The NPTE, also known as the physical therapy boards, is changing in 2024. In part, due to declining test scores, the National Physical Therapy Examination is going the way of the GRE and will have several changes this year.
Per ACAPT, the changes include the following [my commentary is in brackets]:
- Decrease to 225 questions [5 sections of 45 questions each, a reduction of 10%]
- 180 scored/ 45 pre-testing [pre-testing are questions don’t count because they are in development. They scattered randomly throughout]
- 185 will have text, graphics & video
- Inclusion of clinical scenarios & continuing video with enhanced scenario descriptions to facilitate more medically complex cases and allow assessment of the candidates[’] ability to extract relevant information. The scenario will be on the left, with questions on the right.
- Each question stands alone and does not require a correct answer to a previous question
- Each scenario has 4-5 strong questions
The exam will be shorter to account for the new clinical scenario questions, and also the content guidelines will change a bit. There will be more neuro and cardiopulm questions and fewer modalities and metabolic systems questions.
For an idea of how to study for the NPTE, check out my blog post here, and also look for my day-of test taking tips. Good luck!