One of the most common reason for someone to not succeed on the NPTE is not having a solid study plan. Preparing for the NPTE requires a roadmap and without one, you may be misguided on the areas that need focus in order to pass the physical therapy exam. Almost all participants that enter TEP’s program have mentioned they didn’t know how to study, didn’t know how to organize their schedule, and that they relied on reading the study guidebooks from cover to cover. All of these factors can contribute to not a great score. The latter relies too much on the academic study habit of just reading and memorizing. Unfortunately, this no longer fits this “standardized” exam as the NPTE is now very integrated with patient scenarios that require examinees to go beyond their academic knowledge.
With this being said, TEP has provided the tools and guidance on developing a very systematic and specific study plan. This is done to eliminate unnecessary studying and strengthening the weaker areas in order to improve on the NPTE. The key is to study smarter but in a clinical way rather than an academic way. With many assignments to help reinforce concepts that TEP provides, they have translated in helping many participant score higher on the actual exam.
So, how does this help? The goal is that rather than say reading chapter after chapter or memorizing every little detail in the study guide books is to actually learn how to study smarter as well as clinically. Besides, how well do you remember every little detail in those chapters for the NPTE? Probably not too much. Do you need to know every little detail? No, you don’t but you do need to have a solid foundation so that you can relate concepts clinically.
How does TEP help with studying smarter and clinically? There are different aspects that TEP focuses on to improve studying efficiently for the NPTE and mainly to have participants in the program to recognize there are patterns in the questions, answers as well as what they are missing in order for a starting point and direction to improve on scores. How to effectively study and devised plans are there to overcome any time management issues and eliminate procrastination.
One of the many questions I receive is ”Can I study less than three months for the NPTE?” and the answer will be “it depends.” TEP provides accurate assessment of readiness as many have been able to be in TEP’s program and pass in a month, six weeks, eight weeks or after months of studying. What it boils down is how strong you are on the academic foundation, how well of a test taker you are, how solid you are in the foundations, how adaptive you are to implementing new strategies and how well you can think clinically. All of these combined have shown to improve someone’s success.
A word of caution is that cramming and rushing for the next exam may not have great outcomes until changing the study habits. You can also learn about the top 5 NPTE studying mistakes here. I have seen too many rush without changing study habits to only see a repeat. Those that wait and fully prepare have much higher passing scores on the NPTE and success. Remember that patients know when you just barely passed and when someone really understands the material. With TEP’s program, we gear you to really understand clinically as well as many other factors. Learn more here.
Dear Miye, Bull’s eye! Thank you for this post/ blog. I am so glad I read this before my next attempt with the NPTE. I joined the TEP program a while ago, and I have been following the TEP guidelines I learned as I prepare and study. Some test takers I know passed ( former TEP participants) because they implemented what TEP teaches, unfortunately, those that did not pass not only did not implement TEPs methods, they also put and added what you mentioned in the 5 NPTE studying mistakes. I almost fell in the same trap, but, thankfully TEP… Read more »
Glad to hear that this post resonated with you and a reminder. Yes, TEP’s strategies challenge what most have learned but they do work. The techniques do require the individual’s effort to implement them for success and to get TEP’s guidance or feedback to help keep on track.