For many PTA students, finding time to study is a challenge. And when they can actually fit a study session into their schedules, getting into the right mindset to study is another obstacle to overcome.

Here, we offer tips you can use to break through your initial study block and make the most out of your study sessions--like removing smartphones and other distractions from your study area, studying in an unusual work environment, organizing your workspace, and simply being persistent.

Feeling nervous? Because the NPTE is a high stakes exam, many students suffer from test anxiety leading up to the exam and while taking it. This can make performing well much more challenging. Anxiety is a natural occurrence in stressful, high-pressure situations like a professional exam. It can be manifested either somatically, which is how you feel, or cognitively, which is what you’re thinking.

At TherapyEd, we strive to do everything we can to help PTA students like you pass the NPTE on their first try. Unfortunately, some students are not successful the first time they take the exam. If you didn’t pass the NPTE on your first try, don’t feel discouraged. You’re still well on your way to becoming a practicing physical therapist assistant, and with the right preparation, you can pass the NPTE the second time.

Here’s a path to help you prepare for your NPTE second attempt:

While you know you need to be disciplined and hold to your study schedule for your upcoming NPTE exam date, it can be difficult to find the NPTE study motivation to keep you on track. You may continuously tell yourself that you’ll find plenty of time to study before your exam, but actually making it happen can be a different story.

Naturally, finding the energy and motivation to pick up a book is a tremendous challenge to overcome. Here, we offer tips to find NPTE study motivation and prevent excessive procrastination.

If you’re like most PTA students, you’re wondering how to know when you’re ready to take the NPTE. Have you studied long enough? Do you know all the right material? Will you just feel it in your gut? Everyone is different, so there are no clear finish lines like studying for 100 hours or reading your NPTE review book five times. But, there are four signs that can indicate when you’re ready to take the NPTE –– and pass.

We understand life as a PTA student can be hectic. Between clinicals and coursework, social and family obligations and other demands on your time, it can be difficult to find opportunities to buckle down and truly focus on studying for the NPTE. If you want to improve your chances of success, you need to figure out your personal set of optimal study habits early on. This means thinking about more than just what to study. You also need to decide where to study for the NPTE for PTA to maximize your productivity.

You’ve spent months preparing for the NPTE and now the test is right around the corner. How do you make sure everything runs smoothly on the day of your exam? Students know that relaxing and getting ample sleep the night before is essential, but they should also consider what not to do. Avoid these common NPTE test day mistakes and you’ll be prepared to excel on test day.

Most physical therapist assistant students get overwhelmed at some point when preparing to take the NPTE. There is a lot at stake. After all, passing the exam is the final hurdle to starting your career as an PTA.

That fact, along with the depth and difficulty of the NPTE, can make studying seem daunting. Many students overanalyze and overcomplicate their approach to the NPTE, which can lead to procrastination and prolonged stress. When you don’t know where to begin, it can be tough to get started, and when you don’t know if your approach to studying is effective, it can be difficult to stay on course.