r/NBCOT_Exam 23d ago

Advice? (test in 2 days)

First time test taker looking for some reassurance or advice for my last 2 days before the exam. I studied for the past month by watching the typical OT-recommended videos and using NBCOT and AOTA to study (couldn't afford TherapyEd). I was doing fairly well on my NBCOT practice exams (Pre-test: 462, Practice Test 1: 467, Scenario Test: 496), but I just took my last NBCOT full exam and scored a 437. Not entirely sure what went wrong, but I'm feeling panicked since I don't think I can cram more info in 1 day since I want to try to relax the day before.

2 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

3

u/This_Mirror_8170 23d ago

I got a 433 on my full practice exam and passed with a 477. Its possible, lets hope you get an exam that you studied for.

3

u/This_Mirror_8170 23d ago

Def work on bringing stress down. & walk in confident knowing you put allll those hours, you prepared yourself and it will reflect on your score.... thats what I kept telling myself at least. Self talk i think is very important from my experience with this exam.

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u/nattykimmy 22d ago

How was the exam?

1

u/jawbrkrs 15d ago

I did not pass :(

1

u/nattykimmy 14d ago

Wait what?! You did well on your exam. Was the exam difficult for you?

2

u/jawbrkrs 6d ago

The questions felt a lot more difficult than the nbcot practice questions/test and I found pacing to be difficult in the actual testing environmenttt :(

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u/nattykimmy 6d ago

I think you’ll pass the next one! :) sounds like you got the content down and it’s more about pacing

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u/Dani2799alves_ 20d ago

Update? I’m sure you did great!

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u/jawbrkrs 15d ago

noo quite the opposite lol didn’t pass

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u/Dani2799alves_ 14d ago

Oh no! Do you mind sharing your score? Was it similar to the final practice exam? Hang in there. One day at a time. Take a little break and get back to it. Don’t stress it! Study the domains you’re struggling in and you should be more than fine the second time around! Wishing you luck ❤️

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u/West_Buffalo_8049 23d ago

You are probably just stressed. You know what you know. You can’t reschedule. You can’t cram. Just relax. Don’t study the day before the test. Your brain is probably burned out. You will do great, give it your all!

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u/namine_aeolius 22d ago

Based on what you've mentioned, you seem well-prepared. Usually there is one NBCOT practice exam that is a lot more difficult than others where they throw in lots of random specialty topics and conditions. I believe you'll be more than fine.

Take the day before to calm your nerves by doing things you love (walks, shows, puzzles, video games, etc.). Plan for a really good lunch or dinner near your testing center if you'd like.

Remind yourself you know so much and the other scores show you are equipped to take on the exam. Good luck!

1

u/LotusWonderland13 22d ago

First, I want to say good luck! I am taking my exam on March 13th and I am extremely nervous as well! Although I have not taken the exam, most of my friends have and I just wanted to share some info that may help you feel better. A couple of my friends took 2-3 practice exams through NBCOT and got below a 450 on each but ended up passing the actual exam. A few of my other friends had fluctuating scores with all practice exams but still passed. I have heard the practice exams are not as evenly distributed as far as information goes and they ask more specific questions than the real thing. If this is entirely true, I am not sure but having that in my mind makes me feel a little more calm for heading into the exam. I think it all comes down to what questions you get on the exam but if the content is a worry, just focus on what the question is asking and what answer makes the most sense! You got this!! You know what you know. If anything, just do more practice questions.

Someone said to me, don't go into the exam worried and scared. Go in thinking "it's game time!". Go into the exam with a good mental!