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Explanation of ACSM Exam Scoring
The passing score for all ACSM certification exams is
set in advance and applied to all candidates' exam results. Similar to
exam scoring for a wide variety of other high stakes, national
standardized exams (e.g., GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc.), ACSM certification
exams are reported on a 200-800 score scale.
Specifically, all candidates are expected to meet the
passing standard of a scaled score of 550 in order to receive a "Pass"
on any respective ACSM certification exam. This passing standard is
based upon the expectations of the subject matter experts/test
developers across all topics of the competency areas, as related to each
respective credential's examination blueprint. Passing candidates are
expected to answer a sufficient number of test questions correctly that
demonstrates a summative amount of knowledge at a level of at least
minimal competency or the lowest acceptable score to pass the exam.
Finally, each content area is weighted
proportionally, based on the results of a periodic comprehensive job
task analysis/role delineation study. In other words, some content areas
are more important (thus, have more questions) and count more with
respect to the overall score than other content areas. On the score
report, candidates receive their overall score, their pass/fail status,
as well as a breakdown by each specific content area (either by a
percentage or a sub-section scale score, respectively).
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