The NREMT exam covers a lot of complex content material, and not every NREMT test prep course will make everything make sense. If you’re having difficulty retaining NREMT information, you can take advantage of competitive NREMT strategy tools like using The Paramedic Coach’s Video Vault, making flashcards, reading and thinking aloud as you study, and working with others while you review material.
When you’re entering the field of EMS, you are juggling a lot of information. Everything you learn in your certification course should help prepare you to respond to a wide range of emergency situations and medical crises. Many people think taking a certification course is enough to help them past the test, but you can avoid this common NREMT test pitfall by treating your test preparation like a separate class of its own.
Unlike your EMT certification course, the NREMT focuses on five key content areas: airway, respiration, and ventilation; cardiology and resuscitation; trauma; medical and obstetrics/gynecology; and EMS operations. This is a lot of information, and it can be difficult to retain it all.
How to Improve Your Memory
When you’re responding at the scene of an emergency, you won’t have time to Google anything. The NREMT is the same way–and in that way, this exam also helps prepare you for this career path.
Luckily, there are many ways to improve your memory so that information is still available to you in stressful situations. Here is how you can better retain the information you’ve learned while preparing for the NREMT:
Use Flashcards
Flashcards are helpful tools to use to test your immediate knowledge, especially with facts or concepts you struggle to remember. On one side of an index card, you can write the name of the point or concept you want to remember, and then on the other side, write down brief, relevant information for that concept.
Writing down this information helps it stick in your brain more, and now you’ve created an easy tool to check your knowledge and test yourself quickly!
Read and Think Aloud
Sometimes, we need to shake up how we study to help the information stick in our brains. When studying challenging concepts, read the section out loud and record it.
You can even try to say it back to yourself in a different way. Try to explain it to yourself like you’re the teacher, or listen back to the recording and summarize what you heard. This will activate multiple parts of your mind, making it easier to remember the concept.
Study With a Buddy
When you study with another student or work with an expert, you can talk about the topic and ask each other questions. Make sure your questions aren’t just asking for the answers, as this won’t help you understand the material. Ask ‘why’ and ‘how’ they gave the answers they gave, and share what you understand, as well.
Try Different Approaches
Not everyone learns best from reading out of a textbook silently. Some people learn better by doing, discussing, listening, or watching. You should try a few different studying techniques and learn which is the most engaging and interesting for you, and use that strategy for areas that are especially challenging to remember.
The Paramedic Coach: Learning, Your Way!
At The Paramedic Coach, we have years of experience working in EMS, so we know exactly what you need to pass the NREMT and be successful as an EMT. This is why we developed the Video Vault, an all-in-one study tool designed for every type of learner!
Our Video Vault comes equipped with almost 500 videos, 2,000 NREMT practice test questions, thirteen worksheets, drug cards, and more! You’ll also have unlimited lifetime access to all of these resources and our exclusive community of EMS professionals and students like you. Don’t wait, sign up for our Video Vault today!
