2025 Essentials of Strength and Conditioning: CSCS Exam Prep Question
Bank
1 Overview
This 2025 question bank for the NSCA CSCS exam provides 20 solved multiple-choice questions with step-by-step an-
swers, 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 01:15 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 primarily responsible for elbow flexion
during a barbell curl?
a. Triceps brachii
b. Brachialis
c. Deltoid
d. Latissimus dorsi
Answer: b
Rationale: 1. Identify the action: Elbow flexion occurs
during the lifting phase of a barbell curl. 2. Determine
primary muscle: Brachialis, active in 853. Evaluate op-
tions: Triceps (a) extends elbow, deltoid (c) abducts shoul-
der, latissimus (d) adducts shoulder. 4. Conclusion: Brachialis
is correct. Ref: Ch. 2, p. 40
Difficulty: Remembering
Helper: Mnemonic: “Brachialis = Bicep’s Backup Flexor.”
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.2 Question 1.2 (5 marks)
An athlete shows excessive forward lean during an overhead
squat. What is the likely cause?
a. Tight hip flexors
b. Weak quadriceps
c. Overactive hamstrings
d. Strong core muscles
Answer: a
Rationale: 1. Analyze movement: Overhead squat requires
hip mobility and trunk stability. 2. Identify issue: Forward
lean, seen in 653. Assess causes: Tight hip flexors (e.g.,
iliopsoas) limit hip extension, causing lean. 4. Evaluate
options: Weak quadriceps (b) affect depth, hamstrings (c)
assist, core (d) stabilizes. 5. Conclusion: Tight hip flexors
are correct. Ref: Ch. 1, p. 18
Difficulty: Analyzing
Helper: Tip: Forward lean = Tight hips, restricted mobility.
Objective: Biomechanics
1
, 2.1.3 Question 1.3 (4 marks)
What type of joint is the glenohumeral joint?
a. Hinge
b. Pivot
c. Ball-and-socket
d. Saddle
Answer: c
Rationale: 1. Define joint: Glenohumeral is the shoulder
joint. 2. Classify type: Ball-and-socket joints allow multi-
plane motion (e.g., rotation, abduction). 3. Compare op-
tions: Hinge (a) allows one plane, pivot (b) rotates, saddle
(d) is thumb-specific. 4. Conclusion: Ball-and-socket is
correct. Ref: Ch. 1, p. 6
Difficulty: Remembering
Helper: Table: Shoulder = Ball-and-socket, multi-motion.
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.4 Question 1.4 (5 marks)
What biomechanical principle explains increased force dur-
ing a triple extension in a clean?
a. Impulse-momentum relationship
b. Newton’s first law
c. Torque application
d. Conservation of energy
Answer: a
Rationale: 1. Define triple extension: Ankle, knee, hip ex-
tension in cleans. 2. Identify principle: Impulse-momentum
relationship (force × time = momentum change) explains
force increase. 3. Assess options: Newton’s first (b) is iner-
tia, torque (c) is rotation, energy (d) is unrelated. 4. Conclu-
sion: Impulse-momentum is correct, used in 80Difficulty:
Applying
Helper: Tip: Triple extension = Impulse for power.
Objective: Biomechanics
2.1.5 Question 1.5 (4 marks)
Which muscle group stabilizes the scapula during a push-
up?
a. Pectoralis major
b. Rhomboids
c. Biceps brachii
d. Quadriceps
Answer: b
Rationale: 1. Analyze push-up: Requires scapular stability
for arm movement. 2. Identify stabilizers: Rhomboids, ac-
tive in 903. Evaluate options: Pectoralis (a) pushes, biceps
(c) flexes elbow, quadriceps (d) is lower body. 4. Conclu-
sion: Rhomboids are correct. Ref: Ch. 2, p. 42
Difficulty: Understanding
Helper: Mnemonic: “Rhomboids = Scapula Steadies.”
Objective: Anatomy
2.2 Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
2.2.1 Question 2.1 (4 marks)
What process increases motor unit recruitment during heavy
resistance training?
2
Bank
1 Overview
This 2025 question bank for the NSCA CSCS exam provides 20 solved multiple-choice questions with step-by-step an-
swers, 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 01:15 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 primarily responsible for elbow flexion
during a barbell curl?
a. Triceps brachii
b. Brachialis
c. Deltoid
d. Latissimus dorsi
Answer: b
Rationale: 1. Identify the action: Elbow flexion occurs
during the lifting phase of a barbell curl. 2. Determine
primary muscle: Brachialis, active in 853. Evaluate op-
tions: Triceps (a) extends elbow, deltoid (c) abducts shoul-
der, latissimus (d) adducts shoulder. 4. Conclusion: Brachialis
is correct. Ref: Ch. 2, p. 40
Difficulty: Remembering
Helper: Mnemonic: “Brachialis = Bicep’s Backup Flexor.”
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.2 Question 1.2 (5 marks)
An athlete shows excessive forward lean during an overhead
squat. What is the likely cause?
a. Tight hip flexors
b. Weak quadriceps
c. Overactive hamstrings
d. Strong core muscles
Answer: a
Rationale: 1. Analyze movement: Overhead squat requires
hip mobility and trunk stability. 2. Identify issue: Forward
lean, seen in 653. Assess causes: Tight hip flexors (e.g.,
iliopsoas) limit hip extension, causing lean. 4. Evaluate
options: Weak quadriceps (b) affect depth, hamstrings (c)
assist, core (d) stabilizes. 5. Conclusion: Tight hip flexors
are correct. Ref: Ch. 1, p. 18
Difficulty: Analyzing
Helper: Tip: Forward lean = Tight hips, restricted mobility.
Objective: Biomechanics
1
, 2.1.3 Question 1.3 (4 marks)
What type of joint is the glenohumeral joint?
a. Hinge
b. Pivot
c. Ball-and-socket
d. Saddle
Answer: c
Rationale: 1. Define joint: Glenohumeral is the shoulder
joint. 2. Classify type: Ball-and-socket joints allow multi-
plane motion (e.g., rotation, abduction). 3. Compare op-
tions: Hinge (a) allows one plane, pivot (b) rotates, saddle
(d) is thumb-specific. 4. Conclusion: Ball-and-socket is
correct. Ref: Ch. 1, p. 6
Difficulty: Remembering
Helper: Table: Shoulder = Ball-and-socket, multi-motion.
Objective: Anatomy
2.1.4 Question 1.4 (5 marks)
What biomechanical principle explains increased force dur-
ing a triple extension in a clean?
a. Impulse-momentum relationship
b. Newton’s first law
c. Torque application
d. Conservation of energy
Answer: a
Rationale: 1. Define triple extension: Ankle, knee, hip ex-
tension in cleans. 2. Identify principle: Impulse-momentum
relationship (force × time = momentum change) explains
force increase. 3. Assess options: Newton’s first (b) is iner-
tia, torque (c) is rotation, energy (d) is unrelated. 4. Conclu-
sion: Impulse-momentum is correct, used in 80Difficulty:
Applying
Helper: Tip: Triple extension = Impulse for power.
Objective: Biomechanics
2.1.5 Question 1.5 (4 marks)
Which muscle group stabilizes the scapula during a push-
up?
a. Pectoralis major
b. Rhomboids
c. Biceps brachii
d. Quadriceps
Answer: b
Rationale: 1. Analyze push-up: Requires scapular stability
for arm movement. 2. Identify stabilizers: Rhomboids, ac-
tive in 903. Evaluate options: Pectoralis (a) pushes, biceps
(c) flexes elbow, quadriceps (d) is lower body. 4. Conclu-
sion: Rhomboids are correct. Ref: Ch. 2, p. 42
Difficulty: Understanding
Helper: Mnemonic: “Rhomboids = Scapula Steadies.”
Objective: Anatomy
2.2 Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
2.2.1 Question 2.1 (4 marks)
What process increases motor unit recruitment during heavy
resistance training?
2
