Perfect Score on the NPTE

PT students generally want to pass the NPTE, but there are some who go above and beyond and get a PERFECT SCORE. How do they do it? Luckily for you, one of my good friends got a 800/800 and she let me interview her.

Dr. Nicole Baratta, PT, DPT was chosen by the class as “most likely to get a perfect score on the NPTE” during our 2019 formal.

When did you start studying?

I started light and inconsistent studying in April/May since our clinicals were canceled and there was not much to do during the pandemic. I started studying more intensively in June.

What textbooks did you use?

I used Scorebuilders and TherapyEd. Scorebuilders had more visuals while TherapyEd had an outline format that I really liked. If I had to pick one that I liked the most I would say TherapyEd; however, I like reviewing everything the getting the most information that is why I chose to get both textbooks.

What score did you get on your academic PEAT?

Academic Retired PEAT 622

Academic Practice PEAT 645

I got a 509 and 541 if anyone wants to know lol - Mercedes

Describe your typical day.

I am not a morning person, so I would wake up between 9:00am-10:00am, go for a walk in order to wake myself up, and since I used the NPTE FF Study Bundle I would start my studying with a lecture or readings. Then, I would take a break for lunch/work out and then go through TherapyEd/Scorebuilders sections that went along with the readings.

How did you like NPTE FF?

I liked it! The lectures helped point out things I needed to know and they gave me good test taking tips. FF Readings were from actual textbooks and how they gave you the pdf of specific pages was really helpful. I also recommend using actual textbooks as well, I used my Kinesiology book to give me a good foundational base for MSK.

How many hours a day and how many days a week did you study?

I studied 3-4 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. For the last two weeks, my hours went up significantly (8 hours a day). In PT school I was more of a crammer, but you definitely can not cram for the NPTE.

How many practice exams did you take?

8 total (3 scorebuilders, 1 therapyed, 2 PEATS, 2 FF)

I scored 150-160s for the textbook exams and I got an 800/800 on the Retired PEAT. I felt as though the textbook exams were worded differently than the NPTE and asked for very specific details. The PEATs are the more accurate to the actual NPTE; however, I did learn a lot by going through all of the textbook practice questions. I also made sure that I would take my practice exams in the AM (closer to the actual exam time) in order to best prepare myself. For the Retired PEAT I took it at the exact time I had to take the exam and I woke up early as well. I also took a few practice exams with a mask.

Do you have any regrets in terms of preparation?

Not really. I wish I could have been a little more organized early on, but the world was just so crazy. I always made sure that I had time to de stress and do things like work out, talk to my friends, and watch mindless television. It is important to still have things in your life going on besides studying.

How did you feel after the exam?

There was a sense of relief at first when you press submit, but then I thought it was very hard and I wasn't expecting some of the questions. I was a bit nervous about how I did. I felt like there was enough questions I definitely knew I got right, so I didn't necessarily think I definitely failed, but the thought did cross my mind like what if the questions I got right weren't counted.

What was your mindset during the exam?

I reminded myself remain confident and know that I did a lot of studying to pass this exam. During the exam I would remind myself to take one question at a time, focus on that question, answer as best as I could, and move on.

Did you take breaks?

I took a few minutes in my seat after each section, but didn’t get up. I didn’t take the 15 min because I just wanted to get the exam over with.

OMG you didn't take the 15 min break?!

Yeah, so I recommend taking the break, not everything I do should be followed, but that is just me. I also finished the exam in 3 and a half hours, so I wasn't sitting for that long compared to using the entire 5 hours.

Did you use another NPTE prep course besides FF?

I took the TherapyEd course and I felt like it gave me the motivation to start studying. I also liked the set-up of having practice questions, but I felt like the explanations went too fast sometimes. The biggest thing I got of it was like wow there are some things you really need to start studying and reading up on.

How does someone who got an 800/800 go about answering a tricky question?

I go back to test taking principles: Looking at the four answers, seeing if two of these are similar/complete opposites, if I can narrow it down to two choices just by looking at the answers or if there is a part of the stem that matches up.

Do you flag questions?

I always put down what my gut tells me, but I still flag them. Usually I try not to change my answers unless something totally clicks in my mind.

Did you use a specific study schedule/calendar you found online?

I went with the FF schedule and based it of the lectures. I made my own schedule on what I needed to focus more on. A lot of schedules that are online are good, but if you feel like you need more time in one area more then you should modify it.

What did you do the week before the exam?

I studied a section a day and looked at the most important things from each section.

What did you do the day before the exam?

Some people say you are supposed to take the day off, but that is not who I am as a person. Not studying would make me more anxious. I did a few hours of memorizing stuff, stages, and specific symptoms of things. My parents got me food from my favorite restaurant for dinner which was comforting.

Did you have a dump sheet?

I didn’t have one, but I studied other peoples dump sheets.

Any other tips you would like to tell future NPTE test-takers?

Find what study style works best for you early on. If you are a flashcard person vs. note writing vs highlighting person. Read the WHOLE question and use the highlighting tools in the test to make sure you read it correctly.

How did you feel like when you learned you passed?

I was the best feeling in the world and such a huge relief and weight off my shoulders. I am now finally able to relax and focus on starting my career.

Nicole also told me that she has an interview coming up (which I'm sure will go well, so congrats to her!)

Disclaimer: This was someone's experience/studying strategies. This is not the only way to study for the NPTE or to get a perfect score. Taking Nicole's advice doesn't necessarily mean you will get a perfect score/pass the NPTE, but it is helpful to know what someone who did very well on the NPTE did to prepare! EVERYONE is DIFFERENT.

The FSBPT aggressively protects the integrity of the NPTE. Such protection is important to safeguarding the public from persons who do not have the requisite knowledge about physical therapy and therefore are not qualified to practice physical therapy. Any person for whom the FSBPT has a reasonable suspicion of sharing or soliciting information about any NPTE examination question may be prohibited from sitting for the NPTE until they are determined after full investigation not to have shared or solicited such information.