NPTE 2018: Final Week Tips!

It's that time of the year again when nerves start to settle in for those who are taking this July's NPTE exam.  I remember very distinctly the days leading up to the exam and I am sure you all share some of the same feelings.  Am I ready? Did I study enough? Can I withstand the long test?  

Don't worry, these feelings are all normal.  Chances are, you are more than prepared.  You finished physical therapy school (which isn't easy) and you completed clinical rotations.  That in itself is great prep for your exam.  On top of that you've been studying for at least the last few weeks (hopefully).  You're not going to be able to memorize or remember everything and thats OKAY.  Nobody can remember everything and there will be some questions that you going to say "WHAT?".   But rest assured, some of those questions are going to be thrown out because they are test questions for future exams.

Still not convinced you did enough?  Let me tell you about my story.  I got into USC's sports residency in May of 2013.  However, because my school's graduation date was after the date to apply for an out of state exam (I had to get finger printed, etc for California) I was not allowed to take the July exam.  Which meant I had to stop studying and wait until October.  Then, in late June I got a call that I'd been approved for the July exam after multiple people called on my behalf.  Which meant that I had less than a month to study for this exam, move to California, get an apartment, and then take the exam!  My final days before the exam were spent flying to Los Angeles, picking up my car 45 minutes away that I had shipped with all my stuff, and studying in between my Dad and I putting my apartment together to be functional.  So trust me, you will be fine! 

Final Tips for the last week:

- Review what you feel least comfortable about
- Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time to get your body used to exam times
- Get some good workouts in but don't exhaust your body
- Don't experiment with any new food or drinks
- Find something to take your mind off of the exam the night before (ex: a movie)
- Wake up exam day and commit your mind that no matter what is thrown at you, today you are going to find a way to get the answers correct

Good luck to all that are taking the NPTE! 
Dr. Brian Schwabe, PT, DPT, SCS, COMT, CSCS

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