ACC Exam questions on coaching ethics
Coaching Ethics is 30% of the ACC Exam: about 18 of its 60 questions.
What this topic covers
This topic asks how a coach applies the ICF Code of Ethics in real cases. The questions are about confidentiality and its limits, conflicts of interest, a sponsor who pays for the coaching, fees and agreements, and where the coaching relationship stops.
Most questions give you a short case and ask what the coach should do. The right answer keeps the client’s trust and is honest with everyone involved.
Source: ICF, ACC Exam pageFive worked questions: coaching ethics
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Kenji's close friend asks him to coach her, for a fee, through a career change. Which response best fits the ICF Code of Ethics?
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The answer is D.
A dual relationship is not automatically forbidden, but the coach must recognise and manage it. An open talk about the risks and clear boundaries protect both the client and the friendship. If objectivity cannot hold, the coach refers her to someone else. Waiving the fee does not change the underlying conflict.
Based on: ICF Code of Ethics 2020, Section I Responsibility to Clients (Standard 10), Section II Responsibility to Practice and Performance (Standard 18) and Section III Responsibility to Professionalism (Standard 23); ICF Core Competencies 2019, Competency 1 Demonstrates Ethical Practice (1.4).
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Coach Tendai starts a six-month group coaching programme for eight small-business owners who do not work together. What should she do about confidentiality at the first session?
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The answer is A.
In group coaching, the coach can keep her own confidentiality but cannot guarantee what other participants do. The ethical step is to agree confidentiality norms with the whole group at the start and to be honest about that limit. This lets each member decide what to share.
Based on: ICF Core Competencies 2019, Competency 3 Establishes and Maintains Agreements (3.3); ICF Code of Ethics 2020, Section I Responsibility to Clients (Standards 1 and 3).
An original question in the style of the ACC Exam, written for Robin. Not affiliated with the ICF.
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A company asks coach Thandiwe to coach Kofi, a senior engineer who is thinking about leaving. The HR director offers Thandiwe a bonus if Kofi still works there in six months. What should Thandiwe do?
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The answer is C.
The client owns his choice about staying or leaving. A bonus that pays the coach only if he stays gives her a financial interest in steering him. The Code asks the coach to resolve a conflict of interest. Telling Kofi, limiting reports to HR or getting the offer in writing each leave that pull in place. The coach avoids a fee structure like this.
Based on: ICF Code of Ethics 2020, Key Definitions (Conflict of Interest), Section I Responsibility to Clients (Standard 10) and Section II Responsibility to Practice and Performance (Standard 18); ICF Core Competencies 2019, Competency 1 Demonstrates Ethical Practice (1.4) and Competency 2 Embodies a Coaching Mindset (2.1).
An original question in the style of the ACC Exam, written for Robin. Not affiliated with the ICF.
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A regional director who sponsors coaching for Mariam tells coach Dmitri that he wants Mariam to accept a transfer abroad. He asks Dmitri to 'guide her there' in their sessions. What should Dmitri do?
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The answer is A.
A sponsor may help set overall goals in a three-way agreement, but the coach must not use his influence to push the client toward the sponsor's preferred decision. The right move is to clarify roles and responsibilities with the sponsor and revisit the agreement with all parties. Telling only Mariam, or quietly keeping to her agenda, leaves the sponsor's expectation unaddressed.
Based on: ICF Code of Ethics 2020, Section I Responsibility to Clients (Standards 2 and 11); ICF Core Competencies 2019, Competency 3 Establishes and Maintains Agreements (3.2, 3.4).
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Coach Ravindra's agreements say he keeps his personal social media separate from client relationships. Midway through an engagement, client Tamsin sends him a friend request on his personal account. What should Ravindra do?
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The answer is D.
The coaching agreement sets out which conduct suits the relationship and which does not, and here it covers personal social media. The coach keeps to that agreement and tells the client why, so the boundary stays clear and trust is kept. Accepting with new limits, deciding case by case or leaving it unanswered each departs from the agreed terms.
Based on: ICF Code of Ethics 2020, Section III Responsibility to Professionalism (Standard 23); ICF Core Competencies 2019, Competency 3 Establishes and Maintains Agreements (3.2).
An original question in the style of the ACC Exam, written for Robin. Not affiliated with the ICF.
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