Here we are! We have graduated from the program, completed the coursework and internships, but now we have one more step to complete. We have to take the National Physical Therapy Exam to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.

It’s scary and uncertain and a BIG DEAL. We don’t want to fail and have all that hard work go down the drain. It’s not what truly happens if we don’t pass on the first try but it does feel that way. I’ve been there.

Let’s break down the exam. It consists of 200 multiple choice questions and you have four hours to complete the test. There are fifty questions on each exam that do not count for scoring purposes. These questions are being evaluated to determine if the question meets criteria to be included on future examinations. The NPTE is graded on a scale ranging from 200 to 800 points but 600 is needed for a passing score. Don’t worry, if you do fail, you are allowed to take this exam three times in a 12-month period. But we are not going to worry about that until we have to!

The biggest success for you is taking the time to think about how YOU study best. This will be your golden ticket.

What is the best option to study for the NPTE-PTA exam?

There are plenty of study guides out there that include outlines, practice exams, apps, and more. Each will have pros and cons, so let’s dive into them so you can make an informed decision for yourself on which option(s) you want to choose.

Some more popular options are:

Scorebuilders

If you can only choose one book or are short on time, buy Scorebuilders. It’s reader friendly and easier to digest than O’Sullivan. It hits all of the high points. It’s colorful, full of diagrams, and has highlighted sections to help draw your attention to important topics. There are also practice questions within the book and it comes with 3 full-length practice tests. Some of these questions can be a bit easier than the actual exam, so we recommend that you still take the PEAT Exams to get a better feel for what actual questions will be.

Scorebuilders also has a wide variety of other tools you can use, including Basecamp, which is a gamified way to review where you climb the “mountains” that represent each of the main content areas that are on the exam. Online Advantage is another option that gives you access to additional practice tests if you need them to fill in your study calendar, depending on the length you are choosing. More on that below.

Scorebuilders also has some package deals that you can take advantage of if you do a group order with your class. They can be up to 25% off, so this is well worth organizing. The student organizer also gets free products.

TherapyEd

TherapyEd by O’Sullivan is much longer than Scorebuilders and can be difficult to process for more visual learners.There are less diagrams in this one and the book is in black and white. If you want to be truly comprehensive and have more time to study, this could still be a worthwhile investment to gain more complete knowledge. The 3 included practice tests tend to be much more difficult than the actual NPTE exam.

If you can buy both or have a longer study calendar and want to have more practice tests, start with Score builders then move to O’Sullivan. It might seem like a lot of money, but preparing well is priceless. It has been shown that the more times a candidate has the taken the NPTE, their likelihood of passing decreased substantially, that is not always the case. I didn’t pass on the first try and not even the second try. Keep your head up and stick with it. It all comes down to how you study, interpret, and retain the material.

NPTE Pocket Prep

With technology now a days, the NPTE pocket prep has a wonderful app from the FSBPT. This is a great option for quicker studying on the go. This gives you the opportunity to pull it up at any time throughout your day. If you are waiting in line for coffee or checking out, pull it up. It’s there for your convenience.

The advantage to this one is access to 600 more practice questions. These are not organized into exams, however. You can also choose to focus questions on only your weaker areas. This is a great option because it helps you work on test-taking strategies. This is also from the FSBPT, which is the organization that creates the actual exam.

Scorebuilder’s Content Master

This app has a combination of content review and access to 750 practice questions. The practice questions are designed to determine your mastery of content presented in the review sections. This app can be great for helping you to determine weaker content areas so you can more efficiently focus your time.

When should you start to study?

This depends on the type of person you are and how much time you have left before the exam. Are you someone who does well with crunching information all together at once or do you want to take time learning subject by subject. There are 4, 8, 12, and 16-week plans out there. There are people who study just a couple days a week and then there are others who study nonstop for 4 weeks. Truly, you want to stick to how you have studied before. If you are taking your test post graduation and depending on when your test is available, you should have a solid 2+ months to study.

If you choose a longer study calendar, you should take some days off from studying so you don’t burn out before test time.

Where should you focus most of your time studying?

Most have said focus on the big 3 –“Musculoskeletal, Neuro and Cardiopulmonary”. When you get your review book there will be a chart in there of percents of how much that section is on your test. Use that knowledge to help guide you with your studying.

Knowing how YOU study best and RETAIN the information is the important part. There is no one size fits all especially when it comes to a test as complex as the NPTE. Study the way you have in the past for exams and practicals. You have gotten through an accelerated program using those methods, so don’t change it now.

Use flashcards, the mobile apps, writing out the information, record yourself explaining and hit playback are great ways to begin. The biggest thing through all of this is finding and keeping with studying habits that have worked for you in the past. Just because its a beast of a test, doesn’t mean you have to change what has worked for you when it comes to studying.

Create yourself a study guide and schedule so that you’re not wondering what to study every day. Do not get overly ambitious, especially if you are starting to study early, because you don’t want to burn out. Give yourself time to absorb the information.

If you are hard at focusing and being diligent with studying, use the Pomodoro method. This is a method where you do 25 mins of studying, 5 min break doing something COMPLETELY unrelated (aka – no reviewing info in your head on break). Its more true to your brain’s cycle of focus and attention which will lead to more productive studying.

Think about this. A unique way to help you fully understand the information you are learning is to talk to others about what you are learning. Explain stuff to them even if you are not totally clear on it and have to double check your information, it will give you accurate idea of what you actually do or don’t know on that topic. Giving the chance for people to ask you questions about it will help you think deeper and understand the information at hand.

When should I take a practice exam?

Take your first practice test through Scorebuilders as this will help determine areas of strength and weaknesses which will help you plan your study schedule.

Once you have learned of your strengths with a test, study them 1-2x a week to keep them fresh. Study your weaker areas 2-3x a week.

Use the other test resources available (Scorebuilders, Therapy Ed, Online Advantage) to fill in your study calendar. We recommend taking one test per week if you are doing an 8 week plan and one every 2 weeks if you are doing a longer plan.

.What’s nice about the PEAT is its made by the FSBPT, who are the makers of the NPTE, so the practice tests and retired NPTE will be able to give you detailed score report. This is your golden ticket. Use that information for your studying and preparing for the real thing. When it comes to taking the PEAT, I would wait to take the first one 1 month from the test date. This means you will have studied the bulk of material by this time and worked on improving your weaker areas. This will give you a better idea of how you will perform on the actual exam. Take the second PEAT 1-2 weeks prior to your exam to round out your schedule. This will allow any final prep on areas that you are still testing a bit weaker in.

A good rule of thumb is to do no to very little studying the day before and the day of your exam. This is to allow your brain to recover and make sure that you are as fresh as possible going into testing. All I did was a few simple practice questions in the days leading up to the exam.

How To Take A Practice Exam

When it comes to taking practice exams, treat the test like how the NPTE will be. Set yourself a timer, go to a secluded room, close the door, no food or drinks, do not let anything distract you and give yourself the one 15 min break when it appears. We want to be able to simulate the testing center so that will cut down on any anxiety. This helps your brain learn how the test will go and allow you to work on mental stamina and pacing. .. Once you take these tests, review your results. Review every question. I know that will be time consuming but take 1-2 days after your practice test to review the questions you got wrong and work on understanding why. This helps you to understand if it was a testing error or a content error. Meaning, did you not understand or interpret what the question was asking or is it just a knowledge deficit. This can tell you if you need to perform more content review or if you need to work on test-taking strategies. Effective, efficient preparation leads to improved results.

How do I take the test and know which answer is the correct one?

Well this is a tough one to answer. There are different versions of the test so what one person’s version might be completely different from another. But let’s talk about the answer to the questions. .. The correct answer is the one they want you to pick will always relate back to safety. They don’t care what intervention or crazy manual you do, they want to know you will do no harm and will keep your patients safe. Another answer will appear almost right but not quite the one you should choose. One answer will be wrong answer and will be one you can eliminate quickly. .. Take your time with questions. First, read it and then think about what you would expect the answer to be. Then, review the answer choices. Find the matching one. Sometimes people jump to the answers first and not read the question first causing some confusion. I would recommend reading the question, formulating what you think they are asking then review your choices. Don’t get overwhelmed but go with your gut. I can’t believe how many times on a practice exam I picked the answer with my gut reaction then changed it because I started to overthink the question. Trust yourself. You have prepared for this. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this!

Other Considerations

When it comes to scheduling your test pick a date that doesn’t have anything else going on around it. We know the test is only given 3x a year. However, when it comes to choosing a date make sure you are fully confident with that date. I know someone who was planning a wedding, a honeymoon and the board exam all in the same month. They were so stressed out and she could’ve avoided that if she planned better. You don’t want extra distractions or additional stress around the test date. You want to set yourself up for success.

Another thing that helped me was a day or two before the test, I relaxed. I didn’t open the book, I watched my favorite movie, and got a good night’s sleep. I made sure to eat the night before and breakfast the morning of. Make sure you set yourself up for success even a few days prior to the test. I even had a dance party in my car before my test. I wore comfy clothes and was prepared. I got my mind right.

I know we all want to pass that test on the first try. It’s a lot of money, time spent, and added stress. But you have gotten yourself this far, don’t quit. Don’t let the fear and anxiety creep in. School has prepared you for this and you are taking every step to help you succeed to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. If you have any questions or need to have someone listen for feedback, do not hesitate to reach out. I had people in my corner back then and we will do the same now for you.

How to Study for the NPTE as a Physical Therapist Assistant