NPTE Studying Mistake - Studying the Day Before

“I just have to look at notes today or I’ll forget everything I know!”

Was a response given to me while advising candidates to not study or review the day before the NPTE. At this time, looking at any new or even reviewing can increase test anxiety, fear or doubts just before the actual exam day. TEP just had a live webinar and there were still participants showing up for last minute tips! Literally, no studying should be done and especially not the morning of the exam.

“But I’ll go crazy if I don’t look at something! I just have to!”

Actually, you don’t need to look at anything more. By this time, your brain is so full of information, you may feel like you are losing information. It’s begins a negative cycle of feeling like you may not remember anything for the exam. While it may feel like that, it’s certainly not true. If you are fully prepared, you should know that you have enough information to help you through the exam.

This is the time to allow your brain to relax and your body to be calm. Tomorrow is a big day and you’ll want to be fully rested so that you have the full concentration to last the NPTE endurance marathon. Even trying to read ONE last thing can still bring up both test anxiety and not being confident about passing. That’s not what you want to do.

It’s truly normal to have some exam jitters and some nervousness but for those that are fully prepared, should be able to step back and know that one day of not studying will be just fine. At this point in time, it’s not so much of cramming more information but more about controlling any negative mental attitude and thoughts.

Your mind is a powerful tool and it can make or break your scores. If you feel mentally and your gut instincts knows you did your best to prepare as well as feeling confident - saying that you have passed can be true. If your mind says “oh no” and your gut feels like a pit in stomach and you know you could have studied more in a clinical thinking approach - your chances of passing may be borderline.

Regardless of how you feel now, it’s time to put away the books, notes, highlighters, flashcards or anything related to the NPTE. It’s time to give yourself and your brain a break. Take this time to relax, prepare for tomorrow and get some good rest. Tomorrow will come and you’ll face the exam but don’t dread this NPTE - embrace that you are facing 250 patients that you are doing evaluations.

Those in TEP’s program, here’s your chance to show the NPTE what you got and implement TEP’s exam process. You already have a systematically way to read and answer questions. You have more than enough time and shouldn’t be rushed at all. It’s just about being sure you are calm, cool, positive and confident. Visualize your success, repeat your positive affirmations and know that you passed.

TEP wishes the best of preparation to all that are taking the exam tomorrow!