The NCCAOM Chinese Herbology test is packed with information designed to test your competence on Chinese herbal medicine formulas, safety, including treatment strategies and planning. In order to pass the NCCAOM Chinese Herbology test, you will want to dedicate your study efforts to three domain areas.
- Domain I: Safety and quality of Chinese Herbs 10% of Exam
- Domain II: Treatment planning and strategies 70% of Exam
- Domain III: Patient Management 20% of Exam
To begin, start by reviewing the exam content outline
- Familiarize yourself with the specific topics and subtopics covered in the Chinese Herbs domain.
- This will give you a clear idea of what to focus on during your study sessions.
Next, study Chinese Materia Medica
- Focus on learning the properties, flavors, channels entered, and therapeutic actions of common Chinese herbs.
- Understand their indications and contraindications, as well as potential herb-drug interactions.
Understand the safety considerations surrounding Chinese Herbs
- Learn about potential adverse effects of Chinese herbs and proper dosages.
- Identify and study pertinent safety guidelines for different patient populations (e.g., pregnant women, children, elderly).
Review herbal processing and preparation
- Familiarize yourself with various methods of processing and preparing Chinese herbs, including their impact on herb properties and actions.
Study herb quality control
- Learn about the different aspects of herb quality, including identification, authentication, and detection of adulterants.
- Understand the importance of using high-quality herbs in traditional Chinese medicine practice.
Review common herb-drug interactions
- Understand how certain Chinese herbs may interact with frequently consumed pharmaceutical drugs.
- Study how to prevent potential complications.
Practice with sample questions to test your knowledge on Chinese herbology
- Look for sample questions, online practice tests, or past exam papers related to the Safety and Quality of Chinese Herbs domain.
- This will help you get a sense of the exam format and the types of questions asked.
Simulate test conditions during your study sessions
- Set a timer, create a quiet environment, and attempt a practice exam.
- This will help you get accustomed to the pressure of the exam and build your confidence.
- Remove all of your notes while you’re taking your practice tests, and fight the urge to search the answer online! To really assess the topics you need to study more of, you must be willing to get a few questions wrong.
Take review courses on Chinese herbs
- Consider attending review courses or workshops conducted by experienced practitioners or educators who specialize in Chinese Herbology.
- By taking review courses on Chinese herbs, you can revisit the material you learned in school and add onto your understanding of how these herbs work.
Create study aids
- Make flashcards or notes to reinforce important concepts about Chinese herbs, and help you remember key information more effectively.
- Use a variety of colors in your flashcards, notes or diagrams, to help commit important information to memory.
Apply Chinese Herbal medicine information in a broader clinical context
- Think up different clinical scenarios of patients who have varying health conditions.
- What Chinese herbs would you or would you not recommend to them as an acupuncture & TCM practitioner?
- What method of preparation of the herb you’d suggest?
- This is a great way to practice your critical thinking skills and think about the big picture and how Chinese herbs are applied clinically.
Practice time management during Chinese Herbology practice test taking
- The NCCAOM Chinese herbology exam is time-limited, so practice managing your time while answering questions on your practice tests.
- Weed out any possible multiple-choice answers that you know aren’t a good fit right away. Then focus on the ones that may be a good fit with the question asked.
Practice positive self-talk
- Monitor your thoughts and replace negative, self-doubting ones with positive affirmations.
- Remind yourself that you are well-prepared and capable of passing the NCCAOM Chinese herbology test.
- Avoid catastrophic thinking and focus on the process of problem-solving.
Seek guidance from mentors or colleagues
- If you have access to experienced Chinese medicine practitioners, seek their advice and guidance on preparing for the exam.
- Form a study group with your colleagues from school who are also prepping for the exam.
Stay consistent and focused
- Create a study schedule and stick to it.
- Consistent and focused study sessions will yield better results than cramming.
Use relaxation techniques
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.
- These methods can help calm your nerves and reduce anxiety before and during the test.
Break down the test
- If you feel overwhelmed by preparing for the test, divide the outline into smaller sections.
- Focus on one section at a time, which can make the whole experience feel more manageable.
Test Day Tips for the NCCAOM Chinese Herbology Exam
Arrive early and be organized
- On the day of the test, arrive early at the exam venue.
- Being rushed can exacerbate anxiety.
- Organize your materials and any documents required by the testing venue the night before the test to minimize last-minute stress.
Focus on your own performance
- Avoid comparing yourself to others during the test.
- Concentrate on doing your best and applying what you’ve learned.
Move on quickly from difficult questions:
- If you encounter a particularly challenging question that you really don’t know the answer to, don’t dwell on it.
- Choose the best answer possible, and move on to the next one.
Remember that some level of stress before a test is normal and can even be beneficial, as it keeps you alert and motivated. The goal is to manage excessive anxiety that interferes with your performance. By implementing the strategies above, you can work towards reducing any test-taking fears, because you are prepared, and therefore improve your NCCAOM Chinese herbology exam performance. The key to success is to have a deep understanding of Chinese herbology, rather than just memorizing facts. Take the time to refresh yourself on the intricacies of Chinese herbs that you may have forgotten once school ended. To get started, select a Chinese Herbology practice test on AOMTestPrep.com. We wish you best of luck on your NCCAOM Chinese herbology exam!