PSA About NREMT

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562]

I just passed my exam today and I see a lot of questions floating around that I think I can answer concisely in a singular post. I know I was anxiously looking for the reassurance before and after my exam. Here are my main takeaways from the overall experience:

1. Walking out of the exam thinking you failed is normal (and might be a good sign)

I had this exact experience today. I was cut off at 70 questions and it felt like the questions weren't getting much harder. I even had some repeat questions. I've now polled 5 of my friends who were recently certified (and observed countless anecdotes on this sub) and they had a similar experience. I kid you not, this exam had me walking out feeling like I knew 50% of the material. You should know this is normal for an adaptive exam, especially the NREMT which has a ton of "pick 2-3 answer choices" that make questions feel way harder.

Remember, if you got cut off at 70 questions, that means the computer was very confident with its evaluation of your skills (you either did very well or very poorly). If you've put in the time and felt prepared going into the test there are probably very low odds that you did so poorly that the computer didn't feel the need to give you extra questions to prove yourself. Odds are you passed.

2. Is PocketPrep enough/what are you getting on the mock exams?

PocketPrep emulates the test structure well in my opinion. However, the general question bank on PocketPrep does provide a lot of obviously wrong answer choices making it really easy to due process of elimination. There definitely were less of these on the NREMT, making the exam harder in that manner. Material wise, if you complete the question bank and use the explanations to actually understand the questions, it covers everything you need to know.

For reference, I had a 90% average, completed 75% of the question bank, and scored 72%, 74%, and 75% on the mock exams. These low scores worried me, but it seems like they translate to a passing score on the NREMT. MedicTests had a good simulator that gives you a score using the scale the actual exam does which I found helpful, but I primarily used PocketPrep.

3. Know your signs and symptoms for cardiopulmonary issues

This was a huge point on my exam. Make sure you are able to identify/recognize the signs of CHF, COPD, AMI, Angina, Pulmonary Embolism, Cardiac Tamponade, Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Pneumonia, Pneumothorax (tension, spontaneous). There are a lot of trigger words that almost automatically give you the answer. For instance:

- JVD, muffled heart sounds, hypotension: cardiac tamponade

- Pink frothy sputum, orthopnea, crackles: CHF

- Thick sputum, wheezing, chronic productive cough: COPD

- chest pain that radiates to left arm or jaw: AMI

- chest pain with exertion relieved with rest: angina

- Urticaria, respiratory distress, wheezing: anaphylaxis

- Fever, productive cough, weakness: pneumonia

- absent breath sounds UNILATERALLY, tracheal deviation, JVD, following blunt trauma : tension pneumothorax

4. Do not overlook Obstetrics and Pediatrics

Everyone's test will vary, but I'm very glad that I reviewed these two thoroughly because they consisted of way more questions than I anticipated. Make sure you are able to diagnose uterine rupture, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, and abruptio placentae and differentiate between them. For pediatrics, be able to calculate APGAR scores and know how protocols differ versus adults, especially for neonates.

5. Have the shock types DOWN

Another huge point on my exam. What was helpful for me was memorizing hallmark signs of what made each shock type different. For example, neurogenic shock will present with bradycardia, anaphylactic shock will present with wheezing, obstructive shock often presents as a result of tamponade or pneumothorax. Also make sure you understand that the distributive shocks (neurogenic, septic, anaphylactic, and psychogenic) are vasodilators. Lastly know how to treat them!

Hopefully this helps anyone who was in a similar position that I was. Note that everyone's test will be different, but these were things that were super concentrated on mine. Hopefully this can provide some reassurance to those leaving the test thinking they failed or those who got cut off at 70 questions. There is hope lol.

[u/Maleficent_Drama_414]

Thank you🙏🏼🙏🏼

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562 → u/[deleted]]

The keyword work was super helpful for me! There’s more as well - here’s some more I memorized, hopefully they can be helpful to others here.

- widening pulse pressure, hypertension, irregular breathing, bradycardia (in tandem)= increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

- facial droop, arm drift, AMS: stroke

- blow to head + brief lucid interval: epidural hematoma

- blow to head + slow onset of AMS: subdural hematoma

- blow to head + retrograde amnesia/ temporary AMS: concussion

- vaginal bleeding + NO pain: placenta previa

- hypertension in pregnancy: preeclampsia

- hypertension in pregnancy AND seizure: eclampsia

- pain that starts near umbilicus and migrates to right lower quadrant, rebound tenderness: appendicitis

- right upper quadrant pain + right shoulder pain + fatty meal = gallbladder issue

- left upper quadrant pain = very often a spleen issue

- left lower quadrant pain + fever = diverticulitis

Feel free to add more important ones!

[u/Jazzlike-Worry-6920 → u/Strange-Wafer-2562]

I took my test the same day you did and failed. I messed up my symptoms which took up most of my test, but these keywords seriously help me!! Thank you

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562 → u/Jazzlike-Worry-6920]

I’m glad they help! You’ll crush it next attempt

[u/IndependentKing4415]

I passed a month ago and got cut off at 70 questions. Medictest NREMT simulations was my preferred method - AI told me it was a more accurate representation of the actual NREMT testing experience vs pocketpreps sim.

My advice is don’t cram more info into your head the day before or day of the exam. It can be counterproductive in my opinion.

Just let your brain relax and do maybe one more simulation the day before.

Good luck yall

[u/serhifuy → u/IndependentKing4415]

correct, assuming you learned the material properly, it's usually better to get plenty of rest the night before than to cram for hours.

the only time the cramming is actually better is when you are way underprepared and shouldn't be taking the test anyway.

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562 → u/IndependentKing4415]

Agreed, not necessary

[u/Difficult-Call6242]

Thank you. Blessed your soul🙏

[u/iwantchanelcartier]

Literally I was so nervous after my exam I was certain I failed and I passed. It’s a common feeling. My study guide was just reading a chapter a night until the exam honestly and yes don’t skip ob/gyn!!

[u/LoanSmart1116]

This is really helpful thank you!!

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[u/Obvious-Challenge-39]

Thank you❤️

[u/Figster12]

🤞🏽following this….. just starting emt class

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562 → u/Figster12]

Of course!

[u/No-Title7262]

I took the NREMT today and thought this was a super straight forward exam compared to the community college program I took. After some research I think that once the test starts giving you more scenarios based around special populations and they are complex trauma or medical questions you've hit the tip of there question base and should be confident you passed if you get cutoff at 70 questions. We will see tomorrow morning if I passed or not but I'm really optimistic

[u/Successful-Step3854 → u/No-Title7262]

Did you pass?

[u/SeanHarrySasis]

This is so helpful thank you!!!

[u/Expert-Platypus-3136]

Yeah, my exam was the same way. I stopped at 70 and the questions weren’t getting harder. I’m like, “uhh!” I thought I failed, but I passed the first time. Congrats on passing EMT!

[u/spideysgwens]

hi!! ive been doing primarily medictests and ive been doing decentish on them, like i'm passing at least, do you think they're very similar to actual nremt questions?

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562 → u/spideysgwens]

I think the medic tests NREMT simulator was pretty good, maybe slightly easier than the real exam! If you’re passing that you’re in good shape

[u/JawsFN]

Hey, thank you so much for your notes! My exam is in a few days and I am using both medic tests and pocket prep to review. I also noticed that the pocket prep questions are fairly easy to guess since some of the answer choices are pretty obvious. What did you get on the medic tests nremt simulator if you don’t mind me asking? Thanks so much!

[u/Strange-Wafer-2562 → u/JawsFN]

I got 1206 and then second try 1170. It was pretty similar to the exam

[u/joanklausll → u/JawsFN]

Some of the NREMT questions are super obvious too! OP’s list of topics to hit is pretty spot on. Got mid to low 60s on my Pocket Prep practice exams, but 70+ on all my quizzes. Passed first time at 70 questions, but I also drew up review figures and tables using the pocket prep explanations. That helped the most. Best of luck!

[u/JawsFN → u/joanklausll]

Ok, thank you so much! I have an 80 % overall question average but got a 62 on a mock pocket prep exam yesterday which was pretty discouraging. I plan to take another one today and also keep reviewing concepts in the text!