Realities

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Realities Myths of the COTA examination

• Patricia Heeter, MA, OTR, CHT
• Director, Examination Development, NBCOT

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Session Overview

• Format of the COTA examination
• How the examination is created
• Format of the examination items
• Preparation and study tools
• Sample items

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Myth or Reality?
NBCOT sponsors examination preparation
courses. Myth
The NBCOT website contains helpful information
about COTA examination preparation. Reality
There is only one version of the COTA
examination. Myth
Questions on the COTA examination are typically
based on recall of rote information. Myth
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Format of Examination

• Computer delivered
• 4-hours
• Examination consists of one section of
• 200 Multiple-Choice (MC) test items
• Within these totals there are a number of
  field-test items
• There is an optional tutorial before starting the
  exam clock

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Myth or Reality?

• The computer randomly selects those items that
  will not be scored once the exam is submitted for
  scoring.
• Myth

The field-test items are randomly dispersed
throughout the exam. Reality
If I skip the tutorial, I will have more time to
take the examination. Myth
I dont like testing on computers, I can request
a paper examination right? Myth
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Format of Examination

• Candidates need to achieve a score of 450 or
  above to pass
• Scores are based on total number of correct MC
  scored items
• There are multiple versions of the examination
• All versions are of equal difficulty

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Myth or Reality?
My score is simply a of correct items. Myth
I scored 447. I can ask NBCOT to review my
fieldwork evaluation to make up the additional 3
points. Myth
Ive failed the examination 3 times. I can
request NBCOT to rescore based on the average of
the 3 previous attempts, right? Myth
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How is the exam created?

• NBCOT routinely conducts practice analysis
  studies to ensure that the examination is content
  valid and appropriately evaluates what is
  required to practice as a COTA
• Practice analysis studies are the critical
  foundation for developing psychometrically sound
  and legally defensible credentialing examinations

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What is a Practice Analysis Study?

• It is an integrated study identifying,
  describing, and validating
• Major domains of practice
• Tasks (things practitioners do) associated within
  the domain
• Essential knowledge and skills required to
  perform the task competently in order to provide
  safe and effective treatment and/or services to
  clients

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Example of Domain, Task, Knowledge

• Domain Gather information and formulate
  conclusions regarding the clients needs and
  priorities to develop a client-centered
  intervention
• Task Gather information on an ongoing basis
  using appropriate tools, procedures, and
  protocols in order to identify factors that
  impact participation in occupation
• Knowledge of Information gathering processes and
  procedures (e.g. observation, interview, client
  records, checklists)

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COTA Examination Blueprint
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A client who has paraplegia wants to prepare
family meals independently. Which environmental
modification will promote the clients safety
during stovetop cooking?

• Positioning an angled mirror above the stove
• Replacing stove knobs with larger handles
• Using pots with extended handles
• Stirring hot liquids with rubber-coated utensils

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And the correct answer is

• A. Positioning an angled mirror above the
  stove
• A client who has paraplegia uses a wheelchair
  during cooking activities. Placing an angled
  mirror over the stove enables the client to see
  food in pots and pans during stovetop cooking.

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Myth or Reality?
My exam was all peds. Myth
The exam is based on all the information weve
covered in our OT curriculum. Myth
NBCOT changes exam blueprints on an annual
basis. Myth
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Format of MC Items

• Question stem
• 4 response options
• 1 correct answer
• 3 distracters

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A school-based OTR and COTA are collaborating to
evaluate a kindergarten student who has autism.
Which task can the COTA complete as part of the
data gathering process for this student?

• Document results of a developmental test.
• Select a developmental assessment.
• Analyze standardized evaluation results.
• Administer a developmental skills checklist.

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And the correct answer is

• D. Administer a developmental skills checklist.
• Administering a developmental skills checklist
  is a typical responsibility of a COTA. This task
  does not require interpretation beyond the COTA
  scope of practice.

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Format of MC Items

• During the exam, you can use Mark and Unmark
  buttons to flag items to review at a later stage.
• If time permits, you can return to marked items
  and insert or change your response option prior
  to submitting the exam for scoring.

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Myth or Reality?
If the exam clock ends, the Marked items I
answered but did not Unmark will be
scored. Reality
There are 150 MC items on the COTA
examination. Myth
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NBCOT Exam Preparation Tools

• The Official NBCOT study tools are the only study
  tools designed exclusively by NBCOT test
  development professionals
• Candidates can be confident that these tools
• Reflect the COTA certification examination
  blueprint
• Provide an authentic introduction to the types of
  questions appearing on the actual certification
  examinations

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Official NBCOT Study Tools

• Examination Readiness Tools
• Official NBCOT COTA Study Guide
• Online Practice Tests
• 100 MC items

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Examination Readiness Tool

• Excellent place to start!
• Helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses
  across areas of the examination blueprint
• Use the results to structure a personal study
  plan
• Free to download at www.nbcot.org

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NBCOT Official COTA Certification Examination
Study Guide

• Comprehensive overview of what to expect
• Format of the examination
• What to expect on the test day
• How the examinations are scored
• Proven strategies for taking high stakes
  examinations
• Sample practice items with answer keys,
  rationales and references

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Online Practice Tests

• Designed to mirror the experience of taking the
  exams on computer
• Available to take 24 hours a day from anywhere
  you have Internet access
• Score report instantly displays overall test
  score and feedback about performance across major
  areas of the examination blueprint

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Myth or Reality?
After I take a practice test, I can compare my
answers with the correct answers. Myth
If I pass the online practice test, I am
guaranteed to pass the real exam. Myth
The Official NBCOT study tools contain the same
items that appear on the real certification
exam. Myth
All published study guides and exam prep courses
are approved and endorsed by NBCOT. Myth
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A student in the second grade uses a palmar grasp
whenever holding a pencil. Which intervention
activity is effective to use with this student
for promoting a more mature pencil grasp pattern?

• Stringing one-inch beads
• Finger-painting on an easel
• Rolling out modeling dough
• Cutting shapes using adapted scissors

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And the correct answer is

• A. Stringing one-inch beads
• This activity encourages fine-motor control
  and isolated finger movement to improve pencil
  grasp development.

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A client who has had a CVA initially required
moderate verbal cues to complete oral hygiene and
grooming. Now the client consistently completes
these tasks independently during self-care
sessions. Based on this progress, what action
should the COTA take prior to the NEXT
intervention session with this client?

• Recommend discharge from OT.
• Re-evaluate functional performance.
• Discuss the progress with the physician.
• Collaborate with the OTR to review goals.

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And the correct answer is

• D. Collaborate with the OTR to review goals
• The COTA may identify the need for change to
  the intervention process. Any changes made to
  the treatment plan and goals should be done in
  collaboration with the OTR.

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Which information should be evident in client
contact notes in order to justify the need for
additional OT services to a clients insurance
company?

• Subjective reports of progress during therapy
• Progress related to the initial functional goals
• Comments on anticipated function at discharge
• Rate of progress as compared to other patients

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And the correct answer is

• B. Progress related to the initial functional
  goals
• Progress notes should provide evidence about
  the clients progress in relation to the
  established functional goals.

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Questions?

• www.nbcot.org
• pat.heeter_at_nbcot.org