It’s common for those who have recently completed their EMT training course to hop online and begin looking for a top of the line, NREMT study guide (the NREMT exam must be taken in order to become a certified EMT). Chances are, they will find several different websites that claim to have the most comprehensive NREMT study guide, and buying theirs will almost guarantee you to pass the exam. While we are not saying all of these claims are false, it is important that proceed with due diligence prior to buying in. In this guide, we’re going to provide you with advice that will allow you to best prepare for your NREMT exam.
The best thing to do first is to determine who you are as a student. There are a number of questions you should now ask yourself. Are you a student who learns better when they are taught and showed presentations (a visual learner)? Or are you a student who learns better through reading text on their own? Are written exams a strength of yours? Do you study more effectively independently, or in study groups?
With answers to the questions above, it will be far easier to determine what route to take as far as preparing for the NREMT exam. You may realize that you need a private tutor to better prepare for the exam. This is just one common scenario. Now, one important thing that you must keep in mind; it’s always better to be over prepared than to be underprepared. Even if you feel like you know everything from the EMT training course by heart, don’t let this get to your head. It’s still important to prepare for the exam, and at least spend a little time studying. Sure, you may not need to study as much as others in your class, but you should study for the NREMT test (also known as the EMT test) regardless.
Currently, the NREMT test is administered through CBT, which is also known as Computer Based Testing. Questions on the test will be from 6 major categories, which include the following:
- Airway and breathing
- Cardiology
- Medical
- Trauma
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Operations
The way the exam is set up is unique, and likely not the type of exam many have written before. The test will not be the same for each student; in fact, it will almost always be unique, especially as the test progresses. As you answer questions, the computer will determine how competent you are, and formulate the next question based on your competency. If you are answering the majority of questions correctly, chances are, the test will be over quite quickly. Why? Well, the NREMT test is designed to determine whether or not you are prepared to be an EMT, and it does so through an algorithm. Once the computer is 95% certain that the test taker is prepared to be an EMT, the test will be over. If you notice that the test ended fairly quickly, do not panic, as it is likely a good sign. You should also keep in mind that the exam includes a psychomotor section (the practical section), where test takers will be required to exhibit various skills that they learned throughout the EMT training program.
Evidently, since the exam is administered through a computer, it’s definitely advisable to know the basics of using a computer. The test will not require advanced computer skills, but will require some basic skills such as moving from one page to the next, submitting answers, and so forth.
A common mistake is to rely solely on the book used in the training course. The reason we say this is a mistake is because the NREMT test is not written using the class textbook. In fact, the test is written using an analysis that is completed every 5 years by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (meaning the test is standardized across the country). So with this in mind, remember that studying the class text book at the last minute will likely be of little use to you. Much of what is covered in the text book will require you to do further research in order to be best prepared for the EMT test.
Other NREMT Exam Preparation Advice
- Make sure you don’t overcomplicated things. The exam is not meant to confuse you by any means. It’s common for people to overcomplicate questions on exams, and this can often prove to really harm their test scores. Read the question as it is, and don’t try to over analyze it.
- Do not answer a question until you have read the question in its entirety. If you have too, there is no harm in reading the question multiple times in order to better grasp it.
- Unlike other exams, the NREMT test does not allow you to skip any questions. You must answer each question in order to move forward in the test. If you are unsure of the answer to a question, eliminate the choices you know are certainly not the answer, and then guess between the remaining choices.
The idea of tests and exams are frightening for many, but it is very important to not let this get to your head. After all, it’s just another exam, and if you prepared adequately, you should have no problem passing it. You’ve made it a long way in completing your EMT training course, and this exam is the last barrier between you and your dream career. Let that be a little motivation! If you’d like some more exam preparations tips, click here for a comprehensive guide.