Developing a Successful NBCOT Study Plan

By David S. McGuire, OTR/L

Preparing for the certification exam was one of the most stressful times in my life. At times I felt unsure if I was studying enough or focusing on the right topics, but thankfully my plan paid off and I passed. Looking back, it would have eased my stress and I might have kept some of my hair if I had insight on how to prepare for the exam. Hopefully by sharing what worked for me I can save some future graduates a little bit of the guess work when it comes to studying for the biggest exam of your career.

Here is the strategy that worked best for me:

1. Evaluate yourself.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses? When creating your study plan, it is essential to narrow down topic areas that you need to focus on. The scope of OT is very expansive, which makes it difficult to study all topic areas in depth. You may not need to spend as much time on areas that you are more familiar with. From fieldwork experience, I knew that physical dysfunctions and hands were strengths of mine. Pediatrics and mental health were my weaknesses. I made sure to review this latter material extensively.
• How long do you need to study? Some students are able to study and take the exam in 1 month, and others need up to 6 months of studying to feel fully prepared. When you are choosing an exam date, think realistically about how much time you will have to study each day, how you best absorb information (i.e., studying for a short period every day or longer, in-depth study sessions), and how much material you need to review. Keep in mind that the longer you wait to take the exam, the less likely you are to remember the material you covered when you first started studying. I was told that if you are consistently scoring 65% on the practice tests, you likely have a very good chance to pass the NBCOT exam. 

2. Create a Study Plan. Everyone’s study plan will differ based on their learning style preferences, personal schedule, and anticipated date to take the exam. Write down a plan for how you intend to spend each day. I studied for a total of 5 weeks and here is what worked for me:

• Monday: I took a timed practice exam to mimic the testing situation. I set up my environment to be similar to the actual testing environment (i.e., a quiet place, no cell phone, limited distractions). You can take breaks during the NBCOT exam, but the clock never stops. You have 4 hours to complete the test, and it doesn't matter if you're finished or have 20 questions left. In total, I took 9 practice tests.
• Tuesday: I reviewed the practice exam questions for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. To do this, I went through all 170 multiple choice questions and 3 clinical simulation test problems, and I read the rationales for correct and incorrect answers. I kept a notebook and took notes while I was reviewing the material to keep track of what I did not know or would not likely remember. If there were terms I needed to look up, I wrote them down as well. During the week I reviewed the notebook.
• Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: For two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, I studied the material that I took note of during the practice exams as well as other topics that I was unfamiliar with.
• Friday: My day off!

3. Stick to the plan! If I missed any time I always made it up during the week. I had a timer on my iPhone and if I stopped early, I would add the remaining time to my next study session. Whether I was 25 minutes or 2 minutes short during a study session or distracted by the football season on Saturdays and Sundays, I always made up the time.

• After working for 8 to 10 hours a day during Level II fieldwork, finding the time and energy to study is difficult. Likewise, studying while working on a temporary license can be a lot to take on at once. If you are able to focus on studying after you have completed your Level II fieldwork, take advantage of the opportunity. Many classmates of mine who studied and worked on a temporary license passed their exam, but others failed because they were not able to dedicate enough time for both work and studying.
• At one point, I did very poorly on a practice test and it caused me to question whether I was ready to take the exam. It is perfectly normal to have days when you do not perform as well as usual. Just keep up with your routine and try not to let it get you down.
• Schedule the exam for a time of the day when you feel most alert.
• I know it is easier said than done, but do whatever you need to do to try and relax on exam day. The day of the exam, I made sure that I didn’t crack open a book. Instead, I exercised, relaxed at Starbucks, and did everything I could to not think about the exam or anything OT related.
• After the exam, I was nervous that I had failed. There were some questions that I felt confident about and many others I felt unsure of. You’ll be relieved to know that most OT and OTA students feel this way when walking out of the exam and end up doing just fine.

There is not a one-size-fits-all model for how to best prepare for the NBCOT exam. Know your strengths and more importantly know your weaknesses. Create a study plan that utilizes your time and addresses your needs to best prepare for the NBCOT Exam. Finally, stick to your plan! There is not a better feeling in the world than being able to sign OTR/L or COTA/L for the first time after all of your hard work. Be confident in yourself and best of luck!

David S. McGuire currently serves as the TNOTA Middle District Chair. He also participates on the Local Conference Committee for AOTA 2015 Annual Conference and Emerging Leader Development Committee. David was a 2013 AOTA Emerging Leader. He is currently working at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital, an inpatient acute setting in Nashville, TN. To connect with David, follow him on Twitter @davidsmcguire.

For more information and study materials to prepare for the NBCOT Exam, check out AOTA’s NBCOT® Exam Prep for OTR and COTA candidates and AOTA's NBCOT Exam Prep Info Center Facebook group.