IAHC Client Assessment and Goal Setting 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In IAHC coaching practice, which framework is most commonly used to structure client goals effectively?
- GROW model
- SMART goals (Correct answer)
- 5 Whys technique
- Force field analysis
Correct answer: SMART goals
SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) provide a structured framework for creating clear, actionable health coaching objectives.
Question 2: During an IAHC initial client intake, which tool helps assess a client's readiness to change a specific health behavior?
- Beck Depression Inventory
- Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model) assessment (Correct answer)
- Body Mass Index calculation
- Hemoglobin A1c blood test
Correct answer: Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model) assessment
The Transtheoretical Model's Stages of Change (precontemplation through maintenance) helps coaches tailor interventions to where clients currently are in their change journey.
Question 3: An IAHC coach conducts a lifestyle assessment and notices a client's score suggests high sedentary behavior. The MOST appropriate first step is:
- Immediately prescribe a 5-day-per-week gym program
- Collaboratively explore the client's barriers and current activity preferences (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a physical therapist
- Advise the client to purchase a fitness tracker
Correct answer: Collaboratively explore the client's barriers and current activity preferences
IAHC coaching is client-centered; co-exploring barriers and preferences builds sustainable action plans grounded in the client's real life.
Question 4: When using motivational interviewing in an IAHC assessment, 'open-ended questions' serve what primary purpose?
- Gathering yes/no data to fill intake forms
- Encouraging clients to reflect and elaborate in their own words (Correct answer)
- Diagnosing the root cause of unhealthy behaviors
- Reducing session time by getting quick answers
Correct answer: Encouraging clients to reflect and elaborate in their own words
Open-ended questions invite clients to express thoughts and feelings fully, deepening insight and building the coaching relationship.
Question 5: An IAHC coach asks a client, 'On a scale of 1–10, how important is this goal to you?' This technique is called:
- Goal stacking
- Confidence scaling
- Importance ruler (Correct answer)
- Vision boarding
Correct answer: Importance ruler
The importance ruler is a motivational interviewing tool that helps clients articulate their intrinsic motivation and identify where to focus coaching energy.
Question 6: Which of the following is within the scope of an IAHC-certified health coach during an initial assessment?
- Administering psychological diagnostic tests
- Reviewing a client's general health history and lifestyle habits (Correct answer)
- Interpreting blood lab results
- Diagnosing nutritional deficiencies
Correct answer: Reviewing a client's general health history and lifestyle habits
Health coaches gather health history and lifestyle information to inform coaching plans but do not diagnose, prescribe, or interpret clinical tests.
IAHC Client Assessment and Goal Setting 1
In IAHC coaching practice, which framework is most commonly used to structure client goals effectively?