As a senior in college, I am one step closer to taking the NCTRC Certification exam to become a CTRS. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions given within a 3-hour time limit. The exam is divided into six different sections that are key components needed to be a CTRS. The sections include: foundational knowledge, assessment process, documentation, implementation, administration of TR services, and advancement of the profession. Each section is made up of 10 to 30 questions that are calculated and formatted to get a failing or passing grade.
In My Perspective
In my college experience within the past 4 years, I have taken a total of 4 practice exams. These practice exams have questions that are pulled directly from other official exams from the past to help students understand the layout and what the questions may consist of. There have been some practice exams that I feel like I have done a pretty good job on and got close to a passing grade. On the other hand, there have been times when I could have done so much better and there are various factors to blame for this. Some factors include watching the time wind down and having the ability to sit for the exam for 3 hours. Overall, the main reason for not doing as good as I thought is simply that I am not good at testing. I never have been. It took me two tries to get my permit because I was super nervous. I did not do my best with my PSAT and SAT. But, if you put it in a positive perspective, I got my permit and would consider myself a good, responsible driver and I got into college even with poor SAT scores. So, if I study and practice for this NCTRC exam, there can only be a good outcome.
Study, Study, Study!
When looking back at some of my practice exams, there are some parts that I need more improvement on. The good thing about this is the fact that these sections are more definitions, rather than abstract thinking. I have the ability to look back at a former textbook I used called, Therapeutic Recreation Practice: A Strengths Approach by Lynn Anderson and Linda Heyne. This textbook has a lot of the logical content that is on the exam. What is surprising about taking the practice exams is how great I do on the administration of TR services and advancement of professionals. These are the smallest sections of the exam, but seems to be the easiest ones for me.
For The Future…
For the future, I plan on studying for this exam by doing many practice exams and reading recent textbooks that are related to TR. By keeping my brain up-to-date and researching the content over and over again until my exam date, I believe will benefit me in the long run. I hope to take the exam in July or September of 2021. This will give me time to prepare during the summer for my exam and then I will strive to my next goal of getting my first full-time job! Fingers crossed! Wish me luck!
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