By Dan Limmer
This list provides 10 things that people who are successful on the NREMT do. I compiled this from many years of teaching and working with students. This applies to all levels of certification.
You may be surprised to find that many of these things begin on the first day of class—and don’t totally rely on end-of-class cramming. A lot of the tips you see focus solely on exam preparation. For some, that is just too late.
It is also worth noting that these habits of successful NREMT candidates also promote more thoughtful and clinically astute practice. I’ve never believed that teaching to the test and teaching for practice were dramatically different things.
Here is my list:
1. They take their course seriously from day 1
2. They read their book and do homework
3. They learn in concepts and broad strokes—not simple facts.
4. They ask questions in class and make sure they understand.
5. They realize that the material they learn applies to the exam and the street—not just the exam.
6. They study things that make them think and apply, not just remember.
7. They figure out where they are weakest and focus their exam preparation on the right areas.
8. They get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam.
9. They keep a clear head when they sit down at the testing center.
10. They believe passing is the only option.
For more tips and information on taking the NREMT, be sure to check out our YouTube Channel and our NREMT Exam Cram.
Don’t forget that Limmer Education apps are designed with these points in mind. You can use apps throughout your class-and for exam preparation. Our features like the Pathophysiology, Critical Thinking and Mental Conditioning sections in EMT Review Plus™ help with understanding—not just memorization.
I will complete my paramedic program July 18, 2019, I would like to give myself 3 or 4 weeks of test preparation before taking the national registry. My weak area is the medical section, any suggestions on how to study and prepare for the psychomotor exam of the national registry?
Fredrick–the new psychomotor with the scenarios is much different than the old skills drills they used to have. It is definitely important to practice and review scenarios. You can review them from your book and other sources and also practice with classmates and at the station.
Knowledge is also important in the medical section because there is a lot to know from conditions to diagnosis to pharmacology (which you don’t see as much in trauma).
Here is a great article written by one of my old students which gives some tips for the exam: https://www.ems1.com/ems-education/articles/193671048-10-things-paramedic-students-need-to-know-about-new-NREMT-exam/
The NREMT has some videos on the psychomotor exam information including some videos here (if you haven’t seen them): https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/document/paramedic