COACHING KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT (CKA) FOR ICF.
The smart way to Pass | Real Tests, Real results!
ICF Definition of Coaching - Answer: Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and
creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Core Competencies - Answer: A. Setting a foundation
B. Co-creating a relationship
C. Communicating Effectively
D. Facilitating learning and results
What is under "Setting the Foundation"? - Answer: 1. Meeting Ethical Guidelines and
Professional Standards
2. Establishing the Coaching Agreement
What is under "Co-creating the Relationship"? - Answer: 3. Establishing Trust and Intimacy
with the Client
4. Coaching Presence
What is under "Communicating Effectively"? - Answer: 5. Active Listening
6. Powerful Questioning
7. Direct Communication
What is under "Facilitating Learning and Results"? - Answer: 8. Creating Awareness
9. Designing Actions
10. Planning and Goal Setting
11. Managing Progress and Accountability
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,Setting the Foundation: Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards (defined) -
Answer: Understanding of coaching ethics and standards and ability to apply them
appropriately in all coaching situations.
Setting the Foundation: Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards (4 things) -
Answer: 1. Understands and exhibits in own behaviors the ICF Code of Ethics (see Code,
Part III of ICF Code of Ethics).
2. Understands and follows all ICF Ethical Guidelines (see list).
3. Clearly communicates the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy
and other support professions.
4. Refers client to another support professional as needed, knowing when this is needed
and the available resources.
Setting the Foundation: Establishing the Coaching Agreement (define) - Answer: Ability to
understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and to come to agreement
with the prospective and new client about the coaching process and relationship.
Setting the Foundation: Establishing the Coaching Agreement (3 things) - Answer: 1.
Understands and effectively discusses with the client the guidelines and specific
parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., logistics, fees, scheduling, inclusion of
others if appropriate).
2. Reaches agreement about what is appropriate in the relationship and what is not, what
is and is not being offered, and about the client's and coach's responsibilities.
3. Determines whether there is an effective match between his/her coaching method and
the needs of the prospective client.
Co-Creating the Relationship: Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client (defined) -
Answer: Ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual
respect and trust.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
, Co-Creating the Relationship: Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client (6 things) -
Answer: 1. Shows genuine concern for the client's welfare and future.
2. Continuously demonstrates personal integrity, honesty and sincerity.
3. Establishes clear agreements and keeps promises.
4. Demonstrates respect for client's perceptions, learning style, personal being.
5. Provides ongoing support for and champions new behaviors and actions, including those
involving risk-taking and fear of failure.
6. Asks permission to coach client in sensitive, new areas.
Co-Creating the Relationship: Coaching Presence (defined) - Answer: Ability to be fully
conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is
open, flexible and confident.
Co-Creating the Relationship: Coaching Presence (7 things) - Answer: 1. Is present and
flexible during the coaching process, dancing in the moment.
2. Accesses own intuition and trusts one's inner knowing—"goes with the gut."
3. Is open to not knowing and takes risks.
4. Sees many ways to work with the client and chooses in the moment what is most
effective.
5. Uses humor effectively to create lightness and energy.
6. Confidently shifts perspectives and experiments with new possibilities for own action.
7. Demonstrates confidence in working with strong emotions and can self-manage and not
be overpowered or enmeshed by client's emotions.
Communicating Effectively: Active Listening (defined) - Answer: Ability to focus completely
on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in
the context of the client's desires, and to support client self-expression.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
The smart way to Pass | Real Tests, Real results!
ICF Definition of Coaching - Answer: Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and
creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Core Competencies - Answer: A. Setting a foundation
B. Co-creating a relationship
C. Communicating Effectively
D. Facilitating learning and results
What is under "Setting the Foundation"? - Answer: 1. Meeting Ethical Guidelines and
Professional Standards
2. Establishing the Coaching Agreement
What is under "Co-creating the Relationship"? - Answer: 3. Establishing Trust and Intimacy
with the Client
4. Coaching Presence
What is under "Communicating Effectively"? - Answer: 5. Active Listening
6. Powerful Questioning
7. Direct Communication
What is under "Facilitating Learning and Results"? - Answer: 8. Creating Awareness
9. Designing Actions
10. Planning and Goal Setting
11. Managing Progress and Accountability
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,Setting the Foundation: Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards (defined) -
Answer: Understanding of coaching ethics and standards and ability to apply them
appropriately in all coaching situations.
Setting the Foundation: Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards (4 things) -
Answer: 1. Understands and exhibits in own behaviors the ICF Code of Ethics (see Code,
Part III of ICF Code of Ethics).
2. Understands and follows all ICF Ethical Guidelines (see list).
3. Clearly communicates the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy
and other support professions.
4. Refers client to another support professional as needed, knowing when this is needed
and the available resources.
Setting the Foundation: Establishing the Coaching Agreement (define) - Answer: Ability to
understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and to come to agreement
with the prospective and new client about the coaching process and relationship.
Setting the Foundation: Establishing the Coaching Agreement (3 things) - Answer: 1.
Understands and effectively discusses with the client the guidelines and specific
parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., logistics, fees, scheduling, inclusion of
others if appropriate).
2. Reaches agreement about what is appropriate in the relationship and what is not, what
is and is not being offered, and about the client's and coach's responsibilities.
3. Determines whether there is an effective match between his/her coaching method and
the needs of the prospective client.
Co-Creating the Relationship: Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client (defined) -
Answer: Ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual
respect and trust.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
, Co-Creating the Relationship: Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client (6 things) -
Answer: 1. Shows genuine concern for the client's welfare and future.
2. Continuously demonstrates personal integrity, honesty and sincerity.
3. Establishes clear agreements and keeps promises.
4. Demonstrates respect for client's perceptions, learning style, personal being.
5. Provides ongoing support for and champions new behaviors and actions, including those
involving risk-taking and fear of failure.
6. Asks permission to coach client in sensitive, new areas.
Co-Creating the Relationship: Coaching Presence (defined) - Answer: Ability to be fully
conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is
open, flexible and confident.
Co-Creating the Relationship: Coaching Presence (7 things) - Answer: 1. Is present and
flexible during the coaching process, dancing in the moment.
2. Accesses own intuition and trusts one's inner knowing—"goes with the gut."
3. Is open to not knowing and takes risks.
4. Sees many ways to work with the client and chooses in the moment what is most
effective.
5. Uses humor effectively to create lightness and energy.
6. Confidently shifts perspectives and experiments with new possibilities for own action.
7. Demonstrates confidence in working with strong emotions and can self-manage and not
be overpowered or enmeshed by client's emotions.
Communicating Effectively: Active Listening (defined) - Answer: Ability to focus completely
on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in
the context of the client's desires, and to support client self-expression.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
