General National Psychology Examination Tips
The National Psychology Examination is arguably the most daunting part of the 4+2/5+1 psych internship process as there's a lot to study and a stressful time limited exam. This part of the Psychology Internship can create a lot of anxiety for the Provisional Psychologist. Here are some general tips for the Provisional Psychologist to help you manage your National Psychology Examination Preparation:
Understanding Your Learning Style for the National Psychology Examination:
The key for the provisional psychologist to effective studying often lies in understanding your learning style. We all process information differently, and what works for one provisional psychologist may not work for another. For instance, visual learners may benefit from the use of diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual aids to understand complex concepts.
On the other hand, auditory learners might find it more useful to listen to recorded lectures or engage in group discussions to reinforce their understanding. Be aware of your preferred learning method, and tailor your study techniques accordingly. This will maximise your success in this stressful part of the psychology internship.
You may prefer to study later in the day or early in the morning, depending on your personal schedule and productivity levels. Experiment with different methods and schedules to find what works best for you.
The Power of Study Groups for the National Psychology Examination:
Being part of a provisional psychologist study group can be incredibly beneficial. It provides an opportunity to engage in active discussion, clarify doubts, and gain diverse perspectives on a single topic with other provisional psychologists. If your group is focusing on a certain subject one week, such as ethics, try to align your personal study plan with that subject. This way, you're not only preparing for your group discussions but also reinforcing the information through your individual study time. The Psychology Squared National Psychology Examination peer groups (See https://psychologysquared.com.au/npe ) are hugely helpful for this purpose. You don't need to be alone in your study program.
Creating a National Psychology Examination Study Plan:
Creating a National Psych Exam customised study plan is an effective method for managing your academic workload. A study plan not only keeps your studies organised but also acts as a motivational tool, helping you stay committed to your learning goals. Align your study plan with your study group's schedule, if you have one. This method ensures a consistent focus, allowing for a deeper understanding for the provisional psychologist of each topic. Remember, learning is not a race, but a journey as a provisional psychologist. Take the time to process and understand information thoroughly to achieve maximum benefit from your studies.
When developing this plan for this part of your psychology internship be realistic, and self compassionate. If you're studying around full time work, it will be challenging to find the energy and motivation to study. If you're too ambitious and falter, try to course correct recognise your efforts no matter how small.
Note that since the National Psychology Examination is a multiple choice exam the way you study could be rather different you'll be studying to recognise correct responses rather than writing sentences, paragraphs or essays.
Your psychology internship studies should include practising answering questions based on the National Psychology Examination in a more relaxed but also within a timed environment. This can help you get used to the test format of the psychological exam and improve your speed and accuracy.
Best of luck!
Psychology Squared are here to help with peer study groups designed to provide an interactive and comprehensive study experience. Our NPE Kahoot! Quizzes are a great way to test your knowledge under pressured timing. See also our book finder. See these and lots more other resources to help you prepare here: https://psychologysquared.com.au/npe