2009 Cota Student Conclave presentation

REALITIES & MYTHS OF THE COTA® EXAMINATION

Patricia Heeter, MA, OTR, CHTDirector, Examination Product Development, NBCOT®

Session Overview:

Layout of the COTA examinationHow the examination is createdFormat of examination itemsPreparation and study toolsFeedback from recent candidatesSample items

PRACTICE ANALYSISWHAT IS TESTED ON THE NBCOT EXAMINATION?

Practice Analysis

• NBCOT routinely conducts practice analysis studies to identify:▫ Domains▫ Tasks▫ Knowledge

• Required for competent practice as a COTA®

• Results of the study are used to develop the examination specifications

Example of COTA Domain, Task, Knowledge

Domain: Gather information and formulate conclusions regarding the client’s needs and priorities to develop a client‐centered intervention

Task: Gather information on an ongoing basis using appropriate tools, procedures, and protocols in order to identify factors that impact participation in occupationKnowledge of: Information gathering processes and procedures (e.g. observation, interview, client records, checklists)

COTA Examination Blueprint

Domain Description% of Exam

01Gather information and formulate conclusions regarding the client’s needs and priorities to develop a client‐centered intervention plan

33%

02

Select and implement evidence‐based interventions to support participation in areas of occupation (e.g., ADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation) throughout the continuum of care

47%

03 Uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice 20%

First Sample Item!

A home health client who has paraplegia wants to prepare family meals independently. Which environmental modification will promote the client’s safety during stovetop cooking?

A. Positioning a mirror at an angle above the stoveB. Replacing the stovetop control knobs with larger

knobsC. Using pots with built‐up extended handlesD. Stirring hot liquids with rubber‐coated utensils

And the correct answer is…

A. Positioning a mirror at an angle above the stove

A client who has paraplegia uses a wheelchair during cooking activities. Placing an angled mirror over the stove enables the client to see food in pots and pans during stovetop cooking.

Determining the Domain, Task & Knowledge Statements…

Domain(02)

Select and implement evidence‐based interventions to support participation in areas of occupation (e.g., ADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation) throughout the continuum of care

Task(02.04)

Maximize accessibility to and mobility within a client’s contexts by recommending environmental modifications in order to optimize occupational performance and/or enhance quality of life

Knowledge(o2.04.09)

Methods for adapting the home and/or community environment

Myth or Reality?“My exam was all

pediatrics”.The exam is based on all the information we’ve covered in our OT

curriculum.NBCOT changes

exam blueprints on an annual basis.

Myth

Myth

Myth

Format Of The COTA Examination

• Computer delivered• 4‐hours• Examination consists of one section:▫ 200 Multiple‐Choice (MC) test items▫ Within these totals there are a number of field‐test items

• There is an optional tutorial before the exam clock starts

Myth or Reality?The computer randomly selects

those items that will not be scored once the exam is submitted for scoring.The field‐test items are

always the last items on the examination.

If I skip the tutorials, I will have more time

to take the examination.

I don’t like testing on computers, I can request a paper

examination right?

Myth

MythMyth

Myth

Format of the COTA Examination

Candidates need to achieve a score of 450 or above to passScore based on the total number of correct MC scored itemsThere are multiple versions of the examination

All versions are of equal difficulty

Myth or Reality?My score is simply a % of

correct items.

I scored 447. I can ask NBCOT to review my fieldwork

evaluation to make up the additional 3 points. I failed the examination 3

times. I can request NBCOT to rescore based on the average of the 3 previous

attempts, correct?

Myth

Myth

Myth

Format of Multiple Choice Items

• Question stem• 4 response options▫ 1 correct answer▫ 3 distracters

Another sample item …

A school‐based OTR and COTA are collaborating to evaluate a kindergarten student who has autism. Which task can the COTA complete as part of this initial data gathering process?

A. Score a sensory integration assessment.B. Select a developmental assessment to

administer.C. Document outcomes of a classroom

observation.D. Administer a standardized developmental

checklist.


D. Administer a standardized developmental checklist.

Administering a standardized developmental checklist is a typical responsibility of a COTA. This task does not require interpretation beyond the COTA scope of practice.


Domain(03)

Uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice, and social participation) throughout the continuum of care

Task(03.02)

Upholding professional standards by participating in quality improvement activities and complying with safety regulations, laws, ethical codes, facility policies and procedures, and guidelines governing OT practice in order to protect the public interest to optimize occupational performance and/or enhance quality of life

Knowledge(o3.02.09)

Standards/scope of practice for OT

Format of MC Items

During the exam, you can use the “Mark” and “Unmark” buttons to flag items to review at a later stage.If time permits, you can return to marked items and insert or change your response option prior to submitting the exam for scoring.

Myth or Reality?

If the exam clock ends, the “Marked” items I answered but did not “Unmark” will be submitted for scoring.

There are 150 MC items on the COTA

examination.Myth

Reality

Official NBCOT Study Tools

• COTA Examination Readiness Tool• Official NBCOT COTA Study Guide• Online Practice Tests• Online Content Tests

Examination Readiness Tool

Excellent place to start!Helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses across areas of the examination blueprintUse the results to structure a personal study planFree to download at

www.nbcot.org

NBCOT Official COTA Certification ExaminationStudy Guide

• Comprehensive overviewof what to expect:▫ Format of the examination▫ What to expect on the test day▫ How the examinations are scored• Proven strategies for taking high stakes examinations• Sample practice items – with answer keys, rationales and references

COTA Online Practice Tests

Designed to mirror the experience of taking the exams on computerAvailable to take 24 hours a day from anywhere you have Internet accessScore report instantly displays overall test score Feedback provided about performance across the 3 Domain areas of the examination blueprint

COTA Content Tests

Contain practice items in the areas of:Physical disabilitiesMental healthPediatrics

Provides item‐level feedback as soon as the candidate clicks a response buttonRationales and follow up references

Myth or Reality?After I take a practice test, I can compare my answers with the correct answers.

If I pass the online practice test, I am guaranteed to pass

the real exam.

The Official NBCOT study tools contain the same items that appear

on the real certification exam.All published study guides and exam prep

courses are approved and endorsed by NBCOT.

MythMyth

Myth

Myth

Feedback from recent candidates

Feedback from Recent Candidates

Post‐examination email surveyResponse rates

Results filtered – passing first time; passing repeat; failing first time; failing repeat

Surveys Mailed

SurveysCompleted

% Response

OTR 1861 566 30%

COTA 1350 349 26%

Time Between Graduating and Taking the NBCOT COTA Examination

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

0‐2 months

3‐5 months

6‐9 months

10‐13 months

14+ months

Failing ‐ repeat

Failing ‐ first time

Passing ‐ repeat

Passing ‐ first time

Did you participate in a formalized pre‐exam study session/group (COTA)?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Yes No

Passing ‐ first time

Passing ‐ repeat

Failing ‐ first time

Failing ‐ repeat

Another sample item…

A student in the second grade uses a palmargrasp whenever holding a pencil. Which intervention activity is effective to use with this student for promoting a more mature pencil grasp pattern?

A. Stringing one‐inch (2.54cm) beadsB. Finger‐painting on an upright easelC. Rolling out firm modeling doughD. Cutting cardboard shapes using adapted

scissors


A. Stringing one‐inch (2.54cm) beads

This activity encourages fine‐motor control and isolated finger movement to improve pencil grasp development.


Domain (02) = Select and implement evidence‐based interventions to support participation in areas of occupation (e.g., ADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation) throughout the continuum of care

Task (02.02)= Implement the treatment plan by using critical reasoning to select interventions and approaches consistent with developmental level, pediatric conditions, and/or congenital anomalies and client needs in order to achieve functional outcomes within areas of occupation

Knowledge (o2.04.04) = Activities to promote development in areas of occupation

A client who had a CVA initially required moderate verbal cues to complete oral hygiene and grooming. Now the client consistently completes these tasks independently. Based on this progress, what action should the COTA take prior to the NEXT intervention session with this client?

A. Recommend discharge from OT.B. Re‐evaluate functional performance.C. Discuss the progress with the physician.D. Collaborate with the OTR to review goals.


D. Collaborate with the OTR to review goals.

The COTA may identify the need for change to the intervention process. Any changes made to the treatment plan and goals should be done in collaboration with the OTR.


Domain(01)

Gather information and formulate conclusions regarding the client’s needs and priorities to develop a client‐centered intervention plan

Task(01.03)

Collaborate with the OTR, client, and relevant others using a team approach in order to prioritize client centered goals throughout the continuum of care, guided by evidence and the principles of best practice

Knowledge(o1.03.01)

Team roles, responsibilities, and care coordination

Which information should be evident in client contact notes in order to justify the need for additional OT services to a client’s insurance company?

A. Subjective reports of progress during therapy

B. Progress related to the initial functional goals

C. Comments on anticipated function at discharge

D. Rate of progress as compared to other patients


B. Progress related to the initial functional goals

Progress notes should provide evidence about the client’s progress in relation to the established functional goals.


Domain(03)

Uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice

Task(03.03)

Document occupational therapy services using established guidelines in order to verify accountability and to meet the requirements of practice settings, accrediting bodies, regulatory agencies, and/or funding sources

Knowledge(o3.03.02)

Reimbursement systems and regulatory requirements for documentation

Questions?

[email protected]

2009 Cota Student Conclave presentation

Education

Transcript of 2009 Cota Student Conclave presentation