete is over-reached. When the balance
between training stress and recovery is chronically disrupted, the athlete may
progress from functional overreaching to non-functional overreaching and
eventually to overtraining syndrome .
Question 10
What is the dose-response relationship in training?
A. The relationship between the size of an administered dose (training load) and
the intensity of the response produced (adaptation)
B. The relationship between medication dosage and side effects
