ICF ACC Exam Practice Test

What is the fundamental role of a professional coach when supporting a client in their journey of self-discovery and personal growth?

A) Utilize their own experiences and expertise to provide the client with direct advice and potential solutions to their challenges.
B) Guide the client through a process of deep reflection, exploration, and meaningful inquiry, allowing them to gain personal insights and develop their solutions.
C) Identify and suggest the most effective strategies or solutions based on their assessment of the client’s situation, ensuring quicker progress toward their goals.
D) Take the lead in shaping the client’s decisions by directing them toward what appears to be the most appropriate or beneficial outcome.

Which Core Competency involves co-creating measurable results with clients?

A) Facilitates Client Growth
B) Cultivates Trust and Safety
C) Maintains Presence
D) Listens Actively

When should a coach involve external parties in the coaching process?

A) When the client requests it for added support.
B) When the coach believes it would benefit the client.
C) Only with the client’s informed consent and agreement and when does the coaching agreement be readjusted according to the evolved needs.
D) External parties should never be involved in the process.

A client tells you they feel like they are failing in multiple areas of their life. What is the most appropriate coaching approach?

A) Reassure them that failure is part of life
B) Offer examples of others who overcame similar challenges
C) Develop a step-by-step plan to fix their perceived failures
D) Explore the client’s concerns and how they would like to move forward

Which ICF Core Competency emphasizes co-creating a clear coaching agreement with the client?

A) Demonstrates Ethical Practice
B) Establishing the Coaching Agreement
C) Embodies a Coaching Mindset
D) Cultivates Trust and Safety

During a coaching session, a client expresses feeling overwhelmed by their increasing workload but firmly believes that delegating tasks is not an option for them. What is the most effective coaching approach to support the client in gaining clarity and moving forward?

A) Recommend that the client take a break or time off from work to relieve stress and regain balance, assuming that a temporary reset will help them approach their workload with a fresh perspective.
B) Provide the client with various strategies for effective delegation, outlining specific techniques they can implement to manage their workload more efficiently, even if they currently feel resistant to the idea.
C) Explore with the client their underlying beliefs, assumptions, and mindset around delegation, and explore how the client would like to move forward with the new perspectives.
D) Suggest that the client enroll in a time management course or training program, assuming that improving their productivity skills will allow them to handle their workload more effectively without the need for delegation.

When was the International Coaching Federation (ICF) established?

A) 1995
B) 1987
C) 2001
D) 1990

How should a coach respond to an energy shift in the client during a session according to ICF principles?

A) Acknowledge the shift, explore its significance with curiosity, and adjust the session to align with the client’s current needs
B) Continue with the planned session structure to maintain focus
C) Ask the client to explain why their energy has changed
D) Avoid addressing the shift to prevent disrupting the session flow

A client asks for advice on managing their team at work. How should the coach respond?

A) Share effective management strategies you’ve used or learned about
B) Explore further client's concerns and assist them in identifying how they can approach the situation using their leadership strengths
C) Recommend a leadership book or workshop
D) Refer the client to a management consultant or a team coach

What is a fundamental principle of confidentiality that professional coaches must uphold according to the ICF Ethical Guidelines?

A) It does not constitute a breach of confidentiality if a coach shares a client’s information with a mentor or supervisor for professional advice, even without the client’s explicit consent, as it is intended for the client’s benefit.
B) A coach may use real client experiences as examples in marketing materials, provided that the client has given verbal approval.
C) A coach is responsible for safeguarding all client-related information and may only disclose it if legally required or if the client has explicitly provided informed consent.
D) Regardless of legal obligations, a coach must never share any client information with external authorities or legal bodies, as maintaining strict confidentiality takes precedence over all other considerations.

What is the coach’s role in managing progress and accountability?

A) To monitor and evaluate the client’s performance
B) To support the client in tracking their progress and adjusting plans as needed
C) To ensure the client completes all action steps as assigned
D) It’s the coach’s responsibility to follow up and hold the client motivated to achieve their goals

A client keeps bringing up a relationship issue that seems outside the scope of coaching. What should you do?

A) Redirect the conversation to coaching goals
B) Suggest they seek therapy for the relationship issue
C) Explore the issue and its resonance while ensuring it aligns with the client’s coaching objectives
D) Tell them the issue is irrelevant to coaching and therefore shouldn’t be addressed in the session

What is metaphorical speaking in the context of coaching according to ICF principles?

A) The coach uses poetic language and visualizations to make sessions more engaging
B) The practice of the coach explaining concepts through stories or analogies
C) A method used by coaches to provide direct solutions through abstract examples
D) The use of symbolic or figurative language to help clients explore their thoughts, feelings, or situations creatively and insightfully

Who is widely recognized as the founder of the International Coaching Federation (ICF)?

A) Tim Gallwey
B) Sir John Whitmore
C) Thomas Leonard
D) Marshall Goldsmith

During a coaching session, a client expresses excitement about making a significant career change but also conveys noticeable nervousness about the potential risks involved. As their coach, what is the most effective way to support them in gaining clarity and confidence while maintaining alignment with ICF coaching principles?

A) Encourage the client to take the leap and reassure them that their excitement indicates readiness, offering your full support in their decision without further exploring their underlying concerns.
B) Invite the client to reflect on their feelings, emotions, thoughts, and underlying concerns influencing the client’s decision.
C) Suggest that the client hold off on making any major decisions until they feel completely confident and ready, assuming that hesitation is a sign they are not yet prepared to move forward.
D) Share examples of individuals who have successfully transitioned into new careers, assuming that external success stories will help inspire the client and reassure them that change is possible.

Which ICF Core Competency emphasizes partnering with the client to create actionable steps that lead to their desired outcomes?

A) Embodies a Coaching Mindset
B) Facilitates Client Growth
C) Cultivates Trust and Safety
D) Evokes Awareness

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), what is the primary purpose of establishing a coaching agreement between a coach and a client?

A) The coaching agreement serves as a foundational legal document that protects both parties in case of disputes and clearly defines the roles, expectations, goals, session structure, timeline, financial arrangements, and mutual responsibilities of both the coach and the client to ensure a transparent and productive coaching relationship.
B) The main objective of the coaching agreement is to establish a specific timeline for achieving the client’s desired goals, ensuring that the coaching engagement remains focused and results-driven.
C) The agreement primarily functions as a record of the coach’s professional credentials and qualifications, providing the client with assurance of the coach’s expertise and background in the field.
D) The purpose of the agreement is to fulfill a legal requirement, serving as a formal contract that protects both parties in case of disputes or misunderstandings during the coaching engagement.

What does the Core Competency “Embodies a Coaching Mindset” require a coach to demonstrate?

A) Full focus on client performance and success
B) Continuous learning, adaptability, and openness to the coaching process
C) Encouraging the client to develop a fixed plan
D) Active problem-solving for the client

During a coaching session, a client feels disappointed after a project they worked hard on did not succeed. They begin to express self-doubt and question their capabilities. As their coach, what is the most effective way to support them in navigating this experience while fostering resilience and self-awareness?

A) Offer reassurance by telling the client that failure is a normal part of life and that everyone experiences setbacks at some point, helping them feel less alone in their struggles.
B) Invite the client to explore their thoughts and emotions surrounding the failure, encouraging them to reflect on what they learned from the experience, what aspects were within their control, and how they might apply these insights to future endeavors.
C) Suggest that the client consider setting less ambitious goals moving forward to minimize the risk of failure and help them regain confidence by focusing on smaller, more achievable outcomes.
D) Share personal stories of times when you experienced failure and overcame it, assuming that hearing about your journey will inspire the client and help them shift their perspective.

Which ICF Core Competency emphasizes a coach’s ability to be self-aware, recognize their emotional responses, and adapt their mindset accordingly to remain fully present and effective during a coaching session?

A) The competency Cultivates Trust and Safety
B) The competency Evoking Awareness
C) The competency Embodies a Coaching Mindset
D) The competency Facilitates Client Growth

During a coaching session, a client shares their thoughts at length and moves between different ideas. You notice that they are struggling to articulate their main point. What is the best coaching approach in this situation?

A) Summarize key points of what the client has shared, highlighting patterns and underlying themes, then ask them how these insights resonate with them.
B) Allow the client to continue speaking freely without intervention, trusting that they will eventually clarify their thoughts.
C) Ask the client to stop and refocus the conversation on the original topic, ensuring that the session remains structured and goal-oriented.
D) Take detailed notes and reflect on their words later in the session, rather than summarizing in the moment.

Which Core Competency includes the ability to adapt coaching strategies based on the client’s context?

A) Embodies a Coaching Mindset
B) Maintains Presence
C) Evokes Awareness
D) Facilitates Client Growth

During a coaching session, a client who is a working mother shared that she is feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained. She expresses uncertainty about how to move forward and regain balance in her life. As her coach, what is the most effective way to support her in gaining clarity and creating a path toward well-being?

A) Suggest that she temporarily step back from her responsibilities at work or home, assuming that reducing her workload will help alleviate the sense of burnout.
B) Invite the client to explore the underlying factors contributing to her burnout, reflect on what aspects of her life may be depleting her energy, and discuss what she needs to feel re-energized and more aligned with her well-being.
C) Recommend that she take a vacation or time off, assuming that a break from work and daily responsibilities will be the best way to reset and recover.
D) Share your personal experiences with burnout, believing that hearing how you managed a similar situation will provide her with guidance and reassurance.

What is the key distinction between professional coaching and other developmental approaches such as mentoring or consulting?

A) Coaching primarily involves offering direct solutions and expert recommendations when the client is unable to generate them independently, ensuring they receive clear guidance to move forward.
B) Coaching is a collaborative and equal partnership in which the coach facilitates deep reflection, inquiry, and self-discovery, empowering clients to generate their own insights, solutions, and strategies for personal and professional growth.
C) Coaching follows a structured approach similar to consulting, in which the coach provides specific professional advice, industry knowledge, and a predefined framework with a set timeline to help clients achieve targeted outcomes.
D) Coaching primarily emphasizes analyzing past experiences and their impact on present behaviors, similar to therapeutic models, to help clients understand and process their history before moving forward.

Why is the SMART framework important in coaching?

A) It ensures that the coach sets the client’s goals effectively
B) It provides a rigid structure for the client to follow
C) It allows the coach to evaluate and adjust the client’s progress independently
D) It helps clients create clear, actionable, and realistic goals with a defined timeline, increasing the likelihood of success

When a client expresses uncertainty about their goals during a coaching session, what is the most effective way for the coach to respond while maintaining alignment with ICF coaching principles?

A) Suggest alternative goals for the client to simplify the process, assuming that reducing complexity will help them gain clarity and move forward more easily.
B) Acknowledge that uncertainty is a natural part of personal growth and self-exploration, then take the lead in defining a goal to help the client develop confidence in their ability to set and achieve objectives.
C) Share a personal experience of facing goal-related uncertainty and use it as an example to inspire the client, then ask them how they would like to proceed based on their reflections.
D) Engage the client in a deeper exploration of their values, aspirations, and any internal or external factors contributing to their uncertainty, facilitating greater self-awareness and clarity in defining meaningful goals.

During a coaching session, a client expresses frustration and anger toward a colleague but then hesitates to discuss the situation further. As their coach, what is the most effective way to respond while maintaining alignment with ICF coaching principles?

A) Recommend that the client directly confront the colleague as soon as possible, emphasizing that addressing the issue head-on will likely lead to resolution and clarity.
B) Acknowledge their hesitation and respect their boundaries by quickly shifting the conversation to another topic, assuming they are not ready or willing to explore the issue further.
C) Offer feedback about the energy shift the client demonstrated, acknowledge the client’s emotional response and explore if the client would like to address their emotional response.
D) Offer workplace conflict resolution strategies based on general best practices, assuming that providing tangible solutions will help the client feel more equipped to navigate the situation effectively.

During a coaching session, how should a professional coach manage their personal biases to ensure an open, client-centered, and nonjudgmental coaching environment?

A) Bring personal biases into the discussion by openly acknowledging them with the client, believing that sharing vulnerabilities can foster transparency and trust, even if it shifts the focus away from the client’s agenda.
B) Recognize and acknowledge personal biases internally, then intentionally shift into a state of ‘learner’s curiosity’ by fully focusing on the client’s thoughts, emotions, and perspectives without allowing preconceived assumptions to influence the conversation.
C) Use personal biases subtly to guide the conversation, assuming that the coach’s experiences and viewpoints may offer beneficial insights that the client has not considered.
D) Avoid addressing biases altogether unless they become noticeable enough to disrupt the session, assuming that ignoring them will prevent them from affecting the coaching process.

A client has repeatedly committed to taking specific action steps but has not followed through. They acknowledge their lack of progress but seem unsure of how to move forward. What is the most effective coaching response?

A) Remind the client of the importance of discipline and persistence, reinforcing the need for personal accountability.
B) Explore with the client what obstacles might be preventing them from following through and co-create an approach that aligns with their values and strengths.
C) Suggest reducing the scope of their commitments to make them easier to accomplish.
D) Hold the client accountable by setting deadlines and consequences for incomplete actions.

Within the framework of the ICF Core Competencies, what is the primary focus of the competency “Evokes Awareness,” and how does it contribute to the coaching process?

A) The coach provides the client with detailed feedback, highlighting areas for improvement and offering insights based on observations to help the client gain clarity and direction.
B) The coach structures the coaching conversation around their interpretations and insights derived from the discussion, using their expertise to guide the client toward potential realizations.
C) The coach facilitates deep self-reflection and helps the client explore new perspectives by asking powerful, thought-provoking questions that challenge assumptions and expand awareness.
D) The coach encourages the client to reflect on past experiences as a means of developing a deeper understanding of how previous events influence their current behaviors, decisions, and mindset.

Take a 10-minute break!

Review your answers and take a 10-minute break before you answer the second part of the exam. Please be mindful of your 10-minute break as the 90-minute timer for this whole exam will not be paused.

Proceed to the second part of the exam.

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), what is the official definition of coaching?

A) Coaching is defined as a collaborative partnership between the coach and the client, in which the coach engages the client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
B) Coaching is centered on providing clients with structured guidance and proven strategies to help them efficiently navigate challenges and achieve pre-determined solutions based on best practices.
C) Coaching serves as a form of therapeutic support, helping individuals process personal experiences, address emotional challenges, and enhance their overall well-being in both personal and professional contexts.
D) Coaching involves directing individuals toward specific desired outcomes by assessing their situation, identifying the best course of action, and leading them through a structured framework to ensure success.

During a coaching session, your client takes a long pause after being asked a deep question. What is the best approach as a coach?

A) Wait patiently in silence, allowing the client the space to process their thoughts and emotions at their own pace.
B) Quickly rephrase the question to help the client respond more easily and avoid an awkward pause.
C) Ask a follow-up question to guide the client in the direction you believe is most relevant.
D) Move on to another topic to keep the session moving and avoid discomfort.

In the context of professional coaching, why is active listening considered a fundamental skill, and how does it enhance the effectiveness of the coaching process?

A) Active listening involves demonstrating empathy by sharing personal stories and experiences that relate to the client’s situation, creating a deeper emotional connection and trust between the coach and the client.
B) It requires the coach to take detailed notes during the session to track key discussion points and ensure that important insights are documented for future reference, improving the continuity of coaching conversations.
C) The coach focuses on formulating powerful questions while the client is speaking, ensuring that they are prepared to deepen the discussion and guide the client toward new insights once the client finishes sharing.
D) Active listening means giving the client undivided attention by fully focusing on their words, tone, emotions, and non-verbal cues, allowing the coach to understand the deeper meaning behind what is being said and respond in a way that fosters trust, exploration, and self-awareness.

Your client shares an important insight during the session, and you believe it would be beneficial to revisit it later. How should you approach note-taking in this situation?

A) With the client’s permission, briefly jot down keywords or phrases to help maintain focus while ensuring you remain fully present.
B) Take detailed notes throughout the session, capturing as much information as possible for later reference.
C) Avoid taking notes altogether to ensure that your full attention remains on the client.
D) Ask the client to pause while you record their statement word-for-word so it can be referenced exactly.

In professional coaching, what is the primary objective of using powerful questioning, and how does it contribute to the client’s growth and self-discovery?

A) The purpose of powerful questioning is to challenge the client’s assumptions and beliefs in a way that pushes them out of their comfort zone, ensuring they adopt new perspectives and reconsider their current mindset.
B) Powerful questioning is used as a tool to subtly guide the client toward a specific solution, helping them arrive at an answer that aligns with their goals and moves them forward efficiently.
C) The primary aim of powerful questioning is to evoke deep reflection, encourage self-exploration, and create new awareness within the client, enabling them to gain insights they may not have previously considered and empowering them to make conscious choices.
D) Asking powerful questions is primarily intended to assess and evaluate the client’s progress, ensuring that they are moving forward at an appropriate pace and staying on track toward their desired outcomes.

When a client becomes emotionally expressive during a coaching session, how should a coach appropriately respond while maintaining alignment with ICF coaching principles?

A) Gently redirect the conversation toward a less emotional topic to help the client regain composure and prevent the session from becoming overly focused on emotions rather than progress.
B) Recognize and acknowledge the client’s emotional state with empathy, then invite them to explore whether they would like to explore their emotions further within the coaching space or if they prefer to continue with the original focus of the session.
C) Recommend that the client seek external emotional support services, such as therapy or counseling, while also providing them with a structured emotional intelligence tool to help them manage their feelings more effectively.
D) Offer a brief acknowledgment of the client’s emotions and quickly move on to the next part of the session to ensure the conversation remains focused on the client’s goals and outcomes.

In the context of professional coaching, what is the role of a sponsor, and how does it differ from the client in a coaching engagement?

A) A sponsor refers to the individual who is directly receiving the coaching services and actively participating in the coaching process to achieve their personal or professional goals.
B) A sponsor is typically the client’s direct supervisor, who oversees the coaching engagement and provides feedback to ensure that the coaching aligns with organizational objectives.
C) A sponsor is a colleague or mentor who voluntarily provides informal guidance and support to the client, but does not hold any financial or contractual role in the coaching agreement.
D) A sponsor is an external entity, such as an organization or an individual, that finances or funds the coaching engagement on behalf of the client, while the client remains the direct recipient of the coaching services.

A client expresses confusion about their priorities and asks for your guidance in identifying what matters most. How should you respond as a coach?

A) Provide them with a structured list of possible priorities based on common challenges similar clients face.
B) Use keyword questioning to reflect on their key themes and insights, allowing them to recognize what naturally holds the most significance for them.
C) Offer personal insights on what seems most important based on your professional experience.
D) Suggest that they take more time to think about their priorities outside of the session and return with a clearer answer.

If a client presents a plan of action that appears overly ambitious or potentially unrealistic, how should a coach respond in a way that aligns with ICF coaching principles?

A) Advise the client to scale back their plan of action to something more manageable, ensuring they do not become overwhelmed or discouraged by goals that may be too difficult to achieve.
B) Engage the client in a deeper exploration of their confidence level, commitment, and the degree to which the plan aligns with their values and current capacity. Facilitate reflection on potential obstacles and invite the client to assess their readiness, level of accountability, and any necessary adjustments to enhance the feasibility of the plan.
C) Reassure the client that any goal is possible with the right amount of effort, motivation, and perseverance, encouraging them to push forward without critically assessing potential limitations.
D) Provide the client with a structured, step-by-step framework to break down the ambitious plan into smaller, more manageable tasks, ensuring they have a clear roadmap to follow toward their goal.

Within the framework of the ICF Core Competencies, what does the competency “Maintains Presence” mean, contributing to an effective coaching session?

A) "Maintains Presence" refers to the coach's ability to stay fully engaged, flexible, and responsive to the client’s needs in the present moment while demonstrating curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a nonjudgmental approach to facilitate meaningful exploration.
B) This competency emphasizes the importance of preparing a well-structured plan for each coaching session, ensuring that the conversation remains effective, goal-oriented, and aligned with the coach’s intended framework.
C) "Maintains Presence" is primarily about guiding the client through deep emotional exploration, using active listening to identify unresolved emotions and gently directing them toward practical solutions to address their challenges.
D) The core of this competency is providing clients with detailed feedback based on their input, offering interpretations and insights that help them evaluate their progress and make informed decisions.

You notice that, as a coach, you are feeling a strong emotional response to something the client has said. How should you handle this?

Internally acknowledge your emotions and shift your focus back to the client, ensuring that your reactions do not influence the coaching process.
B) Pause the session to share your feelings with the client in the spirit of transparency and authenticity.
C) Redirect the conversation away from the topic that triggered your emotional response.
D) Offer the client advice based on your emotional reaction, as it may provide them with useful insight.

In the context of professional coaching, what is the purpose of silence, and how does it enhance the coaching process?

A) Silence serves as a strategic tool for the coach to pause and think about the next powerful question, ensuring that the session continues in a structured and insightful manner.
B) The primary purpose of silence is to provide the client with space to process their thoughts, reflect deeply on their emotions and perspectives, and formulate their own insights without feeling rushed to respond.
C) Silence is used to create a sense of tension or urgency, prompting the client to speak or take action more quickly to fill the gap in conversation, ensuring continued engagement.
D) Silence is mainly a transitional technique, used by the coach to subtly indicate that the conversation is shifting to a new topic or phase of the session.

In professional coaching, what is the coach’s role in fostering client growth, and how does it align with the ICF Core Competencies?

A) The coach is responsible for directing the client toward measurable success by setting clear benchmarks and ensuring that they achieve predetermined outcomes within a structured timeline.
B) The coach takes on an evaluative role, regularly assessing the client’s progress and providing feedback to measure performance against established coaching goals and objectives.
C) The coach acts as an expert guide, offering professional advice, recommendations, and strategies to help the client make progress and achieve the desired results.
D) The coach fosters client growth by creating a space for exploration, self-reflection, and learning, encouraging the client to expand their perspectives, consider new possibilities, and take ownership of their personal and professional development.

During a coaching session, a client shares that they want to set a long-term goal but are struggling to define what success would look like. How should you support them?

A) Provide them with examples of common long-term goals to help them choose one that aligns with their needs.
B) Encourage them to set a short-term goal first, assuming that smaller achievements will eventually lead to clarity on the long-term goal.
C) Offer your perspective on what success could look like based on their current situation to help them narrow their focus.
D) Ask open-ended questions that explore their values, motivations, and desired future outcomes, helping them clarify their vision of success.

Your client has set a meaningful goal but is struggling to stay committed due to distractions and competing priorities. What is the best way to support them?

A) Suggest they put the goal on hold until they have fewer distractions and can fully commit to it.
B) Offer accountability by frequently checking in and reminding them of their goal to ensure they stay on track.
C) Help them explore their level of commitment and whether the goal still aligns with their values and priorities, allowing them to refine their focus.
D) Encourage them to push through distractions by implementing stricter time management strategies.

A client has set multiple goals and is feeling overwhelmed, and unsure of where to start. How should you guide them?

A) Advise them to focus on the easiest goal first to build confidence before tackling more challenging ones.
B) Encourage them to start working on all goals simultaneously, trusting that momentum will help them make progress.
C) Suggest eliminating some of their goals to reduce overwhelm and focus on only one or two objectives.
D) Assist them in prioritizing their goals by exploring which ones align most with their values, immediate needs, and long-term vision.

Your client is hesitant to set a goal because they fear failure. How can you best support them in moving forward?

A) Explore their fears and invite them to reflect on what failure means to them, what beliefs might be holding them back, and how they can reframe setbacks as learning opportunities.
B) Encourage them to set a very small and easily achievable goal to avoid failure altogether.
C) Share examples of others who have failed and succeeded later, assuming that inspiration will help them move past their fear.
D) Reassure them that failure is normal and that they should not worry about it.

According to the ICF Ethical Guidelines, what is the appropriate way for a coach to handle conflicts of interest to maintain professional integrity and transparency?

A) End the coaching relationship immediately upon recognizing a conflict of interest, assuming that continuing the engagement would be unethical regardless of the circumstances.
B) Allow the client to determine whether the conflict of interest is significant enough to impact the coaching relationship, trusting that their perspective should guide the decision.
C) Disclose the conflict to the client as soon as it is recognized, engage in an open discussion about how it may affect the coaching relationship, and collaboratively explore the best way to move forward with any potential ethical concerns and boundaries.
D) If the conflict seems minor and the client is unaware of it, refrain from bringing it up to avoid unnecessary complications in the coaching engagement.

When should a coach terminate a coaching relationship according to the ICF Code of Ethics?

A) If the client consistently fails to meet coaching goals
B) If the coach feels they are no longer effective and appropriate for the client’s coaching needs and has provided appropriate referrals
C) If the client questions the value of coaching
D) If the client misses more than two sessions

What is required by the ICF Ethical Guidelines regarding pro bono coaching?

A) No formal agreement is needed as services are offered for free
B) A coaching agreement must still be signed, outlining roles, boundaries, and expectations
C) Informal agreements suffice for pro bono clients
D) Coaches should limit pro bono coaching to short-term engagements

A client requests their session recordings for personal use, but their sponsor has previously asked for a copy. What should you do as the coach?

A) Provide the recordings to both the client and the sponsor
B) Share the recordings with the sponsor since they are funding the sessions
C) Only provide the recordings to the client unless the sponsor has explicit written consent from the client
D) Deny the request entirely to avoid potential conflicts

You realize midway through coaching a client that their needs fall outside your expertise. What is the best course of action?

A) Continue the coaching sessions while researching the topic
B) Inform the client, recommend a qualified professional, and discuss terminating or adjusting the coaching relationship
C) Refer the client immediately without further discussion
D) Proceed with the current plan to avoid disrupting progress

A sponsor requests updates on the client’s progress, but the client has not agreed to share details. What should you do?

A) Provide the sponsor with general updates without disclosing specifics
B) Inform the sponsor that client confidentiality prohibits sharing any details without explicit consent
C) Encourage the client to share the updates themselves
D) Ask the sponsor to speak directly with the client

Which of the following best describes a coach’s role in balancing confidence and humility within a coaching mindset?

A) A coach should remain humble by minimizing their role and allowing the client to lead entirely without intervention.
B) A coach should always display confidence by providing strong guidance and recommendations to clients.
C) A coach should demonstrate confidence in their coaching abilities while maintaining humility by recognizing that the client is the expert in their own life.
D) A coach should alternate between confidence and humility depending on the client’s level of self-awareness.

Which Core Competency emphasizes creating and maintaining a safe environment for the client?

A) Cultivates Trust and Safety
B) Listens Actively
C) Facilitates Client Growth
D) Embodies a Coaching Mindset

During a coaching session, a client acknowledges that they frequently procrastinate on important tasks and struggle to follow through on commitments. As their coach, what is the most effective way to support them in gaining clarity and taking meaningful action?

A) Share personal strategies that have helped you avoid procrastination in the past, assuming that your experience will provide them with useful insights and motivation to change their behavior.
B) Invite the client to explore what procrastination represents for them, how it impacts different areas of their life, and what underlying concerns might be contributing to their pattern of delay.
C) Provide a structured, step-by-step time management guide that outlines practical techniques to help them become more productive and efficient in completing their tasks.
D) Recommend the use of external time management tools and productivity systems, assuming that implementing structured strategies will naturally lead to a reduction in procrastination.

A client becomes emotional during a session while discussing a personal challenge. What is the best way to handle this as a coach?

A) Redirect the conversation to a lighter topic
B) Hold space for their emotions and ask how they want to proceed
C) Suggest they take a break and reschedule the session
D) Offer advice on managing emotions

A client tells you they want to achieve a personal development goal but are unsure of how to measure progress. They feel like they are growing, but they can’t tell if they are truly making progress. What is the best way to support them?

A) Invite them to explore what success looks like for them and co-create meaningful progress indicators that align with their values and vision.
B) Provide them with standardized success metrics to track their progress effectively.
C) Encourage them to focus on the result rather than worrying about progress tracking.
D) Suggest that they set smaller, quantitative goals that are easier to measure, even if they don’t fully align with their vision.

A client starts a session by saying they don’t know what they want to focus on. What is the best coaching approach?

A) Ask them to choose a random topic to discuss
B) Explore their current emotions, thoughts, and priorities
C) End the session early to give them time to reflect
D) Suggest a topic based on their previous sessions

Your client seems hesitant to fully commit to a goal they’ve set. How should you respond?

A) Encourage them to take small steps toward the goal
B) Explore their hesitation, motivation, and any underlying concerns influencing the hesitation
C) Push them to take action to build momentum
D) Suggest revising the goal to make it easier

ICF ACC Exam Practice Test

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