ExamFinch.com My Study

Cheat sheet

ISSA CPT Cheat Sheet

Practice this exam

Applied + Basic Sciences

  • 25% of exam
  • Anatomy Physiology Biomechanics Energy Systems

Nutrition

  • 8% of exam
  • Macros Hydration Scope Limits Weight Management

Assessment + Intake

  • 12% of exam
  • Screening PAR-Q Movement Baseline Data

Program Design

  • 25% of exam
  • FITT Progression Periodization Special Populations

Exercise Technique

  • 25% of exam
  • Cueing Spotting Regression Safety

Professional Practice

  • 5% of exam
  • Scope Ethics Records Risk Management

Quick Facts

  • Exam NCCPT CPT
  • Questions 140 scored
  • Pretest 15 unscored
  • Time 2 hours
  • Delivery Prometric
  • CPR Required current
  • Pass rate 67% 2025
  • Retakes 3 per year

Movement Planes SC

  • Sagittal frontal transverse
  • Sagittal: flex extend Frontal: side bend Transverse: rotate

Concentric vs Eccentric SC

Concentric

  • Muscle shortens
  • Lifting phase
  • Overcome gravity

Eccentric

  • Muscle lengthens
  • Lowering phase
  • Control descent
  • Shorten vs lengthen

Anatomy Basics SC

  • Agonist Prime mover muscle
  • Antagonist Opposes agonist
  • Synergist Assists prime mover
  • Stabilizer Fixes joint posture
  • Sagittal plane Flexion extension
  • Frontal plane Abduction adduction
  • Transverse plane Rotation movement
  • Concentric Muscle shortens

Energy Systems SC

  • PC fast glycolytic oxidative slow
  • PC: 0-10 sec Glycolytic: 10-120 sec Oxidative: 2 min plus

Agonist vs Antagonist SC

Agonist

  • Prime mover
  • Creates motion
  • Target muscle

Antagonist

  • Opposes mover
  • Relaxes reciprocal
  • Opposite action
  • Mover vs opposer

Energy Systems SC

  • ATP-PC Zero to ten seconds
  • Glycolytic Ten to two minutes
  • Oxidative Two minutes plus
  • VO2 max Peak aerobic capacity
  • Lactate threshold Anaerobic shift point
  • EPOC Post exercise oxygen
  • Type I fibers Slow oxidative endurance
  • Type II fibers Fast glycolytic power

ATP-PC vs Oxidative SC

ATP-PC

  • Zero to ten sec
  • Max power sprint
  • No oxygen needed

Oxidative

  • Two min plus
  • Endurance steady
  • Aerobic pathway
  • Sprint vs endurance

Nutrition Scope NU

  • Macronutrients Protein carb fat
  • Micronutrients Vitamins minerals
  • BMR Resting calorie burn
  • TDEE Total daily energy
  • Hydration Fluid balance guidance
  • MyPlate General food model
  • Refer RD Medical diet referral
  • No prescribe Outside CPT scope

Screening Picker AS

  • New client intake → PAR-Q+ ( First step )
  • Yes on PAR-Q → Physician clearance ( Before exercise )
  • Chest pain history → Medical referral ( Do not train )
  • Controlled hypertension → Modified program ( Monitor BP )
  • Acute injury → Refer rehab pro ( Not CPT treat )
  • Pregnancy cleared → Modified FITT ( OB approval )
  • Diabetes stable → Glucose aware plan ( Snack ready )
  • Healthy adult cleared → Full assessment ( Baseline data )

Screening + Intake AS

  • PAR-Q+ Readiness questionnaire
  • Informed consent Risk acknowledgment
  • Health history Conditions medications injuries
  • Resting HR Baseline heart rate
  • Blood pressure Cardiovascular risk flag
  • BMI Height weight ratio
  • Body comp Fat lean estimate
  • Clearance Physician approval needed

FITT Principle DE

  • Frequency Intensity Time Type
  • F: sessions per week I: effort load T: duration Type: mode

Strength vs Hypertrophy DE

Strength

  • One to six reps
  • Heavy load
  • Long rest

Hypertrophy

  • Six to twelve reps
  • Moderate load
  • Shorter rest
  • Heavy low vs moderate

Goal Program Picker DE

  • Build muscle mass → Hypertrophy block ( 6-12 reps )
  • Max strength goal → Strength block ( 1-6 reps )
  • General fat loss → Cardio plus resistance ( Deficit diet refer )
  • Endurance event prep → Oxidative training ( Long duration )
  • Beginner deconditioned → Low intensity circuit ( Form first )
  • Senior balance focus → Stability progressions ( Fall prevention )
  • Plateau no progress → Overload change ( FITT tweak )
  • Overtraining signs → Deload week ( Recovery priority )

FITT Variables DE

  • Frequency Sessions per week
  • Intensity Effort load level
  • Time Duration per session
  • Type Mode of exercise
  • Volume Sets times reps
  • Overload Progressive challenge
  • Specificity Train goal movement
  • Reversibility Use it lose it

Resistance Design DE

  • 1 RM Max single rep
  • Hypertrophy Six to twelve reps
  • Strength One to six reps
  • Endurance Twelve plus reps
  • Superset Back to back sets
  • Circuit Station rotation
  • Deload Reduced volume week

Internal vs External Cue TE

Internal

  • Feel the muscle
  • Body focused
  • Less effective novices

External

  • Push the floor
  • Environment focus
  • Better motor learning
  • Body vs environment

Coaching + Cues TE

  • Internal cue Feel muscle engage
  • External cue Focus outside body
  • Regression Easier movement option
  • Progression Harder movement option
  • Spotting Assist at failure
  • Neutral spine Natural lumbar curve
  • Knee tracking Align over toes
  • Bracing Core tension before lift

Scope Reminder PR

  • Coach train refer never diagnose
  • Coach: exercise Train: safe progression Refer: medical diet rehab

CPT Scope vs Diagnose PR

CPT scope

  • Exercise coaching
  • General nutrition tips
  • Refer when needed

Out of scope

  • Medical diagnosis
  • Prescribe diet meds
  • Treat injury rehab
  • Coach vs clinician

Exam Logistics PR

  • NCCPT Accredited exam owner
  • Prometric Test center vendor
  • Remote proctor Live online option
  • 155 items 140 scored 15 pilot
  • 12 month auth Exam window length
  • 14 day wait First retake interval
  • 90 day wait Second retake interval
  • CPR AED Required before testing

Scope + Ethics PR

  • Scope of practice CPT role boundary
  • Refer out Beyond skill refer
  • HIPAA aware Protect client data
  • Dual relationship Conflict of interest
  • Documentation Written session records
  • Emergency plan AED CPR protocol
  • Liability waiver Assumption of risk

Common Traps

Concentric vs eccentric

  • Concentric shortens ≠ Eccentric lengthens

CPT vs dietitian

  • CPT general tips ≠ RD prescribes diet

Strength vs hypertrophy

  • Strength one six reps ≠ Hypertrophy six twelve

Internal vs external

  • Internal feel muscle ≠ External environment cue

Screen vs diagnose

  • PAR-Q screens risk ≠ CPT cannot diagnose

ATP vs oxidative

  • ATP-PC sprint power ≠ Oxidative long endurance

Last Minute

  • 1. 140 scored plus 15 pilot items
  • 2. Science design technique 25 each
  • 3. Nutrition 8 percent scope only
  • 4. Assessment 12 percent PAR-Q first
  • 5. Professional 5 percent ethics scope
  • 6. CPR AED required before exam
  • 7. Prometric center or remote proctor
  • 8. Refer medical diet rehab out
  • 9. FITT drives program decisions
  • 10. 14 then 90 day retake waits

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

  • Practice Questions 200 questions Study Guide 24 topics Cheat Sheet 70 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 1 short Videos 1 video Blogs 1 blog Free CE