National Ota Certification Exam Review and Study Guide (3rd Ed) Pdf

Are you finishing OT school and looking for a solid study plan to help you pass the NBCOT® exam on your first try? If so, this mail was created just for you!

While I was studying, I personally loved reading other new OTs' success stories in the NBCOT® test prep Facebook group besides reading up on what to practice if I failed (more on that below). I captivated so much data that I ended up using in my study plan, which is outlined in this commodity.

I want to notation that this post is not sponsored and the resources I used I either learned about from school or from other test takers. Additionally, this post is about my experience taking the OTR test, but many of these tips volition also be helpful for you if you lot are taking the COTA exam.

First Off, How Long Should You lot Study?

I studied for approximately half dozen weeks after I graduated, and put in about 3-iv hours a twenty-four hour period, half-dozen days a week.

I only had one or two days in the beginning of studying where I put in a total 8 hour day like I thought I was supposed to. I rapidly realized I couldn't handle that much cramming later on going through the intensity of fieldwork and OT school, and so I pared down my studying to a more realistic corporeality of time.

Honestly, I think if yous have at to the lowest degree a solid four weeks to written report, you don't need to practice full days every day. It definitely doesn't hurt to study for full days if you've got the motivation, though!

Based on my classmates' experiences and my experience, three-4 hours a twenty-four hours is generally sufficient if you're retaining the data equally you read it.

These are the resources I had the most success with:

1. The Therapy Ed Report Guide
2. AOTA's Online Examination Prep
3. Quizlet Flashcards

Therapy Ed

Luckily for me, my OT plan required us to buy the Therapy Ed NBCOT® Study Guide for one of our last "wrap up" courses during our second to last semester.

Fifty-fifty before it was required, I'd heard and so many good things about this book and how information technology helped quite a few people pass the NBCOT® on their first try. Even if it hadn't been required, I very probable would take purchased it anyhow, and now recommend it to any new examination taker.

I did non take the optional examination prep grade due to financial constraints simply my classmates that took it said information technology was really helpful learning good exam-taking strategies. If you have severe test anxiety or require extra fourth dimension during exams, it might non hurt to consider information technology.
Something to keep in mind is that the Therapy Ed guide is Dense. So much detail = information overload at times, as it basically covers everything you learned in OT schoolhouse, plus three practice tests with the same amount of questions as the actual exam (170 multiple choice plus three clinical simulations).

You may have already heard this, but the Therapy Ed tests are Hard. I would even say harder than the actual exam. So, if you're scoring in the 50's and 60'south, don't be alarmed, because most everyone is scoring in the lx's even correct before exam time.

Just a heads-up: reading this book tin be a bear. It is And so, And then detailed and circuitous, so I would unremarkably but read about x pages to possibly one affiliate at a fourth dimension at the most.

I can say some major "brain breaks" are needed after digging into this book, but however, it was the about helpful and information-packed resource that I've found.

AOTA's Test Prep Online

The 2nd resource – and my favorite study textile – was AOTA's Examination Prep online exercise tests plus PDF's on all of the principal topics (hands, pediatrics, work, neuro, burns, so on).

These PDF's were much easier and shorter to read than TherapyEd and complemented the boosted multiple option quizzes.

I would do at least twenty questions a day (but often fifty), and surprisingly had fun trying to beat my overall average and previous scores that I think I definitely saw all 1,100-something quiz questions at least once.

The answers and rationales are always provided at the end of the test, as well, so I found that a lot of times I memorized the answers without even trying.

The AOTA Course alone did non accept the same corporeality of detail and thoroughness that the Therapy Ed guide did, so I nevertheless recommend you purchase Therapy Ed, read it cover to cover in one case, and take those practice exams throughout your studying.

For more info about AOTA'south Exam Prep, exist certain to check out our other article, Is the AOTA NBCOT® Exam Prep Right for You?

Quizlet's NBCOT Flashcards

Third, I used Quizlet's free NBCOT® flashcards that other students made and shared publicly for memorizing things similar Rancho Levels, Allen Cognitive Levels, etc. Using Quizlet helped me intermission upwardly the monotony when I needed a suspension from TherapyEd or AOTA's test prep.

One affair to proceed in listen is that since these quizzes are made by students, in that location may be some inaccuracies with answers. I definitely would not recommend this as your sole study strategy (yous'll desire at least ane thorough resource), and practise exist on the lookout for incorrect flashcards.

Should You Study With a Group or Lone?

This all depends on what report style has worked for you in the past.

I initially attempted group written report sessions with my friends from my cohort, but we almost always just ended up talking nearly how stressed we were about the exam and switched to other non-examination topics.

I personally did ameliorate studying by myself considering I was so distractible. You might do better with a group to go on you accountable, though!

Miscellaneous Advice

When you're not studying, delight make sure to carve out some fun and relaxing fourth dimension to spend with your friends, family, and significant other if you have i, because it definitely will assist to keep you sane.

As far as working goes, I personally would Non recommend getting a total-fourth dimension OT job on a temporary license and thinking you lot're going to have the time and free energy to study every evening.

Y'all are going to be admittedly exhausted from working as a new OT and you will accept major force per unit area not to neglect since failing = no more temporary license = no more OT task (yikes!)

I did babysit for two families approximately 15 hours a week and Ever brought my study materials and laptop, as I was primed and ready to knock out as much as I could during the kids' nap-time and bed-time. I think doing a fleck of easy part-time piece of work is much easier on you with much less stress of losing your temporary license/job.

The Solar day of the Exam

When it came time for test solar day, I did the recommended steps of going easy the day earlier on studying, going out for a prissy dinner, and making absolute sure I went to bed early on enough to get a adept night'south slumber.

I made sure to dress warmly even though it was summer (considering air-conditioning).

I brought snacks and water and followed my school's recommendation to become upwards after almost an hour and stretch my legs/take a bath break.

One of my instructors strongly recommended before we graduated that anybody needs to get up at least once during the examination, and I wholeheartedly concord.

I also retrieve her mentioning NBCOT® pass rates were higher when this was done (if I notice a study on this I'll exist sure to link to information technology!)

I final footstep nosotros were taught was to write our full names on the whiteboard they give you lot, followed past "OTR" earlier we commencement the exam, as well as a motivational quote like "I will laissez passer."

And then I took my rest break, ate a banana, and cruised along for the three.five hours (or however long information technology was) feeling pretty confident at first.

Then towards the stop I started getting really stressed most not feeling similar I knew any of the pediatric content (clearly I don't piece of work in peds!).

And so, like everyone else, I walked out feeling like I failed.

Feeling pretty bummed well-nigh the possibility of spending another month and another $500 retaking and retaking.

But guess what: I passed, with plenty of points to spare!

I'thousand confident if you use trusted resources and give yourself enough time, with a solid study strategy, yous will do the same!

Just What are the Current Passing Rates?

Because I honey numbers, I wanted to add in some stats for y'all: According to NBCOT®'s information page, 84% of examination takers passed the NBCOT® in 2020 (dropping from 89% in 2019, and 91% in 2018).

While the pandemic likely has something to do with the decreasing laissez passer rates since 2018, I want to mention another fleck of anecdotal information from many students and new grads that I talk to about popular study strategies:

Unofficial NBCOT report videos on YouTube are condign really popular, and many test takers are only using these YouTube videos for studying. PLEASE don't do this!!!

Yous actually need at to the lowest degree one professionally-made resource to use as well, since these are created by experts to embrace everything you demand to know. YouTube videos are bang-up to supplement your studying, merely they actually aren't going to comprehend everything compared to a legitimate resources.

Want more pass rate information? Follow this link to meet program performance data on the NBCOT certification examination past country and program level.

If You Still Don't Pass:

If you don't pass the offset, second, fifty-fifty tertiary time, it's okay! Please don't shell yourself upward about it. But keep at information technology and revamp your study strategy, try new materials, consider getting a tutor, and spend more time studying vs. working. For more tips on what to practise if you don't pass, exist sure to bank check out our guide on what to do if you've failed the NBCOT®.

No thing how many times information technology takes, you lot volition pass, and y'all volition be an amazing OT or COTA!

________________

And that wraps up our NBCOT® study tips guide! These are my own personal experiences of studying for and passing the NBCOT®. If you tried something totally different and it worked for you, please share your advice in the comments below, every bit nosotros can all utilise as many tips every bit nosotros tin to pass the NBCOT®!

Happy studying and all-time of luck to y'all!

This post was originally published on March xiv, 2016 and updated on July 18, 2019 and January 26, 2022.

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Source: https://www.myotspot.com/pass-nbcot-your-first-try/

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