Tips and advice for taking the NPTE
The NPTE is a timed test. One of the most importance skills that you need to hone in on is information recall in a timely manner. You need to be able to not only recall information but also recall that information quickly.
Take an examination prep course. There are two major groups that give exam prep courses: TherapyEd and Score builders. In the prep course you will receive the full review textbook as well as the abbreviated book. I have personally taken both prep courses and thought that the TherapyEd course was much better. This could have just been because I connected better with the instructors style more but just my two cents. The books are similar in content, however, the major difference I notice is the layout. Score builders book is more colorful with more pictures and charts. TherapyEd is more of a cut and dry outline format. Depending on your learning style you may choose one over the other based on this information. That being said, you should know this: these courses or prep books will not teach you information or content that you don't already know. The prep books do a good job of concisely organizing and presenting all the information you have learned in PT school. The major asset you will gain from taking a prep course will be study/preparation and test taking skills.
As explained on the previous page, use the practice tests to guide your studying. Each practice test will give a breakdown of your score on every specific section.
I see a lot of people asking about the practice tests, here are my thoughts:
-TAKING the practice tests is the best way to prepare for the actual test. Get AT LEAST 5 practice exams (3 from a prep book and 2 PEAT). I actually got both prep books in order to get 3 more practice exams.
-The TherapyEd tests seemed to be much harder than the real NPTE, Score Builders seemed slightly easier, while the PEAT seemed to be the most similar to the NPTE. That being said, be aware that your scores on the TherapyEd will likely seem much lower than what you want (i.e. I don't think I scored above a 70% on any of those), your Score Builders may be higher than expected, whereas your score on the PEAT will be a better reflection of how you'll do on the NPTE.
-When taking the practice tests simulate that conditions of the NPTE. Take one 15 minute break after the first 100 questions. No food, no water, no music, no phone. Part of taking this test is calibrating your mind and body to not only tolerate these conditions, but to perform optimally under these conditions.
Never change an answer UNLESS you learned something on another question that gives you more information about a previous questions.