“I’m done. No idea if I passed!”

That was my state of mind after the three-hour ICF redentialing Exam. My head felt empty, and my body was tired from sitting for so long, constantly bumping my knee against the computer under the desk. I was incredibly relieved when the Pearson VUE proctor handed me the paper with the word “PASSED” on it.

I’d like to share how I prepared for the ICF Credentialing Exam. Important: ICF has introduced a new exam for Associate Certified Coach (ACC) candidates that is not comparable to my experience as the new exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

To be eligible for the ICF credentialing exam, I needed to have:

• 60+ hours of coaching education
• 100+ hours of coaching experience
• 10 hours of mentor coaching with an eligible mentor coach
• Successful completion of a performance evaluation

I met these requirements thanks to the 25-week CPCC course—big thanks to the Co-Active Institute for one of the best learning experiences of my life! The CPCC course motivated me to work with around ten coachees in parallel to log those 100 coaching hours within a year.

When signing up for the exam, you can choose to take it online or at a Pearson VUE testing center. I highly recommend the in-person option. I took my exam at the Pearson VUE center in Heilbronn, hosted by Bechtle.

How did I prepare?

The exam presents 81 – the new exam has three less – coaching scenarios in three hours. For each, you need to select both the best and worst actions out of four choices.

The questions are based on the eight ICF Core Competencies. Resources that I found particularly helpful included:

• ICF materials on the Code of Ethics and Core Competencies https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/core-competencies
• ICF video series on Core Competency 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pxYhGVI2h0
• Lyssa DeHart’s video series on Ethical Standards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7rCv1-mPEg
• ICF Sample Exam Questions (https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/credentialing-exam-content)
• PCC Markers (https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/performance-evaluations/pcc-markers)

Additionally, I took Lyssa DeHart’s “ICE Demystified” course, which was incredibly helpful in understanding why certain actions are considered best or worst. The course even simulates the exam with eight practice questions. It’s important to note that none of the sample questions appear on the actual exam, but they’re structured similarly.

Peer learning is my secret weapon. That’s why I organized a peer exchange session with coaches from the SAP Global Coaching Program.

Finally, I created a one-page A4 “cheat sheet” for exam day. On one side, I listed the key points for choosing the best answer, and on the other side, the points for the worst. Lyssa DeHart recommends the ACCAT model, which she explains and practices in her course (best answer vs. worst answer):

• A: Asking and acknowledging vs. Telling, advising, choosing
• C: Client-centered vs. Coach-centered
• C: Curiosity vs. Checklist approach
• A: Awareness of judgments and biases vs. Judging the client, unaware of biases
• T: Transparency and responsiveness vs. Lack of transparency and responsiveness

Although no materials are allowed during the exam, you’re given a blank A4 board and a pen. I memorized my cheat sheet and wrote it out as soon as I started the exam. It was my anchor for tackling the tough questions—especially when the two worst options were hard to differentiate.

The exam must be retaken every three years, so I’m always open to hearing your best tips and your experience with the new ACC exam!

What strategies have helped you prepare for your coaching credentials?

#Coaching #ExamPreparation #CredentialingExam #ICFCoreCompetencies