Test taking. It’s rough right?
There’s so much pressure to pass your exam, and you also have to cope with the realization that you are in the final stretch of your massage student journey. You’ve done the hands-on work. Now, you just need to get licensed massage therapist on paper. Now, how do you pass the MBLEx®? Here’s the deal: It’s going to be OK. Take a deep breath, grab a pen and paper and let’s talk about five strategies to help you pass the MBLEx®.
1. Study with a Peer—Specifically a Classmate
Your classmate is probably just as anxious as you are, and no one understands the stresses of studying for the MBLEx® better than a peer. Be open about your weaknesses and your strengths because you would be surprised how much you might have in common. Schedule video study dates together, phone calls or meet at that cool coffee shop in town and quiz each other on a new subject each time.
2. Know the Areas that the MBLEx® will Test You On
This is open information you have access to through The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB®). They have created a content outline in a percentage format, which can be helpful when it comes to distributing your study time in sections. For example, the highest percentage sits at 17 percent with Client Assessment Reassessment and Treatment Planning. Because of the high percentage, it would be worth your time to study that section a little harder. There have been changes as of July 1, 2018 so be sure to check it out and make sure that you are spending enough time on these areas.
3. Revise Old Notes, Quizzes and Tests
Remember: It’s not about how well you did on that quiz. It’s about sifting through all the questions you answered incorrectly and making sure you understand why you missed those questions. Highlight them, repeat them and research them. If you can categorize these questions into anatomy, ethics or pathology it could be a helpful tool for you to identify any areas you need to brush up on.
4. Take Practice Exams and Time Them
Depending on your school, they will likely provide you with a mock exam day where they go through the motions, give you the 100 questions and time you. However, you can do this on your own time as well, do practice exams online and get your feet wet. You can give yourself an idea of how you would do by providing a quiet space and see if you have any extra time or if you are cutting it close. Believe it or not, just doing a practice run really does shed some pressure off your shoulders.
5. Do Take Breaks and Trust Your Gut
It’s cliché, but hear me out, and think about how physical your future career is. As massage therapists we take breaks in between each treatment, right? Well of course! We need to give our bodies and hands rest to catch up and be ready for the next hour, next client and next day. Your brain needs the same. Overloading your brain with information and endless hours of studying is going to be stressful and overwhelm you. Make a schedule like you would for a client, block a couple of hours in your day specifically for studying, but don’t let it take over your entire day. If at any point you feel like you can take the test, schedule it, and do it! Chances are, you are ready! Waiting and lingering is just going to create more doubt and stress. Esther A. Soriano-Powell, LMT, CCT, CPMT has been a massage therapist for about three years. She owns her own business, the Estuary Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
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