Advice from someone who passed 2013 OCS exam

[John Feil]

I found out yesterday that I passed the exam.  I had been studying since January 2012 since i knew it was going to be the most difficult test I have ever taken. I started this google group so we could get together to take about different studying suggestions. I am going to list what i think was the most helpful things that made it possible to pass the exam.

 

1)  know your anatomy!  so much of this test is based on antomy and physiology.  Having a strong background in this will help with alot of the biomechanical questions that i had a hard time with.

 

2)  take either Eric Wilson's OCS Prep course or the EIM OCS prep course to get ready.  I took the wilson course which i found was most helpful.  I post a review of it here: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/ocsstudygroup/vVv2GHOt0h0 .  I can't comment on EIM's course but those who have taken it recently say it was helpful.

 

3)  Current concepts monographs - were useful but had a lot of minutia which would not ever be stuff asked on an exam. they have sample cases and questions at the end of the 12 monographs that were invaluable. 

 

4)  Online and in person study sessions.  These were invaluable to assess where u were in your studying.  when i was confused about something, talking it out helped figure things out.  Plus when you explain/teach something to someone else you OWN that particular thing you are talking about.  We used Google hangouts to set up online meetings with people in NY and CA which would have been impossibe been impossible otherwise.

 

5)  Box.com documents - was created to list a bunch of info such as summaries of special tests/CPRs and other info that makes studying easier.  Alot of different people contributed to it so it was another good source for studying.  The address is:

https://www.box.com/files/0/f/584911830

 

These are what comes to mind as most helpful.  You could review a good text book but i find there is way more info in them then what you would be tested on so try to not get swamped.  The things i listed above should be more than enough to pass. just know them well and try not to study from too many sources  otherwise you will feel overwhelmed.

 

If anyone have questions don't hesitate to ask.

 

John Feil PT DPT OCS MCMT CSCS CKTP
johnf...@aol.com

[JD Garcia]

Hi Guys,

I passed the OCS this year too. In addition to John's helpful tips here are my advice:

1. Look at the outline of the item-breakdown. For example, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Cervical Spine, Examination and Interventions will have more items on the actual exam and that gave me a priority list of which body part or section I will need to devote more time in terms of studying. Also read the DSP and the manual to familiarized yourself in terms of how they will asking questions.

2. I specifically have some study hours block every week for consistency in my calendar. You need to gauge yourself and pace appropriately. 3 months before the test is crucial for me. 

3. Study materials that helped me - Anatomy text, orthopedic textbook,Wilson's course, EIM OCS prep course, Ortho Secrets, APTA monograph and I have looked at the few randomized controlled trial journals on JOSPT. I could not agree with John any more that you MUST KNOW YOUR BASIC ANATOMY,PHYSIOLOGY and BIOMECHANICS.

4. Take all the practice exam that you have, this is very helpful for me in terms of mental preparation.

5. Know all the most common special tests/CPR and apply them clinically.

6. I am teaching orthopedics/musculoskeletal series in an entry-level DPT program and that really helped me a lot in terms of retention.

7. It can get very overwhelming at times but the actual preparation has served me well personally and professionally. I have learned a lot and it is a humbling experience. 

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. You guys can do it!!!!

JD Garcia - jdgar...@gmail.com    

[Carlos Estevez]

I also found out I passed, i second everything John said. I can be available on an individual basis for questions at this email if need to. With me passing I will no longer need to be part of this group, can someone tell me how to opt out of this email group. Thanks and good luck to all 2014 candidates. P.s I noticed the test was a bit easier from years past, but then again this was my third time taking.

---

From: John Feil <johnf...@gmail.com>;
To: <OCSstu...@googlegroups.com>;
Subject: Advice from someone who passed 2013 OCS exam
Sent: Wed, Jun 19, 2013 12:44:05 PM

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[Greg]

Carlos, Click on the link in the upper right corner there is an icon and it will say my settings you can "leave this group"  

 
On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:44:05 AM UTC-4, John Feil wrote:

[Greg]

I also echo John's post.  I did take the EIM course and found it very helpful.  If anything, it helped me organize my thoughts and how I studied.  Do not go soley on one course or the other but utilize them along with the other study materieals mentioned.  I too can be availibe for assistance on an individual basis at this e-mail.  Though I will be leaving this group as well.  Good Luck to everyone in 2014.  And for thoes who did not pass this time. Please do not give up on it. It is a challenging exam but you can beat it. I believe I can speak for Carlos as well saying that we have both taken this multiple times and with perservearence and determination you can beat it as we have this time around.  Good luck to all.   Greg. 

 

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:44:05 AM UTC-4, John Feil wrote:

[Odessa McHart]

Congratulations to everyone who passed! Below are my two cents:

1. Know your anatomy and biomechanics.

2. Know your nerves.

3. Do not be tempted to study lightly on the body parts that are least represented, ie TMJ/hand/elbow/ankle and foot. Only having 5% of the questions be on a certain body part means you will have 10 questions on the exam about this part. If you do not regularly treat this body part, you will have a more difficult time reasoning out the correct answer and it will add to your stress during the test. Plus you will have to do that much better on the rest of the questions.

4. Having good test taking skills and time management during the test is very important. Spend some time reading on how to take a timed exam or take an exam prep course.

I used the Current Concepts v3 as the base, then supplemented it with Netter's anatomy text and Netter's orthopaedic clinical exam (Cleland and Koppenhaver). Cleland's text is a good summary of research, anatomy, nerves, CPRs, and statistics. It is very much in line with the current concepts monographs. I chose to not take a prep course, but I am also a recent grad, so the test/studying skills are current for me.

Good luck to you all, Odessa

--

[S. Thomas]

Hi Odessa,

I happened to come across couple of your previous post where you were mentioning something about Box file sharing. Could you please forward me the data you have for me to prepare for my exam. Thanks!!!

[S. Thomas]

Hi Garcia,

Hope this email finds in good Spirit and health.I'm appearing for the exam this March. Was going through your post and wanted to clarify about the importance of going through research articles and you mentioned about the significance of going through basic anatomy and physiology. Can you be little specific with that? Thanks in advance. God bless!!

Have a great day!!

Sinju Thomas PT,DPT

[Stephanie McGowan]

John - When you mention APTAs Curret Concepts monographs - what are these and where do you get the 12 monographs?
Is this the same as their $525 Current Concepts of Orthopedic Physical Therapy online course?
Can we access y'alls Box.com documents?
 Thank you - I'll be testing in 2015.   Stephanie

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:44:05 AM UTC-4, John Feil wrote:

[Girard Mendoza]

I appreciate your pointers John. Thank you. 

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:44:05 AM UTC-4, John Feil wrote:

[Becky Manganaro]

Hey I'm in the same boat as you were. I recently took the boards and am going for my ocs this year. I ha e the current concepts ortho secrets and netter. I've noticed a lot of people saying that the current concepts has a lot of minutia that isn't needed for the exam. Do you agree/disagree? Especially with regards to the lesser weighted joints like hand and tmj