NBC-HWC Practice Exam Questions (C&S) – National Board
Certified Health & Wellness Coach Certification Study Guide with
Answers & Rationales
1. Practice Question #277**
A coach is reviewing a client's health history. The client has been eating 9 servings
of fruits and vegetables most days but now wants to run a 5K. She signed up for a
Couch-to-5K class and has attended once a week for 6 weeks.
Which stage of change is the client most likely in for her 5K goal?
A. Maintenance B. **Action** C. Preparation D. Contemplation E.
Precontemplation
**Correct: B. Action**
**Rationale:** She has taken concrete behavioral steps (signed up + consistently
attending classes for 6 weeks).
2. Practice Question #278**
Client biometrics: BP 118/72, LDL 75, WHR 0.95, active (yoga/strength 3×/wk +
running 5×/wk), A1C 7.2%.
Most concerning for chronic disease risk?
A. Blood pressure B. Cholesterol C. Waist-to-hip ratio D. Physical activity **E.
A1C**
**Correct: E. A1C**
**Rationale:** A1C 7.2% = diabetes range (≥6.5%); strongest predictor of
microvascular/macrovascular complications.
3. Practice Question #276**
Client wants to gain 20 lb and added an egg at breakfast. Coach immediately
suggests protein shakes. Client says she dislikes the taste.
This response is an example of:
,A. Coaching presence **B. The Coach's agenda** C. The Client's agenda D.
Amplified reflection
**Correct: B. The Coach's agenda**
**Rationale:** Coach inserted her own solution instead of exploring the client’s
ideas first.
4. Practice Question #274**
Using a client’s strengths and values in coaching primarily increases:
A. Ability to set goals **B. Internal motivation** C. Growth mindset D. Self-
compassion
**Correct: B. Internal motivation**
**Rationale:** Aligning with personal strengths/values taps intrinsic
(autonomous) motivation (SDT).
**5. Practice Question #273**
Coach asks scaling question after client describes positive self-talk feeling “freeing
and empowering.”
“What made you choose a 7 and not a 6?”
The coach is trying to elicit:
A. Identifying strengths **B. Change talk** C. Empathy D. Ability to change
**Correct: B. Change talk**
**Rationale:** “Why not lower?” evokes reasons for change (classic MI evoking
technique).
**6. Practice Question #272**
Coach begins session with sensory exploration of an object using beginner’s mind.
Activity designed to increase:
A. Stress B. Self-efficacy **C. Mindfulness** D. Empathy
**Correct: C. Mindfulness**
**Rationale:** Present-moment, non-judgmental sensory awareness = core
mindfulness exercise.
, **7. Practice Question #271**
Client says partner/provider pushed her into coaching for poor eating; “I just can’t
change my eating habits… vegetables are repulsive.”
Stage of change:
**A. Pre-contemplation** B. Contemplation C. Preparation D. Action E.
Maintenance
**Correct: A. Pre-contemplation**
**Rationale:** No intention to change; denies problem or feels hopeless.
**8. Practice Question #270**
Client felt embarrassed as only man in yoga class. Coach: “I am so sorry you had to
experience that. How embarrassing for you.”
First response demonstrates:
A. Expert trap **B. Sympathy** C. Discord D. Double-sided reflection E.
Empathy
**Correct: B. Sympathy**
**Rationale:** “I’m sorry” + personal pity = sympathy (vs. empathy which stays
with client’s feeling).
**9. Practice Question #275**
Client: “Instead of getting frustrated at my 5-year-old I stepped away for 15
seconds.”
Coach: “You were able to control your emotions by stepping away.”
Type of reflection:
**A. Simple** B. Double-sided C. Amplified D. Empathy
**Correct: A. Simple**
**Rationale:** Straight paraphrase of what client said.
**10. Practice Question #266**
Client: “I don’t have time to change clothes and do yoga on my lunch break.”
Certified Health & Wellness Coach Certification Study Guide with
Answers & Rationales
1. Practice Question #277**
A coach is reviewing a client's health history. The client has been eating 9 servings
of fruits and vegetables most days but now wants to run a 5K. She signed up for a
Couch-to-5K class and has attended once a week for 6 weeks.
Which stage of change is the client most likely in for her 5K goal?
A. Maintenance B. **Action** C. Preparation D. Contemplation E.
Precontemplation
**Correct: B. Action**
**Rationale:** She has taken concrete behavioral steps (signed up + consistently
attending classes for 6 weeks).
2. Practice Question #278**
Client biometrics: BP 118/72, LDL 75, WHR 0.95, active (yoga/strength 3×/wk +
running 5×/wk), A1C 7.2%.
Most concerning for chronic disease risk?
A. Blood pressure B. Cholesterol C. Waist-to-hip ratio D. Physical activity **E.
A1C**
**Correct: E. A1C**
**Rationale:** A1C 7.2% = diabetes range (≥6.5%); strongest predictor of
microvascular/macrovascular complications.
3. Practice Question #276**
Client wants to gain 20 lb and added an egg at breakfast. Coach immediately
suggests protein shakes. Client says she dislikes the taste.
This response is an example of:
,A. Coaching presence **B. The Coach's agenda** C. The Client's agenda D.
Amplified reflection
**Correct: B. The Coach's agenda**
**Rationale:** Coach inserted her own solution instead of exploring the client’s
ideas first.
4. Practice Question #274**
Using a client’s strengths and values in coaching primarily increases:
A. Ability to set goals **B. Internal motivation** C. Growth mindset D. Self-
compassion
**Correct: B. Internal motivation**
**Rationale:** Aligning with personal strengths/values taps intrinsic
(autonomous) motivation (SDT).
**5. Practice Question #273**
Coach asks scaling question after client describes positive self-talk feeling “freeing
and empowering.”
“What made you choose a 7 and not a 6?”
The coach is trying to elicit:
A. Identifying strengths **B. Change talk** C. Empathy D. Ability to change
**Correct: B. Change talk**
**Rationale:** “Why not lower?” evokes reasons for change (classic MI evoking
technique).
**6. Practice Question #272**
Coach begins session with sensory exploration of an object using beginner’s mind.
Activity designed to increase:
A. Stress B. Self-efficacy **C. Mindfulness** D. Empathy
**Correct: C. Mindfulness**
**Rationale:** Present-moment, non-judgmental sensory awareness = core
mindfulness exercise.
, **7. Practice Question #271**
Client says partner/provider pushed her into coaching for poor eating; “I just can’t
change my eating habits… vegetables are repulsive.”
Stage of change:
**A. Pre-contemplation** B. Contemplation C. Preparation D. Action E.
Maintenance
**Correct: A. Pre-contemplation**
**Rationale:** No intention to change; denies problem or feels hopeless.
**8. Practice Question #270**
Client felt embarrassed as only man in yoga class. Coach: “I am so sorry you had to
experience that. How embarrassing for you.”
First response demonstrates:
A. Expert trap **B. Sympathy** C. Discord D. Double-sided reflection E.
Empathy
**Correct: B. Sympathy**
**Rationale:** “I’m sorry” + personal pity = sympathy (vs. empathy which stays
with client’s feeling).
**9. Practice Question #275**
Client: “Instead of getting frustrated at my 5-year-old I stepped away for 15
seconds.”
Coach: “You were able to control your emotions by stepping away.”
Type of reflection:
**A. Simple** B. Double-sided C. Amplified D. Empathy
**Correct: A. Simple**
**Rationale:** Straight paraphrase of what client said.
**10. Practice Question #266**
Client: “I don’t have time to change clothes and do yoga on my lunch break.”
