MERRITHEW™ | STOTT PILATES® INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION
STOTT PILATES WRITTEN EXAM
Edition
Complete Solution • Verified Questions • 100% Correct Answers • A+ Graded
Total Questions 100 Multiple Choice
Sections 7 (Principles & Anatomy, Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac/Chair/Barrels, Assessment, Special
Populations)
Cognitive Distribution 25% Recall • 50% Application • 25% Analysis
Question Style 75% Scenario-based • 25% Direct Knowledge
Time Allotted 120 minutes
Passing Score 80% (80/100 correct)
Edition 2026/2027 International Written Testing Standards
Issuing Body Merrithew™ / STOTT PILATES®
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Name (Print): Date:
Candidate ID: Exam Site:
Instructor/Proctor: Signature:
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. This examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions distributed across seven sections aligned with
the Merrithew™ STOTT PILATES® International Written Testing Standards (2026/2027 Edition).
2. Each question has FOUR answer options (A, B, C, D). Select the SINGLE best answer based on current
STOTT PILATES methodology and contemporary biomechanical principles.
STOTT PILATES® / Merrithew™ — International Written Testing Standards 2026/2027 Page 1
, 3. The correct answer is indicated with the *[CORRECT]* marker, followed by the explicit statement
"Correct Answer: [Letter]" and a 2–3 sentence rationale referencing STOTT PILATES / Merrithew
methodology.
4. Cognitive level distribution: 25% Recall, 50% Application, 25% Analysis. Approximately 75% of items
are scenario-based (client cases, teaching situations, exercise modifications); 25% are direct knowledge.
5. Time allotted: 120 minutes. Recommended pace: 1.2 minutes per question. Passing score: 80% (80/100
correct).
6. Calculators, mobile devices, and external reference materials are not permitted unless explicitly
authorized by the proctor.
7. All terminology, cueing, and exercise names follow the STOTT PILATES Contemporary Approach.
Joseph Pilates' classical terminology is used only when it differs from the contemporary model in a manner
that is pedagogically relevant.
By beginning this examination, the candidate affirms understanding of the STOTT PILATES® Code of Professional Conduct, the
scope-of-practice boundaries governing certified instructors, and the commitment to client safety that underpins every
programming decision.
STOTT PILATES® / Merrithew™ — International Written Testing Standards 2026/2027 Page 1
, Section 1: Stott Pilates Principles & Movement Foundations
Questions 1–20 | 20 questions | Cognitive mix: Recall • Application • Analysis
Q1: According to the STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles, which breathing pattern is taught to facilitate
activation of the deep stabilizers and maintain a neutral rib cage during exertion?
A. Chest breathing into the upper lobes with elevated shoulders
B. Shallow intercostal breathing that mirrors sympathetic arousal
C. Lateral costal breathing, directing breath laterally and posteriorly into the lower rib cage while gently
engaging the transversus abdominis on the exhale *[CORRECT]*
D. Reverse breathing in which the abdomen distends on the inhale and collapses on the exhale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: STOTT PILATES instructs lateral costal breathing to keep the rib cage neutral, prevent upper-chest dominance, and
facilitate transversus abdominis (TA) engagement on the exhale. The other choices describe upper-chest, sympathetic, or
paradoxical breathing patterns that contradict the Five Basic Principles.
Q2: A new client is asked to find 'neutral pelvis' in supine. Which bony landmarks should align vertically to
confirm ASIS and pubic symphysis are level?
A. The xiphoid process and umbilicus
B. The right and left iliac crests only
C. The right and left ASIS and the pubic symphysis in the same frontal plane *[CORRECT]*
D. The PSIS and the greater trochanters
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: STOTT PILATES defines neutral pelvis by the ASIS-pubic symphysis relationship: all three landmarks lie in the same
horizontal/frontal plane in supine. The other landmarks either reference the thorax or fail to confirm anterior pelvic alignment.
Q3: When should a client be cued to use an 'imprinted' spine rather than a neutral spine during supine
matwork?
A. Whenever the legs are loaded, regardless of lumbar stability
B. When neutral cannot be maintained under load and the lumbar spine needs stabilization, particularly with
both legs lifted off the mat *[CORRECT]*
C. Only during prone extension work to protect the SI joint
D. During every exercise to maximize core recruitment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: STOTT PILATES uses imprint (gentle posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion) as a stabilization strategy when
neutral cannot be maintained under leg load. Imprinting every exercise is discouraged because it reinforces faulty lumbar flexion
patterning, and using imprint in prone is contraindicated for spinal extension work.
Q4: Which cue best reflects the STOTT PILATES principle of Scapular Movement & Stabilization?
STOTT PILATES® / Merrithew™ — International Written Testing Standards 2026/2027 Page 1
STOTT PILATES WRITTEN EXAM
Edition
Complete Solution • Verified Questions • 100% Correct Answers • A+ Graded
Total Questions 100 Multiple Choice
Sections 7 (Principles & Anatomy, Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac/Chair/Barrels, Assessment, Special
Populations)
Cognitive Distribution 25% Recall • 50% Application • 25% Analysis
Question Style 75% Scenario-based • 25% Direct Knowledge
Time Allotted 120 minutes
Passing Score 80% (80/100 correct)
Edition 2026/2027 International Written Testing Standards
Issuing Body Merrithew™ / STOTT PILATES®
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Name (Print): Date:
Candidate ID: Exam Site:
Instructor/Proctor: Signature:
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. This examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions distributed across seven sections aligned with
the Merrithew™ STOTT PILATES® International Written Testing Standards (2026/2027 Edition).
2. Each question has FOUR answer options (A, B, C, D). Select the SINGLE best answer based on current
STOTT PILATES methodology and contemporary biomechanical principles.
STOTT PILATES® / Merrithew™ — International Written Testing Standards 2026/2027 Page 1
, 3. The correct answer is indicated with the *[CORRECT]* marker, followed by the explicit statement
"Correct Answer: [Letter]" and a 2–3 sentence rationale referencing STOTT PILATES / Merrithew
methodology.
4. Cognitive level distribution: 25% Recall, 50% Application, 25% Analysis. Approximately 75% of items
are scenario-based (client cases, teaching situations, exercise modifications); 25% are direct knowledge.
5. Time allotted: 120 minutes. Recommended pace: 1.2 minutes per question. Passing score: 80% (80/100
correct).
6. Calculators, mobile devices, and external reference materials are not permitted unless explicitly
authorized by the proctor.
7. All terminology, cueing, and exercise names follow the STOTT PILATES Contemporary Approach.
Joseph Pilates' classical terminology is used only when it differs from the contemporary model in a manner
that is pedagogically relevant.
By beginning this examination, the candidate affirms understanding of the STOTT PILATES® Code of Professional Conduct, the
scope-of-practice boundaries governing certified instructors, and the commitment to client safety that underpins every
programming decision.
STOTT PILATES® / Merrithew™ — International Written Testing Standards 2026/2027 Page 1
, Section 1: Stott Pilates Principles & Movement Foundations
Questions 1–20 | 20 questions | Cognitive mix: Recall • Application • Analysis
Q1: According to the STOTT PILATES Five Basic Principles, which breathing pattern is taught to facilitate
activation of the deep stabilizers and maintain a neutral rib cage during exertion?
A. Chest breathing into the upper lobes with elevated shoulders
B. Shallow intercostal breathing that mirrors sympathetic arousal
C. Lateral costal breathing, directing breath laterally and posteriorly into the lower rib cage while gently
engaging the transversus abdominis on the exhale *[CORRECT]*
D. Reverse breathing in which the abdomen distends on the inhale and collapses on the exhale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: STOTT PILATES instructs lateral costal breathing to keep the rib cage neutral, prevent upper-chest dominance, and
facilitate transversus abdominis (TA) engagement on the exhale. The other choices describe upper-chest, sympathetic, or
paradoxical breathing patterns that contradict the Five Basic Principles.
Q2: A new client is asked to find 'neutral pelvis' in supine. Which bony landmarks should align vertically to
confirm ASIS and pubic symphysis are level?
A. The xiphoid process and umbilicus
B. The right and left iliac crests only
C. The right and left ASIS and the pubic symphysis in the same frontal plane *[CORRECT]*
D. The PSIS and the greater trochanters
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: STOTT PILATES defines neutral pelvis by the ASIS-pubic symphysis relationship: all three landmarks lie in the same
horizontal/frontal plane in supine. The other landmarks either reference the thorax or fail to confirm anterior pelvic alignment.
Q3: When should a client be cued to use an 'imprinted' spine rather than a neutral spine during supine
matwork?
A. Whenever the legs are loaded, regardless of lumbar stability
B. When neutral cannot be maintained under load and the lumbar spine needs stabilization, particularly with
both legs lifted off the mat *[CORRECT]*
C. Only during prone extension work to protect the SI joint
D. During every exercise to maximize core recruitment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: STOTT PILATES uses imprint (gentle posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion) as a stabilization strategy when
neutral cannot be maintained under leg load. Imprinting every exercise is discouraged because it reinforces faulty lumbar flexion
patterning, and using imprint in prone is contraindicated for spinal extension work.
Q4: Which cue best reflects the STOTT PILATES principle of Scapular Movement & Stabilization?
STOTT PILATES® / Merrithew™ — International Written Testing Standards 2026/2027 Page 1
