IAHC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield IAHC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A health coach working under IAHC principles encourages a client to adopt the 'plate method.' What does the plate method primarily involve? → Dividing the plate into portions of vegetables, protein, and grains
2. Which pricing approach reflects IAHC's value of making health coaching accessible across income levels? → Sliding scale fees based on client ability to pay
3. When setting health coaching goals, IAHC recommends prioritizing which type of goal first? → Short-term process goals (e.g., walk 20 minutes three times this week)
4. When tracking client progress in IAHC coaching, which metric is most aligned with coaching (rather than clinical) practice? → Client-reported confidence and behavior consistency
5. A client in the 'contemplation' stage of change is best supported by an IAHC coach through: → Exploring pros and cons of change to build motivation and resolve ambivalence
6. When a client receives difficult health news and feels overwhelmed, IAHC coaching communication prioritizes: → Providing emotional support and normalizing the reaction before moving to problem-solving
7. Which practice is required by IAHC to protect client privacy in a health coaching business? → Obtaining written consent before sharing any client information with third parties
8. In IAHC coaching, which psychological concept explains why clients with chronic illness sometimes feel helpless to change? → Learned helplessness
9. When marketing health coaching services, IAHC ethics prohibit coaches from: → Guaranteeing specific health outcomes such as 'lose 20 pounds in 30 days'
10. When a client discloses feeling hopeless about weight loss, an IAHC coach's first response should be: → Acknowledge the emotion with empathy before exploring what's underneath
11. What does 'values clarification' in IAHC coaching help clients identify? → The core personal priorities that drive meaningful and sustained behavior change
12. An IAHC coach reviews a client's food diary before a session. This is an example of which type of assessment? → Self-monitoring assessment
13. Which of the following best describes the coaching relationship between a health coach and a client? → Passive instruction
14. An IAHC coach measures 'self-efficacy' when assessing a client. This concept refers to: → The client's belief in their ability to successfully perform a specific behavior
15. Which approach is commonly used in specialized coaching for clients with chronic illnesses? → Collaboration with healthcare providers to create a holistic wellness plan
16. The IAHC principle of 'meeting clients where they are' refers to: → Adapting coaching approach to match the client's current readiness, values, and capacity
17. A health coach wants to help a client overcome barriers to physical activity. Which strategy aligns best with a motivational interviewing approach? → Asking open-ended questions to explore the client's own reasons for change
18. A client says, 'I know I should exercise but I just can't find the time.' An IAHC coach using motivational interviewing would respond by: → Reflecting the ambivalence and exploring what 'can't' means to the client
19. When coaching clients on sleep hygiene as part of a lifestyle intervention, IAHC recommends adults aim for how many hours of sleep per night? → 7–9 hours
20. Which dietary pattern is most consistently associated with longevity in US population research and aligned with IAHC recommendations? → Mediterranean-style diet
21. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'progressive overload' in an exercise program? → Gradually increasing the stress placed on the body to stimulate adaptation
22. Which modifiable risk factor is most strongly associated with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, making it a key IAHC coaching target? → Physical inactivity and poor dietary patterns
23. Which of the following is a key component of a holistic approach to health and wellness? → Considering the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health
24. In IAHC coaching, 'reflective listening' involves the coach: → Paraphrasing and mirroring the client's words to show understanding and deepen insight
25. Which of the following is a common technique used in health coaching to reinforce positive behavior change? → Positive reinforcement and celebration of small successes
26. In IAHC lifestyle coaching, 'non-exercise activity thermogenesis' (NEAT) refers to which of the following? → Energy expended in all movement outside formal exercise
27. IAHC coaches use 'motivational enhancement' strategies primarily to address: → Client ambivalence and low motivation toward health change
28. During an IAHC initial client intake, which tool helps assess a client's readiness to change a specific health behavior? → Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model) assessment
29. What does IAHC teach coaches about the role of gut microbiome in overall health? → It influences immune function, mental health, and metabolic health beyond digestion
30. What is the primary role of a health coach in promoting wellness? → Guiding clients towards healthier lifestyle choices