1
NSCA CPSS CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE & SPORT SCIENTIST
EXAM 2026/2027 | Official Practice Exam | Pass Guaranteed
- A+ Graded
Total Questions: 50 | Time: 90 min | Pass: 70%
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Athlete Assessment & Data Analytics | Q1 – Q9
Section 2 | Programming & Periodization | Q10 – Q18
Section 3 | Monitoring & Athlete Tracking | Q19 – Q27
Section 4 | Recovery & Regeneration Strategies | Q28 – Q35
Section 5 | Injury Prevention & Risk Management | Q36 – Q42
Section 6 | Sport Science Technology & Ethics | Q43 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 70% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: ATHLETE ASSESSMENT & DATA ANALYTICS Q1 – Q9
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 24-year-old professional soccer midfielder reports to preseason testing after
a 4-week off-season break. The sport scientist collects countermovement jump
(CMJ) data showing a 12% decrease in jump height and a 25% increase in
eccentric braking phase duration compared to the previous season's baseline.
The athlete reports feeling "heavy" during training. Which assessment priority
should guide the next training decision?
,2
A. Schedule a maximal strength test to confirm the athlete has lost muscle
mass
B. Implement a high-volume hypertrophy block to rebuild the athlete's
physique
C. Prescribe a 2-week reconditioning phase emphasizing movement quality and
neuromuscular efficiency before reintroducing high-intensity sport-specific
work
D. Increase training intensity immediately to shock the system back into
competitive readiness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CMJ data pattern—decreased height with prolonged braking
phase—indicates detraining-induced neuromuscular inefficiency rather than
true strength loss, which is common after a layoff and responds to gradual
reconditioning. Jumping straight into high intensity or hypertrophy work
increases injury risk when the stretch-shortening cycle is compromised. A short
reconditioning block restores movement quality and prepares the athlete for
subsequent loading without unnecessary volume.
Question 2 of 50
During a quarterly performance review, a sport scientist presents 18-month
longitudinal data on a 28-year-old Olympic weightlifter's back squat 1RM,
training volume, and competition results. The squat 1RM increased 8% but
competition total remained flat. The athlete's coach insists the squat data
proves the program is working. What analytical approach should the sport
scientist apply to evaluate true transfer?
A. Compare the squat 1RM against the athlete's body mass to calculate relative
strength
,3
B. Calculate the ratio of competition total to squat 1RM and track this
efficiency metric over the 18-month period
C. Recommend switching to a different squat variation to stimulate new
adaptation
D. Increase squat training frequency since the 1RM is still improving
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The competition-to-squat ratio reveals whether increased squat
strength is actually transferring to the platform; a declining ratio indicates the
athlete is getting stronger at squatting without improving the competitive lift.
Relative strength alone does not address the transfer problem. Changing
exercises or adding frequency treats a symptom without diagnosing the
underlying disconnect between general and specific performance.
Question 3 of 50
A collegiate basketball team completes a 6-week plyometric progression. The
sport scientist analyzes landing mechanics using 3D motion capture and finds
that 60% of athletes demonstrate knee valgus collapse during drop jumps
despite reporting no pain. The head coach wants to advance to depth jumps
next week. What should guide the programming decision?
A. Advance to depth jumps since the athletes are asymptomatic and pain is the
primary indicator of readiness
B. Extend the current phase with corrective emphasis on frontal plane control
and hip-dominant landing patterns before introducing higher eccentric
demands
C. Switch to box jumps only to eliminate landing impact entirely
D. Add knee sleeves to provide proprioceptive feedback during landing
, 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Knee valgus during landing is a known risk factor for ACL injury and
indicates inadequate frontal plane control that will magnify under higher
eccentric loads like depth jumps. Asymptomatic presentation does not equal
movement competency. Box jumps reduce landing demand but do not address
the underlying mechanical deficit, while knee sleeves provide minimal
corrective benefit for valgus collapse.
Question 4 of 50
A 19-year-old NCAA Division I sprinter undergoes a force-velocity profiling
session using sprint split times and radar gun data. The analysis reveals high
maximal velocity capabilities but a relatively shallow slope in the early
acceleration phase. The athlete's 60m time is strong but 10m split is below
team average. Which training emphasis should the sport scientist recommend?
A. Increase maximal velocity training with flying 30s to exploit the athlete's
strength
B. Prioritize horizontal force production through heavy sled towing, broad
jump progressions, and early-acceleration mechanics
C. Add more speed endurance work to improve lactate tolerance
D. Reduce strength training to decrease body mass and improve power-to-
weight ratio
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The force-velocity profile indicates a deficit in early acceleration
where horizontal force production dominates, so training should target this
specific mechanical limitation rather than reinforcing existing maximal velocity
strength. Speed endurance addresses a different energy system demand, and
reducing strength work could compromise the very force qualities needed to
improve acceleration.
NSCA CPSS CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE & SPORT SCIENTIST
EXAM 2026/2027 | Official Practice Exam | Pass Guaranteed
- A+ Graded
Total Questions: 50 | Time: 90 min | Pass: 70%
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Athlete Assessment & Data Analytics | Q1 – Q9
Section 2 | Programming & Periodization | Q10 – Q18
Section 3 | Monitoring & Athlete Tracking | Q19 – Q27
Section 4 | Recovery & Regeneration Strategies | Q28 – Q35
Section 5 | Injury Prevention & Risk Management | Q36 – Q42
Section 6 | Sport Science Technology & Ethics | Q43 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 70% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: ATHLETE ASSESSMENT & DATA ANALYTICS Q1 – Q9
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 24-year-old professional soccer midfielder reports to preseason testing after
a 4-week off-season break. The sport scientist collects countermovement jump
(CMJ) data showing a 12% decrease in jump height and a 25% increase in
eccentric braking phase duration compared to the previous season's baseline.
The athlete reports feeling "heavy" during training. Which assessment priority
should guide the next training decision?
,2
A. Schedule a maximal strength test to confirm the athlete has lost muscle
mass
B. Implement a high-volume hypertrophy block to rebuild the athlete's
physique
C. Prescribe a 2-week reconditioning phase emphasizing movement quality and
neuromuscular efficiency before reintroducing high-intensity sport-specific
work
D. Increase training intensity immediately to shock the system back into
competitive readiness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CMJ data pattern—decreased height with prolonged braking
phase—indicates detraining-induced neuromuscular inefficiency rather than
true strength loss, which is common after a layoff and responds to gradual
reconditioning. Jumping straight into high intensity or hypertrophy work
increases injury risk when the stretch-shortening cycle is compromised. A short
reconditioning block restores movement quality and prepares the athlete for
subsequent loading without unnecessary volume.
Question 2 of 50
During a quarterly performance review, a sport scientist presents 18-month
longitudinal data on a 28-year-old Olympic weightlifter's back squat 1RM,
training volume, and competition results. The squat 1RM increased 8% but
competition total remained flat. The athlete's coach insists the squat data
proves the program is working. What analytical approach should the sport
scientist apply to evaluate true transfer?
A. Compare the squat 1RM against the athlete's body mass to calculate relative
strength
,3
B. Calculate the ratio of competition total to squat 1RM and track this
efficiency metric over the 18-month period
C. Recommend switching to a different squat variation to stimulate new
adaptation
D. Increase squat training frequency since the 1RM is still improving
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The competition-to-squat ratio reveals whether increased squat
strength is actually transferring to the platform; a declining ratio indicates the
athlete is getting stronger at squatting without improving the competitive lift.
Relative strength alone does not address the transfer problem. Changing
exercises or adding frequency treats a symptom without diagnosing the
underlying disconnect between general and specific performance.
Question 3 of 50
A collegiate basketball team completes a 6-week plyometric progression. The
sport scientist analyzes landing mechanics using 3D motion capture and finds
that 60% of athletes demonstrate knee valgus collapse during drop jumps
despite reporting no pain. The head coach wants to advance to depth jumps
next week. What should guide the programming decision?
A. Advance to depth jumps since the athletes are asymptomatic and pain is the
primary indicator of readiness
B. Extend the current phase with corrective emphasis on frontal plane control
and hip-dominant landing patterns before introducing higher eccentric
demands
C. Switch to box jumps only to eliminate landing impact entirely
D. Add knee sleeves to provide proprioceptive feedback during landing
, 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Knee valgus during landing is a known risk factor for ACL injury and
indicates inadequate frontal plane control that will magnify under higher
eccentric loads like depth jumps. Asymptomatic presentation does not equal
movement competency. Box jumps reduce landing demand but do not address
the underlying mechanical deficit, while knee sleeves provide minimal
corrective benefit for valgus collapse.
Question 4 of 50
A 19-year-old NCAA Division I sprinter undergoes a force-velocity profiling
session using sprint split times and radar gun data. The analysis reveals high
maximal velocity capabilities but a relatively shallow slope in the early
acceleration phase. The athlete's 60m time is strong but 10m split is below
team average. Which training emphasis should the sport scientist recommend?
A. Increase maximal velocity training with flying 30s to exploit the athlete's
strength
B. Prioritize horizontal force production through heavy sled towing, broad
jump progressions, and early-acceleration mechanics
C. Add more speed endurance work to improve lactate tolerance
D. Reduce strength training to decrease body mass and improve power-to-
weight ratio
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The force-velocity profile indicates a deficit in early acceleration
where horizontal force production dominates, so training should target this
specific mechanical limitation rather than reinforcing existing maximal velocity
strength. Speed endurance addresses a different energy system demand, and
reducing strength work could compromise the very force qualities needed to
improve acceleration.
