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Comprehensive Exam Overview

Kevin Pincay
  • Updated

How to prepare for the Centralized Exam

 

The Polestar Pilates Comprehensive series introduces all of the aspects that you need to become a well-rounded, professional Pilates Instructor. This includes assessment, communication, teaching, demonstration and reassessment skills. Polestar students are encouraged to take their Comprehensive Exam approximately 6-12 months after completing SR6. This time allows for the practice needed to be competent with all of the didactic and practical material.
 
Demonstration and Self-mastery are very important components of being a well-versed Pilates enthusiast and teacher. Throughout the course there will be many opportunities to practice and explore the movement, both on your own and under the supervision of other educators, mentors and instructors. Both are incredibly beneficial. As you progress through the series, you will become aware of your ability to perform movements you once thought out-of-reach. It takes time to change your body and your mind – enjoy the journey and the accomplishments along the way.
 
At first your teaching experience will most likely be with fellow students or close friends. As you progress through the course you will need to begin to teach outside of the course requirements. This real-time experience as an apprentice teacher is crucial as much of the exam is based on your ability to ‘think on your feet’. If your teaching practice has been limited to teaching your fellow students, you will lack the real-client know how you need for this exam.
 
How do you organize all of the material that you will learn and be able to create interesting and tailored sessions for your clients? By learning the Polestar Screening and learning how to identify problems and create goals that will inform your sessions. Little by little you will learn how to identify goals, special needs, progressions, the most appropriate exercises, modifications and sequencing so that by graduation you will be able to create the best sessions for your clients and for yourself.
 
This amount of information may seem overwhelming as you begin your Pilates journey. If so, please refer to this information later in the course and you will be surprised how different you feel even midway through the material. The Course, the manuals, resources and assignments are all designed to pave the way to the exam and your life as a Pilates teacher. Your educators and mentors will be guiding you throughout the course so that by exam time your will feel well prepared.
 
Below are the individual parts of the exam.
 

VIRTUAL DIDACTIC

 

WRITTEN EXAM:

Done on the Polestar Online Platform
The first part of the written test is a 50-Question Multiple Choice test. Topics include Pilates history, the Pilates exercises, the Polestar Principles, equipment set-up and safety, pathologies and modifications, contraindications, exercise progressions/regressions, cueing (tactile, imagery, communication skills), lecture topics (postural assessment, sequencing and categories, energy medicine), the Polestar Screening. Rehabilitation students will be asked questions about the stages of rehabilitation and Nagi grid.
 
The second part of the written exam is the Case Study. Based on a completed Screening or Evaluation, you will create your problem and goal list then three 1-hour exercise programs, beginning, intermediate and advanced.
 
Overview --
  • You will be alloted 70 minutes per section
  • You will be allowed 3 sheets of scrap paper that must be destroyed after the exam
  • The virtual exam proctor software requires a real computer. A chromebook or tablet will not work
 

NOVICE TO EXPERT VIDEO LECTURE:

Polestar Founder Brent D. Anderson PhD, PT, OCS, PMA®-CPT
Find out what’s next for you on your Pilates journey.
 

IN-PERSON PRACTICAL

ROUND ROBIN MAT CLASS:

You will be part of a Round Robin style mat class where you will teach 2 mat exercises (a beginning/intermediate and an intermediate/advanced) to your fellow examinees. Feedback is given to each participant on what was done well and what could be improved upon for the future. This is an interactive learning experience and the feedback can be immediately put into practice in both this mat class and the other teaching opportunities.
 

ADVISORY APPOINTMENTS:

Each person will meet with their Advisor for 10-15 minutes to review the Case Study. Please use this time to ask questions and receive any guidance you might need. A schedule will be provided the first morning of the exam.
Remember, we are here to help you succeed!
 

BEGINNER SESSION:

Time per person, 1-hour
You will conduct 15-20 minutes of an interview and pertinent aspects of the Fitness Screening followed by a 40 minute Pilates lesson as if you are seeing a new client who has never done Pilates before and wants to try it, OR someone from out of town who wants to continue their Pilates practice with you.
  • Choose the Screening test that are most applicable based on client’s intake form and history.
  • Teach a Pilates session for the remainder of the hour based on the Screening goals, the client’s personal goals and any necessary modifications. It might not be a beginning session – base the level on the client in front of you.
  • Introduce Pilates to the client – they should leave knowing more than they did when they arrived. Just a quick fact or story about Joe, the work etc.
  • Use the sequencing categories.
  • Use all of the equipment as possible.
  • Avoid stopping to write – keep the flow of the session.
  • When the session is complete, thank the client and ask them to fill out the feedback form. You will now write down the program you taught them to the best of your memory, complete the screening notes, list the problems and goals and sign the bottom of the screening.
 

ADVANCED SESSION:

Time per person, 1-hour
This session will be conducted the same as the Beginning session with a 15-20 minute screening and 40 minute Advanced Pilates session.
  • Remember that this should be a high-intermediate to advanced session. Warm the person up and then get them moving.
  • If there are modifications needed make them. What exercises can you give that need little to no modification?
  • Use the sequencing categories.
  • Use all of the equipment as possible.
  • Avoid stopping to write – keep the flow of the session.
  • When the session is complete, thank the client and ask them to fill out the feedback form. You will now write down the program you taught them to the best of your memory, complete the screening notes, list the problems and goals and sign the bottom of the screening.
 

ADVANCED CIRCUIT CLASS DEMONSTRATION:

Its time to shine! You get to show off all of your hard work as your bodies are probably in the best shape ever. The Advanced Circuit class is a circuit class where you will demonstrate 20+ high-intermediate and advanced Pilates equipment exercises. You will spend 2-3 minutes at each station.
 

GRATITUDE CELEBRATION!

Celebrate your accomplishments with your colleagues and examiners with a Polestar Gratitude Circle.
 
Appropriate Attire
Clothing should be worn so the examiners can clearly see the movement.
  • Leggings, capri pants, bike shorts, exercise pants that are close fitting
  • Sports tops and tops that are close fitting
  • Hair should be pulled back from the face and neck
  • Minimal jewelry
  • No perfume or strong scents, lotions etc.

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