The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) holds up examinations. The exam ensures that sufficient expertise is acquired before a person is allowed into the profession of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is a delicate field, and those who are not well equipped with the skills, versatility, and technicality shouldn’t be allowed to hold certifications. The exams work as a filter of those who earn a spot and those who are yet to be ready.
Without sugar coating, it and the NBCOT exam isn’t a walk in the park. Not saying that it is hard, but highlighting that it is challenging. This means that every candidate shouldn’t only work hard but work smart in order to be fully equipped with the knowledge and confidence to take on the exam. In order to do so, one must take up an efficient NBCOT exam prep routine. Readiness is vital before taking any examination, and in an NBCOT exam, it will separate a precise pass from a clear fail.
The mindset to Take Up
Getting into the exam mood is crucial for anyone about to undertake an exam. When the exam period comes up, it is essential to shake off all fears and put in the right mindset. One can personally tell themselves that they will ace the exam and only need to do it well. A proper perspective will allow one to open up their mind. Prior knowledge of occupational therapy and newer understanding with the appropriate mindset will not lead to confusion as the exam draws near. One should try to think like an examiner and look at common questions while answering them as they know they will be expected to.
How Long to Study for the Exam?
People always wonder when the perfect time is for one to start studying for the exam. Follow a few tips to maximize your chance of success. Ideally, 4-6 hours a day for 6-8 weeks has been proven to be one of the most effective study plans. It doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t study at any time before this period. In these 6-8 weeks, one looks explicitly for examination purposes while before this period, people should study to understand all the field concepts. Entering the examination study period with prior knowledge will help the learner grasp better all the content in the field as well as the content needed during examinations.
Common Mistakes
There are common mistakes that candidates make in NBCOT exam prep. These mistakes can prove decisive and lead to a bad score and failure. They include:
- Not creating a study schedule- Studying randomly will mess with the natural flow of studying, and the grasp of content will be minimal.
- Having too many resources and not the right resources- Too many cooks spoil the broth and having jumbled resources can lead to confusion.
- Lack of confidence or being too overconfident- The two extremes is where no one should want to be. Both disrupt the preparation process of NBCOT examinations, where a person will not adequately prepare for the examinations because of the two.
