Hi Soon to Be ACC Coach

ACC Exam Prep with Organizational Leadership Coaching®, LLC

 

Format: Four sessions of 2 hours each (8 hours live) + 2 hours of exercises/homework (outside session) = 10 hours total

 

Schedule: One evening per week (2 hours) for four consecutive weeks

 

Purpose: Equip ACC candidates with knowledge base, exam-technique, mindset, and practice to sit for the ACC written exam with confidence.

 

Who this serves: Coaches who have completed their coach-specific training, client-coaching hours, mentor-coaching and are eligible (or near-eligible) to apply for the ACC credential.

 

Session by Session Breakdown:

 

Session                 Duration.                                  Topics Covered

 

                                                    •   Overview of ICF ACC credential requirements
                                                    • Deep dive into ICF Core Competencies (2019 version)                                                          and how they map to ACC exam content

Session 1 (2 hrs).   2 hours         • The ICF Code of Ethics (2020 version) fundamentals
                                                    • Introduction to exam format, question types, scoring,                                                                  schedule

                                                     • Domain 1: Ethics, Boundaries & Definition of Coaching                                                              (approx. 30% of exam) – review of definitions,                                                                         referral issues, ethical dilemmas.

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Session 2 (2 hrs).    2 hours          • Domain 2: Coaching Competencies & Techniques                                                                        (approx. 40% of exam) – contracting, goal-setting,                                                                client growth strategies.
                                                        • Sample practice questions & discussion

                                                        • Domain 3: Definition, Boundaries & Differentiation –                                                                    what coaching is and is not (the remaining ~30%                                                                  of exam) – understanding difference between                                                                        coaching, counseling, consulting, training,                                                                            mentoring.

Session 3 (2 hrs)          2 hours       • Time-management for exam day, mindset                                                                                  preparation: reducing test anxiety, staying                                                                              focused.
                                                        • More sample questions, review of correct/incorrect                                                                  rationales.

                                                        • Full simulated mini-exam (e.g., 30 questions) under                                                                  timed conditions.

Session 4 (2 hrs)         2 hours        • Review of results, discussion of strategies for                                                                            flagged items, reasoning behind correct answers.
                                                        • Pre-exam checklist: what to do in the 24-48 hours                                                                     before exam, what to bring, how to prepare                                                                           mentally.
                                                         • Q&A & wrap-up.

Exercises/Homework   2 hours        • Assigned: 40 additional practice questions to                                                                          complete on your own.
                                                         • Reflection journal: write a one-page reflection for                                                                       each major competency (Ethics, Coaching                                                                             Definition, Competencies) on how you see the                                                                       real-life application of that competency in your                                                                       work.
                                                         • Create your personal 30-day exam preparation                                                                          plan (daily 30-45 min review).

 

What this course provides:

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• A complete preparation aligned with the ACC exam – covering all major domains, competencies & ethics.

• Practical sample questions, timed practice, review of rationales.

• Techniques to approach the exam: time management, selecting correct answers under pressure, exam mindset.

• Coaching on how to think like the exam builder – not just memorize content, but understand the logic of scenario-based questions.

• Assurance that participants walk into the exam not cold, but having practiced, understood format, recognized question types and built confidence.

 

Statement of Fulfillment:

 

This training prepares candidates fully to sit for the ACC examination. While the ICF sets the eligibility requirements (education hours, client-coaching hours, mentor coaching hours, application), this course equips you for the final step – the exam. Organizational Leadership Coaching®, LLC also offers parallel preparation for the PCC level.

ACC Credential Requirements (What must be completed before you can sit for the exam)

 

According to the ICF ACC Candidate Guide and supporting resource material:

 

Eligibility requirements (for ACC credential)

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• Complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific education/training.  

• Complete 100 hours of coaching experience with clients after you began your coach-specific training. (Many sources state a minimum of 100 hours; some require 75 paid or similar)  

• Complete 10 hours of mentor coaching with a qualified mentor coach (ACC, PCC or MCC) over a set period (often 3 months); up to 7 of those hours may be group mentor-coaching, remainder individual.  

• Submit your ACC application to ICF for review (with fees). After approval you are eligible to schedule the exam.  

• Once eligible you must pass the ACC written exam.

 

Additional documentation:

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• You may have to submit recordings or performance evaluation (depending on path) though the ACC exam now replaces some older performance evaluation requirements. The ICF “Criteria for Assessing ACC Credential” document mentions the performance evaluation component.  

 

Important note:

 

According to updated ICF documentation, the minimum skills requirements for performance evaluations were updated and will apply as of January 1 2026 for submissions.  

 

The ACC Examination — Current Format & Key Features

 

Format for ACC Exam

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• The new ACC Exam (launched November 18, 2024) consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. 

• Duration: 90 minutes total (includes optional 10-minute break between two sections)  

• Structure: Two sections of 30 questions each. Section 1 = 39 minutes; then optional 10-minute break; Section 2 = 39 minutes.  

• Scoring: Score range from 200 to 600; passing score is 460.  

• Content domains:

  • Coaching Ethics (~30%)

  • Definition and Boundaries of Coaching (~30%)

  • Coaching Competencies, Strategies & Techniques (~40%)  

• Exam delivery: computer-based, at Pearson VUE centers or remotely via OnVUE.  

• Language support: Available in English + 15 other languages.  

 

Recent Transition / History

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• On March 14, 2025, the new ACC Credential Exam became mandatory for all ACC candidates; after that date, ACC candidates cannot choose the older ICF Credentialing Exam.  

• The older exam (the ICF Credentialing Exam) had been used for ACC, PCC and MCC candidates previously. It required scenario-based questions where you selected “best” and “worst” answer per item.  

• The new ACC exam is knowledge-based multiple‐choice with one correct response per item (rather than “best/worst”).  

 

How the ACC exam differs from the PCC (and MCC) exam

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• The PCC exam (and MCC) is often referred to as the ICF Credentialing Exam for higher levels. It uses situational judgment items: each scenario presents four options; you must select both the best and worst option. 

• The ACC exam uses standard multiple-choice (one correct answer) rather than best/worst options.  

• Target audience and depth differ:

  • ACC: Entry level coach credential, foundational knowledge, fewer hours of experience required.

  • PCC: Experienced coach credential, deeper mastery of competencies, more hours, higher expectation of judgment in real-life coaching scenarios.  

• Formats: ACC = 60 questions, 90 minutes. PCC exam (credentialing exam) = 78 situational judgment items, 180 minutes (3 hours) including breaks.  

 

Why this matters

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• Because the ACC exam assesses knowledge of the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, definition of coaching—so you must study and internalize these rather than simply rely on experience.

• Because the PCC exam assesses judgment and decision-making in realistic coaching scenarios, you need experience and deeper reflection.

• Understanding the format difference is critical for preparation: how you answer questions, how you manage time, how you think about scenarios.

 

Relationship to ICF Core Competencies & Code of Ethics

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• Both exams are built upon the 2019 ICF Core Competencies (ACC exam) and the 2020 ICF Code of Ethics.  

• The ACC exam tests knowledge of coaching definition, boundaries, ethics, competencies.

• The PCC credential and its exam go beyond knowledge and test applied competence in real situations (via performance evaluations and situational judgement items).

• Thus the ACC exam is a prerequisite (foundation) to deeper competency development towards PCC.

• For example, the ACC preparation course helps you master the definitions and knowledge; the PCC path builds on that towards integration, mastery, and leadership of competency.

 

How Our Preparation Course Serves You

 

By enrolling in the OLC ACC Exam Prep Course you will:

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• Receive focused training on all the domains tested in the ACC exam: Ethics, Coaching Definition/Boundaries, Competencies & Techniques.

• Understand the format of the exam, including timing, structure, section breakdown, questions/answers format.

• Practice sample multiple‐choice questions with rationale, so you are familiar with the logic of one correct answer per item.

• Develop exam strategies: how to flag items, how to manage time, how to eliminate incorrect answers, how to stay calm and focused.

• Expand your knowledge base of the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and coaching definition so you walk in with confidence—not fear.

• Use reflection and homework to integrate your coaching experience with exam‐ready knowledge.

• Once you pass the ACC exam, continue your pathway: we also offer parallel preparation for the PCC exam—so you can travel with us from ACC to PCC across your coaching credentialing journey.

 

Invitation & Next Steps

 

If you are preparing for your ACC credential and want a structured, high‐quality, exam‐specific preparation course that aligns with the newest ICF exam format (2024/2025), please join the next cohort of the OLC ACC Exam Prep Course.

 

We also encourage you to consider your longer-term journey: after ACC, the path to PCC and MCC is clearly mapped, and we will support you every step of the way.

 

Thanks for your commitment to excellence in coaching.

 

Warm regards,

 

Gary Charles Patterson, MCC
Organizational Leadership Coaching®, LLC