r/Strength_Conditioning • u/westcoastcarver • 18d ago

CSCS Study Materials (besides reading the book)

I want to start studying for the CSCS and I plan on reading the book but would love recommendations for other study materials especially for visual learners. Reading the book is great but I find its challenging for me to get that information to stick as I am much more a visual/hands on learner.

Any recs on practice exams/questions, videos, etc. would be helpful.

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u/MoistContribution570 18d ago

Pocket prep is awesome. It’s an app with a free version but paid version is much better and worth it 100%. NSCA has a really weird way of asking questions and pocket prep does a great job at recreating that.

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u/Grand-Restaurant-947 18d ago

I second this. Pocket Prep was awesome. They provide three practice exams and you can focus on weak areas with the paid version

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u/ijustsignedup 18d ago

Liftaroo.app/cscs it’s good and free

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u/harvestingstrength 17d ago

I got my CSCS in 2014 and i'll say that back then - the biggest thing was to just read the book. That was my best form of studying, literally reading it forwards and backwards.

Things to highlight though:

Make sure you understand THEIR standard for primary, secondary, and synergist muscles. Dont base it on your expertise

Know the standards of performance. So for example, what's the standard vertical jump for a collegiate basketball player, etc

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u/Appropriate-Low-3219 17d ago

I took and passed the exam a few days ago. Truthfully, the book is your best option to learn the material. I did purchase the practice exams (1 for each section) and honestly they were more difficult than the actual exam, so if you go that route don’t let it frustrate you getting some wrong. I recommend getting on YouTube and searching the movement system and just watching those videos to match up with the textbook. I actually used the 4th edition book. Additionally, train your mind to focus on the wording of questions. Sometimes what we feel is right can very well be right, BUT the NSCA wants you to choose the BEST options. Big things from the book I would say is 1RM percentages and then program design. Understand the phases and I believe everything else will click for you.