The NREMT exam is a computer adaptive test (CAT) that gauges student’s knowledge level by introducing pilot questions periodically throughout the test. These questions do not count toward the test score, they simply allow the test to determine with 95% accuracy the students aptitude.

Hopefully this information is helpful and motivating enough for you EMT and paramedic students to ensure they you adequately prepare for the exam after finishing your paramedic courses. But even with all the motivation in the world, it’s best to put the odds of success in your favor by using some helpful study aids and tools. So in this post, I’m going to go over some of these.

How to pass the NREMT Exam – top tips

Get Plenty of Study Time – Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time in advance of the exam for study time – you don’t want to cram for the NREMT. It’s best to have a regular study schedule, such as in the mornings, or evenings around your existing schedule or classes. You also want to study the materials you learned about in class on the same day or within 12 hours of the class, so it’s as fresh in your memory as possible. So if you are taking night classes, study the next morning.

Audio Record Lectures – Recording your lectures to an MP3, or with your iPhone or other smart phone is an excellent way to retain information. You can then listen to the recordings to refresh your memory during odd times such as driving in your car, while working out, laying in bed, or whatever. It is scientifically proven that repetition of concepts and theories is the best method of reinforcing and retaining new information.

Use Flashcards – Flashcards are extremely helpful, especially to memorize things such as various drugs and EMS procedures. THey are excellent for enhancing your study time, and they are very convenient for bringing with you wherever you go. Be sure to categorize your flash cards for organization purposes, and to easily access the sections you need to work on at a given time.

Use Study Sheets – Another idea is to outline and summarize your lecture material on single sheet pieces of paper – this can be used later to memorize the material, similar to flashcards, but a bit more in depth. These sheets provide a quick summary of the NREMT material and reinforce the material so that you can retain it as well as possible. Re-writing information is one of the best ways to retain it in your brain long term.

Visit Your Instructor – Limiting your time with your instructors to class time is a big mistake. Most instructors have an open door policy for extra help, and it’s a great idea to utilize this, especially if you are lagging behind or are struggling.

Form a Study Group – Have you ever heard the expression, “two minds are better than one”? It’s true, the more heads you can get together to tackle the NREMT material, the better you will learn the material, hands down. If possible, find people that are doing well and seem to get the material. Obviously if you are studying with people that are lagging behind or not doing better than you, it does you no good. Also try to find people that live close by – it’s much easier to spontaneously meet up with people if they are only a few minutes away and won’t be hard to reach. Once you find the perfect study group candidates, just casually introduce yourself if you don’t already know them and propose getting together and helping each other prepare for the test.

NREMT Practice Tests – Most of you already know about practice tests, as they seem to be everywhere online. Many rely on them a bit too heavily, but they are still excellent learning tools. Practice tests are great for identifying areas you need to focus on more than others. However, there is no substitute for using a combination (as many as possible) of all these study aids and tools. It’s like shooting a single round gun vs a shotgun – it’s hard to miss with the shotgun.

Make Wall Posters – This study tip won’t win any interior decorating accolades, but it sure will help you learn your NREMT material. Get a poster pad or several large sheets of paper and use felt markers to write down various snippets of information you need to learn with large lettering. This should be used for the hard to memorize things like lists of drugs. Then put them up on the wall in your home study area, or even your bedroom or bathrooms. How about the ceiling above your bed, so you can study as you try to fall asleep? Put them up anywhere you want. All of the supplies needed to do this are at your local Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax or (maybe) Wal-mart.

Hopefully these tips will help with your overall EMT training and studying for the NREMT. Again, be sure to use ALL these NREMT study aids and tools in combination – the more ways we use to memorize information, the more effective we are, and the longer we retain the information.