We’re all familiar with sweaty palms and going blank at a question on a test. Test anxiety can get in the way of our success more than anything else. But you can overcome your fear of NREMT testing by shifting your mindset, building a comprehensive study strategy, developing a routine that gives you the right amount of challenge, connecting with others who feel the same, and taking an NREMT prep course.
In this post, we’ll give you the inside scoop on overcoming your NREMT test anxiety!
How to Boost Your Testing Confidence
Test anxiety is very normal, but it can feel crippling. Luckily, there are several ways you can let the fear and stress melt away before you begin your exam. Here is how you can increase your confidence for the NREMT:
Get in the Right Mindset
First, take a deep breath. While being on the job in EMS means responding to emergencies and patients in crisis, the NREMT exam is just a test. No one will get hurt, and if you fail, you can always take it again. If you feel like the stakes are too high around this test, this can create more anxiety and make it more difficult for you to focus during the exam.
Before the test, engage in positive self-talk, take deep breaths, and imagine yourself taking the exam. Imagine sitting down, clicking through the answers at the computer, and hitting ‘submit.’ The more you imagine things going well, the more confident and centered you will feel.
Build a Study Strategy
People tend to be more afraid of the unknown or the unfamiliar. So, get familiar and start tackling the NREMT terminology confusion! You should learn the five key concept areas and the format of the test. Spoiler alert: the knowledge exam is all multiple choice.
Then, build your study strategy around the core concepts, and learn test-taking strategy for multiple choice tests. This will include learning time management, the ‘best answer’ approach, and reading questions carefully to understand what the question is truly asking.
Study, Review, Repeat
If you have difficulty retaining NREMT information, repetition can help. You should regularly address the fears you feel about the test. For example, if you are afraid of difficult questions, it helps to remember this exam’s terminology is designed to challenge you. Questions will feel less intimidating when you study.
So, study and take a practice test. Even if you don’t know the answer, give yourself two minutes to think about it, and give it your best guess. Then, move on!
At the end of the practice test, make a note of the questions that were difficult and study those areas again. Then, take another practice test that focuses on those concepts, check again, and repeat until it starts to feel easier.
Find Community
When you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay (and encouraged) to seek support from others. Whether it’s other students in your class, a close friend, or a mentor who works in EMS, you will feel better connecting with someone who understands. They will likely tell you that they have felt the same way!
However, if you have a busy schedule, it can be hard to meet people who understand. This is why we found a way to connect EMS students and professionals through our Video Vault program. When you sign up for our Video Vault, you have unlimited, lifetime access to our exclusive Paramedic Coach community. You can chat with people just like you online, gain help insights and advice, and even find a study buddy!
Take the NREMT Exam With Confidence
Building a strong study strategy, utilizing NREMT study tools, familiarizing yourself with the test, and finding a community who understands is possible at The Paramedic Coach. To learn more about how our all-in-one Video Vault can help you overcome your test anxiety, check out our Video Vault today!
