Therapywizards first e-book!

This e-book is based on the writer's knowledge and opinion and should not be taken as is. Try to filter what you think is right. Anyway, it's written in a layman's format.
You can use this as a guide in your studies. ('Kinda contradicting, huh?)
But don't sell it. This is free! 
I know there is an entrepreneur in the heart of everyone. But try to hold 'em back. (Down boy!)
If you have questions why I'm doing this, I don't have the slightest idea.
Pls. pardon any grammatical or spelling errors. I'm not perfect. Not a professional writer.  Just an ordinary licensed Physical therapist who scored 86% in the NPTE. Wait a minute, is it 84% or 86%? 
Anyway, it's not that important.
I know, I know, some of you got higher than that. Then, why are you reading this? Just kidding.
Read and enjoy!

NPTE e-book: Chapter 1-Q&A

       To be a PT? Or not to be a PT? That's the question that most students ask after failing 3-4 times!
Why do students fail? Is it the book's fault? Is it the parents fault? Could it be genetic? I guess there are a lot of question, but few answers.
From what I've seen in the past, students tend to rely on fellow students to encourage themselves in studying for the dreaded exam. Some have opted to go for the recalled questions, blindly following other test-takers' understanding of the question.
       Some students read a lot of books to overloading their brains with useless information. I say useless because it does not exactly appear in the NPTE! The exam does not ask for," What chapter in the book did you read?" It does not ask for "the exact origin nor insertion of...." So, are you still with me?
       NPTE questions are more clinical than objective. It also takes good test-taking skills to pass. The more questions you know and understand, the more efficient you are in answering the questions. 
       Efficient? (Did I get the spelling right?) Yeah, efficient! There's a difference between being effective and efficient. For those who are not aware, effective means doing the right thing. Like studying for the exam, taking vitamins, enough sleep, no gimmicks, setting priorities, etc. Efficient means doing things right. E.g. No recalled questions, answering a lot of questions and knowing the rationale, etc.
       I'm not saying that you just study the question; of course you still have to read selected topics. 5-6 years in college ought to teach the tricks of the trade. If you don't know it yet, that's a problem! But it's not too late. There is still time! You'll just have to get things right this time. Later, I'll go into details with you to set things right.
       I guess to answer the question above, the point that you graduated after years of studying, means that you are already good. NPTE just wanted to test if you're good enough to practice as a licensed Physical therapist. Don't give up! I know it's depressing. But the more you procrastinate, the more you forget what you've built in your noodles!
      So, read on. I hope this e-book will help you a lot.

Chapter 2: How to start?

       When I was studying for the NPTE, my son was about 7 months old, crawling like a worm, and crying like a banshee. And then I heard my wife calling me because she'll be late for work. I have to drive her back and forth. I was having the hardest time to remember what I've read. I can't concentrate!
       So, what did I do? I fed him well and played with him. So, after exhausting his energy, he slept! And I drove my wife to work.
       Problem 1 solved. Problem 2: I'm also tired and I have to take a nap too.
       Does this ring a bell to some? 
       I guess I have reason not study, huh? But I also have reasons to study. And that is, my wife is the only one working. I look like a bum. I don't feel people respecting me. I'm ashamed to go to gatherings because they'll ask me about my job which I don't have. That's why I studied!
       So, to get things started, set your goals first! And that's the NPTE! I want to be a registered PT! Say it! Say it loud! Say it louder until your roommate thinks you've gone crazy. Ahem, paging Dr. Phil!!!
       You need to have a reason to pass. And that will motivate you!
       One student, whom I've studied with, told me that he failed 4 times already. I was surprised the first time I've heard about this. But I finally accepted that it happens.
       His reason, he's working in an outpatient facility and don't have time to pass the exam. I don't know what he's position is, but it's not good for his study routine.
      If you're working and don't have the option to fail. Then, let it be your motivation to pass. If you need money and the time to study, I can't help you with that.  But you can plan your day. Plan ahead of time!
      The other student, whom I've talked to, has a different problem. He's got a financer! He's filthy rich! And don't even get me started with it!
      He didn't have the time to study. Why? I don't know. With all his money, he could buy himself a lot of time. Later, he admitted that he's not sure if wanted to pursue his career as a PT. Are you getting what I'm trying to point out? If you don't concentrate on one thing, you'll jump and jump until you get burned out and not accomplish anything!
      So, focus! And did I say it's my second point in getting started?
      I was reading all my notes from college (I graduated 1999) to prepare for the 2003 NPTE, when I found myself lost. I don't know where to begin! Years have passed since I last opened my books which were then full of dust. Cough! Cough! Cough! So, I bought some folders. Clipped the old ones together in one file, placed the new books on the other side of the shelf, and remodeled the bedroom by putting a study spot with lights, etc. Basically, I tried to organize my books, my time for my family and physical health. 
      After doing so, I browsed the internet for some good books. I went to a lot of forum to find the best books or software. Guess what? I wasn't able to find much.  So, I tried searching Google, Yahoo and Amazon. Then, I hit the jackpot! I found the best books to help me study. Those books are now at www.therapywizards.com which I gathered and posted in the website to help other students.  I don't sell them, the website is linked to Amazon.com and it will take you there once you clicked the picture of the item. I guess the point here, is to invest in books.  The best investment that your parents have done is to help you graduate. At least it's true to most of us. Now, the best investment you're going to make is spending your hard-earned money in books or software. If you don't have the money, you'll have to go to the library. If you don't have it in your library, you'll just have to buy 'em. You don't have to buy new. However, the difference between new and used books is minimal. So, it's up to you. 
       I recommend, but I'm not endorsing, the following books for those people whose been asking me a lot:
NPTE study guide by Sullivan (can be purchased at therapyed.com), Giles test master, PEAT,  Meyer's questions, Physical therapy board review by Michael Dunaway--one of the best in Q&A, Orthopedic secrets for reference, Therapeutic exercises by Kisner-- also, for reference.  Giles test master is a compilation of the hardest questions from the other books by the same author. So, if you can answer it well, then, that's a good sign.

      When you buy books, don't buy it when you're desperate. It's like buying groceries. Don't buy groceries when you're hungry. You will overspend! If you failed, try to relax for a week or two. Then go back and study again.  Try to study for 3 months or more. Read the book from therapyed.com 4-6 times until it sticks to the membrane of your brain! 
        
      Before hitting the books, try to answer at least 100 questions when you're starting. Just to have a baseline on where your knowledge is. I will discuss the details on how to study the books that I've mentioned in the next chapter.
       So, there it is. It's not that hard to start, right? Yeah right.

Chapter 3: The Hardest part: Organization and Studying details

            So, you're ready right? You better be, you're in chapter 3!--Nice rhyme, eh?
The first thing to do is set a time for your studies. Let's say, 6-8 hours a day which I find okay when I'm busy with other stuff or when I just feel lazy. Or 12 hours when I'm really into studying. You have to divide your time. I used to be a pharmaceutical sales rep, so, I apply what I've learned from that job to my lifestyle. Here's an example;

Today's schedule:
8-9:30-breakfast- the most important meal of the day
930-1230-study chapter 1 of Sullivan
1230-130-Lunch
130-530-study Chapter 2-3 of Sullivan
530-630-Nap
630-730-Answer 50 questions
730-830-Supper
830-1030-review the rationales. Bang 
my head against the wall for wrong answers!

A week's schedule:
Monday- Sullivan 1-3
Tuesday-Sullivan 4-5
Wednesday-Sullivan 6 to end
Thursday-Recap everything
Friday-Answer Set 1 of questions 
Saturday-Check rationales or gray areas in ortho-secrets/Magee special test
Group study
Sunday-rest-Go to church and pray. 

1st month's schedule:
Goal: Finish Sullivan book (Read at least 3x)
Answer all 4 sets of questions (at least 2x)

Next month: 

Test taking skills with Giles test master, guide to success 1 and 2
Test taking skills with Michael Dunaway
Test taking skills with Theresa Meyer
Participate more on group study or have a study partner
Answer questions automatically during group study
Final test: PEAT

If you're not still ready:

3rd month

Read Weak areas in Sullivan: let's say, 
Wheelchair and Admin
Ortho
Cardio/Pulmo
Memorize values
Understand terms and remember patterns:
SCI functional outcomes, Ortho/Prosthe problems

      Now you know why you have to read Sullivan book 4-6 times. You have to come back for specific topics every now and then.
      If a question comes on your mind, look it up right away. Don't let the wind blow it away. (Again, nice rhyme!)
      Study group usually comes in the later part. When you have a steady knowledge. You'll learn additional info from other people. But don't panic! You don't have to know everything! They know something, and you know most of the things. And that's all that matters!
       If you're getting 80% consistently with practice exams, your chances are good. If not, don't be discouraged. It's only practice.  Remember to learn from your mistakes. Remember the question and rationale! I can only say so much, but again, test-taking skills play a big part in the NPTE. The more questions you know and understand the better. It's like answering in the quiz bee! The more automatic and accurate you become in answering questions, the more time you have to go back or at least think about the harder questions. I remember I still have and hour and half when I finished the exam.  So, I spent half hour reading the questions that I found difficult. Just read the questions at least 3 times. Usually, you don't see it right away, but after reading it for a few times, the answer unfolds in your face. It's like solving a puzzle. Answer the question as if you're life depended on it. Don't let it go! You studied for 3 months, don't waste it! 
       If you're not sure with your answer, usually your first answer is right. So, don't change your answer if you don't have a better answer for that question. When you're done and provided you still have time, try to count your "correct" answers. Correct meaning, answers that you're confident to be right. Right meaning, you remember it's in the books or it's similar to the question you've encountered before--some of the questions are quite similar. Of course, right answers should be 80% more than wrong. Savvy?
       Whatever questions you've encountered, always remember that it's the same principle. Our profession has changed. But not that much. The basics cannot be changed! At the same time they can only throw so much in the pool of questions that most of ‘em is quite similar. I graduated 1999. In my opinion, Physical therapy principles are still the same when I took the exam in 2003. 

Chapter 4:  Moment of truth

Top 10 Tips:

1. Arrive early
2. Bring at least 2 ID (passport, Green card, DL, etc)
3. Don't eat too much. You might fall asleep.
4. Pray before the exam. You prayed and cried while studying.
Make your prayer count. Ask God to help you pass the exam. Don't ask God to help you pass when you're done! That's plain stupid.
5. Try to answer the first 20 questions accurately. Take your time. If you can't answer it, leave it. With the proposed changes in the exam pattern, you'll have to divide the set of 50 into sections. E.g. First 50 questions. So you don't get overwhelmed, divide it by 25 or 10. It all depends on your comfort level. I'm comfortable answering set of 50 by dividing it by 2. So, it feels like I'm just answering 25 questions for 30 minutes. 
Savvy?
6. Remember the basic principle. Like closed packed position, resting position, etc.
It doesn't look like it's the question. But if you read it carefully, the principle applies.
7. Don't panic. Close your eyes and breathe.
8. Don't forget your pencil and paper. Write down the amount of correct answers and unsure answers. Count unsure answers as incorrect. That will encourage you to answer one question at a time.
9. When you're done, go back and review your answers.
10. Go home and rest. Or watch a movie. Depending on your personality, you can do whatever you want now. Because the waiting time has always been hard.  In Indiana, the results come out after 3 days.  I'm not sure about other states. Check your state of jurisdiction or go to https://www.fsbpt.net/pt/index.cfm and click registration status to see if you pass or fail. It will say something like, "your score has been sent to state of jurisdiction". But it doesn't mean you pass. Sometimes it will just say that you failed.

So, I guess that's all I can share for now. Anyway, it’s just a short e-book. On my next e-book, I will discuss negotiation skills. It's as important as passing the NPTE.

Don't forget to visit www.therapywizards.com. I would love to see a lot of messages being posted in the website's forum. If you have questions, drop me a line in the forum section under PT.

Author: Cowboybuboy
Ebay Id: littletyke456
Email ad: ptyugi@yahoo.com
Website: www.therapywizards.com-the best source of NPTE test prep