Name: Matthew J.

Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525
Email outside of Spalding: matthewjacobhill@gmail.com
Cell Phone: 765-421-3060
How many weeks until you plan to take the exam: 10 weeks
How many days until exam date: 69 Days

NBCOT Exam
Plan for Success
On the Road to YOUR R

NBCOT Self-Assessment identified areas of focus:

For each NBCOT performance task, write out what knowledge/skills you
already possess and what you need/want to focus on in your preparation
process.

Domain 1

Task 1: Acquire information about a clients functional skills, roles,

context, and prioritized needs through the use of available resources and
standardized and non-standardized assessments in order to develop an
occupational profile.
- Skills I have
o Establishing and maintaining therapeutic rapport in order to
gather essential data.
o Gathering client history as a reference to activities and
engagement in occupations.
o Identifying client needs, problems, concerns, and priorities
about occupations and daily life activity performance.
- To Focus on
o Identifying activity demands that support or hinder occupational
performance.
o Understanding and recognizing the impact of typical patterns
and progressions associated with physical, developmental and
psychosocial conditions.

Task 2: Analyze evidence obtained from the occupational profile to identify

factors that influence a clients occupational performance.
- Skills I have
o Determining the impact of environments on development and
occupational performance.
- To Focus on
o Deeper understanding of theoretical approaches or models of
practice to identify environmental and contextual factors that
support or hinder occupational performance.
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525

Domain 2

Task 1: Analyze and interpret standardized and non-standardized

assessment results, using information obtained about the clients current
condition, context, and priorities in order to develop and manage client-
centered intervention plans.
- Skills I have
o Identifying activities to enhance the clients occupational
performance
o Interpreting quantitative and qualitative data from individual
assessment tools
o Selecting best practice evidence to support critical reasoning
and clinical decision making
- To Focus On
o Applying theoretical frames of reference and models of practice
to formulate conclusions regarding client needs and priorities.
o Using evaluation outcomes to formulate conclusions concerning
factors that impact occupational performance

Task 2: Collaborate with the client, the clients relevant others,

occupational therapy colleagues, and other professionals and staff, using a
client-centered approach to manage occupational therapy services guided
by evidence and principles of best practice.
- Skills I have
o Understanding multidisciplinary roles and responsibilities in
context
o Communicating effectively with client, team members, and
relevant others about client goals and outcomes
o Articulating the value of occupational therapy to clients and
relevant others
- To Focus on
o Identifying appropriate transitional services
o Developing measurable and culturally relevant goals based on
expected outcomes
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525
Domain 3

Task 1: Manage interventions for the infant, child, or adolescent client,

using clinical reasoning, the intervention plan, and best practice standards
consistent with pediatric condition(s) and typical developmental
milestones (e.g., motor, sensory, psychosocial, and cognitive) in order to
support participation within areas of occupation.
- Skills I have
o Selecting appropriate activities to enhance performance within
areas of occupation
o Identifying the impact of client factors on performance skills and
patterns in order to support client participation in areas of
occupation
- To Focus on
o Applying the principles of normal development across the
lifespan in relation to task accomplishment
o Determining intervention strategies and approaches that support
the appropriate frame of reference or model of practice

Task 2: Manage interventions for the young, middle-aged, or older adult

client, using clinical reasoning, the intervention plan, and best practice
standards consistent with general medical, neurological, and
musculoskeletal condition(s) in order to achieve functional outcomes
within areas of occupation.
- Skills I have
o Communicating with the client and relevant others (e.g., family,
team members, vendors, payers) about acquiring appropriate
assistive devices
o Educating and training the client and relevant others about the
safe and effective use of environmental modifications, seating
and mobility devices, durable medical equipment, and/or
assistive technology
o Applying ergonomic principles and universal design to
environmental modifications in a variety of contexts
- To Focus On
o Evaluating the effectiveness of modifications and/or devices
within areas of occupation
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525

Task 3: Manage interventions for the young, middle-aged, and older adult
client, using clinical reasoning, the intervention plan, and best practice
standards consistent with psychosocial, cognitive, and developmental
abilities in order to achieve functional outcomes within areas of
occupation.
- Skills I have
o Identifying the need to adjust intervention techniques, adapt the
intervention environment, and/or grade the intervention activity
during a session
o Adjusting and/or grading the intervention method or technique
during a session in response to variances from anticipated client
responses
- To Focus On
o Adapting the environment to support participation during an
intervention session

Domain 4

Task 1: Maintain and enhance competence, using professional

development activities relevant to practice, job responsibilities, and
regulatory body in order to provide evidence-based services.
- Skills I have
o Creating a professional development plan
o Applying evidence-based knowledge to practice in order to
provide effective services and promote quality care
o Applying evidence-based knowledge to practice in order to
provide effective services and promote quality care
- To Focus On
o Using effective methods and strategies for promoting the value
of the OTR or COTA credential

Task 2: Manage occupational therapy service provision in accordance with

laws, regulations, accreditation guidelines, and facility policies and
procedures governing safe and ethical practice in order to protect
consumers.
- Skills I have
o Complying with federal and state regulations and guidelines
governing OT service provision
o Complying with the NBCOT Code of Conduct
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525
o Implementing ongoing quality improvement processes and
procedures
o Understanding the value and purpose of accrediting bodies in
relation to service delivery models
- To Focus On
o Delegating tasks and responsibilities to OT personnel according
to professional standards

Personal Considerations: list out all the things going on in your life as you are
graduating that will influence or may impede your study/review process:
- Caring for a 6-8 month old during the process.
- Booking music gigs to make money during the process.
- Online DPAM Course through Spalding.
- Large assignments left for the course

Use of NBCOT Aspire Tools and Study Resources: from use of the iPad
materials, OT 680 preparation and NBCOT portal study tool describe your use of
the following and how these tools have and/or can continue to assist you in your
prep.

Exam Blue Print Document (link on After FW advising form and discussed
on 1/25/17):
The exam blueprint document is quite nice to see as it allows me to get a
generalized idea of what the test will contain.

NBCOT Flashcards (on iPad):

I will probably not use the NBCOT Flashcards provided on the iPad. I do
not get much out of utilizing flashcards as that is not how I am able to study.

Knowledge Match Game (on my.NBCOT portal):

Knowledge match on the NBCOT portal is nice as it allows me to work on
word associations in preparation for the NBCOT exam.

iBook Study Guide (on iPad):

The iBook study guide gives me ideas as to how to take the test and test
taking strategies. I believe knowing how to take the test will be a big portion of
being successful.

Other items discussed during workshop days:

Willard and Spackman Appendices
AOTA online study guide
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525
- Both of the above resource will allow me to work on the different
domains that I feel will be necessary for my success on the test.

Curriculum Content Exam Outcomes: Complete the six quizzes on the Moodle
Prep site and review your performance.

Theories Results:
Top 5 topics of focus:
1. IRM (intentional Relationship Model)
2. Heterarchical Approach
3. Traditional Sensorimotor Intervention Approaches
4. Allen cognitive approach
5. Seeker, Avoider, Sensor, Bystander

Pediatrics Results:
Top 5 topics of focus:
1. Activating a childs sensory system
2. Parts of IDEA
3. Visual Perceptual Deficits

Rehabilitation Resuts:
Top 5 topic areas of focus
1. Contemporary vs Traditional approaches for TBI
2. NDT vs PNF vs Rood vs Brunnstrom
3. Neurological Splinting
4. Functional Positioning
5. Sensor vs Avoider vs Seeker vs Bystanders

Orthopedics Results:
Top 5 topic areas of focus:
1. DPAMS
2. Guided Imagery and pain management
3. Circumferential Burns positioning
4. Splinting and palmar creases
5. K activity levels

Older Adult Results:

Top 5 topic areas of focus:
I did well on this quiz.
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525

Psychosocial Results:
Top 5 topic areas of focus:
1. Allen Levels
2. PTSD and initial treatment settings
3. Motivational Interviewing
4. Supported employment model
5. Schizophrenia

NBCOT Practice Clinical Simulation Testing Score: You will receive a pass code
email mail from NBCOT your practice exam materials. As part of the NBCOT
exam workshop on 1/25/17 you will complete the CST. (Did you select to do
many tasks that are indicated as things NOT to do?) Describe your analysis of:

Score: Missed 11 73/84 correct 87% correct

Domain areas to focus on: I had more Nos where yes should be than
the other way around. I felt pretty comfortable with the CST.

Timing of completion: I finished well within the allowed 30 minutes.

NBCOT Practice Exam Results: During the NBCOT exam workshop, on

Thursday 1/26/17 you will complete a 2 hour 100 question multiple choice testing
exam that provides you a scaled score just like you will receive after completing
the real NBCOT certification exam.

Total Scaled Score: 461

NBCOT MCT Practice Exam % Scores:

Domain 1: 70
Domain 2: 67
Domain 3: 57
Domain 4: 60

What domains are the identified on the score report as areas for study
focus:

I will need to study much more on domain 3 and 4. I found this interesting
because it does not line up with my OTKE results.
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525
How was your timing during the exam? Did you complete it within the
timeframe? Thoughts on how you progressed through the exam:

About halfway through the test I felt exhausted. I will definitely need to
work on my test taking stamina. My timing was good. I had about 15 minutes of
the 2 hours left when I finished the exam.

Based on the OTKE results, content exam results, and on-line practice exam
results, identify your practice area strengths: (list five)

1. Pediatrics
2. Orthopedics
3. Client Factors
4. Formulating conclusions based in client needs.
5. Gathering info that influences client factors.

Based on the OTKE, content exams and on-line practice exam results, where do
you need to focus your review (list at least 5 specific areas)?
1. Select interventions for managing a client-centered plan throughout the
occupational therapy process.
2. Allen Cognitive Levels
3. Spinal Cord Injuries
4. Brachial Plexus
5. FORs

YOUR PLAN: Preparing for NBCOT exam success:

- Daily actions List out at least five steps you will take each day to review
and study. Task 1 should always be visualizing the score you will
receive on the exam. You need to write it down and say it out loud!
The remaining steps should focus on reviewing your identified areas of
review.
1. Visualize the score I will receive on the exam
2. Meditate at least 30 minutes a day.
3. Study at least 2 hours a day on identified weaknesses.
4. Exercise to keep me from getting restless at home.
5. Rest and get in bed on time to have a fresh mind for studying

- Weekly actions List out the weekly bigger tasks you will complete for
enhancing your endurance and capacity for NBCOT exam success. At
least one time per week (preferable on the day of the week and time of
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525
day you plan to take your exam) you should spend 4 hours on completing
focused questions to stimulate the exam.
o 1. Study with a group of people that I trust to help keep me
accountable.
o 2. The week before the exam take a 4 hour practice test to
simulate the exam.
o 3. Get plenty of rest as to have a clear and fresh mind.

The week before your exam date, on the day and time you plan to travel to
the exam location, travel to the site to familiarize yourself with the travel
route. Make sure you have alternative routes planned out also. You
cannot be late on exam day!

Identify success resources:

- What resources do you have?

o AOTA exam prep
o Knowledge Match
o Accountable classmates

- What do you need?

o To schedule time to study. I have the necessary resources.

- Identify at least 3 classmates who have strengths in areas where you

need to focus your study- list these individuals
o 1. Sean Loran
o 2. Petra Hartman
o 3. Shelby Stevens

Do you have a study group? Your group can reserve study rooms in the library
organizing your group preparation as though it is another 6 week class has
proven very effective for many graduates. List out members of your NBCOT
exam Success Study Team:
Yes I have a study group that meets 2-3 times a week.

Link to reserve a library study room:

http://spalding.libcal.com/booking/groupstudy
 Name: Matthew J. Hill, OTS
Date and time of Day you plan to take the exam: 9:00 AM on April 10th, 2017
Score you want to receive on the exam: _500-525

How will you assess the effectiveness of your actions (daily & weekly)?
1. I will take practice exams as the actual exam gets closer. This will allow
me to assess the effectiveness of my actions and allow me to adapt
my study plan to my weaknesses.

What tasks will you do the night before the exam to prepare? This is not the time
for last minute frenzied review. Read the suggestions in the NBCOT Study
Guide. (p. 64 of 396 landscape format) List out what you plan to do:
1. Visualize Success
2. Have things organized for the morning.
3. Get a good nights sleep.
4. The day before I wont study so Ill have a fresh mind the day of the
test.

What will you do the morning of the exam to calm your Reticular Activating
System (RAS)?
1. Get up early enough to be at least 30 minutes before I have to be
there.
2. Have things organized for the morning.
3. Spend time doing things I enjoy like taking care of my daughter.
4. Visualize Success!

Please keep in touch with Dr. Laura to share your progress & success! If
you have challenges do not put your head in the sand reach out!

Matthew J. Hill January 30th, 2017

Signature Date