Exam Preparation

NBCOT has published a variety of exam preparation tools designed to help your students assess their exam readiness, focus study efforts in the appropriate content areas, and become familiar with the domains tested on the exam.

We encourage you to use these resources as a reference for curriculum development and review, as a foundation for classroom assignments, and when guiding your students on their path to success during study groups and guidance sessions.

Aspire® Exam Prep Tools

Self-Assessment Tool

Our entry-level Self-Assessment tools is an excellent resource to help students identify their self-perceived indication of knowledge, skills, and experience in relation to the validated domains and tasks of OT practice.

Using the tool before and after fieldwork can help students identify gaps
Unlimited use
Feedback report can guide personalized study plans

Access the Self-Assessments

Study Guide

The Official NBCOT Study Guide includes test-taking strategies and effective study habits and tips.

Available in hard copy or online
100 sample multiple-choice questions with answers, rationales, and references
OTR only - sample Clinical Simulation Test (CST) item with answers, rationales, and references
COTA only - sample six-option multi-select items with answers, rationales, and references

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Flashcards

Students are able to study anywhere at anytime with our online Flashcards.

Over 500 terms and definitions across the domain areas of the OTR and COTA exam outline
Customizable settings to enable learning in Study or Quiz mode
Sorting feature allows you to place cards into piles of terms you know ("Know It") and terms you want to review ("Study It")

Order Through PD Portal

Knowledge Match Game

Students can test their knowledge in a fun and interactive environment.

20 games covering a range of OT topics
Receive immediate feedback
Includes recommended reading list at the end of each game

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Practice Tests

Test your student's readiness by simulating the format and flow of the real exam using the only practice tests available with questions developed using the same methodology as the exam itself.

Items reflect current content from the OTR and COTA exams
Receive a scaled score at the end of the test along with a feedback report
4 different OTR practice tests
4 different COTA practice tests

Order Through PD Portal

Occupational Therapy Knowledge Exam (OTKE)

The NBCOT Occupational Therapy Knowledge Exam (OTKE) is an online, cohort-based 100-item test designed exclusively for OT program directors to assist with analyzing students’ performance related to the validated domain and task statements for entry-level practice. The OTKE is an excellent tool for assessing a student’s occupational therapy knowledge and skills in advance of setting specific fieldwork goals.

There is an OTR OTKE and a COTA OTKE. Each test contains three- and four-option single response multiple-choice items. The COTA OTKE also contains some six-option multi-select items.

To order or manage OTKE tests, log in to your Program Director Portal and click on OTKE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OTKE?

The NBCOT Occupational Therapy Knowledge Exam (OTKE) is an online, cohort-based test designed exclusively for program directors to assist with analyzing students' performance related to validated domain and task statements for entry-level practice.

What is the difference between the OTKE and the NBCOT online multiple-choice practice test?

The NBCOT online practice test contains 100 items that mirror the exam outline of the actual certification exam. The online practice tests are available for students to purchase directly through their MyNBCOT portal or for the program director to order through their Program Director Portal. At the end of the test, only the test taker receives a report showing their overall scaled score and scores across each of the major domain areas of the test.

The NBCOT Occupational Therapy Knowledge Exam (OTKE) is an online, cohort-based test designed exclusively for program directors to assist with analyzing students' performance related to the validated domains AND task statements for entry-level practice. The OTKE tests are purchased and managed through the Program Director Portal.

What are the benefits of having my student take the OTKE?

The OTKE is structured using the same exam outlines that guide construction of the NBCOT certification exams. The score reporting mechanism allows program directors to select and print customized score reports for individual students, classes, or across multiple cohort groups.

The OTKE score reports provide program directors with in-depth information about their students' performance in the following areas:

Percentage of items scored correctly by each student at each task level
Number of items scored correctly by each student across the whole test
Percentage of items scored correctly at the domain level by overall cohort group

How long is the OTKE?

The OTKE is an untimed test. It is recommended that the test be completed in two hours. However, if you have a student who requires testing accommodations, or if you wish to use the OTKE as a part of a class assignment, you can allow your students to have additional time to complete the test. Students can monitor their time-use by checking the clock on the menu bar of the computer they are using.

How much is the OTKE?

The OTKE is $25 per test. It can be purchased and managed by the program director directly through their Program Director Portal. Payment can be made using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

How do I purchase the OTKE?

The program director should log in to their Program Director Portal. Click on the OTKE icon to order and manage these tests.