If you have difficulty retaining information for the NREMT exam, you need to know the most common NREMT study mistakes to avoid. The most common NREMT pitfalls include not studying, memorizing practice test questions, and using too many resources. You can avoid these mistakes by developing a thoughtful study plan that takes a holistic approach to learning, and by using The Paramedic Coach’s resources to help guide your learning.
The truth is, we live busy lives in a busy world, which is why online NREMT test prep can help you avoid all of the pitfalls listed above. With online test prep materials, you have everything you need on your smartphone or laptop–say ‘goodbye’ to expensive and heavy textbooks! Online test prep and study materials allow you to study anytime, anywhere.
In this post, we’ll explore how you can prepare for the NREMT and work smarter, not harder, while doing it. Here are the common pitfalls most students make when preparing for the exam and how to avoid them:
The Issue: Going In Blind
Just taking any kind of EMT certification course is not enough to help you pass the test. Even if you had perfect attendance and took plenty of notes, it doesn’t mean you’ll pass. Many people think just showing up to their certification course will prepare them, but you might not even know how the exam works or what content you’ll actually be tested on.
The Solution: Develop a Study Plan
Luckily, you can build a study plan that equips you for the exam. Your study plan should encompass the five key sections of the exam:
- Airway, respiration, and ventilation
- Cardiology and resuscitation
- Trauma
- Medical, obstetrics, and gynecology
- EMS operations
It’s also important to research what you’ll specifically need to know for your level of EMS. Paramedics and EMTs will be tested on different knowledge areas.
The Issue: Memorizing Practice Test Questions
While practice tests are great to check your understanding of the course material, taking them shouldn’t be a substitute for studying. When you prepare by taking practice tests over and over, you’re only memorizing answers to questions. This means you aren’t fully understanding the content, and the exam will likely have different questions than your practice tests.
The Solution: Take a Holistic Approach
You can gain a more complete picture of the material by studying using podcasts, videos, and textbooks alongside practice tests. We recommend that you use one or all of the methods we just listed to review a certain content area, then take a practice test after to review your knowledge. Note which questions you answered incorrectly and use them as a guide to focus your studies.
The Issue: Using Too Many Resources
Many students stock up on several textbooks, subscribe to many podcasts, and overload themselves on study resources. Unfortunately, this wastes money and time you could instead use to simply study! You’ll overwhelm yourself with resources, lose track of what you studied and reviewed, and spend way too much money for almost no payoff.
The Solution: The Paramedic Coach
You can find everything you need from The Paramedic Coach! Our Video Vault comes with nearly 500 videos, a dozen worksheets, 2,000 NREMT practice questions, and exclusive access to The Paramedic Coach community of seasoned EMS professionals and students.
This one-stop-shop resource for EMT students lasts a lifetime, so don’t wait! Sign up today to prepare for the NREMT and pass on your first try.


