150+ Free ICF ACC Practice Questions

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ICF Credentialing Exam (PCC / MCC)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ICF ACC Exam

60 Qs

Exam Questions

ICF ACC Exam

90 min

Time Limit

ICF ACC Exam

460

Passing Score (200–600 scale)

ICF ACC Exam

3 domains

Ethics / Boundaries / Competencies

ICF ACC Exam

$105

Exam Retake Fee

ICF ACC Candidate Guide

60+ hrs

Required Training

ICF ACC requirement

100+ hrs

Coaching Experience

ICF ACC requirement

The ICF ACC Exam is a 60-question, 90-minute multiple-choice exam (four options, one correct answer per item) delivered in two 30-question sections with an optional 10-minute break. It tests three domains: Coaching Ethics (30%), Definition and Boundaries of Coaching (30%), and Coaching Competencies, Strategies, and Techniques (40%), grounded in the eight ICF Core Competencies (2019) and the ICF Code of Ethics (2020). Scores are scaled 200–600 with 460 required to pass. Note: the ACC Exam launched in November 2024 as a separate, knowledge-based test and is not the situational-judgment PCC/MCC Credentialing Exam. ACC also requires 60+ hours of coach-specific training, 100+ coaching hours, and 10+ hours of mentor coaching, which are portfolio-based.

Sample ICF ACC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ICF ACC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 150+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the ICF, coaching is best defined as which of the following?

A.A directive process where the coach diagnoses the client's problem and recommends a solution

B.Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential

C.An advisory relationship in which the coach shares industry expertise and provides answers based on experience

D.A clinical intervention designed to treat psychological dysfunction and emotional distress

Explanation: The ICF defines coaching as 'partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.' The definition emphasizes partnership, client-led discovery, and unlocking potential rather than diagnosing, advising, or treating.

2Which of the following best reflects the underlying premise of the ICF coaching philosophy?

A.The coach is the expert and provides the answers

B.The client is creative, resourceful, and whole

C.The coach must have personal experience in the client's industry to be effective

D.The coach should advise the client on the best course of action

Explanation: A core premise of ICF coaching is that the client is creative, resourceful, and whole. This belief shapes the entire coaching relationship: the coach trusts the client's capacity to find their own answers and acts as a thinking partner rather than a problem-solver.

3How many main sections does the current ICF Code of Ethics contain?

A.Three

B.Four

C.Five

D.Seven

Explanation: The current ICF Code of Ethics is organized into five main sections: (1) Introduction, (2) Key Definitions, (3) ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles, (4) Ethical Standards (covering Responsibility to Clients, to Practice & Performance, to Professionalism, and to Society), and (5) the Pledge of Ethics.

4A prospective client tells a coach: 'I think I have severe depression and I want you to help me work through it.' What is the MOST appropriate response from an ICF coach?

A.Begin coaching immediately because mindset work can address depression

B.Acknowledge the client's experience and refer them to a licensed mental health professional, while clarifying coaching's scope

C.Promise confidentiality and proceed with the engagement as long as the client signs a waiver

D.Diagnose the severity of the symptoms before deciding whether to coach

Explanation: The ICF Code of Ethics requires coaches to recognize the limits of their competence and refer clients to other professionals when appropriate. Depression is a clinical mental health concern that falls outside coaching's scope; the ethical action is to refer the client to a licensed professional and clarify what coaching can and cannot offer.

5A coach's client mentions during a session that they are paying for coaching out of pocket, but the coach also has a separate business relationship with the client's employer. What ethical issue is MOST relevant?

A.Confidentiality of session content

B.Conflict of interest

C.Billing disputes

D.Marketing claims

Explanation: Holding two roles with stakeholders connected to the same client creates a potential conflict of interest. ICF ethics require coaches to identify, disclose, and manage actual or potential conflicts of interest so that the client can make informed choices about the engagement.

6Which of the following is NOT one of the eight ICF Core Competencies?

A.Maintains Presence

B.Listens Actively

C.Provides Expert Advice

D.Evokes Awareness

Explanation: The eight ICF Core Competencies are: Demonstrates Ethical Practice, Embodies a Coaching Mindset, Establishes and Maintains Agreements, Cultivates Trust and Safety, Maintains Presence, Listens Actively, Evokes Awareness, and Facilitates Client Growth. 'Provides Expert Advice' is not a competency — coaching is non-directive.

7Embodying a coaching mindset includes ongoing reflective practice. Which of the following BEST describes reflective practice for a coach?

A.Memorizing the ICF Code of Ethics annually

B.Systematically reflecting on one's coaching, biases, and impact in order to grow as a coach

C.Watching other coaches perform and copying their techniques

D.Reviewing client outcomes to determine which client to keep

Explanation: Reflective practice is the ongoing process of examining one's own beliefs, biases, behaviors, and impact in order to develop. The Embodies a Coaching Mindset competency explicitly includes engaging in ongoing learning and development, including reflective practice.

8A coach realizes mid-session that they hold a strong personal opinion about the decision the client is considering. According to the coaching mindset competency, what should the coach do?

A.Share the opinion to be transparent

B.Become aware of the bias, set it aside, and remain client-focused

C.Quietly judge the client and steer them toward the 'better' choice

D.End the session and refer the client to another coach

Explanation: Embodies a Coaching Mindset includes remaining aware of and open to the influence of context and culture on self and others, and using awareness of self and one's intuition to benefit clients. Recognizing the bias, setting it aside, and staying client-focused is the appropriate response.

9Under the ICF Code of Ethics, when is a coach permitted to disclose information shared by a client without explicit client consent?

A.When the coach disagrees with the client's choice

B.When required by law or to prevent serious harm

C.When the information would help market the coach's practice

D.Never, under any circumstances

Explanation: The Code of Ethics requires coaches to maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality unless release is required by law, mandated by court order, or necessary to prevent serious harm. Coaches must inform clients up front about the limits of confidentiality.

10A coach is interested in running a small research project using anonymized client session data. What does the ICF Code of Ethics require?

A.Nothing — anonymized data can always be used freely

B.Informed consent from clients and adherence to applicable research ethics standards

C.Approval from the client's employer only

D.Only that the coach disclose results to the ICF

Explanation: Coaches engaged in research must obtain informed consent and follow applicable ethical and legal standards for research with human subjects, including protecting confidentiality and explaining how data will be used.

About the ICF ACC Exam

The ICF ACC Exam is the multiple-choice testable component for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. It has 60 knowledge-based questions with four options and one correct answer each, delivered in two sections of 30 over 90 minutes. It is built on the eight ICF Core Competencies (2019 update) and the ICF Code of Ethics (2020). The other ACC requirements — 60+ hours of coach-specific training, 100+ coaching hours, and 10+ hours of mentor coaching — are portfolio-based and not measured on the MCQ exam.

Questions

60 scored questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

460 on a 200–600 scaled score

Exam Fee

Included in ACC application (Level 1/2: $175 member / $325 non-member); retake $105 (International Coaching Federation (ICF) via Pearson VUE)

ICF ACC Exam Content Outline

30%

Coaching Ethics

ICF Code of Ethics (2020), conflicts of interest, and confidentiality laws, regulations, and policies, including when confidentiality must be broken

30%

Definition and Boundaries of Coaching

ICF definition of coaching, how coaching differs from therapy/counseling, mentoring, and consulting, and when to refer clients to mental health professionals

40%

Coaching Competencies, Strategies, and Techniques

Contracting and coaching agreements, the eight ICF Core Competencies (2019), goal setting and motivation, and coaching techniques, tools, and resources

How to Pass the ICF ACC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 460 on a 200–600 scaled score
Exam length: 60 questions
Time limit: 90 minutes
Exam fee: Included in ACC application (Level 1/2: $175 member / $325 non-member); retake $105

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ICF ACC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the 2020 ICF Code of Ethics end-to-end — ethics is 30% of the ACC Exam

2Master the ICF definition of coaching and clear boundaries vs therapy, consulting, mentoring, and training

3Know when and how to refer clients to mental health professionals

4Memorize the eight 2019 ICF Core Competencies and what each requires of the coach

5Drill contracting/agreement elements, goal setting, and common coaching techniques and tools

6Practice knowledge-based MCQs with one correct answer — do not study PCC/MCC BEST/WORST SJT strategy for the ACC Exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICF ACC Exam?

It is a 60-question, 90-minute multiple-choice exam with four options and one correct answer per item, delivered in two sections of 30 with an optional 10-minute break. It tests applied knowledge of the eight ICF Core Competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics and is the testable MCQ component of the ACC credential. It launched in November 2024 as a separate exam from the situational-judgment PCC/MCC Credentialing Exam.

What are the other ACC requirements besides the exam?

ACC also requires 60+ hours of ICF-accredited coach-specific training, 100+ hours of coaching experience with at least 8 clients (75+ paid), and 10+ hours of mentor coaching, plus a performance evaluation (recording + transcript) and adherence to the ICF Code of Ethics.

What does the ICF ACC exam test?

The ACC Exam assesses three domains: Coaching Ethics (30%), Definition and Boundaries of Coaching (30%), and Coaching Competencies, Strategies, and Techniques (40%). Content is grounded in the 2020 ICF Code of Ethics and the 2019 ICF Core Competencies (eight competencies).

How is the ICF ACC exam scored?

Scores are reported on a scaled range of 200 to 600. A scaled score of 460 is required to pass. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Preliminary results appear immediately after the exam; official results update in the candidate record within about one week.

How is ACC different from PCC and MCC?

All three credentials use the same eight Core Competencies, but the depth of demonstration differs. ACC reflects foundational competence and consistency. PCC reflects more nuanced, consistent demonstration. MCC reflects mastery, with deeper presence, evoking, and being-level work.

What is the ACC Exam retake policy?

The ACC Exam retake fee is $105 USD. Candidates must wait 14 days after their first attempt before retaking, and 30 days after any subsequent attempt. Up to six attempts are allowed within a 12-month period from the first attempt.