You’ve made the decision.
“I’m going take the NCCAOM exam and become an NCCAOM diplomat!”
Congrats! This is a big step on your professional journey, whether you are a seasoned acupuncture practitioner, or have just graduated from acupuncture school. After your decision is made to take the NCCAOM test, now comes the research. You need to figure out what acupuncture and TCM material you need to review, and understand what to expect on exam day. In this short and helpful article, we uncover three highly popular questions that acupuncturists always ask on their exam prep journey.
- How long is the NCCAOM Exam?
- How many questions are on the NCCAOM Exam?
- What is the passing score of the NCCAOM Exam?
Ready? Let’s get started.
The NCCAOM exam contains a robust array of material that tests your knowledge and understanding on four key domains:
- Foundations of Oriental Medicine
- Biomedicine
- Acupuncture with Point Location
- Chinese Herbology
Diplomat-hopefuls can expect to take one exam for each of these four domains. While primarily offered in English, the NCCAOM exam is occasionally available in Korean and Chinese languages.
How long is the NCCAOM Exam?
Exams for Chinese Herbology, Acupuncture with Point Location, Biomedicine, and the Foundations of Oriental Medicine are given in a computer adaptable manner, sometimes known as computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Exams have a time restriction of 2.5 hours.
The NCCAOM is able to offer year-round testing and preliminary exam results at the testing facility thanks to adaptive testing. Other healthcare testing organizations have been using adaptive tests for a long time because it is an effective and dependable testing tool.
The exam topic outline’s assigned domain percentages are used to choose questions for candidates on an adaptive exam. Questions are chosen within each topic based on candidate aptitude.
Tips for 2.5 Hour Exams
Sitting through four, 2.5-hour exam, for each of the NCCAOM’s required categories, requires both physical and mental preparation. Here are some tips to help you stay focused and comfortable during the NCCAOM exam:
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep – Ensure you get enough sleep the night before the exam. A well-rested mind performs better.
- Arrive Early – Arrive early to the exam center, and review the test center rules. Simply arriving early will help you feel prepared and ready to go!
- Dress Comfortably – Wear comfortable clothing, considering the temperature of the exam room. Dressing in layers can help you adjust to different conditions.
- Take Short Breaks if Allowed – If the exam allows for short breaks, use them wisely. Stand up, stretch, and move around a bit to prevent stiffness.
- Eat a Balanced Meal – Have a great meal before your NCCAOM exam. You know your body the best, so choose foods that are most agreeable to you.
- Stay Hydrated – Keep a water bottle close to stay hydrated during the exam. Dehydration can negatively affect concentration.
- Use the Restroom Beforehand – Take a restroom break before the exam begins to minimize disruptions during the test.
- Focus on the Task at Hand – Concentrate on answering one question at a time. Avoid thinking about the overall length of the exam, and stay focused on each individual question. The time will pass!
- Avoid Caffeine Overload – While caffeine can help with alertness, avoid consuming excessive amounts as it may lead to jitteriness or a crash later on.
- Stay Positive – Maintain a positive mindset. If you encounter challenging questions, stay calm and approach them methodically.
How many questions are on the NCCAOM Exam?
Each of the four categories of the NCCAOM exam (Acupuncture with Point Location, Biomedicine, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Chinese Herbology) consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a 2.5-hour time limit.
Keep in mind that each test-taker answers a unique set of questions on the adaptive format NCCAOM exam. The candidate’s total score, which is determined by how tough the questions are to correctly answer, is what counts toward passing rather than how many accurate answers they have.
Tips for a 100-Question Exam
Focusing on a 100-question exam requires effective preparation and strategies during the actual test. Here are some tips to help you stay focused during the exam:
- Read Instructions Carefully – National exams that provide a credential upon passing, such as the NCCAOM exam, are often conducted in a strict test taking environment. So you can relax and focus on the task at hand, take a moment to read the instructions and rules before beginning. Usually, the exam center proctor will go over them with you.
- Practice Time Management – Allocate a specific amount of time for each exam question. This helps you avoid spending too much time on a single question and ensures you have enough time for the entire exam.
- Prepare Thoroughly – Ensure that you have thoroughly studied the material beforehand. Understanding the content will make it easier to recall information during the exam.
- Stay Calm and Relaxed – If you encounter a difficult question, stay calm. Take a deep breath and move on to the next question. You can always come back to challenging questions later.
- Avoid Overthinking – Trust your preparation and instincts. Avoid overthinking or changing your answers unless you are sure of a mistake. Your initial response is often correct.
- Mark Questions for Review – If you’re unsure about an answer, mark it for review and come back to it later if time permits. Don’t spend too much time on a single question.
- Stay Hydrated and Energized – Ensure you are well-hydrated and have had a nutritious meal before the exam. Dehydration and hunger can negatively impact your focus.
- Take Short Breaks if Allowed – If the exam allows short breaks, use them wisely. Stand up, stretch, and take a few deep breaths to refresh your mind.
- Take 100-Question Practice Tests – Get familiar with the exam format under timed conditions. This boosts your test taking skills, gets you familiar with the type of questions to expect, and helps you practice under pressure.
What is the passing score of the NCCAOM Exam?
Test taker performance on the NCCAOM exam is measured by scaled scores, instead of the traditional percentage based scores you may have seen in high school, college, or in graduate level programs.
With scaled scores, a higher score indicates better performance. The scaled score on the NCCAOM Exam is from 1 to 99, where 70 is the passing mark. Your overall scaled score is based solely on your performance on the entire NCCAOM exam. It’s important to remember that the percentage of questions answered correctly on the NCCAOM test is NOT represented by scaled scores.
Tips to Pass a Big Exam
- Begin NCCAOM Exam Prep Early – Begin your preparation well in advance to allow for thorough review and understanding of the material.
- Create a Study Plan – Develop a realistic and structured study plan. Break down the material into manageable sections and allocate specific time slots for each.
- Understand the NCCAOM Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the format of the exam, including the types of questions, time limits, and any specific instructions.
- Use Multiple Resources: Utilize textbooks, class notes, online resources, and practice exams to gain a comprehensive understanding of the material.
- Active Learning Methods: Engage in active learning methods such as summarizing information, teaching concepts to others, and taking NCCAOM practice exams.
- Prioritize Weak Areas: Identify your weaker areas and focus additional attention on them during your study sessions.
- Study Groups: Join or form study groups to discuss concepts, share insights, and learn from others. Teaching and explaining concepts to peers can enhance your understanding.
- Replicate Exam Conditions: Practice under exam-like conditions, including time constraints, to simulate the actual testing environment.
- Review Class Materials: Pay special attention to materials covered in class, as these are likely to be emphasized in the exam.
- Use Mnemonics and Memory Aids: Mnemonics, acronyms, and memory aids can help you remember complex information.
Taking the NCCAOM exam doesn’t have to be scary, with the right information and the right tools, you can prepare your self to study for (AND pass!) one of the most important exams of your professional career. You can do it!