Introduce yourself here

[John Feil]

My name is John Feil. I am a PT that lives on Long Island, NY. I
primarily work in an outpatient ortho setting that sees mostly
cervical and lumbar pts, a good portion post surgical. I also work 2
days a week in a SNF. I plan on sitting for the exam in 2013. I have
the new APTA current concepts home study course as well as the
Orthopedic Physical Therapy Secrets book to get prepared.
I am hoping we can come together to improve our studying so we can
all pass the exam. Any suggestions would be great.

[Andy]

Hi John,

My name is Andy Hutchison, I'm a PT working in private practice in
Henderson, NV. This is the next step in my career path, following my
MTC examination next week in Florida. I have yet to research dates
for the OCS exam as well preferred study timeline. When the time
comes I will likely use EIM's study guide based off of feedback from a
friend of mine.

I will continue to follow this group and see what becomes of it. I
also spend a lot of time reading, not posting on soma simple and
rehabedge. You can also find me on twitter as @hutchisonac

[John Feil]

Hey Andy! Thanks for joining the group. Good luck on the exam next
week. Keep us posted on how that goes.

The testing window for the 2013 OCS examination is March 2 through
March 16, 2013. If you are interested in taking the exam you have to
sign up for it by July 31, 2012.

What have you heard about the EIM study giude? I am interested in
that one but have not heard much about the recent changes they made to
make it more helpful. What does your friend say?

> > all pass the exam.  Any suggestions would be great.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Andy]

That sounds like adequate time for me, I'll plan on registering
sometime before that deadline. What plans did you have with this
online group format?

In regards to EIM, he says he feels well prepared and it outlined and
organized the content well. His work did however pay for it.

[carlose...@yahoo.com]

My name is Carlos Estevez a PT in Fort Worth, TX. Look forward to
taking in 2013 as well and will be purchasing the EIM course as well.
Ive taken this twice before 2008/2009, however since then Ive started
a fellowship in MT (Regis), completed EMG/NCV training, and feel a lot
more prepared. I have those two experiences from taking the test as
well as extensive blog reviewing for querying on the best material for
the OCS. John, you pretty much covered it with those two sources.
Look forward to working together.
Carlos

[John Feil]

Hey Carlos,

Thanks for joining the group. Your past experience will be something
I am very interested in hearing about.

You have entered a Fellowship? Did you have to do a residency 1st to
get into it?

What were your studying methods used before to take the exam?

Did you miss by much?

Either way welcome to the group and any ideas you want to share don't
hesitate.

On Feb 22, 9:07 am, "carlosesteve...@yahoo.com"

> > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Carlos Estevez]

Hi John

Well I studied pretty hard both times, both times missed by a few points. As youre aware the test passing scores are based on a bell curve, if the median number of test takers answer X question correctly they keep it, if the majority fails then it is dropped....i hate this variability, though needed because of the high subjective make up of the questions...these can be foolish at times, for their intent is to "trick" you into answering the incorrect choice. This is not testing your clinical knowledge, but rather how well you can pick out irrelevant parts out of the question/answer, or make the best choice given minute, partial information...not reflective of how things play out in the clinic. 

At any rate, the best way to prepare for this is to be solid on your anatomy, kines, pathology, etc you get this from the current concepts and for interesting "curve balls" sprinkle it with the Secrets book. Im hesitant to recommend the new 3rd edition of current concepts ( Ive also obtained), due to the exam in 08/09 did not contain all the great EBP info ex:all the various CPRs, biomech asses unreliability etc, the test is not very evidenced based, better, but has ways to go. I have heard that anything published 5 years or sooner maybe too fresh off the press to be included in the test, this is due to the time it takes for each question to make it to the actual exam. 

The fellowship at Regis only requires me to be eligible for the OCS(pretty much anyone can do it), and accepted with the condition that I will not receive my FAAOMPT credentials until Im board certified in OCS. The training for it has helped in reviewing the literature , understanding EBM, as well as the research component.

I started studying 2-3 mos prior to test, made flash cards of the highlights of "current concepts" and the ,"secrets text" divided these by body parts and carried these to work and would review and quizzed my colleagues, the repetition aspect helped. As I got closer to the exam date, Id read/study the monograps content that was not in the cards, add, highlight areas that thought were worth noting. Im a visual guy, so Id refer to Netter significantly to ensure what motions, area the pathophyisology from each monograph was referring to. 

This helped but obviously not enough..... after training others to help pass it, Ive come to realize that the other half of the problem is simple test taking strategies which Im incredibly weak at, reading, understanding what is being asked, and NOT READING INTO IT, is my problem.

Look forward to working with you guys,

Carlos

---

From: John Feil <johnf...@gmail.com>
To: PT OCS STUDY GROUP <OCSstu...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: Introduce yourself here

[John Feil]

WOW! Thanks for the reply Carlos. I must admit the exam sounds
scary. Not for the content but just because it almost seems like a
game of tricking instead of testing knowledge.

The way I look at it, the letters at the end of my name are nice but
the knowledge I will gain by studying will make me a better overall
therapist which is more important to me.

I still remember studying for the licence exam and how stupid some of
the questions were and some of the correct answers were choices that I
would never do in real life.

Either way I am excited to see this thing starting to come together.

P.S. How did you guys find out about this group?

On Feb 22, 3:38 pm, Carlos Estevez <carlosesteve...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi John
>
> Well I studied pretty hard both times, both times missed by a few points. As youre aware the test passing scores are based on a bell curve, if the median number of test takers answer X question correctly they keep it, if the majority fails then it is dropped....i hate this variability, though needed because of the high subjective make up of the questions...these can be foolish at times, for their intent is to "trick" you into answering the incorrect choice. This is not testing your clinical knowledge, but rather how well you can pick out irrelevant parts out of the question/answer, or make the best choice given minute, partial information...not reflective of how things play out in the clinic.
> At any rate, the best way to prepare for this is to be solid on your anatomy, kines, pathology, etc you get this from the current concepts and for interesting "curve balls" sprinkle it with the Secrets book. Im hesitant to recommend the new 3rd edition of current concepts ( Ive also obtained), due to the exam in 08/09 did not contain all the great EBP info ex:all the various CPRs, biomech asses unreliability etc, the test is not very evidenced based, better, but has ways to go. I have heard that anything published 5 years or sooner maybe too fresh off the press to be included in the test, this is due to the time it takes for each question to make it to the actual exam.
> The fellowship at Regis only requires me to be eligible for the OCS(pretty much anyone can do it), and accepted with the condition that I will not receive my FAAOMPT credentials until Im board certified in OCS. The training for it has helped in reviewing the literature , understanding EBM, as well as the research component.
> I started studying 2-3 mos prior to test, made flash cards of the highlights of "current concepts" and the ,"secrets text" divided these by body parts and carried these to work and would review and quizzed my colleagues, the repetition aspect helped. As I got closer to the exam date, Id read/study the monograps content that was not in the cards, add, highlight areas that thought were worth noting. Im a visual guy, so Id refer to Netter significantly to ensure what motions, area the pathophyisology from each monograph was referring to.
> This helped but obviously not enough..... after training others to help pass it, Ive come to realize that the other half of the problem is simple test taking strategies which Im incredibly weak at, reading, understanding what is being asked, and NOT READING INTO IT, is my problem.
>
> Look forward to working with you guys,
>
> Carlos
>
> ________________________________

>  From: John Feil <johnfeil...@gmail.com>

[Carlos Estevez]

John,

Youre right about what the OCS initials really mean, youll do well, sounds like youve worked hard already , application and clinical habit change are the best ways to retain the material and ensuring you arent just reading "stuff" ....your hard work will pay off. 

Heard this from rehabedge.

Look forward to it.

Take care

C

---

From: John Feil <johnf...@gmail.com>

To: PT OCS STUDY GROUP <OCSstu...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 3:15 PM

[Dan S]

Greetings

I'm taking the OCS this year in March. I have taken the test 2 time
already missing it by 3 points the last time. I read Carlos' post and
would agree with him on what to study.

I have just about every text available now; EIM's (1/2 price for 2nd
time through), Took Eric Wilson's course last year, have 2nd and 3rd
Current Concepts, Ortho Secrets, and clinical advisor. I go to the
local library and use the Ortho Review by Loth and Wadsworth which I
find be quite helpful. Its just straight questions and answers with
minimal citations. With all of that you can retrieve about 50
questions straight from the texts. I have no idea how many questions
are in the test banks but I seam to run into the same questions year
to year. Lots of straight up anatomy and pathology. Stats questions
were easy IMO; basic statistical tests and understanding specificity,
sn, liklihood ratios, dependent and independent variables.

There was CPR information on it but most was on the higher validated
stuff like Cleland, Fritz and Flynn. I'd agree that I didn't see
much brand new stuff on the tests. Eric Wilson says he wouldn't
recommend spending time on research that has come out within the last
6-8 months.

If anybody who has taken the test wants to brainstorm strategies, send
me an email. Dsch...@gmail.com

Take care and good luck

Dan

[Carlos Estevez]

Hey Dan,

Im with you buddy,...frustrating, but hey "third time is the charm right?"

I have heard about Wadsworth review, good point there. I forgot to add Clelands Ortho book, his first one. The chapter on statistics is great at simplifying the sp, sn, LR etc.

I know Eric and also took his course a while back. His stuff is good as well for an up to date review. 

To help regarding my test taking strategies, I thought of checking out a GRE book out from the library, any other suggestions from anybody?

Dan, sounds like your date is around the corner..what were your weakest areas last time you took it?

Carlos

---

From: Dan S <dsch...@gmail.com>

To: PT OCS STUDY GROUP <OCSstu...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:26 PM

Subject: Re: Introduce yourself here

[Kory Zimney, PT]

Hi, I'm Kory Zimney.  A PT in Iowa, John made we aware of this site and I am thinking about taking the OCS next year in 2013 as well.  I have never attempted the test so looking forward to insights from others in regards to studying for it.

[Todd]

New Member here; Todd Cumming from Delaware.

Have taken and passed the exam before; my 10 years ran out before I could retest! You need to plan a year in advance to avoid the lapse.... It seems a bit of a cash cow to have to retest every 10 years, but such is the way of professional boards. I just finished my tDPT, so I feel this work has helped me prepare to some degree. The imaging course was good and that type of info is definitely on the exam. I have Lynn Mckinnis' Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Imaging (3rd Ed), and really like the disc inside which does a nice job of testing and review of the various boney structures. Borrow this from someone if you can; it is good review but not worth buying for the few questions that it will help with! I am not a huge EIM fan, would recommend simply studying what the board advises. My advise to the group is to share pearls of wisdom. I spent 3 hours with an ortho MD today and he confronted me with; where does a Baker's cyst lie? I couldn't do better than popliteal area...his answer was lateral to the medial gastroc tendon.... It is a pocket of synovial fluid from the popliteal bursa that is often found between the medial gastroc and the semimembranosis muscle as far as I can determine....

 

If everyone throws a tidbit like that regularly it should spark discussions and some quiet reading as well.... Nerve entrapment points anyone????

[dsch...@gmail.com]

It's Dan.  3 time taker, just passed this year.  I went from a 493 to a 676 this time around.  The biggest difference was using a study group.  So I will try to help out when I can.

To todd
I would say learn about nerve entrapments of the UE.  Think arcade of Froshe, ligament of struthers, pronator teres.  Start drawing your brachial plexus from the spine and distal.  There is a great tutorial on YouTube to teach you how to draw it in 8 seconds.  Then goes on in more detail.

Good night

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad

---

[John Feil]

Congrats Dan!  I was wondering how you panned out.  Your experience with this last exam will be much appreciated.  If there is anything you remember from the exam or some studying pointers could you post them in the thread for previous test takers?  Thanks again.

[Carlos Estevez]

Dan!

third time was the charm buddy! congratulations, man.

Look forward to your thoughts how content fared compared to the previous two. I sometimes think that as years pass the OCS content is representing more of the current body of evidence...at least im hoping thats the case.

Carlos

---

From: "dsch...@gmail.com" <dsch...@gmail.com>
To: ocsstu...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 10:21 PM

Subject: Re: Introduce yourself here

[Dan Schaus]

Hey guys

Just to.be clear I will not be divulging any questions that I remember from the test.  I want to help but not in that way.  I have recommended getting as many practice questions As possible from the various vendors.  The people that make the test.prep stuff are also test question writers.  And each test I took was very different  from  the.others.  I saw maybe 5 questions in the whole.test that I saw from different years.  The question bank must be filled with thousands of questions.  I believe there to be variation of.wording of question but with the same subject and answers.  But that is really just pure speculation

Ill post again.  Keep in mind that this a PUBLIC forum. 

Dan

[Zac Daniels]

My name is Zac, I live work in Idaho Falls ID, I work in an OP ortho clinic, I plan on sitting for the 2013 exam.  I am using the current concepts study material to prepare, but I really look forward to hearing all the advise and psuedo-test questions to better preapre.  Thank you for starting the group.

[mirandaharvey00]

Hey John, my name is Miranda Harvey. I am a CFMT from Tx and look forward to this challenge with OCS. With both certifications I hope to one day be a residency director. I look forward to being challenged by this group. Thanks!

[Sasha]

Hey All,

My name is Sasha Zill, I'm a PT in NYC. I'm a little late getting to this but just signed up for the OCS 2013. Definitely a little intimidated by the exam and looking forward to sharing info on study material and strategies. I currently work with 2 OCS's and both took the exam 6+ years ago but strongly recommended the Current Concepts (version 1 was out when they sat) and the Ortho Secrets book.

I have Current Concepts version 1 and 2 and am on the fence about purchasing version 3, any advice?

 

Also, if any locals (NYC area) would like to set up some group study meetings as the exam gets closer, please let me know,

Thanks much and good luck all,

 

Sasha Zill PT,DPT, CSCS 

[John Feil]

Hi Sasha, saw the post. I live on long Island in Suffolk in West Islip.  So far you maybe the closest person that lives near me in the group.  Look on the board and you will find good study tips.  We will be organizing online study sessions using webcams in the future but not against in person study sessions.  Hope to meet up with you one way or another soon.

[Preeti Jha]

HI Everyone 

My name is Preeti Jha and I am also planning to take the 2013 OCS. I just finished my online application and wish to gather some info from the group. I just ordered the 3rd edition and would appreciate any reccomendation or study time together. 

[Odessa]

Hi - my name is Odessa McHart and I am a PT in an outpatient ortho clinic in a rural town in Northern California. I am sitting for the 2013 exam. I have the current concepts v2&3 as well as the secrets book and the normal ortho texts. If anyone is in the greater San Francisco area, let me know. I look forward to studying with you all -Odessa

[John Feil]

Hi Odessa, welcome to the group. There has been some useful posts about what to do to prepare for the exam. 

Are you interested in doing online study sessions via videochat or voicechat?

P.S.  Did you post about having visceral work done and helping becoming pregnant?  If so, I would like to talk to you about it if you don't mind.

[Odessa McHart]

Yes, online study sessions would be good, help keep the studying on track. Which area would you start with? Maybe you could post a recommend body region sequence for future video/voicechat.. I would be happy to talk about the visceral work, you can email me at odes...@gmail.com 

On Jul 23, 2012 6:45 AM, "John Feil" <johnf...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Odessa, welcome to the group. There has been some useful posts about what to do to prepare for the exam. 

Are you interested in doing online study sessions via videochat or voicechat?

P.S.  Did you post about having visceral work done and helping becoming pregnant?  If so, I would like to talk to you about it if you don't mind.

On Jul 22, 2012 4:03 PM, "Odessa" <odes...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> Hi - my name is Odessa McHart an...

[Em]

Hi- my name is Em Squires and I am an outpatient PT in private practice in Northern California.  I am not signed up to take the test yet but hoping to become motivated and finally take the plunge by being a part of this group.  Odessa, I am in Petaluma are you anywhere close?  And John, I perform visceral work to assist in fertility in my practice if you have questions you would like to ask me.

Em

Em Squires, MPT, CFMT   |   StillPoint Physical Therapy 1295 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma, California. Ph. 510-206-5790

THIS E-MAIL CONTAINS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

The personal or medical information contained in this e-mail is confidential, private and privileged. It is unlawful for unauthorized persons to review, copy, disclose or disseminate confidential medical information. If the reader of this warning is not the intended e-mail message recipient or the intended recipient's agent, you are hereby notified that you have received this message in error and the review or further discloser of the information contained therein to any other unauthorized person is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately at the e-mail address indicated above and return the original message to us.

[Odessa McHart]

Hi Em - I am in Willits, so petaluma is actually close enough to get together. I have wanted to meet you for some time, as I have been working my way through IPA with CFMT in mind and I would like to talk to you about visceral work also. I didn't realize you were so close! Look forward to talking with you - Odessa

On Jul 23, 2012 11:22 AM, "Em" <emsq...@comcast.net> wrote:

Hi- my name is Em Squires and I am an outpatient PT in private practice in Northern California.  I am not signed up to take the test yet but hoping to become motivated and finally take the plunge by being a part of this group.  Odessa, I am in Petaluma are you anywhere close?  And John, I perform visceral work to assist in fertility in my practice if you have questions you would like to ask me.

Em

Em Squires, MPT, CFMT   |   StillPoint Physical Therapy 1295 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma, California. Ph. 510-206-5790

THIS E-MAIL CONTAINS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

The personal or medical information contained in this e-mail is confidential, private and privileged. It is unlawful for unauthorized persons to review, copy, disclose or disseminate confidential medical information. If the reader of this warning is not the intended e-mail message recipient or the intended recipient's agent, you are hereby notified that you have received this message in error and the review or further discloser of the information contained therein to any other unauthorized person is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately at the e-mail address indicated above and return the original message to us.

On Jul 22, 2012, at 1:03 PM, Odessa wrote:

> Hi - my name is Odessa McHart and I am a PT in an o...

[Em]

Odessa

Great!  I just moved to Petaluma in January so it has not been that long.  Looking forward to meeting you.

Em

[Jeanette Krogstad]

Hi Odessa & Em,
I'm in Sunnyvale, CA and am also sitting for the 2013 OCS exam.  I have family in Petaluma, so could easily join you for a weekend study session on occasion.

I work at BreakThrough Physical Therapy in SV, and am also working my way through the IPA courses with an eye toward CFMT in a few years.  (I think we were in PNF I together) I'm working on anatomy review until I get around to picking up the Current Concepts material.

Any other SF Bay Area PT's out there?

Jeanette Krogstad, PT
jmkro...@yahoo.com
408-718-7788 cell

---

From: Odessa <odes...@gmail.com>
To: OCSstu...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 1:03 PM

Subject: Re: Introduce yourself here

[Greg]

Hi All, 

My name is Greg Alnwick. I am a PT in Northern NH and will be attempting this exam once again in 2013.  Hopefully It works out this time. 

I look forward to working with you all. 

[Shannon]

Hi, my name is Shannon Boyd.  I'm a PT in Paris, TX (about 1.5 hours northeast of Dallas).  I work in the outpatient orthopedic setting as well as coverage at our local hospital for acute care.  This will be my first attempt to take the OCS exam, so I am looking for any help I can find to focus my study habits.  I'm also currently working on certification in manual therapy with the IAOM-US, so I'm hoping my course work there will help especially with the spine portions.  Thank you to John for organizing this group.  I will definitely contribute as much as I can.

[Jen]

Hi everyone.  My name is Jen and I am an OP PT in Virginia.  I have signed up for the 2013 exam.  I am planning to purchase the Ortho PT Secrets Book along with the current concepts from the APTA.  I am also participating in a 6 weekend year long course in VA that is supposed to be helpful in preparation for the exam.  I have 2 more weekends to go for that.  Any other suggestions of good resources would be appreciated! 

[Greg]

Hi Jen, welcome.  Would you be willing to share any thoughts on what your course in VA and what they recommended?  Thank you. Greg.

[Angela Wang]

Hello,

My name is Angela Wang. I work in Northern NJ. I am going to take the OCS in 2013.  

I am in tDPT program at Regis University currently, the program is pretty strong in Ortho, However, there are so much to review, so I am worried.

Angela

[edk]

My name is Ed, I'm a PT working in the seattle area.  I am planning to take the OCS in 2013.  I have been out of school for about 12 years so I really need to study!  however, I have  a 20 month old to take care of so my free time is very limited.  I'm trying to find the most effective and time saving ways to prepare for the exam.

[King OCS]

Hi All,
I am looking forward to take my OCS in 2013 end or early 2014. I am a new member here in this group working in virginia. I have been practicing since 2005 as a PT. I am in regular touch with books and have strong foundation in kines, anatomy but need to strictly review for a month to gear up the speed.

Any tips will greatly help me. Thanks :)

[Don Kallail]

My name is Don Kallail. I am a PT working for the United States Navy out in Japan. I work in a variety of settings. I plan on sitting for the exam in 2014. I am looking for other people to help study with. Thanks! 

[Rob Morrison]

My name is Rob Morrison, I'm the PT at the Spaulding National Running Center in Cambridge MA.  Looking to start the process of getting ready for the OCS exam.  Thanks for putting together this resource!

[Cindy Knight-Palazzo]

Cindy Knight-Palazzo, PT, MS, OCS

Took the exam in 1996 and again in ~2005. Currently certified through 2016. I still plan on taking a refresher course [again] to keep my OCS.

[Steven Elton]

Hi John,

 

Steve here in sunny Florida. Have been wanting to take this exam for a few years now but never made the time. Practicing for 16 years now in various settings. I now work as an independent contractor for an outpatient ortho clinic and several home health companies. Extensive sports rehab background, especially baseball pitchers and endurance athletes, CSCS and coaching experience. After much debate I am giving myself 6 months study, and will be focusing on EIM online course and PT secrets. I have alot going on with 3 kids in the household so will have to narrow my focus, study 8-10 hours per week and then a week prior take some time off to do a good review. Hope I can pass it the first time out.

 

Steve

[Mira Lelovic]

Planning to take the OCS in 2014 and just found this group last night.   I've replied to a couple of other threads but thought I'd introduce myself on this one as well.

[bradpu...@gmail.com]

Hey all,

My name is Brad and I'm taking the OCS in March 2014.  I've been studying ortho secrets and am seriously considering buying the ortho concepts 3rd edition. Does anyone know if it is worth buying? Any other helpful study tips or challenging questions to help me get a good a idea of what to expect?
Thanks in advance.

[togu...@gmail.com]

Hi My name is Tito Ogunsola. I currently live in philadelphia and have just completed an orthopedic PT residency at Temple University. I will be taking the OCS for the 1st time in march and plan to use the Current Concepts monographs, Ortho PT secrets and am seriously considering the EIM online course because Ive heard good things about the quizzes and hope it will provide the structure I need to study. Has anyone done the online course that Eric Wilson PT teaches? It looks very comparable to EIM and is cheaper. Thanks for any feedback

[mylahdga...@gmail.com]

My name is Mylah Garlington.  I'm a Maryland PT working in outpatient ortho.  So far, I've begun the APTA monographs and I have the Ortho PT Secrets book.  I haven't cracked open the Secrets book yet.  I see a mix of recreational athletes and general ortho complaints.  I hope I can add to the collaboration.

[Ryan Ciesielski]

Hey All,

My name is Ryan Ciesielski, Im a PT at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, NJ doing both Inpatient/outpatient ortho PT, but I live at the Jersey Shore in Brielle,NJ. Just picked up Ortho Secrets and looking into Eric Wilson's prep class (Heard from a lot of sources that EIM has great test questions but kind of a waste of $$$). Hit me up if anyone has any great study tips/ideas.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:32:00 PM UTC-5, John Feil wrote:

[tnv...@gmail.com]

Hey everyone! My name is Tejas Vora! I am a PT that lives in Baton Rouge, LA.  I will be taking the exam in March 2014.  I stumbled upon this group this afternoon when googling "pt ocs test prep".  Thank God that I did.  Yall sound so prepared and ahead of me in preparations.  I am about to really start buckling down.  I just wanted to introduce myself and will try to be as active and helpful as I can.  Thank you to everybody in advance for helping and being a support system.  Look forward to getting to know yall.

 

-Tejas 

[Stephen Kelly]

Stephen Kelly, Physical Therapist from Sparta NJ planning on sitting for the test in March of 2014.  Primarily practice out pt ortho in a clinic in Newton NJ.  Just getting planned out for how to attack this test.  Have Current Concepts and Ortho Secrets book thusfar and have been going through each in fair detail

[hauge...@hotmail.com]

[hauge...@hotmail.com]

Hi, I'm Derek. I will take the test in March 2014. My main study tools are Ortho Secrets and EIM. Both have been valuable so far but I feel there are I'm missing the boat on CPRs etc.

[Aleyda Chambers]

Hi John,

My name is Aleyda Chambers. I am PT in Houston, TX. I am interested in joining this group. Would you please add me?

Thanks!

[AH]

My name is Aspen.  I'm a PT in Honolulu, HI.  I plan on taking my OCS in 2015 and want to get started on studying now.  I already have Current Concepts and recently purchased Ortho secrets.  I've been practicing for 5 years.  Looking forward to any advice available to pass this test!

[Andrea Johnson]

Hi everyone! My name is Andrea Johnson. I am currently an orthopedic resident in Westerville, OH. I am hoping to take the OCS in 2015. Looking forward to joining the discussions here!

Andrea

[abiga...@gmail.com]

Hi,

My name is Abigail Lau.  I am taking the OCS in 2014!

[Layla McCall Stafford]

Andrea,

I am thinking about 2015 as well.....are you studying now?  If, so what materials?

[fabou...@atsu.edu]

Hi 

My name is Fadi Aboulhosn. I live in Phoenix AZ and having been studying for the OCS exam this March 2014.  I just finished my orthopedic residency while working in an outpatient facility 5 day week.  I continue have been reading the current concepts but would like other suggestion to assist in studying for this exam.

[neald...@gmail.com]

Hi! My name is Katie and I will be taking the OCS in March 2014. So happy to have found this group!

[Michelle Snyder]

Hi,

My name is Michelle. I'm planning on taking the exam in 2015. I'm looking forward to being part of this group discussion. Good luck to everyone!

[Bobbie Sue Glandt]

My name is Bobbie Sue Glandt. I will be taking the exam this March! I work in outpatient orthopedics in the VA system.  I finished up an ortho residency through the University of WI hospital system.  I am looking for any last minute study tips in addition to advice on actually taking the test.  Thanks!

[Amy Phillips]

Hey all. I'm Amy Phillips. I work in an outpatient orthopaedic practice in NYC. I'll be taking the exam one week from today! Looking through posts for last minute study tips for things I may or may not have covered. I've been using Magee, Current concepts monographs, Netter's Orthopaedic Assessment by Cleland, and guidelines.gov where the ortho section has put together treatment guidelines based on current best evidence. 

[Katherine Bentley]

Hi, I am Katie Bentley. I am a PT in Virginia Beach, VA and work in outpatient orthopedics. I am considering taking the exam in March 2015. 

[Hayley Collier]

I'm Hayley.  I am a PT in Auburn, AL working in outpatient orthopedics.  I am currently working towards a dry needling certification through the Spinal Manipulative Institute (James Dunning) and am contemplating taking the OCS exam next March.  Anyone have an old current concepts they want to sell?

[Becky Parr]

Hi everyone
My name is Becky Parr and I work in outpatient orthopedics. I'm hoping to take the exam in 2015 as well.

[Seth Jones]

My name is Seth Jones. I am a PT working in a private practice in East Texas, and I do PRN work in a SNF. I plan to take the exam in 2015, and am just looking for some good guidelines for what and how to prepare for the exam. I am already planning to take my wife and kids to Anaheim for CSM 2016, so I had better pass it on my first try!

[vppt]

Hi

I am a PT living in Queens NY.

I am planning to take ocs exam in 2015 too.

Is there anyone who has used current concepts book?

[Lindsey Norman]

Have you heard anything yet? I took the test this year and the wait is killing me but no one seems to have heard anything

[Lindsey Norman]

[Jon Carroll]

Hi everyone,

My name is Jon Carroll.  I'm a PT who works in Hyannis, MA.  I just submitted my application to sit for the 2015 exam.  Looking into purchasing EIM's prep course.  I also heard Eric Wilson's prep course is worth it.  I know the test is about 9 months away but I want to start studying now.  Hope to hear from some of you and look forward to begin studying for this exam.

[Lindsey Norman]

Hey Dan, thanks for the input. I failed this year by 5 points and plan to retake. Is Clelands book a good one? I hadn't heard much about that one

[Don Kallail]

I have the concepts monograms. I like them. It has a good chunk of important information in one small packet. I think they are well worth the cost in my opinion. 

[Eric Stivers]

Using current concepts now also

Would like to do wilson class in nyc

Erics...@gmail.com

[Jon Carroll]

I have concepts 2nd edition. Think there's a big difference with the third?

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[Eric Stivers]

Am not sure beside being published in 2006 vs 2011 so research wise I assume. I have not seen the 2nd edition. The test was up for revamping next year and last time it was changed was 2009 however the test was not change so the set up will be the same as seen with the 2006 Monons

[Odessa McHart]

Hi,

I took and passed the exam last year. I have studied off the second monographs in the past and bought the third to study for the OCS. The main difference is the second is focused on treatment and the third is focused on most recent clinical prediction rules and research. I also cross referenced the third monographs with Cleland's second edition and found them to match very well, so the second edition monographs and Cleland's book would give you a good foundation. I don't think Cleland's book adds anything if you already have the third monograph, though Cleland's book does have the research and rules very well organized and easily accessible for quick reference. We use it a lot in the clinic.

Hope this helps, have fun! -Odessa

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[Jon Carroll]

Thanks very much!  I should get the third edition to keep up with current evidence.  

[debora...@gmail.com]

Hi John, My name is Deborah York. I am a PT that lives in Las Colinas TX and work in a hospital based outpatient clinic.  I am studying now for the OCS and hope to take in 2014.  Eager to accept suggestions on courses and methods for passing the OCS.  Thanks, Deborah

[Jon Carroll]

Hi Deborah,

I work on cape cod in a private based ortho out patient clinic. I'm planning on taking the online course that EIM offers. It's 16 weeks and is self paced. I guess they claim they have a pass rate of 80 something percent. It's around 500 for the course but I hear It's worth it. Figure I'll start that soon to have plenty of time to prep. Let me know what you decide on review materials. 

Jon

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[Ryan Sharpee]

Hello everyone, my name is Ryan and I live in Baraboo, WI and work in an outpatient hospital based clinic. I just finished up my orthopedic residency and am starting to prepare for the OCS exam. I was looking for any information or resources I can get that would help me study. Look forward to collaborating with everyone.

[Deborah York]

Hi Ryan, I also work in an outpatient hospital based clinic. I'm studying ortho secrets and plan to take a Wilson course next. I live in Irving, TX. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 3, 2014, at 9:54 PM, Ryan Sharpee <rysh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello everyone, my name is Ryan and I live in Baraboo, WI and work in an outpatient hospital based clinic. I just finished up my orthopedic residency and am starting to prepare for the OCS exam. I was looking for any information or resources I can get that would help me study. Look forward to collaborating with everyone.

[Antara Desai]

Hello everyone,

My name is Antara Desai. I am working in a PT owned out patient clinic in Columbia, MD. I just submitted my application for OCS last week and planing to give exam in 2015. I feel like time is running and I haven't even gathered any material yet.. After reading all the posts I am just thinking about starting from Current Concepts of Orthopedic Examination. It's very expensive though. It's 575 $. Does any one know any other website that sells it cheaper?

 

Thanks,

Antara

[Brandon Lum]

My name is Brandon Lum, I work in a hospital based outpatient clinic in Culpeper, VA. I am signed up to take the exam in 2015 and am using the APTA monographs and ortho secrets to study. I also plan on taking Eric Wilson's course later this year. 

[Jennifer Bentley]

My name is Jennifer Bentley, I work in a hospital outpatient clinic in Salt Lake City.  I am signed up to take the exam in 2015.  I will welcome any suggestions for study information.  I plan on starting with current concept and the monographs from APTA.  Does anyone know of other courses to assist with the prep for the exam.

[Jon Carroll]

EIM offers a 16 week online course. Self-paced. Runs about 500. Plan on taking that. I have the second addition monographs. It as up to date evidence wise but in sure some of the clinical prediction rules are still the same. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Don Kallail]

I just signed up for that course a few weeks back. So far pretty happy with it. I've got the 3rd edition monographs and have ortho secrets. I just bought the newest netters book for a general review of nerves ect. Overall I think that should be more than enough. 

--



Don Kallail
cell 080 4346 2396

[Jennifer Bentley]

Hi Jon, where can you find the second addition monographs?

[Jon Carroll]

I got them as part of our curriculum at BU. I know they're a bit out of date but I'm sure not that much. Not sure if they sell them any more. 

Sent from my iPhone

[magi...@gmail.com]

Hello everyone,

My name is Magie and I'm from NYC.  Planning to take the exam March 2015.  Hope we can help each other in this study group!

[Tom McGary]

I am a PT in Rochester, NY. Plan on taking the OCS in March 2015.

I am planning on taking the Wilson review course.

[Eric Stivers]

North Jersey and I also plan on the Brooklyn Eric Wilson course 

[VirginiaDPT]

Hi! My name is Virginia Chan PT, DPT. I currently reside in The Bahamas as a physical therapist and is taking the OCS exam in March 2015. I am so happy I found this group! Any suggestions on additional course materials to purchase? Or if anyone has digital copies that would love to share would be greatly appreciated. 

[Stephanie McGowan]

Hey there - just starting this journey to hopefully sit next spring.  Kind of clueless, but what are the Monographs and how do i get them?  I haven't received confirmation of my application acceptance yet.   Also just found a pdf download of Current Concepts ed 3 online.  Is this what I need? 

After reading through a batch of posts it Looks like the common key study materials are:

Current concept ed 2 and 3

Ortho Secrets ed 2/3

What else?

Many thanks in advance! 

[Eric Stivers]

Was the PDF of thoracic only??

[Stephanie McGowan]

Eric - It was - thoracic spine and ribs. Didn't realize that.  So what else is out there available that I should be gathering? Received my confirmation today. yikes.

[Eric Stivers]

The staple of studying seems to be the apta monographs along with supplemental classes or books. The monographs are from the ortho section. 290 if a member 590 if not.

I plan on doing the Eric Wilson class. Some I know took it and they said it was great and they all passed the exam

[ssha...@attaintf.com]

Hello all,

My name is Shellane Shattuck, I am a PT working in the greater Springfield, MA area and hope to take the OCS exam in March 2015. I work in an outpatient ortho setting where we see a wide variety of diagnoses, mostly sport/work related and post-op. We offer OT in our facility, the PTs rarely see elbow, wrist and hand patients, so I fear I will struggle in this area. I have not planned much by way of studying since I have not heard yet if I am approved to take the exam, the status of my application continues to say "submitted" Is there anyway I can find out the status of my application or do I just have to continuously check back on the ABPTS website? This forum looks great and I look forward to utilizing it and hope that I can contribute as well!

[Lisa Prusakiewicz]

My name is Lisa, I have been an outpatient ortho PT for the last 10 years.  I feel this is the next step for me and would like to move into some clinical teaching.

[Bryan Lang]

My name is Bryan Lang and I am an outpatient physical therapist in Portland Oregon. I have been practicing for 2 years and I am interested in pursuing my OCS.

[Matt Cabbage]

Hi, My name is Matt Cabbage and I have been practicing in outpatient orthopedics for 4 years in Knoxville, TN. I am looking forward to gaining further knowledge and expertise and would like in time to get involved in teaching at a university and possibly a PT program.

[Joe Schoess]

Hi my name is Joe. I practice outpatient orthopedics on Whidbey Island in Washington State. The plan is to sit for the test in March 2015. 

[Emileigh Ip]

Hello, I'm Emileigh a PT in San Francisco, CA at a large hospital-based outpatient facility approved to sit for the 2015 OCS exam. Looking to figure out the best way to prep for the exam and further my practice/patient care.