Hooray! You have made it to the final review step! Here you go:
1. Pacing: The exam is 11 cases in 225 minutes. That gives you about 20 minutes per case. Make sure you have at least 120 minutes left after the 15 minute break (there are 6 cases after the break).
2. Remember to answer ALL questions, even if you are totally guessing. Only correct answers count. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
3. Keep your 'exam hat' on. - Think like the test. 'Exam World', not 'Real World' - Cookbook Counseling. Don't over-think - Preference for CBT - Preference for Client Centered - Therapy as strength based and collaborative - Sometimes there will be no good answer. Choose the least bad
- Stick with 'vanilla' (evidence based) answers
4. Read questions super carefully. The exam is actively trying to trick you. - What are they literally asking?
5. Watch my videos multiple times. There is too much to absorb in one viewing.
7. You will encounter lots of “how would you reflect…” questions. Some of these questions will be tied to a specific model. There will often be vague answers where you are left with 2 possible answers. Look for the correct answer as being a summary for the client, one that summarizes the client's verbal and nonverbal information and is holistic or whole person in nature. Go with your gut. Look for a rephrase of the client's meaning rather than a cognitive reframe. Go with the answer that is most direct.
8. You will encounter lots of 'half baked' questions with no good answer. They will almost certainly be beta questions that do not count towards your score. So, don't get bogged down on any 1 question. Pick an answer and keep moving on.
