This page is for coaches working toward FIG Academy coach certification, from the online theory exam to the in-person practical. It collects free practice sets on safety, ethics, training and sports science, worked questions with full explanations, a study plan and answers to common questions. The questions are written by us and are not real exam items.

FIG Exam at a Glance

What the FIG is and how it works

According to Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), FIG Academy Programme, “Take the theory exam (maximum 3 attempts of one hour each).”^[1]

The FIG Academy Programme is run by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) to certify gymnastics coaches. At Level 1 and Level 2, delivery is online theory plus an in-person practical. Coaches who pass the theory exam must then attend the practical sessions.

Eligibility. The coach must be a member of a federation affiliated to the FIG and in good standing. The Brevet level is narrower: it is for active national-team coaches with at least 4 years of experience as an accredited coach at FIG events.

Theory exam and retakes. The online theory exam allows up to 3 attempts, each lasting 1 hour. A minimum of 80% is required to pass and obtain a certificate.

Brevet scoring. The Brevet requires a minimum of 80% in theory and 80% in the practical examinations.

What we could not verify. We do not have a confirmed question count, fee, schedule or list of official content areas, so we do not state any. These can differ by federation and course. Check the Academy Policies document on the FIG website and ask your national federation before you register.

Worked examples: how to reason through FIG questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Why are safety protocols critical in gymnastics training?

1. To shorten training sessions
2. To reduce staff involvement
3. To protect athletes and maintain a safe environment
4. To skip warm-ups

Answer: C. To protect athletes and maintain a safe environment

Explanation:

The correct answer is that safety protocols protect athletes and maintain a safe environment. Gymnastics involves complex acrobatic skills, so equipment checks, spotting and supervision exist to reduce the chance of injury.

Shortening training sessions is wrong because protocols are about risk control, not time. Reducing staff involvement is wrong because good safety practice usually needs more attentive supervision, not less. Skipping warm-ups is wrong because warming up is itself a safety measure that prepares the body for load.

Rule to remember: when a question asks why a safety measure exists, choose the option about protecting people. Be suspicious of options that save time, cut staff or skip preparation.

Example 2

Question: What is the primary physical quality trained during 'plyometric' conditioning for gymnasts?

1. Maximal aerobic capacity
2. Reactive strength and explosive power
3. Flexibility and joint range of motion
4. Muscular hypertrophy

Answer: B. Reactive strength and explosive power

Explanation:

The correct answer is reactive strength and explosive power. Plyometric work uses the stretch-shortening cycle, where a muscle is loaded quickly and then contracts forcefully, as in jumps and tumbling.

Maximal aerobic capacity is wrong because it is built with sustained, lower-intensity work, not short explosive efforts. Flexibility and joint range of motion is wrong because plyometrics is not a stretching method, even though good range supports safe landings. Muscular hypertrophy is wrong because growing muscle size is a different training goal, usually linked to higher volume resistance work.

Rule to remember: match the training method to the quality it develops. Fast, spring-like rebounding points to power and reactive strength.

Example 3

Question: For a gymnast, 'relative strength' is best defined as:

1. Total force output in a maximal lift
2. Strength expressed relative to the athlete's body weight
3. Strength endurance during repeated skill execution
4. Isometric strength in a static hold

Answer: B. Strength expressed relative to the athlete's body weight

Explanation:

The correct answer is strength expressed relative to the athlete's body weight. Gymnasts must move and control their own body, so how much force they produce compared with their mass matters more than raw numbers.

Total force output in a maximal lift is wrong because that describes absolute strength, which ignores body size. Strength endurance during repeated skill execution is wrong because it describes how long force can be sustained, not force relative to mass. Isometric strength in a static hold is wrong because it describes a type of contraction, not a ratio to body weight.

Rule to remember: the word relative signals a ratio. Look for the option that compares force with body mass.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official Academy Policies document so you know the delivery format, the 80% requirement and the rules on attempts. Write down anything your national federation tells you about dates and fees, since we cannot confirm those.

Then take a practice set cold, without notes, to find weak areas. Begin with the sets closest to everyday coaching: Safety Standards, Training Techniques, Coaching Ethics, Athlete Development, and Psychology and Mental Conditioning. Add Sports Science and Conditioning and Competition Rules and Judging next. The business and management sets are available too, but we cannot say they match your course, so use them only if your syllabus covers those topics.

After each set, read the explanation for every question you missed and also for those you guessed. Write the general rule in your own words, for example matching a training method to the quality it develops.

Repeat weak sets after a break, and re-read the relevant official material between rounds. Because the theory exam has a 1 hour limit per attempt, practise answering steadily without lingering on one item. In the last days, review your notes rather than starting new topics.

Sources & last verified

1. Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), FIG Academy Programme — number of questions, time limit, passing score, delivery (official source). “Take the theory exam (maximum 3 attempts of one hour each).” Verified Oct 25, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.