How to Study for the NBCOT COTA®* Exam

If you recently graduated or are on the road to graduating from an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program, this guide is for you. The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant® (COTA) exam administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT) is your ticket to becoming a certified professional. 

Follow our advice on how to study for the NBCOT COTA® Exam so you can pass with flying colors.

1. Self-Assess Your Knowledge

Take the NBCOT® ‘s Entry-Level COTA Self-Assessment to determine your readiness for the exam. This will help you identify knowledge gaps and guide your study plan. You need adequate prep time for this exam, so the earlier you take this assessment, the better. 

2. Gather Your Study Materials

Whether you’re reaching for the NBCOT COTA study guide, a Quizlet deck, or Qbank, ensure your study materials are high-yield and work for you. For example, TrueLearn’s OTA SmartBank has more than 1,000 COTA® exam-style practice questions and a performance dashboard to help you prepare for the exam. Plus, there’s a first-time pass guarantee on 90+ day subscriptions!

3. Create A Strategy

Review the exam’s content outline and build your study strategy. Since you’ve already identified your strengths and weaknesses, you can build a schedule across the span of a few weeks in your weak areas. Don’t forget to pencil in time for knowledge refreshers of the material you’ve mastered too.

4. Focus Your Study Time

A robust study plan doesn’t matter if your study time isn’t disciplined. Avoid unnecessary distractions and try active study methods to engage your mind. It’s ideal to include practice questions and active recall methods in day-to-day studying.

Example Study Plan and Schedule

This 12-week study schedule is designed to help you prepare for the NBCOT COTA® exam. The schedule breaks down content areas and allocates time for review, practice exams, and self-assessment.

• Week 1-3: Foundations and Basic Knowledge. Establish a strong understanding of fundamental concepts in occupational therapy, including developmental milestones, frameworks, and theories.
• Week 4-6: Intervention and Occupational Performance. Deep dive into intervention strategies and application of occupational therapy in various settings.
• Week 7-9: Occupational Therapy Process and Ethics. Focus on OT process, professional responsibilities, and ethics.
• Week 10: Practice and Simulated Testing. Take a full-length practice exam to simulate exam conditions, review mistakes, and refine time management.
• Week 11: Intensive Content Review. Intensive review of key concepts, focusing on weaker areas identified from practice tests.
• Week 12: Final Preparation. Light review and stress management before the exam.

How many questions are on the exam?

The exam has a total of 190 multiple-choice and multi-response items. You will have a total of 4 hours to take the exam, and you may go back to answer unanswered questions as long as you’re within the time limit. Your exam time will not stop if you take breaks during the exam. 

When should you take the exam?

Schedule your NBCOT COTA® exam date with the exam scoring calendar in mind. You must take your exam a minimum of three days before the score release date. Plan accordingly–there is a two-week blackout period for maintenance at the end of every year. 

What is the passing score for the exam?

NBCOT COTA scoring is reported on a standardized scale ranging from 300 to 600. The current passing standard is 450 or higher.

NBCOT COTA® Exam Tips

1. Review the Handbook. Don’t forget to review the digital handbook for a refresher on all details and policies concerning the exam. It has all the information you need regarding the code of conduct, testing accommodations, and more.
2. Complete the Exam Tutorial. If you haven’t already, view the exam tutorial that will appear at the beginning of your test. This will help you get familiar with the exam’s format, experience, and tools.
3. Sleep, Eat, and Breathe. Don’t cram. If it’s the night before your exam, prioritize your rest, health, and well-being. Ensure you’re well-rested and properly nourished before your exam by eating a healthy breakfast, drinking water, and sleeping at least 8 hours. You’ve got this.
4. Be Punctual. You must arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Bring two forms of ID that have a signature that match your first and last name on the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. If you arrive late or don’t have proper identification, you may not be able to take the exam.

Just getting started on your study journey? Purchase TrueLearn’s brand new OTA SmartBank to take advantage of 1,000+ practice questions aligned to the COTA® exam and a first-time pass guarantee on 90+ day subscriptions.

*NBCOT® and COTA® are registered trademarks owned by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. TrueLearn is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.