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I may not be the best example for this, but I barely studied for the test and ending up getting a 520 on it, although I took the COTA version. It really doesn't test your knowledge, you just have to know how they want you to answer. You went through years of school and passed fieldwork, so you know the material, you really do. Your specific study style depends on what works best for you. I'm lucky and things tend to come naturally for me, so I'll answer your questions based on what I did.

1. I ending up studying for maybe 10 hours a week for about a month. Most of my studying ending up being on the weekends because I was also working 30+ hours a week with a 40 minute commute.
   
2. I took one practice test a week, I didn't want to be overwhelmed. Throughout the week I would review the test and the explanation behind the answers.
   
3. For me, I watched OT Miri videos, look them up if you haven't heard of her, she does an excellent job of explaining concepts and making them easy to remember. I also purchased the package from NBCOT which included 3 practice tests, flash cards, and the knowledge match, which I found to be useless. Finally, I purchased this book from Amazon, which I found to be the most helpful, as it gave an overview of the major concepts of OT while providing an explanation for the answers on the practice test, which I found to be the most beneficial.
   
   I can't say what's on the OTR test, but for the COTA test it was a few straight knowledge questions, and they rest was what is the best course of action questions. If you think you're going to be overwhelmed by the amount of material, I would advise you to stay away from flashcards. I would personally prefer to read a book rather than go through hundreds of flashcards, but it really depends on your personal study habits. How do you normally prepare for tests?

It's actually funny that you say that because that's exactly the situation I was in. I was going through some personal issues as I was finishing up school, so I kind of made a point of avoiding fieldwork placements that I assumed were going to be challenging for me. I also didn't think phys dis was a population I was interested in working in. So I did one in mental health and the other in a school district.

So when I first started doing home care I spent a TON of time researching my patients the night before and looking up common interventions before I went to see them. Google is your friend! And I would recommend the Reed Quick Reference book if you don't already have it.

No good company is going to throw a new grad right into seeing patients without some training and shadowing a more experienced therapist. Make sure you ask about training before accept an offer. If it sounds like they're going to throw you out in the field right away on day one; don't accept the job.

And, yes, I work for a large nonprofit hospital system that has their own home care department.

First, let start off by saying that I feel your frustration. That sucks to be so close to the finish line only to barely miss the mark that enables you to cross.

One of the best resources I can suggest is the AOTA’s NBCOT Exam Prep Info Center Facebook group page. This has been an excellent resource for me throughout my studying for multiple reasons: drawn-up schedules for studying based on study materials you have, reviews and discussions on study materials that helped/didn’t help, and people sharing support/frustration surrounding the exam. It’s entirely possible that you are already a member of the group, but if not I definitely think this will be helpful for you. In the very least, check out their Files section.

Second, I would suggest pinpointing what topics seem to be your areas in need of improvement. Both the Occupational Therapy Examination Review Guide and AOTA Exam Prep are great ways to help you study and figure out what exactly those areas are with suggested resources to read up on.

Hang in there, man.

I would recommend this book. It’s really good defining types of interventions (VMI, Sensory, etc.) and descriptive with examples of OT interventions. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/161711930X/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

Pininterest is also pretty awesome.

I have not worked in the NICU, but I took a specialized class about it when I was in school. It is a setting that requires a high level of expertise since the babies are literally on the verge of death. Much of the OT's role includes positioning, feeding, controlling the sensory environment, and parent support and coaching.

According to what we were told it is extremely unlikely that they would consider hiring a new grad and it would not be an appropriate placement for a fieldwork student. It was a pretty big deal that we got to visit the NICU at all. If that was the direction we wanted to go with our career, we were encouraged to get experience in hospitals and early intervention. I'd be interested to hear if your school had NICU fieldwork placements available.

Our textbook for the class was Developmental and Therapeutic Interventions in the NICU if you're interested in learning more.

Did the OT offer any sensory based assessments? There is a Sensory Profile, which can be helpful in explaining some of the sensory quirks. I ask my clients to fill it out because it really breaks down what areas (such as defensive to touch, craving movement, defensive to sounds, emotionally reactive etc) are out of the typical range and help me see what areas need the immediate attention.

I have been reading Raising a Sensory Smart Child and i find it to be an easy read, especially for parents.

I know The Out of Sync Child is also a commonly suggested book, I just haven't read it yet.

Also..you ask what's wrong with wanting clean hands. Nothing really, unless that dislike for messy play interefers with his play and interactions. Sensory issues are fine until they get in the way of life. A kid with tactile defensiveness may have it so bad he can't handle hair cuts, nail trimming, etc. A kid who craves movement and can't sit down to play with one game, or sit through one book or circle time in school. .. that's the problem.

A clipboard is a great idea. One like this would be even better.

Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Anatomy Reference Clipboard with Wire Clip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009B1YO1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ByLkxbGBVC7EZ

I'm a little late to the game, but these clipboards are a useful gift: http://www.amazon.com/Physical-Therapy-Occupational-Reference-Clipboard/dp/B009B1YO1A

This book is super helpful if you aren't already familiar with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Rehabilitation-Hand-Upper-Extremity-Set/dp/0323056024

BTW, you may enjoy hand therapy since it is more biomechanical FOR, and is kind of structured. However, it requires a lot of independent learning

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Occupational-Therapy-Mental-Health-4e/dp/0443100276 Seems like a good place to start given your background

The OT Toolkit has a lot of great ideas!

https://www.amazon.com/Occupational-Therapy-Toolkit-Treatment-Handouts/dp/1482632861

https://www.amazon.com/COTA-Examination-Review-Guide-CD-ROM/dp/0803608446/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=cota+examination+review+guide&qid=1568392407&s=gateway&sprefix=cota+exa&sr=8-1

This book is awesome! Just do the sample questions over and over. The answer guide explains the right answer. It’s too hard to focus on any one thing and go back and study textbooks.

https://www.amazon.com/Giraffe-Bath-Body-Extension-Handle/dp/B00HXQP3VA

Not sure how well this would work on a face, but they make tons of razor extenders to aid women with shaving legs. This one I know is adjustable in length and angle, so I think it's probably one of the better options for shaving a face.

Is this the SOAP note book you were given? http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0133110494/ref=pd_luc_rh_wl_02_01_t_lh?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the response.

Temple Grandin had a children’s book about the hug machine (pressure box) she designed as a kid
https://www.amazon.com/How-Build-Hug-Grandin-Amazing/dp/153441097X

Also, i just read this book that's been really helpful for job search stuff and i'm already getting some traction from employers if you wanna check it out https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YL448KZ/

This clipboard would be useful: http://www.amazon.com/Physical-Therapy-Occupational-Reference-Clipboard/dp/B009B1YO1A

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Reference-Occupational-Therapy-Kathlyn/dp/1416405453


OT Quick Reference is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

Hiss https://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-5219-Hisss-Card-Game/dp/B00005NQE8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hiss&qid=1557758274&s=gateway&sr=8-1

This would be my first choice as an OT (you can find different sizes you’ll just need to search more) it’ll just be harder for a patient to attach to the zipper themselves (depending on finger dexterity and strength) https://www.amazon.com/Split-Rings-Chain-Connectors-Steel/dp/B000OVNRWS

These are what I’ve used in the hospital that I worked at but they were the only option I had https://www.google.com/shopping/product/4892137454324414282?lsf=seller:10048,store:4868434745694238400&prds=oid:16847952825003994501&q=binder+rings&hl=en&ei=u01mXc-wAcnt5gLU75LoBw&lsft=adlpxid:pla;297347619544;325594113029;m;9051911;pla-297347619544;481326;pla;local;1091&lsft=gclid:CjwKCAjwzJjrBRBvEiwA867byv2YpY_9Oj1oJULjEUjDF6gnXtq-s1b64qC8ipLGmyYP7m3sCjqDDxoC-7QQAvD_BwE I noticed sometimes over time that don’t stay clasped with tugging on them

https://www.amazon.com/Hand-Upper-Extremity-Rehabilitation-Practical/dp/1455756474/ref=nodl_

Quick Reference to Occupational Therapy https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Reference-Occupational-Therapy-Kathlyn/dp/1416405453/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=occupational+therapy+reed&qid=1555635079&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Here is the mobile version of your link

Have you checked out the OT Toolkit?

https://www.amazon.com/Occupational-Therapy-Toolkit-Treatment-Handouts/dp/1482632861

They make a clipboard that is a cheat sheet and then you could add post it notes to that!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009B1YO1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lJxKAbRGW7RC7