It can feel intimidating to have the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam on the horizon before you can become a certified occupational therapist. Knowing what to expect on the exam can help you study the right materials. It also helps to understand the format of the test and how much time you have to take it.
Before you sit for this four-hour test, the bulk of which is multiple-choice questions, you want to study using quality materials. Whether you learn best by taking practice tests, studying flashcards, or watching videos, you’ll find an ideal study package on the list below.
Read on to learn about the top five options and what they offer you.
Best NBCOT Study Guide of 2024
There are so many NBCOT study materials on the market that you might not know where to start. Instead of wasting time with programs that don’t give you practice tests or represent what’s actually on the exam, these five study guides will help you pass the test.
1. TrueLearn NBCOT Study Materials
TrueLearn is a resource for study guides in multiple medical fields. The TrueLearn NBCOT OTR Exam Preparation is the best overall option because it’s thorough and helps you prepare for the actual exam based on sample tests from previous years.
Features
This study guide includes over 1,800 practice questions. Since there are only 170 on the exam, you have a great chance to know what you’ll see on the exam if you make time to answer every question on the practice tests. Certified occupational therapists wrote the guide and arranged the topics according to the exam, which can improve your performance on test day.
TrueLearn includes a new feature of a daily mnemonic video to help you learn the required material. The videos are about two minutes long, so you can study anytime you get the chance. The mnemonic device can improve your exam score by 50% by increasing your information retention.
There are daily quizzes to take to ensure you’re sticking to a study routine that will prepare you for the exam. While you use the program, you can analyze your performance based on other users. Best of all, TrueLearn offers a first-time pass guarantee, so there’s no risk in investing in this guide.
Pros
- More than 1,800 practice questions
- Choose multiple access tiers, ranging from 30 days to one year
- Offers a free trial for five days
- Can upgrade to access more practice tests
- First-time pass guarantee
2. AOTA’s NBCOT Exam Prep
The American Occupational Therapy Association is a professional organization serving students and professionals while helping improve the quality of occupational therapy. With such a solid purpose in the field, it’s understandable that AOTA’s NBCOT Exam Prep is a reliable choice for your study guide.
Features
Because AOTA is an occupational therapy-specific organization, you can expect high quality from the study guide. The program is one you can access from a computer, phone, or tablet, whether you have internet access or not. This flexibility is helpful because you can study anytime, anywhere.
As you progress through the materials, you can see your problem areas on the dashboard so you have an idea of what you should focus on. You can also use the platform to set goals to ensure you’re meeting benchmarks in time to pass the test.
The program includes flashcards, games, and quizzes tailored to your needs. There are over 1,000 practice questions, including multiple-choice and clinical simulation, on the practice test. You’ll get detailed feedback on each answer to help you learn the material if you get it wrong.
Pros & Cons
- Over 1,000 practice tests with multiple-choice and clinical simulation questions
- Provides feedback for your answers
- Shows your score compared to other users
- Allows you to schedule study time based on your test day
- Subscription includes one year of access
- Fewer practice questions than in the TrueLearn materials
Take Me To AOTA’s NBCOT Exam Prep
3. Pass the OT NBCOT Study Material
Pass the OT is a study prep company that’s been around for ten years, offering a web course and personal online tutoring. More than 4,200 OT students passed the NBCOT in that time, so this service has a reliable track record. Most people that use this program get a passing score of 470, while people retaking the test using these materials boost their score by over 30 points.
Features
Pass the OT offers many different types of materials. You can study using more than 50 hours of audio and video assistance. The program includes over 800 practice questions that you can take in a timed setting or untimed. There’s also a final practice test that mimics the experience of sitting for the actual exam.
You also get access to flashcards, a study guide, and study schedules to ensure you stay on track as you approach your test day. There are also test-taking tips from people who have passed the exam. You can even get information looking ahead to your career, with worksheets on pediatric development and other knowledge you’ll need in the field.
The tutoring options make this plan stand out from other options on the list. Even the most basic plan includes four group tutoring sessions. If you need more help, you can sign up for optional one-on-one online tutoring hours to get help on the specific areas that give you trouble.
Pros & Cons
- All plans include a pass guarantee
- Work at your own pace, finishing in as little as one week
- Can continue working on difficult sections until you master it
- Includes online coursework and tutoring options
- Affordable program spanning one to six months
- Solo tutoring costs extra
- Six months is the longest plan option
4. TherapyEd’s Prep Course for the NBCOT OTR Exam
TherapyEd’s Prep Course for the NBCOT OTR Exam is a unique program on the list because it includes online and in-person options. Professionals hold two-day sessions at universities around the country, so you can sign up for the one nearest you if there’s not one on your campus. The online sessions have a similar structure, so you’ll get the same information.
Features
The in-person sessions have morning and afternoon agendas, each covering material for 3.5 hours. You’ll learn about the exam format and content before diving into the material and assessing your strengths and weaknesses. The instructors will go into each section of the actual test so you know what you might need to answer.
The second day focuses on developing a study plan and learning test-taking tips. You’ll also have the chance to take a simulated exam. They also walk you through the process of taking the exam so you can follow regulations and feel more confident on the test day.
Pros & Cons
- Offers online and in-person workshop sessions
- Covers a mix of test materials and exam strategies
- The study guide comes as a print version or ebook
- Each session goes into specific exam sections
- Must order the print study guide separately
- It can be expensive if you travel for a session
5. OT Dude’s Free NBCOT Exam Prep Course
The OT Dude’s Free NBCOT Exam Prep Course may sound most casual, but it’s a reliable resource for people who can’t afford another program from the list. Everything is available for free online, so you’ll find something to suit your learning style.
Features
This program has something for everyone: learning modules, videos, podcasts, mnemonics, and interactive quizzes. You can take a simulated exam that includes both multiple-choice questions and clinical simulations.
The quizzes stand out from other options on this list because they include matching, fill-in-the-blank, videos, and podcasts to ensure you engage with the material and retain the information for the exam.
Though everything is available online for free, you can pay a small monthly fee to save your progress and have access to more bonus content, including the chance to interact with other students on the message board. The site also has many other resources for students or professionals, such as a salary database, rehab calculator, and consulting services.
Pros & Cons
- All materials are completely free
- Includes printed material, audio, and videos
- Engaging quizzes help you retain information
- Over 200 learning modules are available
- Must pay a monthly fee to save progress
- No offer of a pass guarantee
- It can be difficult to navigate as the site looks cluttered
General Information About the NBCOT Exam
Before you take the NBCOT exam, you need to meet eligibility requirements. Students from the United States should graduate from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredited OT school. Anyone with a degree from another country will go through the Occupational Therapist Eligibility Determination (OTED) process.
You’ll study for the exam, then schedule a test date. The NBCOT exam covers topics such as:
- Evaluation and assessment
- Analysis and interpretation
- Intervention management
- Competency and practice management
There are three clinical simulation test questions that have three components:
- Opening scene
- Section headers
- Response options
You’ll read the background information from the opening scene, then get more data from the section headers. The question comes from that information. You can consider a list of potential responses, then get feedback about why your choice is correct.
You have four hours to complete the test, which includes the three clinical simulations and 170 multiple-choice questions. The exam scores range from 300 to 600, and a passing score is 450 or higher.
After the exam, you’ll have the certification but still need to apply for your license. If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll get feedback on your score and performance so you can study before retaking the test.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a recent graduate or newly deciding to expand your occupational therapy knowledge, taking the NBCOT exam can seem intimidating. The key to success is to find the right materials for your learning process, including sitting for a practice test.
This roundup includes study guides that use flashcards, videos, and sample questions to prepare you for the exam. Whether you want to study for two months or a year in advance, you’ll have all the materials you need to pass the NBCOT exam on your first try.
FAQs
You have five reliable resources to help you study for the NBCOT. If you need more information, check out the answers to the frequently asked questions below.
Ideally, you should study for six to eight hours every day, at least six days a week, for eight weeks. This type of study habit will best prepare you for the material on the exam. However, some students study for a month and can pass, while others need six months. Once you review the material, you’ll see where you are and can develop the best study routine.
You need to earn a 450 or higher to pass the NBCOT, but you won’t lose points for choosing the wrong answers. There are 170 multiple-choice questions and three clinical simulations, so you have a good chance of passing based on your correct answers alone.
About 85% of people pass the NBCOT on their first try, which is reassuring. If you use any of the materials above, you’ll likely pass too. If not, you can apply to retake the exam after a 30-day waiting period. You can retake the test without other constraints, though some states require you to complete further education if you don’t pass after three attempts.
