National Dietetic Registration Examination: perceptions of the writing experience

Dietitians must pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) to practise. Writers' experiences with the exam were examined, along with factors associated with anxiety and coping mechanisms, preparation strategies, and if and how anxiety, coping, and preparation strategies are perceived to be related to exam performance.

An exploratory descriptive methodology with a researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect data from a purposive sample in 1999 and 2000 (n=54), and from a convenience sample in 2005 and 2006 (n=11). Participants were CDRE writers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario.

Meaningful preparation was correlated with a more positive exam experience (p=0.023). Writers experiencing lower preparation anxiety were more confident they had passed (p=0.016). Successful coping strategies resulted in decreased writing anxiety (p=0.029). The 2005 to 2006 cohorts prepared less (p=0.004) and experienced less preparation anxiety (p=0.02). Five themes emerged, which extend our understanding of the exam-writing experience.

Several strategies may positively influence writing anxiety and improve the overall writing experience. Individuals and organizations and/or writers can consider these findings as they engage in the exam process, revise and/or develop support material, give presentations, or provide advice.