GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
EXAM INFORMATION (AFAA-CGFI)

How many questions are on the CGFI exam and how long do I have to complete it?

There are 120 test questions, in which 20 are research questions and do not count toward or against the final score. There is a 2-hour time limit and you must pass with a scaled score of 70% or better.

Does NASM offer any Special Accommodations for the CGFI Exam?

Yes, NASM|AFAA does offer Special Accommodations. NASM|AFAA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In order to ensure the opportunity for all qualified persons, we will make reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities that might affect their exam taking. Please click here for the Special Accommodation Application.

Note: Not all Exam Accommodations can be approved for Live Remote Proctoring and may require you to test in-person at a testing facility.

Is there an expiration date on my CGFI exam?

Yes. The CGFI exam expires 180 days from the date of enrollment or enrollment key redemption.

How do I get an extension for my course?

For the CGFI exam, the initial enrollment period is 180 days from the date of purchase. Please contact the Member Services team by phone at 1-800-446-2322 for details on extension options. Please note that additional fees may apply.

Where can I locate the expiration date of my CGFI exam?

If you purchased your course on or after Feb. 22nd:

1. Log in to AFAA.com
2. Click on "My Account" and select the “Proctored Exam” menu option.
3. Locate the exam name and you will find the expiration date next to the blue action button.

If you purchased your course on or before Feb. 21st:

1. Log in to AFAA.com
2. Click on "My Account" and select the "Courses" menu option.
3. Within your course list, locate your "GFI Exam" enrollment and click the blue action button (Play sign). You will be directed to the exam enrollment page and your expiration date will be displayed in red lettering at the upper right hand corner.

Is there a CGFI practice exam?

Yes. Dependent upon which package was purchased, you may have one or more practice exams available to you for the duration of your enrollment period. You can locate the practice exam within your CGFI Content enrollment.

What documentation do I need to have available at the time of my test?

At the time of your exam, you are required to present the following documentation. Both credentials will be verified by the proctor before you are permitted to begin the exam.

1. A valid, current government-issued Photo ID
2. Current and valid Cardiopulminary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification*. Failure to provide proof of your valid CPR/AED certification at the time of your test will result in a mandatory rescheduling of your exam.

Please reference the AFAA Candidate Handbook for additional testing information. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to AFAA Member Services department at 1-800-460-6276, option 3.

What CPR/AED providers does NASM|AFAA accept?

We recommends the following organizations: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, St. John Ambulance, Emergency Care & Safety Institute or Emergency Medical Technician.

Can I do my CPR/ AED course online?

The standard requirement for a CPR/AED course requires that the training include a hands-on assessment; Hybrid courses are accepted.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFAA is temporarily waiving the hands on skills assessment requirement and accepting online only CPR/AED courses. For your convenience, we offer an option to get your CPR/AED certification online with NASM|AFAA. This waiver applies to exam candidates and professionals recertifying their credentials. This waiver will be in effect until the CDC and government recommendations for social distancing have been lifted in the United States. Once the social distancing orders have been lifted, there will be a 60 day window before the hands on requirement will be reinstated.

AFAA recommends that anyone who certified or recertified during the Waiver Period obtain the hands-on skills assessment once available to avoid any insurance or liability issues which could arise due to the lack of such training.

Please note: The online course must still include Adult CPR and AED

How do I schedule my exam?

You will be eligible to schedule your exam typically within 1-2 business days after signing up with AFAA. You can schedule your exam and choose your testing method (in-person or remote) by following the instructions below:

1. Log into your Student Portal and access the "Proctored Exams" menu option
2. Within the "Unscheduled" tab, choose the exam you wish to schedule for and click the "Schedule" button
3. You will be redirected to the Proctor Candidate website where you will be able to begin the scheduling process. Note: You will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
4. After successfully booking your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the appointment details.

How do I cancel or reschedule my exam appointment?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your exam appointment, you must make those changes 24 hours in advance to your scheduled appointment date/time. If you do not meet this deadline, you will be unable to modify your appointment.

To modify your appointment, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Log into your Student Portal and accessing the "Proctored Exams" menu option.
2. Within the "Scheduled" tab, choose the exam appointment you wish to modify and click the "Modify" Button.
3. You will be redirected to the Proctor Candidate website where you will be able to make the necessary changes. Note: If you are rescheduling your exam, you will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
4. After successfully rescheduling or cancelling your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the details of the change.

What happens if I miss my exam appointment?

If you are absent for your exam, you will forfeit your exam eligibility and will be required to call Member Services by phone at 1-800-446-2322 for assistance. Please note that fees may apply to establish new eligibility in the case of a missed exam.

Can I schedule a same-day exam appointment?

Unfortunately, you cannot schedule an appointment sooner than 24 hours from the time you attempt to schedule your appointment.

I live abroad or plan on traveling; Can I choose the timezone in which I wish to schedule my exam appointment for?

Yes. In the scheduling process, you will be able to choose your desired testing location. Once your location has been selected, all dates and times will be reflected in that timezone.

Can I switch my appointment from testing in-person to online remote proctoring? Or vice versa?

Yes. PSI supports the ability for you to choose your proctor modality during the scheduling/rescheduling process. Note: You will be unable to modify your appointment less than 24 hours of your scheduled appointment date/time and appointment availability may differ between the two options.

How do I schedule my exam?

You will be eligible to schedule your exam typically within 1-2 business days after signing up with AFAA. You can schedule your exam and choose your testing method (in-person or remote) by following the instructions below:

1. Log into your Student Portal and access the "Proctored Exams" menu option
2. Within the "Unscheduled" tab, choose the exam you wish to schedule for and click the "Schedule" button
3. You will be redirected to the Proctor Candidate website where you will be able to begin the scheduling process. Note: You will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
4. After successfully booking your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the appointment details.

How do I cancel or reschedule my exam appointment?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your exam appointment, you must make those changes 24 hours in advance to your scheduled appointment date/time. If you do not meet this deadline, you will be unable to modify your appointment.

To modify your appointment, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Log into your Student Portal and accessing the "Proctored Exams" menu option.
2. Within the "Scheduled" tab, choose the exam appointment you wish to modify and click the "Modify" Button.
3. You will be redirected to the Proctor Candidate website where you will be able to make the necessary changes. Note: If you are rescheduling your exam, you will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
4. After successfully rescheduling or cancelling your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the details of the change.

What happens if I miss my exam appointment?

If you are absent for your exam, you will forfeit your exam eligibility and will be required to call Member Services by phone at 1-800-446-2322 for assistance. Please note that fees may apply to establish new eligibility in the case of a missed exam.

Can I schedule a same-day exam appointment?

Unfortunately, you cannot schedule an appointment sooner than 24 hours from the time you attempt to schedule your appointment.

I live abroad or plan on traveling; Can I choose the timezone in which I wish to schedule my exam appointment for?

Yes. In the scheduling process, you will be able to choose your desired timezone and the language in which you wish the exam platform to be displayed. Please note, not all languages are supported for translation of the exam platform.

Can I switch my appointment from testing in-person to online remote proctoring? Or vice versa?

Yes. PSI supports the ability for you to choose your proctor modality during the scheduling/rescheduling process. Note: You will be unable to modify your appointment less than 24 hours of your scheduled appointment date/time and appointment availability may differ between the two options.

How do I schedule my remote GFI exam?

You will be eligible to schedule your exam once you have received your Measure Registration email. This is typically no more than 1-2 business days after signing up with AFAA. You can schedule your remote exam online by logging into the testing platform with your established login credentials at https://nasm.ysasecure.com/login. Note: You will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.

A helpful video demonstration of the scheduling steps can be found within the Yardstick FAQs: https://www.getyardstick.com/online-proctoring-faq/

How do I cancel or reschedule my exam appointment?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your online exam appointment, you will need to access your Measure account. Once you are logged into your profile, you can click on “Exams” at the top of the page. Underneath the exam, you will have the option to Transfer or Withdraw your booking.

Note: You can reschedule or cancel a booking up until the minute before your scheduled exam date/time. If your exam start time has lapsed, you will be unable to reschedule or cancel and must call AFAA Member Services for further assistance.

What happens if I miss my exam appointment?

If you miss your exam appointment, you must contact AFAA Member Services to reactivate your eligibility. Please know that additional fees may apply.

Where can I take my proctored test?

You can check testing location availability here. You can use this feature as a general guideline to plan your test schedule. Test center availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. The available test dates and time are displayed in real time. We do not guarantee the availability of your preferred test date and time.

What actions are prohibited during my test?

Test rules provide guidance for what is acceptable during your test and can be found within the AFAA Candidate Information Bulletin.

Examples of prohibited behavior may include, but are not limited to:

• Reproducing, communicating or transmitting any test content in any form for any purpose. Copying or communicating content is a violation of PSI security policy.
• Interacting with third parties intentionally or unintentionally
• Conversing or any other form of communication among candidates is permitted once you enter the examination area.

The proctor will investigate the event and determine the appropriate action.

What should I expect the day of my exam?

Run through this final checklist to make sure you are all set for your test:

• All mobile devices, including cellphones, and children are not allowed in the examination center. No personal items are to enter the testing center. Candidates are encouraged to leave all personal belongings except their keys in their car.
• You will be required to show one current, valid, government-issued ID with a photo and a current, valid CPR/AED certification. Please Note: If there is any doubt surrounding your identity, you will not be allowed to test and will forfeit your exam fees.
• You may not exit the building or use your cell phone or other electronic devices during the examination.
• You will be required to adhere to the testing rules of conduct found in the AFAA Candidate Handbook.

What time should I arrive for my exam?

On the day of your exam, you should arrive at the testing center 30 minutes early to start the check-in process. As a reminder, no personal items can enter the testing center. We encourage you to leave all personal belongings except your keys in your car.

Please note: If you arrive after the examination start time, your registration will be deemed invalid and you will forfeit your examination fees.

What are the hardware and system requirements for the remote exam?

Below are the standard hardware and system requirements:

1. A functioning web camera and microphone (some web cameras have them built-in)
2. PSI requires the use of the Google Chrome browser.
3. The most up to date information on the minimum systems requirements (such as Operating Systems, Resolution and Bandwidth) can be found here.

The following are incompatible:

• Chromebooks
• Mobile Devices
• Tablets/iPads
• Apple devices released prior to Fall 2020 (without new M1 Chip)

Run a System Compatibility Check on the device and internet you plan to use for your test, to make sure your device is good to go for online proctoring. If you run into any technical issues with the PSI Exam platform, before the start of your exam, you can reach out PSI Technical Support at 1-855-436-2039.

Is my online proctored test with PSI secure?

PSI uses virtual lock-down browser technology with enhanced communication security and encryption. The lock-down browser restricts your ability to open and use additional windows or programs during the test session. Your personally identifiable information is always protected. PSI only has access to the webcam and audio on your computer until you close the online proctoring software application.

As part of the check-in process, you will be required to take a real-time video of your testing environment to ensure compliance and secure your workspace.

Where can I take my online proctored test?

You can test in the convenience of your home. Wherever you test, you should be in a walled room where you will not be disturbed. No one else is permitted in the room with you while you are testing.

What actions are prohibited during my test?

Test rules provide guidance for what is acceptable during your test and can be found within the AFAA Candidate Information Bulletin. The proctor will use your webcam and on-screen chat to communicate with you during your test. Your test may be paused by the proctor or automatically by the testing platform to investigate suspicious actions or events during the test.

Examples of prohibited behavior may include, but are not limited to:

• Looking off the screen
• Mumbling or speaking aloud
• Using unauthorized materials
• Interacting with third parties intentionally or unintentionally
• Leaving the circle of view of the webcam

The proctor will investigate the event and then release your test so that you may continue after re-accepting the terms and conditions. If you have any questions about the pause or release of your test, you can chat with your proctor directly.

Is my test session recorded?

Yes. The entire test session is recorded, from when you check in to when you complete the test and close out of the online proctoring application.

Important note: After completing the test, you must fully close the online proctoring application before leaving the view of the webcam. Leaving the view of your webcam for any reason or duration during the test may result in your test session being terminated, and your test results invalidated, even if you have already completed the test.

What should I do before the day of my exam?

Run through this final checklist to make sure you are all set for your test:

• Review the AFAA Candidate Information Bulletin that outlines the Exam rules and Guidelines.
• Make sure you have a dependable device with a webcam and stable internet connection.
• Run a System Compatibility Check on the device and internet you plan to use for your test, to make sure your device is good to go for online proctoring.
• Access to a private, quite and clutter-free location. Review this helpful resource on Tips for Environment and Lighting for Online Proctoring.
• With exception to the examination website, all other programs and applications are closed.
• You have your government-issued photo identification ready to show the proctor. The identification must be valid (not expired) and include your signature. Examples include a driver’s license or a passport. Note: Military IDs and credit cards are not accepted for online proctored tests.
• You have your CPR/AED Certification ready to show the proctor. The certification must be valid (not expired).
• Your workstation is clear of any non-approved materials.

A helpful video demonstration of the exam day can be found here.

Is there a online tutorial exam I can take before my remote exam session?

Yes, an exam tutorial is provided to you within the online testing platform. We highly recommend that you take the exam tutorial before the exam, so you can become familiar with the exam interface. You can access the tutorial as many times as you wish and the time used for the tutorial will not affect the time allotted for other exams.

What time should I arrive for my exam?

PSI will allow you to start your exam launch process up to 30 minutes before your scheduled exam appointment. We recommend utilizing this time in order to complete your pre-exam checklist.

Please note: You will have 15-minutes after your exam appointment start time to connect with the proctor. Failure to do so will result in the exam being marked as a no show, at which point you will be required to contact Member Services for your options by phone at 1-800-460-6276, option 3.

Does my exam begin when I connect with the Proctor?

No, the allotted time for your exam does not begin until the exam has been unlocked by your proctor.

When I enter my email address on the Yardstick Measure platform, I receive an error that says, “This user does not exist.”

As this field is case sensitive, ensure you are entering your email address using all lowercase letters. If you still get an error, contact Member Services at 1-800-446-2322, option 3.

What are the hardware and system requirements for the Measure Testing platform?

Below are the standard hardware and system requirements:

1. A functioning web camera and microphone (some web cameras have them built-in)
2. The latest Google Chrome (preferred), Mozilla Firefox, or Safari browsers.
3. The latest version of Adobe Flash Player
4. Internet speed of at least 5Mbps or higher

The following are incompatible:

• Chromebooks
• Mobile Devices
• Tablets/iPads
• Linux/Unix
• Virtual Machines
• Windows 10S Mode

Where can I test my system for the Online Proctor Requirements?

Test your internet connection at the testing station to ensure a speed of at least 5 Mbps or higher is available. Anything lower than 5 Mbps will not ensure optimal performance during the examination. You are recommended to find a better internet connection prior to the beginning of your examination. You can test your connection speed using one of the following 3 sites:

• http://speedtest.googlefiber.net
• http://beta.speedtest.net
• https://fast.com

You can test the equipment requirements directly within your profile once signed into your account.

What should I do before connecting to an Online Proctor?

• Your webcam is installed and turned on.
• With exception to the examination website, all other programs and applications are closed.
• You have your government-issued photo identification ready to show the proctor. The identification must be valid (not expired) and include your signature. Examples include a driver’s license or a passport.
• You are only allowed to have one monitor connected to your computer during the assessment. If you use more than one monitor, disconnect it and make sure that it is facing away from you.
• Your workstation is clear of any non-approved materials.
• Before connecting to a live proctor, ensure that your browser & popup blocker is disabled by following this help link; https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

Is there a tutorial exam I can take?

Yes, an exam tutorial is provided to you within the testing platform. We highly recommend that you take the exam tutorial before the exam, so you can become familiar with the exam interface. You can access the tutorial as many times as you wish and the time used for the tutorial will not affect the time allotted for other exams.

A helpful video demonstration of the exam day connection process can be found within the Yardstick FAQs: https://www.getyardstick.com/online-proctoring-faq/

What time should I arrive for my exam?

Arrive at the scheduled start time to connect to the proctor. You will have 15-minutes to connect until the exam is marked as a no show and will be required to potentially book a new time slot, if this is available.

Does my exam begin when I connect with ProctorU?

No, the allotted time for your exam does not begin until the exam has been unlocked by your proctor.

Will I receive my exam score?

AFAA does not release exam scores. If you pass or fail the CGFI exam, our Proctoring partner will provide you with a score report providing details of your test results.

When will I receive my exam results?

Your exam results will be provided to you upon successful completion of your exam. If you tested via live remote proctor, your exam results will be emailed to the email address listed on file. If you tested in person at a PSI testing facility, the proctor will provide you with a hard-copy of your exam results.

Can anyone see my exam score?

No, AFAA does not release exam scores.

I failed my exam, can I purchase a retest? And when can I reschedule?

If you missed your deadline or failed your initial exam attempt, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Requirements and limitations for retesting are described in the Candidate Handbook. Please contact the Member Services team at 1-800-460-6276, option 3 for additional details regarding pricing and limitations.

When do I receive my certificate?

An official certificate will be mailed to the mailing address you have listed in your AFAA account within 4–6 weeks after passing your CGFI Exam. A digital copy of your certificate will be made available in the Certificates section of your Student Portal within one business day of passing your CGFI Exam.

Will I receive my exam score?

AFAA does not release exam scores. If you pass or fail the GFI exam, our Proctoring partner will provide you with a score report providing details of your test results.

Can anyone see my exam score?

No, AFAA does not release exam scores.

How do I get an extension for my course?

Access to your online study materials is good for 365 days from date of purchase. Your access will end on the course expiration date. For the GFI exam, the initial enrollment period is 180 days from the date of purchase.

Please contact the Member Services team for details on extension options. Please know that additional fees may apply.

I failed my exam, can I purchase a retest? And when can I reschedule?

If you missed your deadline or failed your initial exam attempt, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Requirements and limitations for retesting are described in the Candidate Handbook. Please contact the Member Services team at 1-800-446-2322, option 3 for additional details regarding pricing and limitations.

When do I receive my certificate?

An official certificate will be mailed to the mailing address you have listed in your AFAA account within 4–6 weeks after passing your GFI Exam. A digital copy of your certificate will be made available in the Certificates section of your Student Portal within 1 business day of passing your GFI Exam.