ACC

Associate Certified Coach
Exam Preparation

Multiple choice questions aligned to all 8 ICF Core Competencies. Select the most appropriate response for each coaching scenario.

99
Questions
8
Competencies
460
Pass Score
6
Practice Modes
Study Resources
Reference guides and quick practice
0
Seen
0
Weak
0
Retired
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Total Q
📋
Exam Format Guide
What to expect, tips, common mistakes, and how to approach the situational judgment format.
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Key Concepts
All 8 competencies and ethics with examples, how they're tested, and your personal study notes.
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Quick Review
10-question sprint with immediate feedback. Great for a focused warm-up on any competency.
10 questions · 15 min
🎯
Review Weak Areas
Revisit questions you've answered incorrectly. Retires questions once answered correctly twice in a row.
📊
My Performance
Strengths, weaknesses, Best vs Worst accuracy, most-missed questions, and corrective actions.
Choose Practice Mode
Click to start immediately — filter by competency below for targeted practice
📖
Practice Mode
Immediate per-option feedback after each question. Best for learning.
20 questions · Untimed · Single best response
Questions:
⏱️
Timed Exam
Random questions from selected competencies. Score revealed at end.
30 questions · 39 min
🔍
Question Lookup
Browse all questions by competency or look up a specific question by ID.
145 questions · No timer
Filter by Competency (applies to Timed Exam & Practice Mode)
All
C1 · Ethical Practice
C2 · Coaching Mindset
C3 · Agreements
C4 · Trust & Safety
C5 · Presence
C6 · Active Listening
C7 · Evokes Awareness
C8 · Client Growth
Pool: 109 questions available
Full Length Exam
Complete ACC exam simulation — 60 questions across 2 sections with scheduled break
🎓
Full Length Exam New
Complete ACC-style exam — 60 questions across 2 sections with a scheduled break. Mirrors real exam structure and content distribution.
📋 Instructions · 2 min 📝 Section 1 · 30 Q · 39 min ☕ Break · 10 min 📝 Section 2 · 30 Q · 39 min
60 Q · 90 min →
← Exit
Q1
of 20
Domain
Question Map
Answered Flagged
Session Complete
Results
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SCALED SCORE
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Passing: 460 · Range: 200–600
Performance by Domain
Your accuracy across ICF exam competencies
Question Review
Click any question to expand
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Question Lookup
Look up by question ID, or browse an entire competency. Toggle whether answers are shown.
Show Answers?
Browse by Competency
All
C1 · Ethical Practice
C2 · Coaching Mindset
C3 · Agreements
C4 · Trust & Safety
C5 · Presence
C6 · Active Listening
C7 · Evokes Awareness
C8 · Client Growth
Or look up by specific Question ID (1–95)
Exam Preparation Guide
What to Expect in the
ICF ACC Exam
Everything you need to know about the exam format, content domains, scoring, and smart strategies for the ACC credentialing exam.
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📐Exam Structure at a Glance
Total Items
60
Knowledge-based multiple choice — one correct response from four options
Scored Items
50
10 are unscored field-test items mixed randomly — you cannot tell which they are
Time Allowed
90 min
Two sections of 30 items each, with an optional 10-minute break between
Passing Score
460
On a scaled score of 200–600. Preliminary results shown immediately after
Format
Multiple Choice
Select the single most appropriate response — no Best/Worst, no partial credit
Scoring
1 pt / Q
1 point per correct answer across 50 scored items. Maximum raw score = 50
📋Exam Timeline
2 min
Instructions
Read and accept the candidate non-disclosure agreement. You may begin when ready.
39 min
Section 1 · 30 Questions
First half of the exam. Questions drawn from all three content domains.
10 min
Optional Break
Section timer stops. You may leave your station. Section 2 begins when you return.
39 min
Section 2 · 30 Questions
Second half of the exam. Same domain distribution. Timer is independent of Section 1.
🗺️What the Exam Tests

The ICF ACC Exam tests knowledge of coaching ethics, the definition and boundaries of coaching, and the ICF Core Competencies. Unlike situational judgment exams, there is one definitively correct answer per question — not a nuanced hierarchy of four responses. Questions are based on the 2019 ICF Core Competencies and the 2020 ICF Code of Ethics.

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    Coaching Ethics — 30% Knowledge of the ICF Code of Ethics, conflicts of interest, confidentiality obligations, and relevant laws and regulations. What constitutes an ethical violation, and how to respond to ethical dilemmas.
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    Definition and Boundaries of Coaching — 30% How coaching differs from therapy, counselling, mentoring, and consulting. When and how to refer to mental health professionals. Recognising signs of mental health conditions that may block coaching progress.
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    Coaching Competencies, Strategies & Techniques — 40% Knowledge of the ICF Core Competencies, coaching agreements, goal-setting and motivation, and a variety of coaching tools and techniques (metaphors, scaling questions, etc.).
⚠ Important: The ACC Exam is based on the 2019 ICF Core Competencies — not the most recent version. The eight competencies are the same, but refer to the 2019 document when studying behavioral markers. The exam also uses the 2020 ICF Code of Ethics.
⚡Smart Strategies for the ACC Exam
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    Know the 2019 Core Competencies in depth. Questions directly test knowledge of the competencies — what they require, what violates them, and how they apply. The ACC Minimum Skills Requirements is the most targeted study document.
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    Master the coaching vs non-coaching distinction. The Definitions & Boundaries domain is 30% of the exam. Know clearly what distinguishes coaching from therapy, consulting, mentoring, and counselling — and when referral is appropriate.
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    Study the 2020 Code of Ethics. Ethics is 30% of the exam. Know specific obligations: confidentiality, conflict of interest, informed consent, dual relationships, scope of practice, and what constitutes a violation.
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    Don't overthink it. The ACC exam tests knowledge, not nuanced situational judgment. If you know the ICF standards, the correct answer is usually clear. Eliminate obviously wrong options (advice-giving, dismissiveness, diagnosing) first.
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    Answer every question. Ten items are unscored field-test questions — but you can't tell which. There is no penalty for guessing. Never leave an item blank.
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    Flag and return. The exam platform allows flagging. If unsure, flag it, move on, and return before time runs out. A question you can eliminate options on is worth more time than one you're completely stuck on.
🚫Common Mistakes to Avoid
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    Confusing coaching with consulting or therapy. Any answer that has the coach giving advice, prescribing solutions, or treating psychological conditions is wrong — regardless of how helpful it sounds.
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    Missing mental health referral signals. Questions may describe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or psychosis. Know the signs and know that the correct response is to acknowledge, explore professional support, and refer — not to coach through it.
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    Applying PCC-level nuance to ACC questions. The ACC exam tests whether you know what good coaching IS — not subtle 2nd-best-vs-2nd-worst distinctions. The wrong answers are usually clearly non-coaching responses.
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    Ignoring the 'definition of coaching' domain. Questions about how coaching differs from other professions catch many candidates unprepared. The distinctions are tested directly and specifically.
📚Recommended Study Resources
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    2019 ICF Core Competencies — The direct basis of the exam. Know all 8 competencies and their behavioral markers.
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    ACC Minimum Skills Requirements (2026) — Lists consistent and inconsistent behaviors for each competency at ACC level. The most targeted study document available.
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    2020 ICF Code of Ethics — The ethics content (30% of exam) is based on this version specifically.
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    ICF Guidelines: Referring a Client to Therapy — Directly supports the Definitions & Boundaries domain content on referral and mental health recognition.
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    Materials from your coaching education program — Especially content aligned to the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics.
Study Reference
Key Concepts & Core Competencies
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Progress Analytics

My Performance

Based on your answer history across all sessions.

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Full Length Exam · ICF ACC Format

Exam Instructions

Read carefully before you begin. You may skip when ready.

📋
Instructions
2 min
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📝
Section 1
30 Q · 39 min
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☕
Break
10 min
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📝
Section 2
30 Q · 39 min
About This Exam
  • →60 questions total across two sections of 30 items each, matching the ICF ACC exam structure.
  • →Multiple choice format — select the single most appropriate coaching response from four options. 1 point per question.
  • →Content distribution mirrors ICF guidelines: Coaching Ethics (30%), Definitions & Boundaries (30%), Coaching Competencies (40%).
  • →Scoring — scaled 200–600; passing score is 460.
During the Exam
  • →Flag questions you want to revisit using the 🚩 button and the question map.
  • →Never leave a question blank — there is no penalty for guessing.
  • →Section 1 and Section 2 each draw from all three content categories in proportion.
  • →Your score is not shown until both sections are submitted.
The Scheduled Break
  • →After submitting Section 1 you reach a 10-minute break screen with countdown timer.
  • →You may start Section 2 early by clicking "Start Section 2".
2:00suggested reading time
☕
Section 1 Complete
Take a proper break before Section 2.
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Section 1 Score
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Points Earned
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Accuracy
10:00
Break Remaining
✓ Instructions
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✓ Section 1
→
☕ Break
→
Section 2
Full Exam Complete
ICF ACC Full Length Exam · 60 Questions
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SCALED SCORE
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Passing: 460 · Range: 200–600
Section Scores
Breakdown by exam section
Section 1 · 30 Questions
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— / 30 pts
Section 2 · 30 Questions
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— / 30 pts
Content Category Breakdown
Performance across the three ACC exam content categories
Competency Breakdown
Your accuracy per ICF Core Competency
Question Review
Click any question to expand
📝 Section 1 — Questions 1–30
📝 Section 2 — Questions 31–60