PEAT: Practice Exam & Assessment Tool

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The Federation completed its latest practice analysis in 2006 and has used that information to update the content outlines for the 2008 PT and PTA NPTE. The content outlines delineate the major content areas of the examinations. They will be used to develop the exams taken by candidates beginning March 1, 2008. These new content outlines will also be used to develop the exams given as part of the Practice Exam and Assessment Tool (PEAT). The new PT and PTA PEAT forms will be available to candidates beginning the week of March 31, 2008.

Therefore, if you purchase PEAT prior to March 31, 2008, regardless of when you access the exam, you will receive practice exams based on the old content outline. All purchases made March 31, 2008 and later, will contain practice exams based on the updated content outline.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEAT

What Do I Get?

• A timed (4-hour), 200-question practice examination with the “look and feel” of the actual PHYSICAL THERAPIST exam or a timed (3 ½ hour) 150-question practice examination with the “look and feel” of the actual PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT exam. Practice exam questions have been developed by experienced clinicians and item writers in the same format as the NPTE.
• An immediate, online Performance Report in two parts: by content category according to the “exam blueprint” and by system to see how well you did on the practice exam and to show you what you need to study.
• Rationales explaining the reasons behind the correct answers.
• References for further research.
• After taking the first exam and reviewing your performance as well as the references and rationales for each question, you can move to the second practice exam. Once you have moved to the second practice exam your performance report from the first exam will no longer be available.
• Supplemental Materials to download and print. These are yours to keep. You can also purchase these materials for an additional $40 if you choose not to download them. The supplemental materials include information about NPTE construction, tips on how to use the test blueprint and PEAT in your exam preparation, and more.
• As much time as you need to review the Supplemental Materials; your access days are not counted until you log onto the practice examination.
• The ability to log on and off at will—the computer will remember your place.
• The opportunity to request additional access time at a discounted rate.

Why Should I Use Online PEAT?

• The FSBPT Online PEAT for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant Examination has been developed by the organization that administers the NPTE. What better source for a practice and assessment tool to help you prepare for this critical step on your career path?
• Practicing with a timed examination will help you learn how to pace yourself for the real NPTE.
• PEAT provides you with a rationale for why the correct answer for each question is correct. Understanding the rationales is an important component of exam preparation.
• If you experience some test anxiety, practicing with PEAT can help you become accustomed to the way a timed computer-based exam functions. This may help reduce anxiety on exam day. In school your exams may have been given as paper and pencil exams.
• If you are not familiar with taking a computer-based exam, PEAT mimics the actual NPTE delivery very closely. You can learn on PEAT so you will be comfortable when you take the NPTE.

How Does PEAT Compare With Exam Review Materials?

• It is the only practice and assessment tool that comes to you from the people who develop, maintain and administer the NPTE. You can rely on the format and questions to give you a feel for the real thing.
• It provides you with immediate and automatic scoring for your timed, online practice examination.
• You receive a detailed Performance Report by content area and system.
• Rationales and References provide you with the resources to increase your knowledge.
• You get a clear picture of your knowledge base and what you most need to study.

What Does My Computer Need To Enable Me To Use PEAT?

• Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater (downloadable free from the site). PEAT only works with Internet Explorer; it does not work with Firefox, Safari, Netscape, Opera, or other web browsers.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader installed and operational (downloadable free from the site).
• 2 MB of free hard disk space.
• 32 MB of RAM.
• 56K connection to the Internet or faster; slower connections can be used but with decreased performance.
• You must allow “pop ups.” If your Internet Service Provider has a “pop up blocker”, that will need to be disabled.

Is There Anything Else I Need to Know?

• Basic access time is 30 days for $70.
• You can request additional access time at the rate of $35 for 15 days. Proceed to Candidate and Licensee Services to purchase additional time.
• If you are using a computer other than your own, you need to make sure that you will be permitted to download the software listed in the minimum computer requirements.
• You must have the time available to utilize PEAT for the access time you have purchased. Once you log onto the web site, we cannot refund your money.

How Do I Order PEAT?

• Proceed to Candidate and Licensee Services to order online using a credit card (Visa or MasterCard) to get immediate access to PEAT. You will receive an e-mail within 2 hours which gives you instructions on accessing the web site.
• Proceed to Candidate and Licensee Services to order online and mail a check to the FSBPT. The evening that your check is processed you will receive an email with instructions on accessing the website.
• Remember that the countdown on your access time does not begin until you actually start taking the practice examination.
• Supplemental Materials are provided online at no cost when you purchase PEAT. If you would like a printed version of the supplemental materials, proceed to Candidate and Licensee Services to order online. Supplemental materials are only available for people who have a current PEAT subscription.

How Do I Order an Extension (more time)?

If you would like to request additional access time at the rate of $35 for 15 days, proceed to Candidate and Licensee Services to order online. An extension of time can only be purchased if you have not completed both of your PEAT exams.