I finally got to take the test this morning and did pretty well thankfully! The amazing thing is that today is EXACTLY one month from the date I had my cervical laminectomy. I am glad I had the surgery BEFORE the test because I never could have lasted thru the test with the pain I had before my surgery. I'm glad I rescheduled the exam and wasn't as foolish as I was originally intending to be.
To be honest, when I started it, the first 3 questions had me pretty confused and my confidence was pretty shaken. Then the questions started to look like things I actually knew and I got hopeful.
My score was pretty decent overall, but to be honest, all I cared about was passing.
I will say that it was completely exhausting, and I found it pretty tough overall w/ a few easy question here and there! No major calculations, just had to do some math for some fat percentage stuff.
I found that the Exercise etc. disc (and the "Case Studies" PDF that I purchased from them), and all the other (printed) practice tests (and the "written simulation" sample) were definitely key to me getting through this. Even though there were several puzzling questions on the exam, having practiced with the CD-ROM in particular helped me tremendously!
I was lucky in that the place I took it let me actually take my bottled water in with me and a snack. About 2/3rds of the way thru I had gone thru that water (I was able to refill it at a water fountain) and I devoured the snack I brought (A peanut butter/nut type healthy bar thing....).
This place where I had the exam, "New Horizons Computer Learning Center" was awesome! I was in a little testing room which had about 3 computer desks and was the only one in there. It was great. I was able to stand up during a question about squats and actually go thru the movement w/o having to feel self conscious about it.
Anyway, I'm going to run, I'm totally spent from this whole process. I'm looking forward to moving forward w/ my personal training career and also to studying new things about fitness.
Thanks to everyone here for your support and confidence in my chances of passing. You all had more faith in me than I did. Even though I studied really hard for a year, I was nervous about taking such a long exam after being out of college since 1981. I'm glad this is behind me, I'm curious to see about the CEC stuff.
SCOTT, SCOTT, SCOTT!! YYYYYEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAA!!!!! I had NO doubt, none whatsoever, that you would pass...you could teach the course!
I agree that at first the questions throw you...it's like, yet not like, every format we've studied (a real dichotomy). I am so happy for you! I hope someone is throwing you a big party!
SCOTT, SCOTT, SCOTT!! YYYYYEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAA!!!!! I had NO doubt, none whatsoever, that you would pass...you could teach the course!
I agree that at first the questions throw you...it's like, yet not like, every format we've studied (a real dichotomy). I am so happy for you! I hope someone is throwing you a big party!
Hi Nora, I haven't posted with you in a long time and I'm wondering how you are doing?? I think you had a client who was working with recovered leg injury, right? How's the balancing 2 careers going...maybe I know the answer to that one! Take care and I send hopes for success!
Hi, Vonni! Life is NUTS right now! My client is doing really, really well! We're almost ready to start running again. I may not be on often for the next few weeks, but will check in to read from time to time!
Hi Nora, Vonnie, Barry, Monica and Katie, Shawn and anyone else I may have missed (still very fuzzy in the brain! :)).
I REALLY appreciate all the support you've given me here. I don't know how I could have gotten through this process without it. Even though my wife and kids have been amazing (and patient with me) during this time, having others who had gone through or were going through it at the same time really helped!
Monica, good luck tomorrow on the test! The test is a blur right now, I can understand how other folks had a hard time laying it all out.
I will say this, if the first couple of questions throw you, don't let it blow your confidence (which happened to me). I got hit with 3 in a row that had me wondering what was going on and then it started to look more familiar. I did find (at least on my test) that there were some questions that seemed intentionally tricky, questions that I could have answered easily if the content was straight forward. Fortunately the majority of the test wasn't gratuitously tricky by any means or I would probably have not gotten through so well.
One thing I'd recommend (which I SHOULD have done from the beginning) is "mark" the questions you're not sure about. There is a feature on the test which will let you mark questions to revisit. Then you can quickly access those specific questions later on.
I actually answered each question on the test in order (even though it's probably better at first to skip the ones that are more confusing and come back to them later). However, there were a bunch I wasn't confident in and I figured I'd have plenty of time to review the whole test. By the time I finished the first section and started to review there wasn't enough time to review all 150 questions. Fortunately I got lucky and didn't mess up as much as I thought I did.
Also, and I learned this from Nora's experience and wanted to mention this in case if you hadn't had the good fortune to read her post about this....
When you get to the Written simulation, you can't UNCHECK items once they are selected. While I did use the demos for both sections of the test, by the time I got to the Written simulation I was pretty fatigued mentally and I'm sure I missed some of what was mentioned. I probably would have missed out on that fact (about not being able to "un-check" stuff). I had worked on the written simulations at home a bit (the one w/ the ACE package, plus one you can access at the ACE site). Having done those beforehand helped a LOT!
In the first section (the 150 questions), don't worry, you CAN change the answers up until you push "submit".
Another thing I'd recommend is to bring something to eat and drink right before you walk in the door because it's a long test. I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my car right before I went up to take the exam and it helped a lot! Fortunately the proctor also let me bring in my snack and a bottle of water but I don't think that's common for the test. I got lucky! I tend to eat lots of small meals throughout the day and so it would have been hard for me to go 4 hours without anything. I guess I could have done it if I had no choice, but I'm glad I didn't have to.
Well, my wife needs the computer and we have to leave for my son's football game tonight so I need to run.
Again, best wishes tomorrow Monica, I'll be sending positive thoughts your way and look forward to hearing good news tomorrow!
Thank you for the tips, Scott. I did recall Tekva's note about not being able to uncheck the 2nd part of the test. I'm planning on bringing snacksand water. Hopefully I'll be able to access them during the test. Going the to bathroom also concerns me, but I'll just have to go with the flow (no pun intended. maybe. i don't know anymore!)
I'm hitting the 1st part of the book tonight - again! The planes still trip me up!
Thank you for the tips, Scott. I did recall Tekva's note about not being able to uncheck the 2nd part of the test. I'm planning on bringing snacksand water. Hopefully I'll be able to access them during the test. Going the to bathroom also concerns me, but I'll just have to go with the flow (no pun intended. maybe. i don't know anymore!)
I'm hitting the 1st part of the book tonight - again! The planes still trip me up!
Monica
Hi Monica,
I apparently left my computer on this board the whole time I was at my son's football game (they won!).
I don't know how all the test places are, but I'm sure they all should let people go to the bathroom. I visited myself a couple times during the exam. I can't imagine any place wouldn't let someone have access in the course of a 4 hour exam, that would be insane.
Congratulations Scott!!!!!!! Thanks for all the tips too! I am looking forward to having this behind me someday myself!
Thanks for all the help you have given us as well! Please stay connected!!!!
All the best,
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for saying all of that. I will definitely stay connected, I am indebted to the folks here. I also still have a LOT to learn about all the stuff beyond the test. I'm giving myself a month to first build my body up (I was given clearance by my surgeon and the physical therapist to start easing into strength training), plus I have to get all the paperwork, insurance, marketing plan etc.... in order. I didn't want to mess with that while I was studying for the exam because I was already spread pretty thin with everything else going on. :)
I wish you luck with all your studies, it's definitely an intense process and I appreciate how much work it takes for anyone going through it!
hey man CONGRATS!!!!! its been awhile since I have been on here and when I come back lo and behold you passed ahahhahaaha of course!!!! it is a lot easier than you probably thought... the cec's are the fun part because now you can choose to study your favorites or your weaknessess..I alternate haha good job!!!
__________________
If a person wants something that they have never had, they have to do something that they have never done. - Shawn Fears, CPT
hey man CONGRATS!!!!! its been awhile since I have been on here and when I come back lo and behold you passed ahahhahaaha of course!!!! it is a lot easier than you probably thought... the cec's are the fun part because now you can choose to study your favorites or your weaknessess..I alternate haha good job!!!
Hi Shawn,
Thanks! I appreciate it and all you support during my preparation process!
I did score pretty well on it, way more than I needed to pass but I must admit that I found it had some pretty tough moments. Once I got into a "zone" I started to flow better w/ it, but the first 3 questions had me confused at first and I got concerned. As I progressed thru it though it all started to look familiar thankfully.
I am looking forward to the CEC's because I want to explore some areas for sure!
I hope all is well w/ you!
Thanks again for the congrats, I'm glad to be on this side of things!
WAY TO GO, SCOTT!!! 
