Testing the Test: Examining Students' Perceptions on Commercial Practice Exams for National Physical Therapy...

Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is required to practice physical therapy in the United States. A commonly used resource is the Practice Exam and Assessment Tool (PEAT) developed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, which is shown to be strongly correlated with NPTE outcomes. Despite recent changes in exam format and the growth of practice exam options, no study has evaluated their effectiveness. Thus, we examined students' perceptions of the 2024 NPTE, practice exams, and coaching programs.

After taking the 2024 NPTE and before receiving results, 540 students completed a survey that included questions regarding NPTE content and difficulty, predictive accuracy, and preferences for commercial practice exams and coaching programs.

61.1% of students felt uncertain about passing, and 49.4% perceived the NPTE as somewhat accurately assessing clinical readiness. The musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems were perceived as most challenging, whereas the neuromuscular system was considered easiest. 61.3% preferred PEAT, followed by NPTE Final Frontier (57.9%) and Scorebuilders (5.5%). 82.4% students participated in a coaching program and rated it highly.

Students rated PEAT highest in preference and alignment with the NPTE and found coaching programs helpful, despite the majority feeling unsure about passing. While perceptions of the NPTE were positive, feedback on content and clinical readiness signals the need for extensive research. Our findings represent a novel contribution to the field and offer foundational groundwork for educators seeking to refine preparatory tools and exam alignment to match evolving educational demands and clinical practice.