Assistant    Exam Prep

​A Practice Analysis, or role delineation, is a study of the profession that provides a foundation for the exam content. It  gives you an in-depth look at the profession, is used by the exam development committees to create our comprehensive, contemporary and relevant exams.​

​This is another great source of information to help you prepare is your exam​. This list is used by the exam writers to validate the correct answers to the exam questions. You may also want to refer to published journal articles, reference lists and the textbooks from your educational program.​

Also consider reviewing basic test taking principals. Numerous references for exam prep, reducing exam anxiety and study tips are available from a wide array of publishers.​

One helpful study resource is the Assistant Test Content Outline​​. The outline is broken down by domain; each domain section indicates the percentage of emphasis the elements of practice in that domain receives on the exams. For each Practice Domain listed on the Test Content Outline, you should plan on familiarizing yourself with clinical, technical or general practice information related to that domain.

The sample Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistant Written Exams include questions similar to those you will find on the actual exams, giving you a feel for the types of questions asked and how they are structured.

You might consider taking an exam review course, or purchasing exam prep materials that are available from multiple sources. We neither sponsors nor endorses review/preparatory courses or any exam preparation materials. Your review may include specific O&P material, or might be in the general area of test taking techniques.​

Consider forming a small exam study group. Candidates who pool their resources and study together may be more confident in their knowledge and more likely to pass the exam.

Your study group might consider scheduling to take the exam at the same time, traveling to the exam site together and supporting one another every step of the way.

One of the most important parts of your preparation for the assistant certification exam(s) is completion of your patient care experience hours. The competency assessments that are a part of the orthotic assistant​ self-assessment checklist and prosthetic assistant self-assessment checklist are a good gauge of your knowledge and skills in a particular practice area. This is critical to your learning and progression from student to independent care provider.​

Talk with ABC certified colleagues to find out what resources they suggest to help you prepare for your exams and what study advice they might offer. While they are not allowed to share exam content with you, they can help with focusing your studying activities to the most critical areas.​

If you are retaking your exam, review your Score Report and identify the domain areas where you have the most opportunity to improve.

Review Understanding Your Orthotic Assistant or Prosthetic Assistant Exam Results to help you focus your studies accordingly.​