Tackling the National Psychology Exam

Preparing for the National Psychology Exam (NPE) can be a daunting and overwhelming task, but with the right study strategies, you can approach the NPE with confidence. This post is about where to start once you have decided to sit the NPE. As you read below it is vital that you think about how you learn best and tailor your study plan to what works for you. Usually looking back without judgement about what you have done in the past can give good insight.

Create a Study Schedule

Research has shown that goal setting and study planning not only improves performance but can even alter your thinking and engagement about your study. A structured study schedule may be helpful for some, where you actively block out study periods and topics in your calendar. Alternatively, a less structured approach may involve a list of goals or topics you will learn about and how you will review the information over the next 4 weeks. However, it will work for you, having an idea of what you want to do, how you will do it and what time you realistically have is crucial for effective NPE preparation. 

Here are some ideas to get you started creating a study plan:

1.     Review Your Timeline: Determine how many weeks or months you have until you plan to sit the NPE, this will give you a baseline for how long you must prepare. Next block out any planned events where you will be unable to study, such as school holidays, leave, demanding work periods or any other commitment. After this overview, reflect on your usual week and calculate how many hours you can realistically dedicate to study. Be realistic and do not forget to set aside time to relax your brain too!

2. Incorporate Breaks: Ensure you have planned regular breaks in your study schedule to avoid overwhelm, losing interest or experiencing burnout. The Pomodoro Technique may be helpful, where you do 25 minutes of focused study followed by a 5-minute break. Some people will find short 30-minute blocks best and others prefer longer 90-120 minute study sessions. If you do a longer study session, make sure you take longer breaks between starting another to rest your brain. Reflect on what has worked for you before and try to make that fit into your schedule.

3. Divide the Content: Break down the exam content into manageable sections. Reflect on what you need to know and how much you have used the required knowledge from each domain in your work experience.  Then allocate time for each domain: Ethics, Assessment, Interventions, and Communication. Focus more time on areas where you feel less confident and have less experience.

4. Set Specific Goals: Set clear, achievable goals for each study session or milestone. For example, "Complete 10 practice questions from Pelling and Burton, choosing a correct answer and explaining why the other answers are incorrect." Track your progress in a structured study plan to monitor what you need to know, and adjust your schedule as needed.

5. Review Regularly: Plan for regular review sessions to reinforce what you have learned. Use spaced repetition techniques to enhance long-term retention and review your notes, flashcards, and recommended readings.

Recommended Study Materials and Resources

Using the right study materials can make a significant difference in your preparation. Here are some resources to consider:

• Official Guidelines: Start with the NPE Candidate Manual, the curriculum and reading list provided by the Psychology Board of Australia. These documents outline the exam structure and content in detail. It literally provides you with a list of what you will need to know to sit the NPE. Don’t just review it once at the beginning, continue to refer to this list to make sure you are on progress. It can be less overwhelming to break down the reading list by domain and review one at a time.

• Textbooks and Articles: Select NPE focussed textbooks. Books we have found provide a good overview are The Elements of Applied Psychological Practice in Australia by Pelling and Burton and Ethical Practice in Applied Psychology by Boyle and Gamble.

• Study Groups, Online Courses, and Webinars: Explore online resources, including webinars, study groups or courses that focus on exam preparation and specific psychological topics. At Psychology Squared we offer many NPE related products, such a peer facilitated discussion group, recorded webinars, Kahoot quizzes, and have a Facebook group dedicated to the NPE. Even just having someone to study with is likely to be helpful.

Have you found a different approach helpful for you to start your NPE planning or gained a new insight from this post? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!