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Recently, I was asked to take part in a Q&A session with a new graduate occupational therapist about the NBCOT. Considering I was just in school, it's interesting being on the opposite end of the spectrum. I decided to create a series of articles discussing the hottest topics before adding my own personal experiences. Below are some of the questions that came up. Can you explain the process of signing up for the NBCOT?While signing up to take the NBCOT is not difficult, it should be clearly understood. There are five steps that break down the process, outlined below. Step 1: Create an account on MyNBCOTFirst things first, you'll want to create your account. You can do so by clicking here. Once you've created your account, complete the online application process for taking the exam. Be sure to give yourself enough time to finish the application in one sitting; it cannot be saved and finished at a later time. Step 2: Determine if you are eligible to take the examHere is your checklist!
Step 3: Submit your academic verification documentsThis will either be your official transcript or the ACVF form. Step 4: Wait for the Authorization to Test (ATT) LetterThe Authorization to Test (ATT) letter is what allows you to officially sign up at a Prometric testing center. Be mindful once you receive this, the ATT is only valid for 90 days before you'll have to request to reactivate it! Step 5: Scheduling your NBCOT exam, after receiving your ATTOnce you've officially scheduled your NBCOT exam, it's time to consider when you'll actually take the exam. At this point in the process, you've already started studying. But how much studying is enough? For most, we recommend setting aside 9-10 weeks to prepare and work through several practice exams. Memorize, take notes, and work through your weakest areas to make sure you are confident with all of the material. Then, think about when your brainpower is at its peak, and schedule your exam within that timeframe. The NBCOT is a 4-hour exam, you'll want to make sure you're well-rested! Closing ThoughtsWhen learning about the NBCOT, you will find the NBCOT Certification Handbook to be useful. Refer to this guide before creating your MyNBCOT account and take the time to learn more about the ACVF. Also, NBCOT provides a Procedure Checklist to make sure you have all your bases covered when signing up for your exam. If you have any additional comments about the NBCOT that were not answered in this Q&A, drop them in the comments below! Wondering which OT setting is the right one for you? Press the link below to find out!
If you’re reading this, you may have just received the stressful news that you failed the NBCOT® exam. First, take a deep breath. Don’t panic. Easier said than done, I know! After weeks and weeks of studying and stressing, you’re likely feeling de-motivated and hopeless. These feelings are 100% normal and you should expect to feel these feelings. Feel those feelings, but then pick yourself back up. Remember: It’s Not The Worst Thing That Could Happen!I can assure you that even if you’ve failed the NBCOT® one, two, even four times, you will pass the NBCOT® and you will become an awesome occupational therapy practitioner.
You may be thinking this right now. But keep in mind that at this point in time, your increased stress levels are contributing to your negative feelings. Once you get over the discouragement in a few days, you’ll be ready to get back to planning for the next test and yes…studying. To help you bounce back, I’ve compiled a list of the best strategies from current OTs and COTAs on AOTA’s Facebook Group about on how they managed after failing multiple times. The Facebook group is called AOTA’s NBCOT Exam Prep Info Center. It has over has 34,000(!) members there to help you and provide you with the encouragement you need. So, if you aren’t already in the group, stop what you’re doing and join ASAP! Members share great study strategies and encouragement after they’ve failed the exam. You’ll see that everyone goes on to pass it. I learned so much from that group while studying and I definitely took in more advice than I could ever imagine. So without further ado, here are some of my favorite insights to help you pass. 15 Tips From Successful NBCOT® Test Takers
Top Recommended Study AidsIf you’re wondering if you may not have the “right” materials, I created a little list of the same resources that come up time and time again in the study group. 1. National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam: Review & Study Guide + AOTA’s NBCOT Exam PrepThe combination of using these two resources is the strategy that I followed. The book is also known as the Therapy Ed book. This was my regimen for passing. You can do all of this again for your next exam, or do a little less since you already have several weeks of studying down.
Find the prep materials here:
For more in-depth information about my favorite study resource, you can read my unbiased review of AOTA’s Exam Prep review here. 2. Occupational Therapy Examination Review GuideThis is formally known as the “Purple Book.” This is another highly recommended resource from other test takers. There is a version for COTAs as well. Get a copy here: Occupational Therapy Examination Review Guide 3. Pass the OTPeople that have failed several times often recommend this tool for the additional web courses and tutoring. I have not taken this course but have generally heard positive reviews. Check it out here: Pass the OT 4. QuizletI always recommend getting your hands on these free pre-made flashcard quizzes to help supplement your studying, especially with developmental milestones and splinting. Visit the site here: Quizlet Manage Your Testing AnxietyMany failures in testing can be attributed to anxiety. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy, quick fix for this. What’s helpful to cope with this stressful experience is to understand why your body inflicts this response on you. Basically, your brain perceives the situation as a threat to your safety and survival. Because the environment is seen as a stress and a threat by your brain, it decides to try to help you by initiating the fight or flight response. When this happens, your brain literally shuts off your neocortex – the part of the brain where deep thinking and reasoning happens. It sends all the blood and energy to your heart so you can be ready to fight – or run. This is of course bad news since you need the deep-thinking part of your brain for recalling and analyzing information. Just stay calm and remember that it’s normal to feel this way temporarily. It will pass in a few minutes – it always does – and you’ll be in much better shape to take the test. My Top Tips To Staying Calm
Don’t Wait Too Long Between AttemptsThere are many circumstances that can lead to failing the exam. Some new grads take full time jobs after school which can lead to decreased study hours. Others have real world situations like family and kids that can take away from study time. Whatever the case is, get back in the saddle when you know you can devote full time hours studying.
Sometimes test takers do wait a solid six months to a year to get back to the exam. Understandably, you’ll feel very overwhelmed and de-motivated to study again after a failed attempt. I totally understand. If you can help it, though, do your best to re-take it sooner than later to retain all of the information you just studied. Trust That You WILL Pass The NBCOT® And Become An OTWhile failing the NBCOT® is a major let-down at first, remember that you aren’t the first OT or OTA that’s been through this. And you certainly won’t be the last. Whether you pass the first or the fourth time has no bearing on how great you’ll be as a practitioner. Don’t let it drag you down or define you. You know you will be an OT one day no matter how many tries it takes, as long as you keep at it. Remember that YOU GOT THIS and that you WILL pass! Lastly, if you have any other tips or advice that helped you, please share it in the comments. This post was originally published on September 5, 2016 and updated on May 19, 2021. Can you take the NBCOT unlimited times?There is no upper limit on the number of times a candidate can take the NBCOT Exam, but there is a 30-day waiting period after the last examination date before the candidate may test again. The candidate must submit a new exam application in order to retest.
What happens if you fail NBCOT?If you fail the NBCOT® exam you may schedule to retake the exam 30 days after your last examination date. You will need to reapply and obtain a new Authorization to test (ATT) letter. Once you receive a new ATT letter, you should proceed to schedule your examination directly with Prometric as you had the first time.
What percent of people pass NBCOT first time?Most students (n = 268; 85.1%) passed the NBCOT exam on the first attempt.
What is the pass rate for the NBCOT exam?Summary of Certification Activities. |