Navigating The Changes In The 2024 NPTE® Exam Format
Change is inevitable, especially in the ever-evolving world of medicine. Just recently, The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy® (FSBPT®) announced a new exam format that will be administered for the National Physical Therapy Examination® (NPTE®) in January of 2024. Understanding and adapting to these changes is a sure way to help you pass your licensure exam.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through all of the updates you can expect to see in the upcoming year and strategies to start implementing in your exam preparation.
NPTE Exam Overview
After graduating from an accredited program, physical therapy students will be expected to complete the National Physical Therapy Examination to assess their knowledge and skills. Passing this exam is a necessary step in the process of becoming a licensed physical therapist.
When is the Exam Taken
The NPTE is computer-based and can be completed at any Prometric testing center in the United States, regardless of where a candidate is seeking licensure. NPTE exam dates run four times a year, typically in January, April, July, and October.
How Long is the NPTE
The NPTE exam is administered in 5 sections timed at 5 hours each with a 15-minute break in the second section.
How is the NPTE Scored
The NPTE is a pass/fail examination with scores ranging from 200 to 800. This is because the exam is designed to gauge whether or not a student has at least the minimum level of competence to practice as a certified physical therapist. In order to successfully pass the exam, students must receive a score of at least 600. There are 180 scored items with only one correct answer for each question.
What’s New to the NPTE Format
To provide an equal opportunity for every candidate to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, the FSBPT reviews feedback and practice analysis data over a five-year span to make informed changes to the exam blueprint. Come January 2024, students will begin testing with the revised format of the NPTE.
1. NPTE Video Items: Video items will help to better test a candidate’s clinical decision-making abilities through the visual assessment of a patient’s condition. Videos will be no longer than 10 seconds and you can replay them as many times as you like.
2. Scenario-Based Questions: In scenario questions, students are given a patient case and are asked questions about the patient. This structure allows students to test their ability on managing cases and making clinical decisions. There will be up to 40 scenario-based questions on the exam.
3. Content Outline: With the overall question count decreasing from 250 to 225, the number of items per body system is shifting slightly. Students will want to familiarize themselves with the 2024 blueprint.
*Understanding the NPTE | FSBPT. (n.d.). [Photo]. Retrieved 26 October. 2023, from https://fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/NPTE-Candidate-Handbook/Understanding-the-NPTE.
Studying in accordance with these changes will have a significant impact on exam performance. TrueLearn has updated the Physical Therapy SmartBank in order to offer students a resource that effectively prepares them for the NPTE while reflecting the evolving landscape of the exam.
Adapting to the Format Changes
While change can feel like an almost imperceptible process, embracing it can also lead us down the path of personal and professional growth. And when it comes to preparing for the new NPTE format, the right tools can make all the difference.
TrueLearn’s recent enhancements will ensure you have the resources and support necessary to excel in the new NPTE format, from scenario-based questions to video based items, the NPTE SmartBank aligns with the newest blueprint to simulate the real thing. For a more in depth look at all of the updates as well as an exclusive code for 15% 90-day or longer subscriptions to start your preparations, download our flier today!
NPTE® is a trademark of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT®). This content is not endorsed or approved by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT®).