By Dr. Trey Martin PT, DPT
IG: @athletedocrehab
The culmination of physical therapy school is the NPTE. The one test to rule them all. The test that says, “You are licensed to heal.” It strikes fear in the hearts of all students and requires rigorous preparation. Now, what I am about to say does not mean you can overlook the process, but, the NPTE study experience can be enjoyable. I want to share with you how I approached the NPTE while still making time for physical activity, hobbies, family time, job searching, and even vacation.
Tip 1: Schedule your study time
Pick the time of day that you function the best. For me, it was easiest to just wake up and hammer the books in the morning hours. I would block out anywhere from 1-4 hours of dedicated study time in the morning. This was enough for me. Anything longer becomes inefficient and miserable for me. The key to tip 1, when study time is over, it is OVER! If you are on Clinical leading up to the NPTE, this changes the tip and you may be forced to squeeze in when you can. If not, treat studying like a job. Clock in, learn, clock out.
Tip 2: Do something active every day
Studying involves sitting and mental concentration. Physical activity involves quite the opposite. Force yourself out of the house for a walk, bike ride, lift weights, visit the animal shelter, or try something new like climbing. Doing this will help replenish mental energy, increase focus, help knowledge retention, and bottom line, it is good for your health.
Tip 3: Take practice tests
Taking a 5-hour test involves skill as much as knowledge. The most important practice test is the PEAT. The PEAT costs 99$ and can be found through the FSBPT website. Fun fact: the retired PEAT is a previous test used for a NPTE boards exam, and has serious research to back its importance. A study found that 99.3% of students who pass the PEAT (600+ score) also pass the NPTE on the first try. Fail the retired PEAT? Don’t panic yet, 67% of students who fail the PEAT pass boards on the first try. Other well-known tests include: O’Sullivan and Scorebuilders. I took 3 Scorebuilders exams, mainly because our school used them for an on-campus course, so big time discount for me. From what I have been told, O’Sullivan questions are considered harder than Scorebuilders. I can’t speak to O’Sullivan, but in my opinion, PEAT questions were MUCH easier than Scorebuilders. The PEAT asks very practical, clinically based questions that are easy to rationalize. To me, Scorebuilders seemed to turn easy concepts into bizarre questions, and only had 200 questions versus 250 for the PEAT.
Tip 4: Remember the world won’t end if you fail
Failing is terrifying. It is far from ideal, OBVIOUSLY. But, failing the NPTE does not define you as a person or as a clinician. It is a comprehensive smattering of physical therapy knowledge, but in no way, does it illustrate how you will be as a clinician. Make it a positive. Take the extra time to learn even more, find the perfect job opportunity, develop a side gig, learn digital marketing or take up writing. You can make this into a small blip in your past. YOU GOT THIS! I mention this theory later on, the only way you can fail the NPTE is if test anxiety takes over. I can't prove that, but I know it to be true.
Tip 5: Teach someone who is not a classmate
Teaching is the most effective way to learn. Take a family member, significant other, or willing friend and tell them what you are learning. Assuming they do not have previous knowledge on the subject, it requires you to thoroughly explain the concept in a digestible format. This skill will carry over to patient care as well. Being able to teach is the ultimate display of knowing the subject.
Tip 6: Consider enrolling in a prep course
This is not a route that I personally took. However, I have to shoutout my guy Kyle Rice. His company is called the PT Hustle. I have heard great things about his NPTE prep course and how it helps you learn how to be a better test taker. He also pumps out the NPTE Clinical Files podcast. This is a great listen for car rides, gym sessions, or when on a long walk.
Tip 7: Stay calm during the test
I have a theory. The only way to fail the NPTE is if test anxiety takes over. If you stay calm, take your time, read the questions fully, and slow the moment down, you will pass. Trust me, by section 2, doubt will enter your mind. Mid-test, I had a moment that I had to completely pause for 2 minutes. It felt like 7 haymaker questions in a row had appeared. You have to laugh these off. Beware, some NPTE questions will lack clinical relevance, be topics you have never seen, or topics you wouldn't expect to see (I am looking at you random outcome measures).
The Tip to Rule Them All
As a NPTE survivor, my message is this, you will feel like you failed. You will question your answer choices and it will only make it worse. The test asks 4 types of questions. Questions you know for sure, questions you kick yourself for not remembering, questions you never expected to see like deep liver palpation (not kidding), and questions that take easy concepts and somehow present them in the most convoluted way possible. After 4+ hours of this absurdity, you will be drained mentally. Talking to your classmates will only make things worse. They will have very rational reasons for putting different answers than you, because they are also bright and rational thinking Doctors. The week after, as you wait for your score, the only thing that helped my confidence just slightly is the statistics. 91-93% of NPTE testers pass on their first attempt. 99.3% of testers who pass the retired PEAT also pass the boards on the first try. Trust the statistics, pray, and get ready for the celebration of reading the word, PASSED.