St. Catherine University NBCOT Exam Preparation and Student Support Resources

Before you can begin practicing as an occupational therapy assistant, you must first pass the national certification exam, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy’s (NBCOT) Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.

The NBCOT exam measures the entry-level competence of professionals desiring to enter the profession. As such, preparation for the COTA exam is an integral component of the St. Catherine online OTA program curriculum.

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NBCOT Prep Coaching Program

Support for St. Catherine online OTA students doesn’t end at graduation. While other OTA graduates must prepare independently to take the NBCOT exam, the St. Catherine NBCOT Prep Coaching Program (NBCOT PCP) begins preparing you for the exam during your third semester.

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NBCOT Prep Coaching Program

  1. Preparation. Students take a 200-question practice exam during the Practice Models/Professional Issues II course (semester 3), and a seven-week study plan is developed based on the results. 
  2. Coaching. Weekly peer group sessions will help graduates stay on their study plans. Plus, graduates will meet one-on-one with their coach, a licensed OT practitioner, who can assist their progress.
  3. Performance. We aim to have at least 85% of participants successfully pass the NBCOT exam within three months of graduation.

Additional Student Resources

Whether you need to improve your writing skills or have a disability that requires special accommodations, our online OTA program student support services can make all the difference in your learning experience. These services continue the personalized support you will become accustomed to during admissions.

  • Disability resources*: Take advantage of an accessible, inclusive learning environment. We aid students who may need the following:
    • Alternative test accommodations
    • Peer note-taking support
    • Sign language interpreters
    • Adaptive technology
    • Clinical accommodation planning
  • Multilingual services: Receive additional testing time if English is not your native language.
  • Studying assistance: Let us help you improve your time management and test-taking skills.
  • Tutoring sessions: Interact with peers who can help you better understand course material.
  • Writing assistance: Connect with a writing assistant to improve the quality of your prose.
  • Career development: Connect with professional development resources through our Career Development team.

*Technical standards and essential requirements describe functions necessary for students to complete the OTA program and assume the role of an occupational therapy professional. They are stated to ensure all students, regardless of disability status, understand program expectations. Students must be able to meet the academic requirements and behavior expectations with the approved accommodations.

For more information, contact:
The Student Accessibility and Accommodations office staff coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities and can be reached at (612) 690-6563 or via [email protected].

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Want More Information?

Contact us to learn more about the online OTA program’s NBCOT exam preparation and student support resources.

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