ACE Health Coach Practice Questions With
Correct Answers 2025/2026
From a coaching perspective, what is often a major limitation for client success?
a. A client's inner critical voice
b. A client's listening skills
c. A client's lack of knowledge
d. A client's schedule - ANSWER-A
Which of the following terms represents the ability to recognize one's own feelings, as
well as the feelings of others?
a. Psychological intelligence
b. Emotional intelligence
c. Behavioral intelligence
d. Interpersonal intelligence - ANSWER-B
Which of the following components of emotional intelligence involves understanding the
emotions, needs, and concerns of others?
a. Self-awareness
b. Self-regulation
c. Empathy
d. Social skills - ANSWER-C
Jason is a successful health coach who enjoys a very full schedule working with a
variety of clients. When asked about why they think Jason is so good at his job, his
clients often report that Jason communicates clearly, makes them feel like they are part
of a cooperative team, and inspires them to work hard. These characteristics describe
which competency within the arena of emotional intelligence?
a. Self-awareness
b. Self-regulation
c. Empathy
d. Social skills - ANSWER-D
Which of the following aptitudes related to health improvement involves creating a
sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to life?
a. The ability to enjoy
b. The ability to choose
c. The ability to keep developing
d. The ability to see meaning - ANSWER-C
When Susan meets with her health coach, Matthew, she appreciates how Matthew
summarizes what she says and then asks if there is anything that was misunderstood in
his summary. What communication skill is Matthew using in this situation?
a. Active listening
,b. Motivational interviewing
c. Positive listening
d. Empathetic questioning - ANSWER-A
If a client perceives changing his or her eating habits as unbearable because of the
feeling of having to give everything up at once, he or she is likely suffering from a type
of cognitive style called _______________.
a. Full-preference thinking
b. Dissociative disorder
c. Neuro-linguistic programming
d. Absolutistic demanding - ANSWER-D
Which of the following fields of practice is most similar to what health coaches offer to
clients in their services?
a. Personal/life coaching
b. Family counseling
c. Sports performance coaching
d. Behavioural counselling - ANSWER-A
Which response best describes a health coach's role in facilitating behavioral change?
a. A health coach directs the behavior to be changed
b. A health coach develops the plan of action for change
c. A health coach creates the environment to foster change
d. A health coach manages the rewards and consequences as a result of change -
ANSWER-C
If a client has an uncontrolled chronic condition (such as diabetes) or a history of diet
failures or weight-cycling, a referral to which of the following healthcare professionals
would be most appropriate?
a. Registered dietitian
b. Licensed behavioral specialist
c. Nutritionist
d. Occupational therapist - ANSWER-A
Renee is a health coach who works with many clients who have chronic health
conditions. She communicates regularly with her clients' physicians to keep them
informed of their progress in her programs. In her communications, Renee is careful to
document client measurements and any noticeable symptoms, which are characteristics
of what element of the SOAP note?
a. Subjective
b. Objective
c. Assessment
d. Plan - ANSWER-B
If, for whatever reason, the client-health coach relationship must be discontinued, which
of the following responses represents the best exit strategy for the health coach?
,a. Hiring a lawyer to communicate with the client that the business relationship is no
longer tenable for the parties
b. Stating upfront that if certain landmarks are not achieved within a particular agreed-
upon timeframe, the relationship may need to be terminated
c. Providing a full refund for any services rendered to the client in exchange for future
referrals to the health coach's business
d. Recommending that the client seek his or her own professional help elsewhere due
to an inability to resolve conflict - ANSWER-B
Knowing your own capabilities, having integrity, taking responsibility for results, and
having a clear intent are components of what kind of trust when developing the
foundation of a relationship?
a. Relationship trust
b. Self-trust
c. Character trust
d. Rapport trust - ANSWER-B
Which of the following communication components involves creating a carefully
constructed message so that the intent of the communication is understood?
a. Planning
b. Encoding
c. Decoding
d. Offering feedback - ANSWER-B
Tory is a new client who enjoys helping others and is not comfortable making quick
decisions. During your initial interview with Tory, she reveals that she is very focused on
her relationships with her family and friends and that she spends much of her free time
helping them in various ways. Which personality type best describes Tory?
a. Dominant
b. Cautious
c. Inspiring
d. Supportive - ANSWER-D
Abbey is a research scientist at a chemical company. Upon hiring a health coach to help
her manage her weight and improve her eating habits, she explains that she is skeptical
of most weight-loss programs and would like to see any peer-reviewed research that
supports the health coach's recommendations. Which personality type best describes
Abbey?
a. Dominant
b. Cautious
c. Inspiring
d. Supportive - ANSWER-B
According to early research on factors involved when conveying a message,
approximately what total percentage of the message communicated is made up of
nonverbal language?
, a. 17
b. 38
c. 55
d. 90 - ANSWER-D
During the initial goal-setting process, Danny asks his client, Sarah, the following
questions: "How have things changed for you because of your weight? What do you
believe will happen if you continue as you are now? If things were to improve, what
needs to be different? What do you believe are the costs of changing and the benefits of
changing?" What type of investigatory technique is Danny using to evoke thoughtful
responses from Sarah?
a. Motivational interviewing
b. Funnel-type questioning
c. Empathetic interviewing
d. Leading questioning - ANSWER-A
When health coaches encourage clients to engage in regular physical activity, make
healthy nutrition choices, and properly manage emotional stress, they are facilitating a
reduced risk of _______________.
a. Behavioral relapses
b. Musculoskeletal injuries
c. Nutritional deficiencies
d. Hypokinetic diseases - ANSWER-D
Within the medical fitness field's continuum of care, at what point does the health coach
typically begin to work with a client?
a. Before the client receives any medical attention
b. When the client initiates primary care with a physician
c. During the period when the client is seeing a physical therapist
d. When the client is ready for post-rehabilitation or post-medical care services -
ANSWER-D
Which of the following factors of operant conditioning heavily influences behavioral
outcomes and occurs after a behavior is executed?
a. Antecedents
b. Response consequences
c. Stimulus control
d. Social support - ANSWER-B
The cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy is that a client's ____________
determine how he or she behaves, not the external events that actually take place.
a. Actions
b. Demographics
c. Attitudes
d. Beliefs - ANSWER-D
Correct Answers 2025/2026
From a coaching perspective, what is often a major limitation for client success?
a. A client's inner critical voice
b. A client's listening skills
c. A client's lack of knowledge
d. A client's schedule - ANSWER-A
Which of the following terms represents the ability to recognize one's own feelings, as
well as the feelings of others?
a. Psychological intelligence
b. Emotional intelligence
c. Behavioral intelligence
d. Interpersonal intelligence - ANSWER-B
Which of the following components of emotional intelligence involves understanding the
emotions, needs, and concerns of others?
a. Self-awareness
b. Self-regulation
c. Empathy
d. Social skills - ANSWER-C
Jason is a successful health coach who enjoys a very full schedule working with a
variety of clients. When asked about why they think Jason is so good at his job, his
clients often report that Jason communicates clearly, makes them feel like they are part
of a cooperative team, and inspires them to work hard. These characteristics describe
which competency within the arena of emotional intelligence?
a. Self-awareness
b. Self-regulation
c. Empathy
d. Social skills - ANSWER-D
Which of the following aptitudes related to health improvement involves creating a
sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to life?
a. The ability to enjoy
b. The ability to choose
c. The ability to keep developing
d. The ability to see meaning - ANSWER-C
When Susan meets with her health coach, Matthew, she appreciates how Matthew
summarizes what she says and then asks if there is anything that was misunderstood in
his summary. What communication skill is Matthew using in this situation?
a. Active listening
,b. Motivational interviewing
c. Positive listening
d. Empathetic questioning - ANSWER-A
If a client perceives changing his or her eating habits as unbearable because of the
feeling of having to give everything up at once, he or she is likely suffering from a type
of cognitive style called _______________.
a. Full-preference thinking
b. Dissociative disorder
c. Neuro-linguistic programming
d. Absolutistic demanding - ANSWER-D
Which of the following fields of practice is most similar to what health coaches offer to
clients in their services?
a. Personal/life coaching
b. Family counseling
c. Sports performance coaching
d. Behavioural counselling - ANSWER-A
Which response best describes a health coach's role in facilitating behavioral change?
a. A health coach directs the behavior to be changed
b. A health coach develops the plan of action for change
c. A health coach creates the environment to foster change
d. A health coach manages the rewards and consequences as a result of change -
ANSWER-C
If a client has an uncontrolled chronic condition (such as diabetes) or a history of diet
failures or weight-cycling, a referral to which of the following healthcare professionals
would be most appropriate?
a. Registered dietitian
b. Licensed behavioral specialist
c. Nutritionist
d. Occupational therapist - ANSWER-A
Renee is a health coach who works with many clients who have chronic health
conditions. She communicates regularly with her clients' physicians to keep them
informed of their progress in her programs. In her communications, Renee is careful to
document client measurements and any noticeable symptoms, which are characteristics
of what element of the SOAP note?
a. Subjective
b. Objective
c. Assessment
d. Plan - ANSWER-B
If, for whatever reason, the client-health coach relationship must be discontinued, which
of the following responses represents the best exit strategy for the health coach?
,a. Hiring a lawyer to communicate with the client that the business relationship is no
longer tenable for the parties
b. Stating upfront that if certain landmarks are not achieved within a particular agreed-
upon timeframe, the relationship may need to be terminated
c. Providing a full refund for any services rendered to the client in exchange for future
referrals to the health coach's business
d. Recommending that the client seek his or her own professional help elsewhere due
to an inability to resolve conflict - ANSWER-B
Knowing your own capabilities, having integrity, taking responsibility for results, and
having a clear intent are components of what kind of trust when developing the
foundation of a relationship?
a. Relationship trust
b. Self-trust
c. Character trust
d. Rapport trust - ANSWER-B
Which of the following communication components involves creating a carefully
constructed message so that the intent of the communication is understood?
a. Planning
b. Encoding
c. Decoding
d. Offering feedback - ANSWER-B
Tory is a new client who enjoys helping others and is not comfortable making quick
decisions. During your initial interview with Tory, she reveals that she is very focused on
her relationships with her family and friends and that she spends much of her free time
helping them in various ways. Which personality type best describes Tory?
a. Dominant
b. Cautious
c. Inspiring
d. Supportive - ANSWER-D
Abbey is a research scientist at a chemical company. Upon hiring a health coach to help
her manage her weight and improve her eating habits, she explains that she is skeptical
of most weight-loss programs and would like to see any peer-reviewed research that
supports the health coach's recommendations. Which personality type best describes
Abbey?
a. Dominant
b. Cautious
c. Inspiring
d. Supportive - ANSWER-B
According to early research on factors involved when conveying a message,
approximately what total percentage of the message communicated is made up of
nonverbal language?
, a. 17
b. 38
c. 55
d. 90 - ANSWER-D
During the initial goal-setting process, Danny asks his client, Sarah, the following
questions: "How have things changed for you because of your weight? What do you
believe will happen if you continue as you are now? If things were to improve, what
needs to be different? What do you believe are the costs of changing and the benefits of
changing?" What type of investigatory technique is Danny using to evoke thoughtful
responses from Sarah?
a. Motivational interviewing
b. Funnel-type questioning
c. Empathetic interviewing
d. Leading questioning - ANSWER-A
When health coaches encourage clients to engage in regular physical activity, make
healthy nutrition choices, and properly manage emotional stress, they are facilitating a
reduced risk of _______________.
a. Behavioral relapses
b. Musculoskeletal injuries
c. Nutritional deficiencies
d. Hypokinetic diseases - ANSWER-D
Within the medical fitness field's continuum of care, at what point does the health coach
typically begin to work with a client?
a. Before the client receives any medical attention
b. When the client initiates primary care with a physician
c. During the period when the client is seeing a physical therapist
d. When the client is ready for post-rehabilitation or post-medical care services -
ANSWER-D
Which of the following factors of operant conditioning heavily influences behavioral
outcomes and occurs after a behavior is executed?
a. Antecedents
b. Response consequences
c. Stimulus control
d. Social support - ANSWER-B
The cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy is that a client's ____________
determine how he or she behaves, not the external events that actually take place.
a. Actions
b. Demographics
c. Attitudes
d. Beliefs - ANSWER-D
