ICF PCC-MCC Exam Sample Questions

The PCC-MCC Exam includes two types of questions: situational judgment and knowledge-based. This resource provides examples of both formats so you can become familiar with the style of questions before exam day. The correct answers are highlighted in bold italics.

These sample questions are designed to demonstrate the format and style of the questions you may encounter on the PCC-MCC Exam. They are not intended to reflect the actual difficulty level of the exam or the specific content that may appear on it.  

Situational Judgment Questions

Below are eight sample questions; each presents a coaching scenario and asks you to identify the BEST and WORST actions based on the ICF Core Competencies. The questions are designed to reflect real-world coaching situations, where more than one response may seem reasonable. Evaluate the options and determine which response is most and least aligned with the ICF Core Competencies, Definition of Coaching, and Code of Ethics.

Situational Judgment Sample Questions

Question 1:

A coach is meeting with a prospective client who is growing a new business. The coach and potential client quickly establish an easy connection. The coach is excited about the opportunity to work with the client. As the coach and client are ending their conversation, the prospective client briefly mentions the name of their new business. The coach recognizes the business, as the coach is an investor in a more established competitor business in the same community. What should the coach do?

What is the BEST action?

• Not say anything. Try to keep their role as an investor in a competing business separate from their role as a coach.
• Share that the business name sounds familiar and make a mental note to determine whether it is a competitor business later that evening.
• Share their role as investor in the competitor business only if the potential client follows up to pursue coaching with the coach.
• Share their role as an investor in a competing business and acknowledge the possibility of a conflict of interest with the client.

What is the WORST action?

• Not say anything. Try to keep their role as an investor in a competing business separate from their role as a coach.
• Share that the business name sounds familiar and make a mental note to determine whether it is a competitor business later that evening.
• Share their role as investor in the competitor business only if the potential client follows up to pursue coaching with the coach.
• Share their role as an investor in a competing business and acknowledge the possibility of a conflict of interest with the client.

Question 2:

A client struggles with delegating tasks at work to other team members. During the last session, the client shared that an important project they are leading is falling behind schedule. The coach supported the client in identifying strategies to delegate tasks to other team members. At the next session, the client reports back and shares, “In the end, I decided to complete all the tasks myself. That was the only way to get them done on time.” The coach feels disappointment that the client did not follow through on their plans to delegate. What should the coach do?

What is the BEST action?

• Immediately reflect back on their last session with the client and identify what they could have done differently to support the client in following through on their plans.
• Take a breath and acknowledge that the client is responsible for their own choice of whether to follow through with their stated plans or not.
• Set aside their disappointment for now and focus on the current session with the client. Decide to reflect on this situation during an upcoming session with their mentor coach.
• Praise the client for meeting the project deadlines, but ask why the client failed to support their team members’ development.

What is the WORST action?

• Immediately reflect back on their last session with the client and identify what they could have done differently to support the client in following through on their plans.
• Take a breath and acknowledge that the client is responsible for their own choice of whether to follow through with their stated plans or not.
• Set aside their disappointment for now and focus on the current session with the client. Decide to reflect on this situation during an upcoming session with their mentor coach.
• Praise the client for meeting the project deadlines, but ask why the client failed to support their team members’ development.  

Question 3:

A client comes to a session appearing stressed. When the coach asks what the client wants to talk about, the client frantically lists a major event they are planning at work, a large family gathering they are organizing, and caring for their aging parents. What should the coach do?

What is the BEST action?

• Ask the client if they need to take a moment before starting the coaching sessions, since they seem stressed.
• Ask the client to share more about their aging parents.
• Acknowledge that the client has shared three significant challenges that they are facing and ask the client which one they would like to explore first.  
• Ask the client to begin with the major event they are planning at work, since they mentioned it first.

What is the WORST action?

• Ask the client if they need to take a moment before starting the coaching sessions, since they seem stressed.
• Ask the client to share more about their aging parents.
• Acknowledge that the client has shared three significant challenges that they are facing and ask the client which one they would like to explore first.
• Ask the client to begin with the major event they are planning at work, since they mentioned it first.  

Knowledge-Based Questions

Below are three sample questions with four possible answers, with only one correct answer. These questions assess your understanding of the ICF Definition of Coaching, ICF Code of Ethics, and the ICF Core Competencies.

Knowledge-Based Sample Questions

Question 1: Which of the following actions is considered a violation of the ICF Code of Ethics?

A. Maintaining confidentiality of client information.

B. Engaging in a romantic relationship with a client. 

C. Continuing professional development.

Question 2: How must a coach maintain records pertaining to a client’s coaching session?

A. In a folder that is easy to access for reference.

B. In digital and hardcopy formats.

C. In a secure format that promotes client confidentiality.

Question 3: After two months of a six-month coaching engagement, a client begins missing appointments and not following through on agreed-upon actions. What is the best approach for the coach to take?

A. Ignore the issue for now and hope the client gets back on track.

B. Refer the client to a colleague who may be a better fit.

C. Explore with the client whether or not to continue with the coaching.