I too was lured in by a recruiting email. Even though I have a very well paying job, the position and compensation were very attractive. As the position was a Content Contributor for Social Media, it was something I could do in my spare time and I enjoy writing. I got through the first steps and scheduled my exam. I purchased the study guide simply as a refresher and to hopefully give me some insight into how the test would be structured. I have a BS in Sports Medicine, a MS in Exercise Science and 10+ years of industry experience. So, passing the test wasn't even a question. Well, it wasn't until I took the test. The test was very poorly written and in many sections, made no sense. I also fail to see how even achieving a perfect score on this test qualifies someone to be a trainer. Where was the exercise programming?
I didn't pass. So I studied the cheap study guide (that cost $190) some more. It was a complete waste of time, because knowing the material wasn't the problem, the test was. I retook it and failed again--though I can get no insight into my score or what I missed. I had previously let myself get down about this but now I'm going with my gut. Something is off here. How can so many people with Masters degrees fail this test? They've been recruiting for these same positions for years. Where are the folks on LinkedIn listing NHE on their resumes? Why has no one I know heard of this certification?
It's disappointing and I feel naive for falling for it, but maybe my post here will help someone else. Their system is sophisticated...which makes you feel even more ignorant when you fall for it. "You must be stupid because you didn't pass the test." "No one made you buy the study guide." It's perfect. I disputed the study guide charge with my bank. Good luck to the next guy. Maybe you'll do a better job researching than I did.
Fitness Guy
Bend,#2Consumer Comment
Sat, September 16, 2017
Their exam was hard. I also did not pass but that doesn't mean they are some sort of scam. I failed a couple exams througtout high school and college but I didn't post negaitve comments about them. The NHE exam is not going to allow many trainers to demonstrate their worthyness because it isn't a typical fitness exam. It is very IQ oriented. You cannot simply look up answers online and hope to pass. In my opinion, the progran they sell should be standardized because of how well it exposes your weaknesses. Luckily I got to take it for free because I was trying to apply for a job there.
ELop
Geogetown,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, July 18, 2017
Not understanding the questions, as you say, is a sure path to failing the exam. I have read somewhere on here that they think the company's business model is to sell study guides. I find this amusing being that their guides sell for around $600 retail (or a mere $190 in your case) ..but their wellness services price for tens of thousands of dollars. The more of these I come across, the more I am starting to believe too many people are cheating on the exam. I have seen a dozen or more note sharing accounts on the NHE master exam alone.
Terrance
California,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, January 10, 2016
I failed the exam the first time. I got a 64%. I retook it and scored an 81%. If you didn’t get a score which it sounds as though you did not, you didn’t ‘fail’ the exam. You received an ‘unauthorized’ which is essentially the same as failing but it may have nothing to do with the actual final score. They provide the actual score when you fail due to missing too many questions. I must say though, if you believe many sections didn’t make sense as indicated in your post, then it would be hard to pass an exam you do not understand. I personally thought it was average. I have taken harder exams in school.
Desiree Young
Iowa,#5Consumer Comment
Thu, January 07, 2016
It is unfortunate you were unable to pass the exam for whatever reason. It sounds like you really wanted to work there. I also agree that people should research the position well before applying. Luckily all that really means is that people should read the information the company is providing. Every recruitment step you mentioned is posted on their website. From what I can ascertain, people are copying and pasting a particular section of their guide so they can be sure to get it reimbursed.
The reimbursement process is easy; you just have to get the definitions correct but the definitions must be in your own words. If you assume the company doesn’t care about how the questions are answered just because the exam is online, then you will most likely be granted a zero for your efforts as they warn. I recommend NASM. They are growing the fastest of all certification companies out there and they have jobs that may match your expertise.
Kyle T.
Arizona,#6Consumer Comment
Mon, January 04, 2016
The reason some people think it’s a scam is because there is no way they could have failed the exam. They bought the study guide, copied directly from it, and so they know all their answers were correct.
The reason NHE fails them is probably because NHE recognizes their own study guide passages. The scam would be for them to have passed you knowingly. Besides the fact that they failed you even though you purchased a study guide is an indication they are not biased. The scam would be that they only passed you if you bought the study guide and those who didn’t failed. The pay-to-play scheme that shut down the BBB in Los Angeles. The other possible reasons could involve improperly following the very strict exam guidelines which indicate that if you screw them up, you will receive a zero score (I recently took the same exam).
Most likely you failed the exam because you copied from the guide. If there is a lesson to be learned here it is that if you blatantly cheat on the exam you will get caught. There is a similar post on here posted by a guy/gal who admits he/she copied directly from the study guide. I have a feeling these online ‘masters degrees’ aren’t worth the money or time. People should get a real masters degree from a real school.