Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct

Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) Certification Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

1. The primary role of an athletic trainer is to:

• Diagnose medical conditions
• Prevent, evaluate, and rehabilitate athletic injuries
• Prescribe medications
• Perform surgery

Athletic trainers focus on injury prevention, clinical evaluation, emergency care, and rehabilitation, not medical diagnosis or surgery.

• Which organization is responsible for certifying athletic trainers?

A. ACSM

• Board of Certification (BOC)

C. NATA

D. NSCA

The BOC is the credentialing organization that certifies athletic trainers. 1 / 4

• Which tissue type has the slowest healing capacity?
• Muscle
• Bone
• Cartilage
• Skin

Cartilage is avascular, leading to slow or incomplete healing compared to other tissues.

• Which nutrient is most critical for tissue repair?
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fats
• Vitamins

Protein supplies amino acids necessary for rebuilding damaged tissue during recovery.

• What is the normal range of motion for shoulder abduction?

A. 0–90°

B. 0–120°

C. 0–180°

D. 0–200°

The shoulder typically abducts through a full range of approximately

180°.

• Which of the following is an example of an eccentric contraction?
• Biceps shortening during curl 2 / 4

• Biceps lengthening while lowering a weight
• Holding a weight stationary
• Hamstrings contracting isometrically

Eccentric contraction involves controlled lengthening of the muscle under load.

• Which of the following best describes a second-degree ankle sprain?
• Mild stretching of ligaments
• Partial tearing of ligament fibers
• Complete rupture of ligaments
• Fracture associated with ligament injury

A second-degree sprain involves partial tearing, resulting in moderate pain and instability.

• Which of the following modalities uses sound waves for deep tissue

heating?

• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound
• Cryotherapy
• Thermotherapy

Ultrasound delivers high-frequency sound waves that penetrate deep tissues for therapeutic heating.

• Which of the following is a symptom of heat exhaustion?
• Lack of sweating
• Slow pulse 3 / 4

• Cool, clammy skin
• Red, hot skin

Heat exhaustion presents with sweating, weakness, and pale, cool skin, unlike heat stroke.

• Which of the following is an example of an open kinetic chain

exercise?

• Squat
• Deadlift
• Leg extension machine
• Push-up

Open chain exercises involve distal limb movement without fixed contact, such as leg extensions.

• Which plane divides the body into left and right halves?
• Frontal
• Sagittal
• Transverse
• Coronal

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions.

12. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) primarily prevents:

• Varus stress
• Anterior translation of the tibia
• Posterior translation of the tibia
• Valgus stress
• / 4