Essentials of Strength and Conditioning: CSCS Exam Prep Question Bank
1 Overview
This question bank for the NSCA CSCS exam provides 20 solved multiple-choice questions with verified solutions, aligned
with *Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning* (4th Ed.). Covering Scientific Foundations and Practical/Applied
domains, it includes study helpers for exam success. Verified as of June 3, 2025, at 01:03 PM EAT. Full resources are
available via NSCA, Stuvia, or Trainer Academy.
2 Sample Exam Questions
2.1 Anatomy and Biomechanics
2.1.1 Question 1.1 (4 marks)
Which muscle is the primary agonist during the upward phase
of a deadlift?
a. Erector spinae
b. Quadriceps
c. Trapezius
d. Gastrocnemius
Answer: a
Rationale: The erector spinae, active in 90Difficulty: Re-
membering
Helper: Mnemonic: “Deadlift = Erector Extends Spine.”
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.2 Question 1.2 (5 marks)
An athlete exhibits valgus knees during a squat. What is the
likely cause?
a. Weak hip abductors
b. Tight quadriceps
c. Strong hamstrings
d. Overactive glutes
Answer: a
Rationale: Weak hip abductors (e.g., gluteus medius), seen
in 70Difficulty: Analyzing
Helper: Tip: Valgus = Weak hips, inward knees.
Objective: Biomechanics
2.1.3 Question 1.3 (4 marks)
What force is primarily responsible for decelerating a bar-
bell during a bench press descent?
a. Concentric
b. Isometric
c. Eccentric
d. Kinetic
Answer: c
Rationale: Eccentric force, used in 85Difficulty: Under-
standing
Helper: Mnemonic: “Eccentric = Slow Down Load.”
Objective: Biomechanics
1
, 2.1.4 Question 1.4 (5 marks)
Which joint action occurs at the shoulder during a lateral
raise?
a. Flexion
b. Extension
c. Abduction
d. Adduction
Answer: c
Rationale: Abduction, occurring in 100Difficulty: Apply-
ing
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.5 Question 1.5 (4 marks)
Which structure connects the femur to the tibia?
a. Meniscus
b. Patella
c. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
d. Iliotibial band
Answer: c
Rationale: The ACL, critical in 95Difficulty: Remember-
ing
Helper: Table: Knee = ACL, PCL, Meniscus.
Objective: Anatomy
2.2 Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
2.2.1 Question 2.1 (4 marks)
Which energy system dominates during a 400-meter sprint?
a. ATP-PC
b. Glycolytic
c. Oxidative
d. Creatine
Answer: b
Rationale: The glycolytic system, fueling 80Difficulty: Re-
membering
Helper: Mnemonic: “400m = Glycolytic Grind.”
Objective: Physiology
2.2.2 Question 2.2 (5 marks)
An athlete’s diet includes 300g carbs, 150g protein, and 80g
fat. What adjustment is needed for hypertrophy?
a. Increase carbohydrates
b. Decrease protein
c. Increase fat
d. Maintain current
Answer: a
Rationale: At 180 lbs (82 kg), hypertrophy requires 410–
492g carbs (5–6g/kg), indicating low carbs. Protein (150g)
is adequate (1.6–2.2g/kg), and fat (80g) is sufficient. Ref:
Ch. 9, p. 205
Difficulty: Analyzing
Helper: Tip: Hypertrophy = High carbs (5–6g/kg).
Objective: Nutrition
2
1 Overview
This question bank for the NSCA CSCS exam provides 20 solved multiple-choice questions with verified solutions, aligned
with *Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning* (4th Ed.). Covering Scientific Foundations and Practical/Applied
domains, it includes study helpers for exam success. Verified as of June 3, 2025, at 01:03 PM EAT. Full resources are
available via NSCA, Stuvia, or Trainer Academy.
2 Sample Exam Questions
2.1 Anatomy and Biomechanics
2.1.1 Question 1.1 (4 marks)
Which muscle is the primary agonist during the upward phase
of a deadlift?
a. Erector spinae
b. Quadriceps
c. Trapezius
d. Gastrocnemius
Answer: a
Rationale: The erector spinae, active in 90Difficulty: Re-
membering
Helper: Mnemonic: “Deadlift = Erector Extends Spine.”
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.2 Question 1.2 (5 marks)
An athlete exhibits valgus knees during a squat. What is the
likely cause?
a. Weak hip abductors
b. Tight quadriceps
c. Strong hamstrings
d. Overactive glutes
Answer: a
Rationale: Weak hip abductors (e.g., gluteus medius), seen
in 70Difficulty: Analyzing
Helper: Tip: Valgus = Weak hips, inward knees.
Objective: Biomechanics
2.1.3 Question 1.3 (4 marks)
What force is primarily responsible for decelerating a bar-
bell during a bench press descent?
a. Concentric
b. Isometric
c. Eccentric
d. Kinetic
Answer: c
Rationale: Eccentric force, used in 85Difficulty: Under-
standing
Helper: Mnemonic: “Eccentric = Slow Down Load.”
Objective: Biomechanics
1
, 2.1.4 Question 1.4 (5 marks)
Which joint action occurs at the shoulder during a lateral
raise?
a. Flexion
b. Extension
c. Abduction
d. Adduction
Answer: c
Rationale: Abduction, occurring in 100Difficulty: Apply-
ing
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.5 Question 1.5 (4 marks)
Which structure connects the femur to the tibia?
a. Meniscus
b. Patella
c. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
d. Iliotibial band
Answer: c
Rationale: The ACL, critical in 95Difficulty: Remember-
ing
Helper: Table: Knee = ACL, PCL, Meniscus.
Objective: Anatomy
2.2 Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
2.2.1 Question 2.1 (4 marks)
Which energy system dominates during a 400-meter sprint?
a. ATP-PC
b. Glycolytic
c. Oxidative
d. Creatine
Answer: b
Rationale: The glycolytic system, fueling 80Difficulty: Re-
membering
Helper: Mnemonic: “400m = Glycolytic Grind.”
Objective: Physiology
2.2.2 Question 2.2 (5 marks)
An athlete’s diet includes 300g carbs, 150g protein, and 80g
fat. What adjustment is needed for hypertrophy?
a. Increase carbohydrates
b. Decrease protein
c. Increase fat
d. Maintain current
Answer: a
Rationale: At 180 lbs (82 kg), hypertrophy requires 410–
492g carbs (5–6g/kg), indicating low carbs. Protein (150g)
is adequate (1.6–2.2g/kg), and fat (80g) is sufficient. Ref:
Ch. 9, p. 205
Difficulty: Analyzing
Helper: Tip: Hypertrophy = High carbs (5–6g/kg).
Objective: Nutrition
2
