NBC-HWC practice exam questions (C&S) and
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
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 of the week but indicated to you that their new goal is to run a 5k. The client has
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 as it pertains to her new goal of running a 5k?
A. Maintenance
B. Action
C. Preparation
D. Contemplation
E. Precontemplation
- correct answer B. Action
Practice Question #278:
A client came to her first session, from their providers office, with a list of their biometrics.
Blood pressure: 118/72mmHg
LDL: 75 mg/dl
Waist-to-hip ratio: 0.95
Physical activity: yoga/strength training, 60-minutes 3x per week and running, 30-minutes 5x per week
A1C: 7.2%
Which of the following is most concerning as it increases her risk for chronic disease?
A. Blood pressure
B. Cholesterol
C. Waist-to-hip ratio
,D. Physical activity level
E. A1C
- correct answer E. A1C
Practice Question #276:
A 65-year-old woman comes to her fifth session. She is working with her coach to increase her overall
caloric intake to help her gain weight.
Client: I really want to gain about 20 pounds and I have gained some weight by adding one more egg at
breakfast.
Coach: Have you ever thought about trying protein shakes.
Client: I don't like the taste of those.
The coach response is an example of what?
A. Coaching presence
B. The Coach's agenda
C. The Client's agenda
D. Amplified Reflection
- correct answer B. The Coach's agenda
Practice Question #274: P
Coaches are often taught to use the client's strengths and values in their coaching process. Using the
client's strengths and emphasizing their values increases their ______________?
A. Ability to set goals
B. Internal motivation
C. Growth mindset
D. Self-compassion
- correct answer B. Internal motivation
Practice Question #273:
A 29-year-old man comes to coaching for his 4th session. He has been working with his coach on
increasing his positive self-talk.
Coach: Describe for me what it feels like when you have positive self-talk anytime during the day.
,Client: It feels freeing and empowering. Like I could do anything that day.
Coach: On a scale of 1-10, 1 being not confident at all to 10 being 100 perecent confident, how confident
are you that you can meet your goal of positive self-talk at least twice per day.
Client: I would say a 7.
Coach: Why a 7 and not a 6?
What is the coach trying to elicit from the client with their questions?
A. Identifying strengths
B. Change talk
C. Empathy
D. Ability to change
- correct answer B. Change talk
Practice Question #272:
***********************************
With a client's permission, a coach starts the coaching session with an activity that included having the
client pick up an object and with a beginner's mind and use their senses to explore the object.
The activity the coach is doing is designed to increase what?
A. Stress
B. Self-efficacy
C. Mindfulness
D. Empathy
- correct answer C. Mindfulness
Practice Question #271:
A 35-year old woman comes to her 2nd coaching session. She has been exploring with her coach which
areas of her health she wants to focus on. Her partner and medical provider keep encouraging her to go
to health coaching because of her poor eating habits.
Client: It seems like I really just need to work on everything.
Coach: Let's explore what is most important to you. If you were to look forward 1 year from now what
change would you most like to see happen for yourself.
Client: I have no idea. I just can't change my eating habits. I find most vegetables repulsive and fruit is so
sticky.
, Which stage of change is the client most likely in?
A. Pre-contemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation
D. Action
E. Maintenance
- correct answer A. Pre-contemplation
Practice Question #270:
A 52-year-old man meets with his coach for his 3rd session. He has been struggling with low energy
levels and made a commitment to try a yoga class.
Client: I went to a class and I was the only guy. I felt really out of place and embarrassed. It was hard.
Coach: I am so sorry you had to experience that. How embarrassing for you.
Client: yeah, thanks.
Coach: Well, at least you got that out of the way.
Client: That's true.
The coaches first response demonstrates which of the following?
A. Expert trap
B. Sympathy
C. Discord
D. Double-sided reflection
E. Empathy
- correct answer B. Sympathy
Practice Question #275:
A client comes to their 3rd session and has been working on managing his emotions. During this session,
the client is focused on strategies for increasing his mindfulness.
Coach: How's your energy level today?
Client: I am feeling pretty good. Yesterday instead of getting really frustrated at my 5 year old I was able
to step away for 15 seconds and come back in a more mindful state.
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
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 of the week but indicated to you that their new goal is to run a 5k. The client has
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 as it pertains to her new goal of running a 5k?
A. Maintenance
B. Action
C. Preparation
D. Contemplation
E. Precontemplation
- correct answer B. Action
Practice Question #278:
A client came to her first session, from their providers office, with a list of their biometrics.
Blood pressure: 118/72mmHg
LDL: 75 mg/dl
Waist-to-hip ratio: 0.95
Physical activity: yoga/strength training, 60-minutes 3x per week and running, 30-minutes 5x per week
A1C: 7.2%
Which of the following is most concerning as it increases her risk for chronic disease?
A. Blood pressure
B. Cholesterol
C. Waist-to-hip ratio
,D. Physical activity level
E. A1C
- correct answer E. A1C
Practice Question #276:
A 65-year-old woman comes to her fifth session. She is working with her coach to increase her overall
caloric intake to help her gain weight.
Client: I really want to gain about 20 pounds and I have gained some weight by adding one more egg at
breakfast.
Coach: Have you ever thought about trying protein shakes.
Client: I don't like the taste of those.
The coach response is an example of what?
A. Coaching presence
B. The Coach's agenda
C. The Client's agenda
D. Amplified Reflection
- correct answer B. The Coach's agenda
Practice Question #274: P
Coaches are often taught to use the client's strengths and values in their coaching process. Using the
client's strengths and emphasizing their values increases their ______________?
A. Ability to set goals
B. Internal motivation
C. Growth mindset
D. Self-compassion
- correct answer B. Internal motivation
Practice Question #273:
A 29-year-old man comes to coaching for his 4th session. He has been working with his coach on
increasing his positive self-talk.
Coach: Describe for me what it feels like when you have positive self-talk anytime during the day.
,Client: It feels freeing and empowering. Like I could do anything that day.
Coach: On a scale of 1-10, 1 being not confident at all to 10 being 100 perecent confident, how confident
are you that you can meet your goal of positive self-talk at least twice per day.
Client: I would say a 7.
Coach: Why a 7 and not a 6?
What is the coach trying to elicit from the client with their questions?
A. Identifying strengths
B. Change talk
C. Empathy
D. Ability to change
- correct answer B. Change talk
Practice Question #272:
***********************************
With a client's permission, a coach starts the coaching session with an activity that included having the
client pick up an object and with a beginner's mind and use their senses to explore the object.
The activity the coach is doing is designed to increase what?
A. Stress
B. Self-efficacy
C. Mindfulness
D. Empathy
- correct answer C. Mindfulness
Practice Question #271:
A 35-year old woman comes to her 2nd coaching session. She has been exploring with her coach which
areas of her health she wants to focus on. Her partner and medical provider keep encouraging her to go
to health coaching because of her poor eating habits.
Client: It seems like I really just need to work on everything.
Coach: Let's explore what is most important to you. If you were to look forward 1 year from now what
change would you most like to see happen for yourself.
Client: I have no idea. I just can't change my eating habits. I find most vegetables repulsive and fruit is so
sticky.
, Which stage of change is the client most likely in?
A. Pre-contemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation
D. Action
E. Maintenance
- correct answer A. Pre-contemplation
Practice Question #270:
A 52-year-old man meets with his coach for his 3rd session. He has been struggling with low energy
levels and made a commitment to try a yoga class.
Client: I went to a class and I was the only guy. I felt really out of place and embarrassed. It was hard.
Coach: I am so sorry you had to experience that. How embarrassing for you.
Client: yeah, thanks.
Coach: Well, at least you got that out of the way.
Client: That's true.
The coaches first response demonstrates which of the following?
A. Expert trap
B. Sympathy
C. Discord
D. Double-sided reflection
E. Empathy
- correct answer B. Sympathy
Practice Question #275:
A client comes to their 3rd session and has been working on managing his emotions. During this session,
the client is focused on strategies for increasing his mindfulness.
Coach: How's your energy level today?
Client: I am feeling pretty good. Yesterday instead of getting really frustrated at my 5 year old I was able
to step away for 15 seconds and come back in a more mindful state.
