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Who loves exams? Yeah, me either.
When the ICF changed their Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) exam from the previous format to picking the best and worst coaching action per scenario, coaches everywhere freaked out.
The ICF has since reworked the exam and recently rolled out a test version specifically for ACC credential exam takers. What future changes will occur with the exam is anybody's guess.
One thing is certain, coaches will need to accustom themselves to the best and worst action assessment format.
The ICF Credentialing Exam currently consists of 81 coaching scenarios and will take up to 3 hours to complete. Coaches choose the best and worst coaching action, which in reality means there are 2 questions for every scenario, 162 decision to complete in under 180 minutes.
So how should you prepare?
Mentor Coaching Lessons for CKA takers
When I work with aspiring to veteran coaches the topic that frequently comes up is the CKA. I hear everything from "don't stress over it" to "how should I prepare for the CKA?"
Here's one mentor coach's observations and recommendations, should you find yourself ready to sit for the CKA.
Prepare with Resources
Something every coach should gather around them are resources such as:
Rarely do we coaches scour the Code of Ethics but it's definitely one of the main resources we coaches should review periodically and certainly before taking the CKA. New coaches learn the ICF Code of Ethics in their Coach Training but if you've been away from coach training for a while or never completed yours because you chose the portfolio pathway for certification, be assured that reviewing the ICF Code of Ethics is a must before you sit for the CKA.
Similarly knowing the ICF updated Core Competencies and practicing with them as you coach will be instrumental to your knowledge for the Credentialing Exam. The Exam will test your coaching ability in living out the ICF Core Competencies.
Golden Resources
Ok so now that you know the standard resources, let's talk about the hidden resources, some of which are FREE
Mentor Coaching Learnings
Solutions Academy has brought together various coaches to create their Credentialing Exam Preparation Course, which is 100% FREE. It is 12 hours of self-paced learning that'll set you up to succeed when it comes to passing your ICF Credential Exam. You're welcome.
Solutions Academy has also created an ICF Credentialing Exam Simulation that is exactly what it sounds like. This exam simulates a real ICF Credentialing Exam with the same number of questions, the same format and you can take it repeatedly if you need to - but why would you want to?
If you still want more, there's an ICF CKA Assessment Prep that consists of several questions with rationale for why the best and the worst answers are the best/worst.
Finally, the last resource is your mentor coach. The more you coach or work with a mentor coach to develop your coaching in light of the core competencies, the better prepared you will be when your CKA time comes around.
Sample Exam Questions?
Yes, the ICF has a set of sample exam questions available on their website. There are several coaching scenarios presented and you are asked to pick the best and worst action as you would for the LIVE exam.
A downsides to this approach is that the ICF sample exam questions give you the answers without any explanation for why the best and worst solutions are the best or the worst.
The other downside is once you see the answers you can't unsee them. This means it's hard to take the sample exam without knowing the answers.
When I conducted a group mentoring session on these questions, we had a fruitful discussion around why one would pick the answers the ICF chose, which led me to create a CKA practice exam for CKA takers to instill confidence in coaches and provide a way to approach the exam.
CKA Exam Prep
In case you are interested in taking a CKA exam prep I highly recommend Solutions Academy ICF Credentialing Exam Preparation Course and Exam Simulator. If you want more, I devised in a CKA assessment prep that mimics the ICF's CKA with several coaching scenarios, grab your CKA test prep here.
Detailed answers are provided in this CKA test prep so you can know exactly what distinguishes a best from a worst coaching action with explanations. Most of all you'll have the confidence to approach taking the Coach Knowledge Assessment.
Dr Lizette Warner, PCC
With over 20 years of executive leadership experience, including as a CTO and COO. Lizette specializes in using a neuroscience-backed methodology for balancing achievement & well-being.
Lizette’s coaching approach is practical, probing, and pragmatically calm. She creates a space where insights emerge even from unstructured beginnings.
Dr. Warner is the Founder of the Business Building Academy your go to source for learning, community and support to build and grow your business. See if you qualify to join.
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