Blogs

NBCOT Board Exam

Posted by OT-Advantage at 4/9/2008 8:56 AM

Try the sample board questions on this website to help prepare you for the NBCOT board exams. Questions will be updated weekly.
Posted by: OT-Advantage at 4/9/2008 9:01 AM

Anyone with study tips or quality resources for studying for the boards?
Posted by: Brandon at 4/11/2008 4:36 PM

Where can I find the sample board questions? Thanks!
Posted by: Rin at 4/16/2008 2:36 PM

Slack Inc has "OT Study Cards" that have a bunch of sample questions.... hope this helps
Posted by: Hannah at 4/16/2008 7:29 PM

Besides having a solid fieldwork experience and not being a work horse for an understaffed facility, I highly recommend this course and the Rita Fleming Castaldy (formerly Cottrell) book. I read this book like a novel and passed the 1st time!!! Together they are $325 but well worth it. The course emphasizes organizing, planning your study sessions, test taking strategies and clinical reasoning. The trick to using sample questions is not memorizing the question but pulling out "what is this question asking of me?" and then rationalizing why the other choices are wrong or not the "BEST ANSWER". The study cards worked better for me at the end when I just wanted to recall the major points about a diagnosis. Also take the NBCOT practice exam once you think you're ready for the test approx $45. I know the costs can add up but it's better to be fully prepared then risk repeating the exam.
Posted by: Zena( Visit ) at 4/17/2008 10:00 PM

Above is the link to the sample board questions. New questions will be added weekly! Good luck with studying!
Posted by: OT-Advantage( Visit ) at 4/18/2008 5:50 PM

http://www.ot-advantage.com/ota/articles.aspx?id=712&__taxonomyid=898
Posted by: OT-Advantage at 4/18/2008 5:50 PM

http://www.ot-advantage.com/ota/articles.aspx?id=712&__taxonomyid=898
Posted by: OT-Advantage at 4/18/2008 5:51 PM

I am currently studying for the NBCOT exam and have
been using the Cottrell book that goes along with
the course you can go to. It has 3 simulated exams
and a CD. The book is really well organized and I
feel like I am getting a good review out of it. The
book is available through www.therapyed.com

I have also used a simulated test from NBCOT website and a study guide from NBCOT.

Good luck on the test!
Posted by: Kim at 4/23/2008 7:26 PM

The Cottrell sample tests were more difficult than the actual NBCOT. The first time I took Cottrell's sample test I bombed it. Then I was informed by a professor that this was an extremely hard example of the test. I did love the book though for a very organized manner to study. It had chapters on areas that I knew I was weak, so I focused on those chapters more. I passed the test the first time with no difficulty.
Posted by: Peds OT at 4/23/2008 10:29 PM

That's good to hear that someone else bombed the
practice test!! I did very poor on it and have
been worried ever since! I have 9 more weeks of my
last fieldwork placement and I AM DONE!! MSOT! My
nightmare lately is not passing the big exam!
Posted by: kimgolfwidow at 4/25/2008 10:27 PM

I have not yet taken the exam, but many of my classmates have and they all passed. They too ALL (at least 7 of them)were failing or doing poorly on the Cottrell disc exams and were fretting. So, have heart - it possibly means that the disc questions are tricky. The course and book are excellent study tools. Good luck!
Posted by: Nora at 4/29/2008 11:38 AM

are the NBCOT questions going to be updated!!! these sample question are the same and have been the same for a month?!?!, appreciate the help, but would like for the questions to actaully be updated weeky as stated- thanks!!
Posted by: Heather at 5/11/2008 11:41 PM

Hi Heather,
There is 1 question added weekly. The most current question is on the home page and also added to the sample questions section of the site. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Posted by: ALISON at 5/12/2008 8:57 PM

I highly recommend taking the practice exams that the NBCOT offers online. Take all of them, they are well worth it considering how much you would have to pay if you had to retake the exam. The questions are very similar to what was on the actual exam...some might have been the same or at least almost the same.... Take the online exams after you study to see what areas you need to study more.

The Cottrell book is really great!! However, the test questions on the CD are really hard. It is a good review but the questions on the NBCOT exam seemed to be much easier than the ones from the Cottrell book (from what I remember).
Posted by: NKBOTR at 5/13/2008 7:02 PM

I recently found out that I failed the OT exam, and I am in shock and trying to figure out what my next steps are. I studied from the C. Johnson and Sladyk and NBCOT books. Does anybody else have any tips? I need to pass to get back to my job. Thanks.
Posted by: failed test at 5/21/2008 11:22 AM

I too have not done well with a practice test in a book I purchased at school, one test I purchased online and another free one I took online. I do, however, understand the majority of the justifications given for the answers on the tests. I feel a little overwhelmed with trying to pick through all we have studied in school after I get home from my clinical. I have 5 weeks until I'm through and want to feel a little more confident. Looks like from the above written comments that I simply need to keep taking practice tests and read over school material on items/topics I get incorrect. Good luck Kim!
Posted by: James at 5/21/2008 11:54 AM

Failing the NBCOT exam has to be devastating. I actually know a few people who did, and I don't think there is a clear-cut way to know how to better prepare. I think everyone puts in overtime with studying and failing is hard to prepare for when all you've done is prepare. Do you know the areas on the exam that you didn't do as well on? Do you have test anxiety? Are you able to narrow the answers down to the 2 correct answers? It is very hard to know which answer is more correct than the other. If you can critically look at the stem of the question and look out for the distractors, it may help. Remember to look out for words like best, initial... Also, have you taken the study courses? I hope some of this info is useful to you. Try not to get down on yourself though. You will pass.
Posted by: ALISON at 5/21/2008 8:42 PM

I recently failed the NBCOT exam. I also bought and made my own flash cards to help me to study for the exam. I am going to schedule to take it again and want to participate in the study course available through IEP. However, i live in MA and all of the courses are too far away for me to travel and will not be in my area again until next year. Any idea if there are other study course out there closer to be area? Or is IEP the only study course available?
Posted by: Andrea at 6/16/2008 4:14 PM

Looks like there is one in MA this wknd!
http://www.therapyed.com/otmain.htm#otreg
Posted by: OT-Advantage at 6/17/2008 6:25 PM

I'm very stress I failed the NBCOT exam twice. I don't know what to do. I do good on the practice tests but when it comes to the real test I get very nervous. Any advice
Posted by: yadi at 7/1/2008 5:50 AM

Hey Yadi...Don't feel discouraged. I didn't pass my exam on the first or the second try neither...continue to study...get more practice exam questions...find a study partner...try to take the course..That's what I am trying to do...maybe we can study over the phone like me and my classmate are doing...
Posted by: Shadi at 7/22/2008 11:30 PM

I have failed the test three times! I dont know what is wrong. I study every night, take practice exams, and took the IEP course. I had special testing accommodations the last time I took the test and I was extremely distracted because I was in a separate room but could hear everything going on outside the room. I am so devasted and dont know where to go from here. I have been off my temp license for almost 2 months and now have another month and half to go before I can take the test again. Any hints or tips? I already dont have the money for the 4th test but I will have to find it somewhere because I love working as an OT!
Posted by: Kristen at 10/16/2008 12:37 PM

Hi Everyone,
It makes me feel better to know that the exam is hard to everyone else as it has been impossible for me to pass twice. a few hours ago i found out I failed, for the second time and i cried as if my life is over. I feel better now. the tests are expensive, but I studied so hard with notecards, practice exams, i even passed the full online exams (practice exam + all content areas) on NBCOT but i dont understand what I need to do to pass the actual exam. HELP PLEASE! I have all the books/study materials listed above, i'm not sure where to begin studying again to give it another try...is this just test enxiety? how do I fix it?
Posted by: OTPraying at 11/3/2008 3:37 AM

I see I am not alone. I have also failed the exam 3 times. The test questions I am getting are no where near what the new version of the Cottrell study guide has. I attended the course with Cottrel book and I did not learn anything from it. It was not that good in my opinion, just went over test questions all day without a lot of explanation. I start to loose concentration after about 2 hours, I have difficulty just reading the question and understanding what they are asking. I think my exams get tougher with each one I take. I have signed up for the 4th time. I hope & pray I get it done this time.
Posted by: OT Praying #2 at 11/11/2008 11:17 PM

Hi,
Does anyone have any information about the new version of the NBCOT Exam that starts in '09? That's the one I will be taking and I'm nervous. How different/how much harder is it than the current version? And are all the study guides that are out now updated? Thanks!
Posted by: Rin at 11/12/2008 7:40 PM

...I guess, specifically, I just don't understand what NBCOT means by "simulation portion."
Posted by: Rin at 11/12/2008 7:46 PM

From what I have heard, the new test in 09 will be pretty much the same as before as far as format and questioning but they throw in 3 simulation tests that are just 3 case studies with directed questions to respond to. So, brush up on your case studies in your textbooks!
good luck.
Posted by: otgrl2b at 11/24/2008 6:35 PM

hey everyone, just passed my OTR exam, and this is how I did it. Instead of studying primarily from the Cottrell's study guide, I used it just as a supplement! I used the johnson test to study, in the sense that any question that I missed or confuse (i.e lucky guess) I would go back not to remember the answer, but most IMPORTANTLY to find where it came from, so i could go back to STUDY it (usually the whole chapter --i.e padretti, trombly, case-smith). I know this is a long and tiring process but just remember this is our only test left! (roughly 15 chapters in 1 month) and the stuff I've learned in the process just strenghten my clinical skills. GOOD luck all! I also used youtube.com to learn about common diagnoses like MS, osteoarthris, Rheu, etc. Another book i used is the Mosby's Q&A. K DeREN out, later all .. Go Lakers and everyone here!
Posted by: derenT at 12/15/2008 10:56 AM

BTW, I spent a chunk of time in the following chapters - from case smith SI, Visual-perceptual, Children ADL, feeding,handwriting( little bit), postural +gross motor development, school based, neonatal (little bit), IEP stuff+ team stuff (little of each), standarized test procedures + validiy/Reliability(always on the exam). ---- from Trombly &Radomski - CVA, TBI, SCI, neuroden (MS, ALS, parkinson, etc),splints, cognition, motor learning,rheu +osteo (same chapter i believed) . take notes of examples given in chapters!! I also used that OT REferences book for treatment examples.
peace outz!
Posted by: derenT at 12/15/2008 11:09 AM

Alright- I just want to say...everyone takes and exam and studies differently. What may work for someone may not work for you. I will find out in three days if I fail or pass the exam. No matter what I am not going to sit there and look my books. The exam is not memorizing nor how you take an exam. This exam tests your clinical skills. What I mean by that is...there are more than right answer for each exam because as an OT you can do more than one idea for a person, place, or diagnosis. Just go with your gut instinct. I am hoping I pass but if I do not then I know I should probably see how I take an exam and read the questions. Good luck to everyone. It isn't easy and I keep telling myself it will be okay. The waiting to know if you passed or failed is what is killing me now.
Posted by: katie at 1/26/2009 6:12 PM

The list of clinical areas in the above blog by deRen is a great start. Another list to assure you have studied everything is on the NBCOTexam.com website: scroll half way down. Thank you for the positive feedback on Rita's book. It sounds like a valuable find even as I get back into practice. Has anyone taken the '09 test? jlynne
Posted by: jlynne at 3/5/2009 1:36 PM

The new exam is extremely difficult! I know many students at my school and neighboring schools in the Philly area that did not pass their first time. The scoring is confusing and NBCOT refuses to inform you on how the scores are weighed. Schools that have had 90+% 1st time pass rate are now lower than 50% pass rates. I would definitely advise anyone taking the exam or signing up soon, to allow themselves at least 1 full month of studying daily. Good luck all!
Posted by: Grace at 4/10/2009 12:02 AM

I just found out I failed the exam for the second time. It is all about clinical reasoning. I was not nervous and I felt well prepared and I still failed. The scoring is very confusing. I scored a 578 on the CST and scored in the mid to low 400's on the MC questions. Yet my total score was lower than all but one section.
Posted by: Nicole at 4/15/2009 6:45 PM

I just found out i passed the new 2009 test. TIPS:
1. OTR Study Guide and Study Guide Supplement, by NBCOT (pdf order form) THIS ONE IS A MUST. GIVES YOU A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS WILL BE ON THE ACTUAL EXAM
2.Occupational Therapy Examination Review Guide (3rd ed.), by Caryn Johnson. THIS ONE IS ALSO A MUST HAS A TOTAL OF 4 PRACTICE TESTS 800 QUESTIONS. YOU CAN DESIGN YOU OWN TESTS TO TEST YOU ON A SPECIFIC AREA OR DOMAIN I.E PEDS, MENTAL HEALTH ETC.
3. National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam Review and Study Guide, by Rita Cottrell. THIS IS ANOTHER MUST HAVE, BUT MAKE SURE YOU BUY THE LATEST EDITION
WHICH HAS THE NEW CLINICAL SIMULATION SECTIONS AS WELL. I THINK THE NEW ONE IS CALLED RITA-CORTELL SOR SOMETHING. THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ARE HARDER THAN THE ACTUAL EXAM SO DON’T FREAK OUT IF YOU SCREW UP. DO USE THE STUDY GUIDE TO REVIEW DIFFERENT GROUP TYPES AND HOW THE EVOLVE (DIRECTIVE, TASK BASED, COOPERATIVE ETC.) YOUR ROLE AS A FACILITATOR, PEDS SECTION FOR PROGRESSION OF EATING/DRESSING. DON’T GO CRAZY ABOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE DETAILS…JUST KNOW WHAT COMES AFTER ANOTHER…DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE EXACT AGE RANGES..GO OVER UE SPINAL CORD INJURY AND WHAT THE CAN DO IN DETAIL UP TO C8- EX C6 VS C7 ETC…DO KNOW RANCHOS LOS AMIGOS + ALLEN’S COGNITIVE LEVELS…MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER THE CONCEPT OF DO NO HARM DURING THE CLINICAL SIMULATIONS…EX. CARDIAC PATIENTS (DIFFERENT ACTIVITY LEVELS IN GENERAL, NOT IN DETAIL) POST HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT PATIENTS, TENDON REPAIR ETC…SIMPLE DURING CLINICAL SIMULATIONS IS IF YOU ARE NOT SURE DON’T SELECT IT…READ ALL OF THE OPTIONS FIRST AND START BY SELECTING THE MOST OBVIOUS (THE ONES YOU ARE MOST SURE ABOUT) FIRST AND THEN LEAVE THE ONES YOU THINK MAY CAUSE HARM OR WASTE TIME OR CAUSE AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE FROM THE PATIENT.
4. NBCOT ONLINE PRACTICE EXAM $75…TOTALLY WORTH IT..PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE AND TAKE IT A WEEK OR A WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE THE ACTUAL EXAM…IT HAS A CLINICAL SCENARIO SECTION AND 100 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS…TAKE THE EXAM AND USE THE REMAINING WEEK TO WORK ON YOUR WEAKNESSES. YOU ALSO GET SEPARATE SCORES FOR CLINICAL AND MULTIPLE CHOICE SECTIONS. TELLS YOU WHETHER YOU PASSED OR FAILED.

JUST KEEP PRACTICING THE SAMPLE EXAMS..MOSTLY JOHNSON AND NBCOT…DON’T MAKE YOURSELF GO CRAZY OVER RITA MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS JUST USE IT AS A STUDY GUIDE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLINICAL SIMULATIONS. ALWAYS OBSERVE PT IN THEIR NATURAL SETTING, ACTUAL TASK, ACTUAL ENVIRONMENT ETC.
SO GO OUT AND GET EM…..
Posted by: dude at 4/16/2009 1:47 PM

So last night I found out I failed the exam my first time taking it and to be honest I was not very surprised to say the least. I remember leaving the test center and thinking to myself how I thought the test was pretty difficult since all the content I had studied was really NOT on the actual exam that much! The test is really all about clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills in my opinion. I had seriously studied my ass off for weeks and weeks and I swear I knew everything-content wise that is...but of course so much of the stuff I knew wasn't on the test. I kept waiting for a question I ACTUALLY knew the answer to and did not have to guess on...unfortunately that didn't happen too much! I had taken the review course from IER which to be honest I thought was not that helpful and a waste of $325...especially since those who DID NOT take it from my class actually PASSED the exam. I also spent weeks studying the Rita book and when I tell you I knew EVERYTHING in that book...I def did but I don't know...I now look back and think that I wasted too much time studying the content and focusing on foolish details when you really need to work on developing your critical thinking/clinical reasoning skills which I thought I had...but apparently not. So I am going to take a new approach and take every NBCOT practice exam I can and also buy the Johnson book with more practice test questions. I mean I am not going to sit here for another month and a half studying content that I know...now that I have the advantage of having taken the test I know what I really need to focus on-clinical reasoning...so for anyone who reads this PLEASE do not make the same mistake I did and not take practice tests since maybe I would have passed had I spent more time focusing on the relevant stuff vs. the irrelevant silly details and such! Good luck to everyone and I hope you all pass your test the first time (or second or third!) but if not...I know it is a pain in the ass but...you are not alone :)
Posted by: Tessa at 4/16/2009 6:27 PM

does anyone know if when you retake the OTR exam is it the same test or is it totally different?
Posted by: tara at 4/17/2009 8:54 PM

anyone else have any tips regarding the 2009 exam? i am a first-time test-taker and am gearing to take the test in a few weeks. i have been studying for about 2 weeks now. i didn’t do so great on the Rita Cottrell Exam A, but i took the practice test on nbcot for $75 (200 mc questions and 2 simulations) and received a passing score. have also been reviewing with the johnson book…those questions seem a bit easier, but a good review of info nonetheless. any good suggestions from 2009 test-takers/passers?
Posted by: J at 6/4/2009 11:11 PM

I passed the exam recently and failed it the first time. I have all of my study notes, 3 test prep book, and 3 CD's with over a 1,000 test questions. IF anyone is interested in purchasing my study material that helped me pass please email me at samsabel99@yahoo.com for further information.
Posted by: Samantha Sabel at 6/15/2009 9:23 PM

How long after taking the test does it take for the unofficial results to get posted online?
Posted by: J at 6/18/2009 8:07 PM

Oh lord, just took it. Anyone have tips to help me with my extreme post anxiety (e.g. looking up answers and finding I put the wrong thing)???
Posted by: Amalia at 11/2/2009 7:27 PM

I took the test and PASSED! But not without an extended wait to find out my results. NBCOT had some IT difficulties and so I had to wait a long time....That being said, I would like to say that strong clinical reasoning skills are an absolute must in passing this extremely difficult exam. TherapyEd books, in addition to my schooling ,proved to be essential in preparation for success on the exam.
Here is what I did:
1.I completed fieldwork level II.
2.I enjoyed my summer, never really looking at my review book.
3.I took the exam course through TherapyEd
4.I enjoyed some more of my summer.
5.In September, I got to work. I studied for two straight months everyday using a study plan I developed for myself. Things that I needed more work on, I got out my old texts and notes and went over them.
6. I took all three TherapyEd practice exams, with my first score being 58%! This shook me up, but I worked on weak areas, not wasting anymore time on what I already knew. My final score on exam C was 72%. Still scary!
7. I studied right up until the night before. Some people say don't do that, but I just kept studying.
8. I made sure I got a good night's sleep and ate a good meal beforehand.

Good luck and Never, ever, ever give up!!
Posted by: BakerCollegeCenterforGraduateStudies at 11/18/2009 1:33 PM

Is there anyone available to study with in the Maine area? I took last years exam and failed my first time and it's been almost a year before I could financially afford to take it again! I would like a study partner for another means of studying for this newer exam! Also I was wondering if someone could tell me if there is a difference in the older book versus the newer book by Rita Fleming-Castaldy?? Thanks!
Posted by: Karen at 1/8/2010 1:50 PM

Subjects

Hemiplegia

Blogs

NBCOT Board Exam

Blogroll

Archive

Subjects

Recent Posts