How to Choose the BEST Resources to Pass the NBCOT® Exam.

🎉 Welcome Future OT!

Here’s the truth: no resource can guarantee you’ll pass. Only you can do that. The secret isn’t collecting every resource out there — it’s about choosing a few, using them well, and committing to the process. In this episode, I’ll help you figure out which ones are actually worth your time (and money) so you can stop resource-hopping and start learning with clarity.

🧠 Why This Matters

So many students think, “If I just buy one more resource, that’ll be the key.” But more isn’t better. It’s not about hoarding resources, it’s about finding the ones that:

Speak to your learning style.

Teach clearly and simply.

Are reputable and reliable (not scams!).

Give you tools to prove your knowledge — because at the end of the day, that’s what the NBCOT® is testing.

📚 Step 1: The Two Types of Resources

You must have:

A Testing Resource – to simulate the exam and track your strengths/weaknesses.

A Learning Resource – to actually teach you the content and help you fill in the gaps.

📝 Testing Resources (What’s Worth It)

NBCOT® Study Pack – Most comparable to the real thing. Great scaled practice exams.

ExamSim (my top pick): Check it out

Goes deep into your weaknesses.

Includes all exam features: highlighting, strikethrough, flagging.

Every question comes with rationales so you learn as you test.

TrueLearn – Solid rationales and practice structure.

AOTA Online Questions – Uses retired NBCOT® items. Credible but less popular now.

TherapyEd® – Super credible but very tough. Many students feel discouraged, but honestly, being “overprepared” isn’t always a bad thing.

📖 Learning Resources (What Teaches You Best)

Your one job: Prove your knowledge. You’ll be tested on everything from OT school, so your resources need to be accurate and OT-literature-based.

TMPOT PDF Prep Packs (my #1 choice): Get yours here: https://study.tmpot.com/book-guide

Conversational, simple, intervention-heavy.

Comes with flashcards and quizzes.

Grab the free sample to see for yourself.

AOTA PDFs – Credible, but very detailed and light on interventions.

TherapyEd® book – Credible, but dense. Great for looking up content when you need clarification.

🎧 Auditory + Visual Resources

OT Exam Prepper – If you love mnemonics, this one’s gold.

OT Miri – Friendly, clear, and great memory tips.

450 Formula – Hands down the best blend of visuals + lectures + mnemonics.

🏃 Kinesthetic Study Hacks

This one’s tricky, but it works:

Role-play interventions.

Act out deficits.

Study while moving.

Combine body + mind so the learning sticks.

💡 Who Am I?

I’m Kim — I failed the NBCOT® the first time I took it. That failure is why I’m so committed to making sure you don’t spin your wheels. I want your study journey to feel focused, clear, and effective — so you stop wasting time on the wrong things.

🔗 Tools to Help You Pass

The Ultimate Topic Checklist (FREE): https://tmpot.com/gettingstarted/

ExamSim (Practice Tests): https://study.tmpot.com/

PDF Prep Packs (Content + Flashcards + Quizzes): https://study.tmpot.com/book-guide

Tutoring (Group and 1:1 Sessions): https://tmpot.com/tutoring/

👉 If this episode helped you, hit like + subscribe and share it with a study buddy. Remember: it’s not about the resources — it’s about how you use them. Let’s get you licensed!