By Haylee Graves, PT
Southeast Maine

It is an exciting and stressful time of year for physical therapists! You have walked across the big stage and you are finally a Doctor of Physical Therapy. But then reality strikes again and you still have one more task to complete, studying for the NPTE board exam.

For me, I could not find a place to start. I was struggling trying to balance going to the gym, my summertime job, moving back home, and the whirlwind of events that ensue with recently graduating and starting a career. I also wanted a break or a moment to breathe as I had just pushed through three years of nonstop graduate school.

I knew I could not delay studying and preparing for the NPTE exam, because once I got out of the “school mindset” I would be hard-pressed to get back into it. So I buckled down and found a strategy that met all my needs and allowed me to prepare for the NPTE. Here are the strategies I used to study for the NPTE exam.

1. Schedule Time to Study for the NPTE

This seems very obvious, but knowing you need to schedule a time to study and actually scheduling time to study are two different things. I am a type A person and having structure mattered to me — so having time dedicated to studying was what I needed. 

What worked best for me was establishing and sticking to a routine. I would wake up and do my morning routine and then study in two block segments. I would study from 8 AM-10 AM and then 12 PM – 2 PM. I would take a break in between the two segments and go to the gym. I would adjust my time as needed pending the material I was reviewing, but I was rigid about maintaining those two-time segments to guarantee I had at least 4 hours of studying completed each day. How did I choose what materials to study in my block segments?

2. Study the Right Material in the Right Order

To make the most of my study time, I studied in a nonconventional way. The subjects I initially chose to focus on were the ones I disliked the most. Why did I choose to do those topics first? I knew in school that if the subject did not interest me as much, I’d pay less attention to it (sorry, Neuro). 

I focused initially on those subjects because I knew toward the beginning of studying for the NPTE exam, I would have the most focus and drive. Subjects I like I paid more attention to and I performed better in those classes, and I was much more confident in those areas. Hello, gross anatomy and orthopedics! 

But how did I know this strategy was working for me?

3. Take Practice NPTE

What helped me further maximize the utilization of my study time was scheduling practice exams. This was beneficial to me for a few reasons. It allowed me to see which areas I was still struggling with and needed to focus on. 

It also allowed me to practice sitting for that length of a test and reviewing the types of questions you would be asked on your NPTE. I have always been a fast test taker, so I used those practice tests to slow down and allow myself time to complete the exams.

Find What Works Best for You When Preparing for the NPTE

In total, scheduling time to study, reviewing the information I found difficult, and scheduling taking practice exams was helpful for me in maximizing my study time before taking the NPTE. This method may not work for you, but it is nice to know how other people prepare and plan preparation for the NPTE.