Your Guide to Preparing for the ACC Exam

Much like a smartphone upgrade that introduces improvements for a smoother user experience, the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Exam was carefully crafted with the ACC candidate in mind. Smartphone upgrades and enhancements come from a combination of industry experts and user feedback. Similarly, ICF relies on experienced coaching professionals worldwide to create, review, and test the exams to ensure they are fair, accurate, and valid. An international team of expert coaches helped shape the exam content, ensuring it is effective and provides an improved experience for candidates.

Thanks to input from seasoned coaches and previous test takers, the ACC Exam was created to specifically assess the knowledge of coaches at this stage of their coaching journey. All ICF exams are designed by coaches for coaches to ensure they remain the gold standard in professional coaching.

The ACC Exam Explained

Smartphone upgrades often showcase new features and improvements to enhance user experience. The international team of expert coaches who helped create this exam shared the same vision. Their work to design an exam that assesses foundational coaching knowledge and skills essential for coaches to have early in their career, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the ACC credential.

The ACC Exam contains 60 items compared to the 78 items that make up the ICF Credentialing Exam. Fewer questions mean you’ll need to set aside less time on exam day, 90 minutes, requiring half the time allocated for the ICF Credentialing Exam under standard testing conditions.

The items on this exam are also different. The ACC Exam features knowledge-based questions with one best answer selected from four options. These multiple-choice questions test your knowledge of the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and definition and boundaries of coaching. The ICF Credentialing Exam includes longer, more complex, and nuanced scenario-based items designed to test your ability to apply your knowledge in coaching situations.

What To Expect on the ACC Exam

Unlike smartphone updates that leave you guessing about what’s new, we’re giving you all the details you need to prepare for and take the ACC Exam with confidence.

The exam is divided into two sections with an optional 10-minute break in between. In part, a successful exam is knowing how to manage your pace as you work through each item.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Exam Instructions: 2 minutes.
2. Section 1 (30 items): 39 minutes.
3. Scheduled Break: 10 minutes.
4. Section 2 (30 items): 39 minutes.

The 60 questions cover three primary areas of coaching knowledge:

• Coaching Ethics (30%).
• Definition and Boundaries of Coaching (30%).
• Coaching Competencies, Strategies and Techniques (40%).

Scores are based on the number of correct responses, and you are not penalized for incorrect ones. Results are reported as scaled scores ranging from 200 to 600, with a passing score of 460.

In 2024, over 80% of exam takers passed on their first try!  Initial results are provided immediately after completing the exam, so you’ll know right away whether you passed or will need to retake it.

You’ll also receive a detailed score report showing your overall score and domain-level performance. If you need to retake the exam, this feedback can help you target areas for additional study and preparation.

Designed With You in Mind

ICF Credentials and Standards subject matter expert volunteers — all ICF credentialed coaches — devoted countless hours to designing the ACC Exam. For example, it features an enhanced screen presentation of exam items for easier reading and processing of exam content. Review the free exam tutorial to see how the exam is presented on the testing platform.

The ACC Exam uses knowledge-based questions rather than the situational-based items on the ICF Credential Exam. Below is an example of the question structure, though not representative of actual ACC Exam content, you can review sample questions to help you prepare.

Knowledge-Based Question: In color psychology, which color is often associated with trust, reliability, and professionalism?

1. Red
2. Green
3. Yellow
4. Blue

(Correct Response: 4. Blue)

Knowledge-based questions have only one correct answer and are designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of coaching facts and concepts. This differs from the situational judgment questions on the ICF Credentialing Exam. Situational judgment questions are constructed to uncover how you would respond to scenarios you might encounter as a professional coach.

Here’s an example of a situational judgment question to illustrate the differences between the question types (please note the example is not representative of any content included in ICF exams):

Situational Judgment Question: You’re working on an important deadline when a colleague messages you asking for help with a task they say is “quick but urgent.” Your own deadline is in two hours, and you estimate that helping them will take at least 30 minutes. What should you do?

1. Ignore the message until after your deadline.
2. Drop your work and help your colleague immediately.
3. Respond and ask for clarification on the urgency and deadline of their task.
4. Tell them you can’t help today.

Correct Response: 3. Respond and ask for clarification on the urgency and deadline of their task.  Rationale: Asking for clarity allows you to assess the competing priorities before committing, rather than assuming you should or shouldn’t help.

Apply for Your ACC Exam

Ready to dive into the next step on your credentialing journey?

Start the process by submitting your online application. Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive an email invitation to take the exam — the final step in the credentialing process. This email provides clear instructions for scheduling your appointment with Pearson VUE, whether you prefer to take the exam in person or online. You’ll have 60 days from the date you receive this email to schedule and complete the exam.

After scheduling your exam, Pearson VUE will send a confirmation email with all the key details, including your appointment date and time, a confirmation number, and your registration ID. This email will also outline everything you need to know to prepare for test day, including accepted forms of ID for check-in, arrival and login times, and key testing rules. Be sure to review this information thoroughly to ensure everything goes smoothly on exam day.

The ACC exam is offered in 16 languages. Translated forms of the exam will first present translated exam items, with optional English-language aids available as a supplement to improve accessibility and the user experience.

If the exam is not offered in your primary language and you reside in a non-English speaking country, you’ll automatically receive an additional 30 minutes to complete the ACC Exam.

If you need additional support due to a language barrier, you may request language support services, such as the ability to use a bilingual translation dictionary or the support of a Pearson VUE approved translator. There is an additional fee to have translator support during an exam. You can also request to bring a hardcopy bilingual translation dictionary with you to an in-person exam. The ACC Exam is more than just a test — it’s a major milestone on your journey to becoming an ICF credentialed coach. Designed by coaches for coaches, the exam reflects ICF’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional coaching.

Ready to start your journey? Take the first step today and apply for your ACC credential. Your path to becoming a credentialed coach starts here.

Schedule your ACC Exam today!