Hey coach. If you're here, chances are you’re nearing the finish line of your ICF Level 2 training and starting to think about the big final step: the ICF credentialing exam.

This post is your ICF exam preparation guide. It will walk you through everything I wish I had known before sitting for the credentialing exam.

Because here’s the truth: the first time I took it, I didn’t prepare. I thought, “I’m a coach. I can think like a coach. I’ll figure it out.” But I couldn’t. I didn’t pass. And that’s why I’m writing this, to help you avoid the same mistake.

You’ll learn what the exam actually tests, how to prepare, what throws people off, and what helps most. You’ll discover tips from me, along with insights from other coaches in our Born to Coach community.

Let’s get into it.

Table of Content

What Is the ICF Credentialing Exam?
Is the PCC Exam Hard?
How to Prepare for the ICF Exam (PCC)
Exam Considerations
FAQ: What Coaches Ask Before the Exam
You’ve Got This
Resources

What Is the ICF Credentialing Exam?

Let’s clear something up right away: the new credentialing exam is not a memorization test.

You don’t need to cram flashcards. You won’t be asked to list the 8 Core Competencies or define "presence" word-for-word.

Instead, this is a situational judgment test. That means you’ll be presented with 78 real-world coaching scenarios, and for each one, you’ll choose two things:

>the best response
>the worst response

All the options might sound plausible. Some may even reflect your personal style as a coach. But this isn’t about how you would coach. It’s about what the ICF believes reflects high-quality, ethical coaching at the PCC level.

A lot of scenarios are pulled from corporate coaching contexts. Think: performance reviews, leadership transitions, team dynamics. But don’t let the setting throw you. Even if you’ve never worked in a corporate space (I haven’t), you’ll do fine if you focus on the coaching behaviors and not the business jargon.

Here’s what else to expect:

>You get 3 hours to complete the test
>There’s a 10-minute break halfway through
>It’s pass/fail
>You can take it online from home or in person at a Pearson center

As of November 2024, there are separate exams for ACC and PCC. This post focuses on the PCC-level exam. If you’re applying for your ACC credential, you’ll be taking a different (and simpler) version of the test.

Is the PCC Exam Hard?

Yes. But not in the way you think.

It’s not hard because the material is impossible. It’s hard because:

>The questions are long and detailed. You can’t skim.
>The answers are close. You’ll often think "A and D both sound good."
>The wording is subtle. One verb can change the whole meaning.
>It takes endurance. Three hours of reading and choosing best/worst pairs is mentally draining.

I’ve taken it twice. I failed the first time and passed the second.

On my first attempt, I didn’t prep. I thought, "I’m a great coach. I live and breathe the ICF competencies. I’ll be fine." That didn’t work. I wasn’t ready for the test format or the mental fatigue.

The second time, I took it seriously. I created mock scenarios. I practiced under timed conditions. I worked with a coach on my test anxiety. I visualized passing. And I passed.

And honestly, that felt amazing. Not just because of the MCC credential behind my name, but because it meant I had mastered a test that really does reflect the heart of professional coaching.

How to Prepare for the ICF Exam (PCC)

There’s no single right way to study for this exam, but there are some strategies that have helped me and our coaches pass. I’ll break them down below so you can pick and choose what feels right for you.

1. Know What the ICF Actually Wants From You

This is the most important thing to understand: the ICF is testing for coaching behaviors, not knowledge.

They want to see that you can:

>Partner with your client
>Stay in the coaching role (not mentoring or advising)
>Stay within ethical and professional boundaries
>Hold space through discomfort
>Invite, ask, acknowledge, explore

They are not looking for you to fix, rescue, convince, or tell.

If you get a question that says "The coach tells the client…", it’s probably not the best answer. It might even be the worst one.

2. Create or Collect Practice Questions

The ICF only gives you 8 sample questions publicly. That’s it. So you’ll need to either:

>Use questions from your coach training program
>Sign up for an external exam prep course (like Lissa DeHart’s)
>Build your own using ChatGPT or practice groups
>Sign up for mock exams available online (unofficial)

You could steal this strategy from one of our trainers:

Collect sample questions in a document. Give them to ChatGPT along with the answer key. Then use a prompt like this:

“You are a quiz assistant helping me prepare for the ICF PCC exam. I’ll give you a list of scenario-based questions, each with 4 answer options (A, B, C, D) and an answer key that shows the Best and Worst answer for each. Present one question at a time in random order. After each question, I’ll respond with which option I think is Best and which is Worst. Record my answers. When I say ‘end the quiz,’ show me a summary of my responses along with the correct answers and a final score: 1 point for each correct Best, 1 point for each correct Worst.”

3. Pay Attention to Verbs

This might sound silly, but verbs matter a lot.

In most questions, you’ll see four answers that start with different verbs:

"Coach advises the client to…"
"Coach invites the client to…"
"Coach asks the client to…"
"Coach tells the client to…"

See the difference?

>"Ask," "invite," "partner," "acknowledge," "explore"—those are ICF-friendly.
>"Tell," "advise," "warn," "teach"—usually red flags.

But here’s the tricky part. Some questions will use the same verb in all four answers. That’s where you have to slow down and read what the coach actually does. It’s the underlying behavior, not just the language.

Don’t rush. These are not trick questions. But they are subtle.

4. Practice Reading Slowly and Deliberately

This isn’t a skimmable test. The wording matters.

Here’s what tripped me up the first time: I read too fast, chose what felt right, and moved on. But sometimes, one word buried halfway into the question completely shifted the context.

Practice reading every question fully. Read all four answers fully. Pause. Then choose.

And use the "flag" feature. If a question feels confusing, flag it, take your best guess, and move on. You can come back later once your brain has had a break.

That brings me to…

Exam Considerations

Where and when you take the test matters more than you might expect. Let’s talk about how to set yourself up for success.

Home vs. Testing Center

You can take the exam in one of two ways:

>At a Pearson testing center, fully proctored
>At home, also proctored via webcam

I’ve done both. I passed from home.

At the testing center, I was surrounded by people taking the NCLEX and CPA exams. The fluorescent lights, the smell of anxiety, the stranger breathing next to me… it didn’t help. I couldn’t focus, and I failed.

At home, I wore fuzzy slippers and had my favorite tea nearby. I had to clear my desk and scan the room with my webcam, but I felt relaxed. That made a difference.

Do what works for your nervous system. If you’re more focused outside your home, a center might be better. But if you’re a homebody like me, take advantage of the comfort.

Exam Time

When you schedule your exam, you’ll have options. Morning, midday, or afternoon, depending on what’s available in your time zone.

This is something to tune into.

Think about when your mind feels most alert. When you feel steady, present, and able to focus for long stretches. For some coaches, that’s first thing in the morning. For others, it’s after lunch, once the body has settled and the day has a rhythm.

Also consider what else is happening around that time. Appointments. Childcare. Noisy neighbors. You’ll want a window that feels protected, spacious, and uninterrupted.

Brain Function and Test Stamina

This exam asks a lot of your mind, but also your energy.

You’ll be sitting with dense, layered questions for several hours. That means your nervous system, your focus, and even your breath are all part of how you show up for this.

Think about what helps you feel grounded. A full night’s rest. A warm, nourishing breakfast. A five-minute meditation before you log in. Maybe it’s lighting a candle or pulling a card that morning to anchor your intention.

One of our coaches, Valerie, visualized going through the test with ease, having plenty of time to answer all questions. And sure enough, it is exactly how it unfolded.

You’ll have one 10-minute break at the halfway point. Use it to shift your state. Step outside. Breathe deeply. Move your body.

However you prepare, make it sacred. Let your body, your breath, and your spirit support your brain for the work ahead.

Language Options and Time Extensions

Lastly, if you take the exam in a foreign language, or if you take it in English from a non-native English-speaking country, know you’re eligible for an extra hour of testing time.

This means instead of three hours, you’ll get four hours total. The system usually detects this based on your testing location and registration details, but it’s a good idea to double-check and make sure it’s applied when you schedule your exam.

FAQ: What Coaches Ask Before the Exam

What if I Don’t Pass?

You can retake it. Many of us do. It’s not a reflection of your worth, your skill, or your future.

The ICF allows retakes after a short waiting period. You’ll receive a breakdown of how you performed in each competency area so you can focus your next round of studying.

The retake fee is $105 USD. You’ll schedule the exam again through your Credentialing Portal when you're ready.

Do I have to memorize the competencies?

No. You need to understand them, not recite them.

Think: how do they look in practice? What would "embodying a coaching mindset" actually look like in a session?

How long should I study?

That depends on your learning style and how recently you completed your training.

If you just graduated from a Level 2 program that emphasized ICF-style coaching, you might only need a few weeks. If it’s been a while, or you’ve picked up habits outside the ICF model, you’ll want more time to re-immerse.

I’d suggest 2–6 weeks of regular study, with a mix of:

>Practice questions
>Review of core documents
>Mock exam sessions
>Rest and mental prep

You’ve Got This

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already completed a coach training program, logged your hours, and submitted your recordings. You’ve coached real humans and grown in real ways.

This exam is the final gate. But you’re already walking through it.

You’re already a PCC-level coach. This is just the last formality.

Breathe. Study. Practice. Take your break. Let the coaching lead.

We’ll see you on the other side.

Resources

>ICF Core Competencies: The foundational framework the exam is built on

>ICF Code of Ethics: Referenced across many exam scenarios
>PCC Markers: Observable behaviors that demonstrate PCC-level coaching
>ICF Credentialing Exam Sample Questions: Includes 8 example questions with rationales
>ICF Credentialing Exam Overview: Official details about format, scoring, retakes, and policies

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ICF Exam Preparation: How to Pass the Credentialing Exam

What Is the ICF Credentialing Exam?

Is the PCC Exam Hard?

How to Prepare for the ICF Exam (PCC)