How to Choose the Right Prep Course for the NBCOT® Exam

For many new occupational therapy graduates, the NBCOT® exam is the last big hurdle before entering practice. It’s a demanding test, but the right OT board exam prep makes all the difference—whether you’re taking it for the first time or coming back after a previous attempt.

A strong study plan combines study skills, time management, and self-care with a reliable OT exam prep course. With so many options available, it’s natural to ask: “Which prep course is the best fit for me?”

In this 2025 overview, we highlight leading OT certification test-prep programs. You’ll find key features, pros and cons, and verified student feedback, so you can compare options and choose a program that matches your learning style and study needs.

What to Look for in a Great Prep Program for the NBCOT® exam

Effective prep programs cover the NBCOT® blueprint while supporting different study preferences. The strongest options offer the following elements to help you build endurance, sharpen reasoning, and track progress with confidence.

Timed quizzes & reviewable answers

With such a high degree of pressure on test takers, it can be stressful to work through each and every exam question in a way that allows you to feel confident in your answers. It’s even more intense doing so before the clock runs out. Therefore, your study package should prepare you to work well under a given time constraint.

Being able to review a detailed score report is another essential part of the exam preparation process. In fact, misleading test scores are a major misstep often committed by other exam prep programs. Your entire academic career is dedicated to completing projects or tests, reviewing your answers, and learning from your mistakes so you can improve and understand the material better. So why should your exam prep course be any different?

Visual & audio content

OTs know better than most people how diverse each person’s learning styles and needs are. That’s why having a variety of content mediums should be commonplace in NBCOT® prep programs. With a combination of visual and audio content, test takers can not only choose what method works best for them, but they also benefit from a more unique learning experience. This type of format may also be useful for neurodivergent individuals, people with learning disabilities, or those who have English as a second language (ESL) as these individuals may not prefer studying methods with a heavy emphasis on reading.

Personalized study plans

Studying for the OT exam shouldn’t involve a one-size-fits-all approach. One of the best ways to make study plans more person-centered is to cater exam prep focus toward topics that the individual finds challenging. While exact areas of need differ from person to person, some subjects – such as splinting, theory bases and frames of reference, neurological conditions, and pediatrics – are objectively more difficult to grasp than others. This is often due to the bulk of material test takers need to learn, but also the complexity of the subject matter. Personalized study plans can help with this and are essential to an effective exam prep course.

Group and private tutoring

Just as receiving content in various formats encourages growth and learning for test takers, having several tutoring options allows prep programs to be as supportive as possible. This takes the legwork out of breaking down an overwhelming amount of material into measurable chunks. Group and private tutoring sessions can also help with focus while executing your study plan according to a certain timeline. In addition, these methods offer accountability and social support as you study, which is more important than many people realize!

Pass rates and verified reviews

It’s important to know what you’re up against when preparing for the exam. The prep programs that are transparent about their pass rates can help test takers understand that passing this exam is a realistic milestone for them. Pass rates speak directly to how effective the prep program is, so it’s important information to look for during the research stage. Verified reviews also help test takers to read about the experiences of other exam prep program users before they decide on one.

Mobile access / app support

Imagine logging into your test prep app ready to get to work for the day, finding that the system is down, contacting tech support, and hearing nothing but crickets. Hitting a technological snag can be a real barrier to making progress in your study plan. You need an exam prep program that has reliable support along with mobile access so you can study wherever life takes you.

Comparison

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing an exam prep course. Regardless of learning style and personal preference, there are some components that NBCOT® exam prep courses all need. Pass the OT leads the pack in over 17 key areas, including test simulation, personalized feedback, platform support, and tutoring.

Individual Program Highlights

Pass the OT

Best for: Students who want personalized study plans, interactive support, and the confidence of a pass guarantee.

Best Features of Pass the OT:

• Comprehensive Multi-Modal Content: Includes 2,900+ practice questions with rationales, 114+ visual study charts, 60+ hours of video/audio lectures, flashcards, games, and case studies. This variety supports all learning styles and keeps studying engaging.
• Structured Intensive Courses: Two 4-hour live Zoom intensives each month (“The Accelerator” and “The Final Countdown”) help students build test-taking stamina, learn advanced strategies, and review high-yield content in an interactive setting.
• Personalized Study Plans: Students receive tailored 2–24 week study plans based on their assessment results, with separate tracks designed for first-time test takers and repeat “bounce back” students. This ensures every student focuses on the domains and topics that matter most for their unique situation.
• Student Progress Tracking: The PTOT dashboard shows strengths and weaknesses by domain, detailed quiz results with rationales, and progress over time. This gives students a clear roadmap to improve and builds confidence as they see measurable gains.
• Interactive Support System: Weekly live group calls, 134+ hours of recorded tutoring, optional one-on-one tutoring, and VIP live chat with tutors ensure students never have to prepare in isolation.
• Real Exam Simulation: Full-length mock exams mirror the structure, timing, and rigor of the actual NBCOT® exam. Students also learn proven question dissection strategies to analyze stems, identify distractors, and improve accuracy.
• Confidence & Test Anxiety Support: Active recall games, review activities, and last-minute boosters reduce stress and strengthen exam readiness. Testimonials highlight its effectiveness for both first-time and “bounce back” students.
• Flexible & Affordable Access: Offers a free 5-day trial, flexible pricing at $19.99/week or $219/year, and discounted intensive courses for members. Includes a pass guarantee to reduce financial risk.

5 Star Reviews: 139 reviews
Mobile App: Yes
Pricing: Flexible weekly subscription is $19.99 with a free 5-day trial, or $219 for one year of access.

Quote: “Pass the OT helped me identify my blind spots and build confidence. Their support was unmatched, and I passed after failing twice.”

Explore Pass the OT now!

TherapyEd

Best for: Students who like tracking their progress

Best Features of TherapyEd:

• Established Brand: Therapy Ed has been around for many years and is well known in OT/PT prep spaces.
• Printed Textbook: Comes with a comprehensive, detailed study book that some students value as a reference.
• In-Person Intensive Course: Offers a structured 2-day review course, which some students find useful as a broad refresher.
• Practice Questions: Includes sets of practice questions to accompany the text.
• Reputation: Because of its longevity, some program directors recommend it out of familiarity.

Drawbacks of TherapyEd:

• Not OT-Focused: Much of Therapy Ed’s energy is directed toward Physical Therapy (larger market), so OT often gets less emphasis.
• Timing of Course: The 2-day review typically happens after fieldwork—when student stress is at its peak. Materials are only given at the start of the course, leaving little time to prepare in advance.
• Overwhelming Materials: Many students find the book dense and difficult to digest.
• Limited Personalization: Courses are large, not tailored to individual needs, and private tutoring is minimal and non-specialized.
• Lack of Flexibility: In-person format requires travel, hotels, and added expenses. Schedules can conflict with student obligations.
• No Tailored Plans: No customized study tracks for first-time vs. repeat test taking  students.
• Limited Ongoing Support: No VIP chat, limited guidance once the 2-day course ends.
• Student Feedback: There is a lack of verified student feedback
• Quizzes: No timed quizzes

5 Star Reviews: No
Mobile App: Yes
Pricing: Study guide $99 (Therapy Ed mobile app costs $49.99). OT Prep Course costs $330

AOTA® Online

Best for: Students who already support AOTA® as members

Best Features of AOTA® Online:

• Multi-Platform Access: Works on computer, tablet, and phone; materials can be used online or offline for flexible study.
• Detailed Feedback: Provides explanations for correct and incorrect answers, plus references for further learning.
• Engaging Study Tools: Includes flashcards, games, and quizzes to reinforce retention.
• Performance Tracking: Allows students to monitor progress by domain and compare results with peers.

Drawbacks of AOTA® Online:

• Moderate Question Volume: Approximately 1,000 questions—more than some tools, but less extensive compared to other providers’ banks.
• Inconsistent Rationales: According to some students, while effective overall, rationales are frustrating and inconsistent at times.
• Not Getting Exact NBCOT® Style: While exam-aligned, some students note differences in style from the actual exam.
• Requires Strong Self-Motivation: Self-guided format offers little external accountability or structured pacing.

5 Star Reviews: 2 reviews
Mobile App: Yes
Pricing: Non-member price is $209. $149 for basic members (basic member cost is $163)

True Learn

Best for: Students who want a large bank of practice questions and quick quizzes

Best Features of True Learn:

• Large Question Bank: Offers hundreds of practice questions, giving students lots of repetition.
• Progress Tracking: Provides analytics to show how students are performing overall.
• Affordable Add-On Resource: Some students use it as a supplement alongside other programs because of its lower cost compared to full prep courses.

Drawbacks of True Learn:

• Not OT-Focused: Serves a wide range of healthcare fields (medicine, nursing, PT, etc.), so content is not solely tailored to OT students.
• No Personalized Study Plan: Does not provide a structured roadmap based on a student’s strengths and weaknesses, leaving many unsure of what to focus on.
• Limited Study Modes: Mainly practice questions and Picmonics.
• Question Quality: Students report that many questions don’t require deep clinical reasoning, which is crucial for the exam. Picmonics often oversimplify OT content.
• Not Exam-Realistic: Quizzes are short (~25 questions), not full-length simulations like the actual exam.
• Navigation Issues: Some students find the website interface difficult to use.
• No Pass Guarantee: They do not offer a safety net if a student doesn’t pass.

5 Star Reviews: 3 reviews
Mobile App: No
Pricing: 30-day subscription costs $159

NBCOT Exam StudyPack®

Best for: Students who want a basic overview of exam content without needing extra support or personalization.

Best Features of NBCOT Exam Study Pack®:

• Official Resource: Since it’s created by NBCOT®, it aligns directly with the exam blueprint and gives students a sense of what to expect.
• Practice Questions: Includes a pool of sample questions that reflect the style and format of the actual exam.
• Score Reports: Provides general performance feedback by domain area, which can help students identify broad strengths and weaknesses.
• Credibility & Familiarity: Students often feel reassured using resources published by the actual certifying body.

Drawbacks of NBCOT Exam Study Pack®:

• Limited Feedback: Does not explain why answers are wrong, so students can’t learn from mistakes.
• No Personalized Study Plan: There’s no guidance on what to focus on based on individual strengths and weaknesses.
• No Intensive or Ongoing Support: Unlike specialized prep programs, there are no group calls, tutoring options, or personalized coaching.
• Not Exam-Realistic in Variability: Practice scores don’t always predict exam outcomes, as actual test versions vary.
• Not Comprehensive: Only questions and reports; lacks multimodal prep like videos, cheat sheets, case studies, and interactive games.
• No Pass Guarantee: Students bear the full financial risk of retaking the exam ($550 each time).

5 Star Reviews: No
Mobile App: No
Pricing: NBCOT Exam StudyPack® costs $85

OT Help Desk

Best for: Students who want recorded and live sessions
Best Features of OT Help Desk:

• Large Video Library: Includes ~260 hours of recorded instruction across 40 OT topics, giving students deep exposure to content.
• Extensive Practice Questions: Provides over 2,400 practice items, plus focused endurance training with 550 additional questions and case scenarios.
• Live and Recorded Tutoring: Offers up to 10 hours of weekly group tutoring via Zoom with Dr. Connelly, plus pre-recorded sessions for flexibility.
• Supplemental Resources: Access to 200+ printable charts, grids, and visuals that reinforce learning.
• Gold Guarantee Subscription: Provides continued access until passing, reducing the risk of time-limited study.

Drawbacks of OT Help Desk:

• No Private One-on-One Tutoring: Support is limited to group sessions.
• No Tailored Study Plans: Does not differentiate tracks for first-time vs. repeat test takers.
• Limited Student Support Tools: Lacks VIP live chat or personalized study recommendations; support is confined to scheduled group tutoring.
• Lack of Mobile App: The platform does not include a dedicated mobile app or offline access to study materials.
• Costly Pass Guarantee: The Gold Guarantee package, which provides continued access until you pass, is priced at $299

5 Star Reviews: 30 reviews
Mobile App: No
Pricing: 60-day package costs $199

Conclusion

While there are a lot of options with great features, the best OT exam prep course is the one that feels most suitable for your learning style and preferences. Pass the OT stands out among its competitors and is known for having a solid track record with many positive results from test takers. Pass the OT also offers a full support system, ensuring all users have the help they need along the way. With our personalized planning options, every user can tailor the program to their needs.