IAC Practice Test

Coaches seeking credentialing through the International Association of Coaching take the Step 1 online test after registering as an IAC member. This page provides AI-generated practice questions covering professional coaching standards, ethical scenarios, and core competencies. Candidates can use these free review sets alongside official study references to understand test expectations, scoring thresholds, and preparation requirements before logging in to the dashboard to test.

IAC Exam at a Glance

What the IAC is and how it works

According to International Association of Coaching, “The passing score for the test is an overall score (across all five sections) of 70%.”^[1]

The International Association of Coaching credentialing path evaluates coaching knowledge and demonstration skills. Any registered IAC member with a unique ID number is eligible to complete Step 1, the online test. The test is delivered online via the IAC Member Dashboard. It consists of 100 questions in total with no time limit, although setting aside 4–5 hours of uninterrupted focus is suggested. The passing score is an overall score of 70%. Test results are emailed on completion, and candidates are allowed unlimited retakes.

Passing Step 1 and having an approved Masteries Professional Development Plan leads to the IAC-Masteries Practitioner designation, awarded within 6 weeks. An IAC-Masteries Practitioner is eligible to apply for Step 2, the coaching demonstration. For Step 2, candidates submit recorded sessions. Scores between 27 and 35 out of 45 qualify for IAC-Certified Coach, while scores between 36 and 45 earn the IAC-Master Coach designation.

Fees include USD $97 for the Step 1 online test, USD $319 for the Masteries Practitioner package, and USD $250 for the Step 2 coaching demonstration. The IAC-Masteries Practitioner designation renews every 2 years for USD $50. IAC-Certified Coach and IAC-Master Coach credentials remain valid for 5 years and renew every 5 years for USD $150.

Worked examples: how to reason through IAC 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: In the context of IAC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing digital coaching platforms & tools?

1. Completing implementation as quickly as possible regardless of quality
2. Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
3. Minimizing documentation to save time
4. Delegating all responsibilities to junior staff

Answer: B. Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices

Explanation:

Option B is correct because adopting digital coaching platforms requires structured integration that aligns with established professional standards, client needs, and institutional stakeholders. Option A is incorrect because rushing implementation at the expense of quality creates technical failure and compromises service delivery. Option C is incorrect because skipping documentation undermines accountability, tracking, and operational continuity. Option D is incorrect because coaching professionals retain direct oversight and cannot abdicate systemic responsibilities to junior personnel. The general rule to remember is that coaching tools and technological systems must always support ethical standards, data security, and client-centered objectives.

Example 2

Question: A coach is asked by a client's sponsor to share session details. The ethically correct response is to:

1. Share a full summary because the sponsor is paying
2. Decline unless the client has provided explicit written consent
3. Share only positive progress to protect the client
4. Ask the sponsor to attend a future session instead

Answer: B. Decline unless the client has provided explicit written consent

Explanation:

Option B is correct because confidentiality belongs to the client, meaning session material cannot be disclosed to outside parties without explicit written consent. Option A is incorrect because paying for coaching services does not grant a sponsor automatic entitlement to private dialogue. Option C is incorrect because filtering information to include only positive updates remains an unauthorized breach of confidentiality. Option D is incorrect because inviting the sponsor into sessions sidesteps the boundary issue and risks disrupting the client relationship. The general rule to remember is that client confidentiality remains binding regardless of who funds the engagement, requiring clear consent before releasing any information.

Example 3

Question: A client says, 'I guess I could try harder.' What is the most effective coach response to explore that statement?

1. 'What would trying harder look like for you?'
2. 'Great — commit to trying harder this week.'
3. 'I think you're already trying hard enough.'
4. 'Why do you only guess you could try harder?'

Answer: A. 'What would trying harder look like for you?'

Explanation:

Option A is correct because asking open-ended questions invites the client to clarify ambiguous language and define personal meaning, fostering self-awareness and accountability. Option B is incorrect because pushing for immediate commitment imposes the coach's agenda before the client has explored what the phrase represents. Option C is incorrect because offering personal opinions or reassurance invalidates the client's reflection and shifts ownership to the coach. Option D is incorrect because asking 'why' can sound accusatory and provoke defensiveness rather than thoughtful inquiry. The general rule to remember is to use open questions that allow clients to define their own terms and generate personal insights.

How to use these practice tests

Begin preparation by reviewing the official ethical principles and core coaching standards published by the International Association of Coaching. Next, assess your baseline knowledge using the Start Practice Test set to identify topics that require further review.

Focus on specific skill areas by working through focused question sets. Practise ethical dilemmas and boundary management with IAC Coaching Ethics & Professional Standards. Develop dialogue exploration using IAC Communication Techniques & Active Listening and IAC Advanced Questioning Techniques. Structure client engagements effectively with IAC Client Assessment & Goal Setting.

Because the Step 1 online test contains 100 questions with a passing threshold of 70%, dedicate focused study sessions to analysing question rationales. Review why incorrect answers fail to meet professional coaching standards. Since the exam has no formal time limit, practice reading each prompt thoroughly and reflecting on the underlying coaching principles before selecting an answer.

Sources & last verified

1. International Association of Coaching — number of questions, time limit, passing score, retake policy (official source). “100 questions in total” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
2. International Association of Coaching — passing score, exam fee, eligibility (official source). “the total scores need to be between 27 and 35 (out of a possible 45). To earn the IAC-Master Coach designation the total scores need…” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
3. International Association of Coaching — exam fee, score release (official source). “IAC offers a IAC-Masteries Practitioner package at a special price of US $ 319.” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
4. International Association of Coaching — validity, renewal (official source). “Renewal Period:** To be renewed every 5 years.” Verified Oct 25, 2026.

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