FMS CERTIFICATION EXAM — COMPLETE SOLUTIONS (2025/2026)
Introduction
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a standardized assessment tool designed to
evaluate fundamental movement patterns, identify limitations, asymmetries, and potential
injury risks in individuals. Practitioners use the FMS to score seven movement patterns,
guide corrective exercise strategies, and promote safe, efficient movement for clients
ranging from athletes to general populations. Essential exam themes include
understanding the seven FMS tests (Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, Inline Lunge, Shoulder
Mobility, Active Straight-Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, and Rotary Stability),
scoring criteria (0–3 scale), clearing tests, movement compensations, corrective
exercises, and distinguishing screening from performance testing. Professional
standards emphasize safe, ethical application. This guide, crafted for the 2025/2026
certification period, provides original, scenario-based questions with detailed
explanations to ensure mastery of FMS competencies, formatted professionally in
Markdown.
Question 1
During a Deep Squat assessment, the client’s knees move inward, and the torso leans
excessively forward. What is the most likely scoring outcome?
A. Score of 3
B. Score of 2
C. Score of 1
D. Score of 0
Correct Answer: C — Score of 1
Explanation: A Deep Squat with knee valgus and excessive forward lean indicates
significant movement dysfunction, warranting a score of 1 (major limitations with
compensations). A score of 3 (A) requires perfect form, 2 (B) allows minor limitations,
and 0 (D) is for pain.
Question 2
A client scores a 1 on the Hurdle Step due to loss of balance. Which corrective strategy
should be prioritized?
A. Increase lower body strength
B. Improve single-leg stability
C. Enhance hip mobility
D. Develop core strength
Correct Answer: B — Improve single-leg stability
,Explanation: Loss of balance during the Hurdle Step reflects poor single-leg stability, a
primary component of the test. Corrective exercises should focus on unilateral balance
(e.g., single-leg stance). Strength (A), mobility (C), or core (D) may be secondary but are
not the priority.
Question 3
During the Shoulder Mobility test, a client’s fists are within one hand length but reports
pain during the clearing test. What is the score?
A. Score of 3
B. Score of 2
C. Score of 1
D. Score of 0
Correct Answer: D — Score of 0
Explanation: Pain during the clearing test (e.g., impingement test) results in a score of 0,
regardless of mobility, as pain indicates a contraindication requiring medical evaluation.
Scores of 3, 2, or 1 (A, B, C) apply to pain-free performance.
Question 4
A client scores a 2 on the Inline Lunge with slight torso rotation. What does this indicate?
A. Painful movement
B. Minor movement limitation
C. Asymmetry between sides
D. Complete dysfunction
Correct Answer: B — Minor movement limitation
Explanation: A score of 2 indicates the client performs the movement with minor
compensations (e.g., slight torso rotation) but meets most criteria. Pain (A) scores 0,
asymmetry (C) requires side-to-side differences, and complete dysfunction (D) scores 1.
Question 5
Which movement pattern primarily assesses hip mobility and hamstring flexibility?
A. Deep Squat
B. Active Straight-Leg Raise
C. Trunk Stability Push-Up
D. Rotary Stability
Correct Answer: B — Active Straight-Leg Raise
,Explanation: The Active Straight-Leg Raise tests unilateral hip mobility and hamstring
flexibility in a supine position. Deep Squat (A) assesses multiple joints, Trunk Stability
Push-Up (C) evaluates core strength, and Rotary Stability (D) tests multi-planar stability.
Question 6
A client fails the spinal extension clearing test before the Trunk Stability Push-Up. What
should the practitioner do?
A. Proceed with the test and score normally
B. Assign a score of 0 and refer for evaluation
C. Modify the test to avoid extension
D. Retest after 10 minutes
Correct Answer: B — Assign a score of 0 and refer for evaluation
Explanation: A failed clearing test (pain or limitation) indicates a contraindication,
warranting a score of 0 and medical referral. Proceeding (A), modifying (C), or retesting
(D) risks injury.
Question 7
A client scores a 1 on Rotary Stability due to inability to maintain a neutral spine. Which
corrective exercise is most appropriate?
A. Barbell back squat
B. Bird dog
C. Single-leg deadlift
D. Overhead press
Correct Answer: B — Bird dog
Explanation: The bird dog enhances core stability and spinal alignment, addressing
Rotary Stability deficits. Barbell squat (A), single-leg deadlift (C), and overhead press (D)
target strength or unilateral patterns, not core stability.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the FMS?
A. To measure athletic performance
B. To identify movement dysfunction and injury risk
C. To diagnose musculoskeletal injuries
D. To assess cardiovascular fitness
Correct Answer: B — To identify movement dysfunction and injury risk
, Explanation: The FMS screens for movement limitations and asymmetries to guide
corrective strategies and reduce injury risk. It is not for performance (A), diagnosis (C),
or fitness (D).
Question 9
A client has a left Hurdle Step score of 2 and a right score of 1. What does this indicate?
A. Painful movement
B. Symmetrical performance
C. Asymmetry between sides
D. Perfect movement pattern
Correct Answer: C — Asymmetry between sides
Explanation: Different scores between sides (2 vs. 1) indicate asymmetry, a risk factor for
injury. Pain (A) scores 0, symmetry (B) requires equal scores, and perfect movement (D)
scores 3 bilaterally.
Question 10
During the Deep Squat, a client achieves depth but uses a dowel for balance. What is the
score?
A. Score of 3
B. Score of 2
C. Score of 1
D. Score of 0
Correct Answer: C — Score of 1
Explanation: Using a dowel for balance indicates significant stability issues, warranting a
score of 1. A score of 3 (A) requires no assistance, 2 (B) allows minor errors, and 0 (D) is
for pain.
Question 11
Which test requires a clearing test for spinal flexion?
A. Shoulder Mobility
B. Active Straight-Leg Raise
C. Rotary Stability
D. Hurdle Step
Correct Answer: C — Rotary Stability
Explanation: Rotary Stability includes a spinal flexion clearing test to rule out pain or
contraindications. Shoulder Mobility (A) tests impingement, Active Straight-Leg Raise (B)
has no clearing test, and Hurdle Step (D) does not assess spinal flexion.
Introduction
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a standardized assessment tool designed to
evaluate fundamental movement patterns, identify limitations, asymmetries, and potential
injury risks in individuals. Practitioners use the FMS to score seven movement patterns,
guide corrective exercise strategies, and promote safe, efficient movement for clients
ranging from athletes to general populations. Essential exam themes include
understanding the seven FMS tests (Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, Inline Lunge, Shoulder
Mobility, Active Straight-Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, and Rotary Stability),
scoring criteria (0–3 scale), clearing tests, movement compensations, corrective
exercises, and distinguishing screening from performance testing. Professional
standards emphasize safe, ethical application. This guide, crafted for the 2025/2026
certification period, provides original, scenario-based questions with detailed
explanations to ensure mastery of FMS competencies, formatted professionally in
Markdown.
Question 1
During a Deep Squat assessment, the client’s knees move inward, and the torso leans
excessively forward. What is the most likely scoring outcome?
A. Score of 3
B. Score of 2
C. Score of 1
D. Score of 0
Correct Answer: C — Score of 1
Explanation: A Deep Squat with knee valgus and excessive forward lean indicates
significant movement dysfunction, warranting a score of 1 (major limitations with
compensations). A score of 3 (A) requires perfect form, 2 (B) allows minor limitations,
and 0 (D) is for pain.
Question 2
A client scores a 1 on the Hurdle Step due to loss of balance. Which corrective strategy
should be prioritized?
A. Increase lower body strength
B. Improve single-leg stability
C. Enhance hip mobility
D. Develop core strength
Correct Answer: B — Improve single-leg stability
,Explanation: Loss of balance during the Hurdle Step reflects poor single-leg stability, a
primary component of the test. Corrective exercises should focus on unilateral balance
(e.g., single-leg stance). Strength (A), mobility (C), or core (D) may be secondary but are
not the priority.
Question 3
During the Shoulder Mobility test, a client’s fists are within one hand length but reports
pain during the clearing test. What is the score?
A. Score of 3
B. Score of 2
C. Score of 1
D. Score of 0
Correct Answer: D — Score of 0
Explanation: Pain during the clearing test (e.g., impingement test) results in a score of 0,
regardless of mobility, as pain indicates a contraindication requiring medical evaluation.
Scores of 3, 2, or 1 (A, B, C) apply to pain-free performance.
Question 4
A client scores a 2 on the Inline Lunge with slight torso rotation. What does this indicate?
A. Painful movement
B. Minor movement limitation
C. Asymmetry between sides
D. Complete dysfunction
Correct Answer: B — Minor movement limitation
Explanation: A score of 2 indicates the client performs the movement with minor
compensations (e.g., slight torso rotation) but meets most criteria. Pain (A) scores 0,
asymmetry (C) requires side-to-side differences, and complete dysfunction (D) scores 1.
Question 5
Which movement pattern primarily assesses hip mobility and hamstring flexibility?
A. Deep Squat
B. Active Straight-Leg Raise
C. Trunk Stability Push-Up
D. Rotary Stability
Correct Answer: B — Active Straight-Leg Raise
,Explanation: The Active Straight-Leg Raise tests unilateral hip mobility and hamstring
flexibility in a supine position. Deep Squat (A) assesses multiple joints, Trunk Stability
Push-Up (C) evaluates core strength, and Rotary Stability (D) tests multi-planar stability.
Question 6
A client fails the spinal extension clearing test before the Trunk Stability Push-Up. What
should the practitioner do?
A. Proceed with the test and score normally
B. Assign a score of 0 and refer for evaluation
C. Modify the test to avoid extension
D. Retest after 10 minutes
Correct Answer: B — Assign a score of 0 and refer for evaluation
Explanation: A failed clearing test (pain or limitation) indicates a contraindication,
warranting a score of 0 and medical referral. Proceeding (A), modifying (C), or retesting
(D) risks injury.
Question 7
A client scores a 1 on Rotary Stability due to inability to maintain a neutral spine. Which
corrective exercise is most appropriate?
A. Barbell back squat
B. Bird dog
C. Single-leg deadlift
D. Overhead press
Correct Answer: B — Bird dog
Explanation: The bird dog enhances core stability and spinal alignment, addressing
Rotary Stability deficits. Barbell squat (A), single-leg deadlift (C), and overhead press (D)
target strength or unilateral patterns, not core stability.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the FMS?
A. To measure athletic performance
B. To identify movement dysfunction and injury risk
C. To diagnose musculoskeletal injuries
D. To assess cardiovascular fitness
Correct Answer: B — To identify movement dysfunction and injury risk
, Explanation: The FMS screens for movement limitations and asymmetries to guide
corrective strategies and reduce injury risk. It is not for performance (A), diagnosis (C),
or fitness (D).
Question 9
A client has a left Hurdle Step score of 2 and a right score of 1. What does this indicate?
A. Painful movement
B. Symmetrical performance
C. Asymmetry between sides
D. Perfect movement pattern
Correct Answer: C — Asymmetry between sides
Explanation: Different scores between sides (2 vs. 1) indicate asymmetry, a risk factor for
injury. Pain (A) scores 0, symmetry (B) requires equal scores, and perfect movement (D)
scores 3 bilaterally.
Question 10
During the Deep Squat, a client achieves depth but uses a dowel for balance. What is the
score?
A. Score of 3
B. Score of 2
C. Score of 1
D. Score of 0
Correct Answer: C — Score of 1
Explanation: Using a dowel for balance indicates significant stability issues, warranting a
score of 1. A score of 3 (A) requires no assistance, 2 (B) allows minor errors, and 0 (D) is
for pain.
Question 11
Which test requires a clearing test for spinal flexion?
A. Shoulder Mobility
B. Active Straight-Leg Raise
C. Rotary Stability
D. Hurdle Step
Correct Answer: C — Rotary Stability
Explanation: Rotary Stability includes a spinal flexion clearing test to rule out pain or
contraindications. Shoulder Mobility (A) tests impingement, Active Straight-Leg Raise (B)
has no clearing test, and Hurdle Step (D) does not assess spinal flexion.
