EMT And Paramedic Exam And Study Tips

General Info

Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic is a great career choice, but you do have to be willing to do some substantial studying and preparation for exams. The exam content ranges from patient assessment to treatment procedures and human anatomy. Essentially, anything that is covered in the EMT or Paramedic course and text books is something that could come in the exam. In order to pass the exams you also need quite a high percentage (70%) of correct answers, which can add to the pressure in an exam situation.

By the time you are at the stage of preparing for the exam you will have already spent several thousand Dollars and a lot of time and effort on training, uniforms and textbooks; you will also have to pay a fee to sit the exam. To avoid having to pay for additional fees for re-sitting exams it is best if you are as prepared as possible to sit the exam on the first attempt. To help you avoid the costs and stress of re-examination it can be of great benefit to look at some study guides available.

Here are some learning materials and books that help you to pass the Paramedic and EMT exam.

Online Learning Material

  1. EMS Success: This is a great resource for both EMT-B and Paramedic students. For a reasonable fee of $29.95 you get access to ebook study guides, audio study guides so you can learn while you are out and about, access to an online forum where you can ask questions, and finally, there is a live exam preparation course held once a month. A great thing about this package is that it comes with a money-back guarantee should you not be satisfied.
  1. Human Anatomy Course:  Human Anatomy Course is probably more helpful to Paramedic students as it focuses on the anatomy side of things which makes up a more substantial part of the examination. While this course includes specific Paramedic training material you also get a lot of stuff that is probably not applicable to a Paramedic exam. However, at $37 this is a reasonable course if the anatomy side of your studies has been causing you difficulties.

Books

  1. SUCCESS! for the EMT-Basic: This book is specifically for students preparing for the EMT-B exam and as you can see, the feedback on Amazon is very good. The Reviews on Amazon are very good with an average of 4.5 stars.
  1. Barron’s Paramedic Exam: For Paramedic students this book will be of interest and it includes a CD ROM that contains two additional practice exams, in addition to one in the book. The Reviews on Amazon are very good with an average of 4 stars.

Tips for the Day of your NREMT Written Exam

EMT And Paramedic Exam And Study Tips

  • Change the reading strategy of the question paper!

Reading your question paper first makes a bigger impact on your writing. Read the last line of the question first, then all 4 answers, and then go back and read the entire test item. This helps you to determine exactly what the question is asking and gives you the potential real answers ahead of time, so when you go through the stem, you know what you’re looking for.

  • Don’t think too much. The NREMT is not trying to trick you.

Try to choose the best answer rather than a simple answer. Too many students are confused when the rhyming of the word in answer is the same, for example, chair and cheer. There is ONE best answer and 3 distractors. Don’t automatically assume that the one that looks the most complex is the correct answer. One of the most common mistakes is picking a more complicated answer than is appropriate.

  • Think of one question you write at a time.

Don’t worry about another question when you write the answer to the current question. What I mean to say is only remember that you got some right, you got some wrong, and the one question in front of you may be the one that decides whether you pass or fail. Get this one question right… over and over. If you get tired, or you’re starting to get insecure about how you’re doing: I want you to remember to let all of that crap go, and mentally start over by focusing all your attention on answering this one next question correctly with all of your mind.

  • Know your BLS or ACLS algorithms!

What makes you crazy during the test are the questions that ask, “What do you do first?” Those questions are just trying to see if you can recognize which emergency issue is of higher priority. They will make you CRAZY if you don’t have the BLS  or ACLS algorithm down. If you know the steps in order, you will not have a stroke during the test. Do you have any idea how many questions on the registry will ask you whether you should give oxygen first, start compressions first, or attach AED/Defibrillator?

  • Your mindset is your power!

Try to stay in a peaceful place before you go to the exam. Don’t cram like you are scared. Don’t go in hoping for an easy test. Remind yourself of the effort you put into this. You have been through countless hours of lectures, clinicals, and skill sessions in school. You have worked very hard and you have earned this.

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The author of EMTTrainingUSA.com is a highly qualified and experienced professional in the field of emergency medical services. With extensive knowledge of EMT training programs, regulations, and requirements, they provide valuable insights and guidance to aspiring EMTs and those seeking to advance their careers in this field. Their expertise and dedication to educating and preparing the next generation of emergency medical professionals make them a valuable resource for anyone interested in pursuing a career in EMS.

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