NBCOT PRACTICE EXAM STUDY
GUIDE BASED ON THE UPDATED
2026/2027 SYLLABUS
1. An OT is preparing to evaluate a toddler who has upper extremity orthopedic
concerns. How will the OT MOST likely obtain the majority of initial assessment data?
ANSWER ✓ Observation of child during activities in the child-care center
2. During an initial evaluation, the OT suspects that a child has somatodyspraxia. In what
area should the OT focus the evaluation?
ANSWER ✓ New motor task planning
3. An OT working in a long-term care facility needs to evaluate the long-term memory
of a resident. Which method is BEST for evaluating declarative memory (personally
experienced events)?
ANSWER ✓ Ask the individual how he spent New Year's
4. A child avoids playground equipment that requires her feet to be off the ground.
What does this behavior MOST likely indicate?
ANSWER ✓ Gravitational insecurity
5. During a self-care evaluation of an individual who recently sustained a brain injury,
the OT instructs the individual to comb his hair immediately after he washes his face.
The individual washes his face quickly, but the therapist must give him several reminders
to comb his hair. The OT is MOST likely to identify this as a deficit in what area?
ANSWER ✓ Working memory
6. A supermarket employee with obsessive-compulsive disorder takes an hour to stock
24 soup cans on the shelf because once he has placed the cans on the shelf, he removes
them and starts over, stating that "all labels were not lined up exactly in the same
direction." Which method would MOST effectively evaluate the individual's work
performance?
ANSWER ✓ On-site observation of performance skills
7. An OT has been working with an individual recovering from a TBI. A standard pivot
transfer has been successfully demonstrated in the gym. The MOST appropriate way to
assess generalization of this new learning would be to have the patient perform which
activity?
, ANSWER ✓ Attempt a standard pivot transfer from wheelchair to bed in the patient's
hospital room
8. An OT is working with an individual with depression who is cognitively intact but
demonstrating difficulty carrying out self-care and other ADL tasks. Which standardized
assessment is MOST appropriate for this purpose?
ANSWER ✓ Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS)
9. An OT is conducting a perceptual function screening with an individual who has had a
CVA. Which informal screening activity would identify the presence of agnosia?
ANSWER ✓ Identify or demonstrate the use of common household objects
10. An individual with an L4 spinal cord injury wishes to become independent in driving
an automobile. The MOST appropriate piece of adaptive equipment is:
ANSWER ✓ Hand controls for acceleration and braking
11. What is the MOST important aspect of administering and scoring a standardized
test?
ANSWER ✓ Adherence to specific instructions for administration and scoring
12. During an initial interview, parents describe their child as having difficulty
communicating and interacting with others. The OT observes him repeatedly gazing
upward and scanning the ceiling or quickly patting his hip. These behaviors are MOST
likely associated with what disorder?
ANSWER ✓ Autism spectrum disorder
13. A toddler with spina bifida has been referred for assessment. When collecting initial
data during an interview with the child's parent, what should the OT focus on
PRIMARILY?
ANSWER ✓ The parent's concerns and goals for the child
14. An individual who had a CVA one year ago continues to demonstrate unilateral
neglect. The individual drives daily to therapy despite several suggestions to discontinue
this activity. The therapist has determined that the client is an unsafe driver. What is the
BEST approach for the OT to take?
ANSWER ✓ Report the information to the physician
15. A four-year-old preschooler is referred to OT. The OT determines that the child
demonstrates age-appropriate cognitive and fine motor skills. What would the OT
observe to help make this determination?
ANSWER ✓ Assemble a four-piece puzzle of a human body
GUIDE BASED ON THE UPDATED
2026/2027 SYLLABUS
1. An OT is preparing to evaluate a toddler who has upper extremity orthopedic
concerns. How will the OT MOST likely obtain the majority of initial assessment data?
ANSWER ✓ Observation of child during activities in the child-care center
2. During an initial evaluation, the OT suspects that a child has somatodyspraxia. In what
area should the OT focus the evaluation?
ANSWER ✓ New motor task planning
3. An OT working in a long-term care facility needs to evaluate the long-term memory
of a resident. Which method is BEST for evaluating declarative memory (personally
experienced events)?
ANSWER ✓ Ask the individual how he spent New Year's
4. A child avoids playground equipment that requires her feet to be off the ground.
What does this behavior MOST likely indicate?
ANSWER ✓ Gravitational insecurity
5. During a self-care evaluation of an individual who recently sustained a brain injury,
the OT instructs the individual to comb his hair immediately after he washes his face.
The individual washes his face quickly, but the therapist must give him several reminders
to comb his hair. The OT is MOST likely to identify this as a deficit in what area?
ANSWER ✓ Working memory
6. A supermarket employee with obsessive-compulsive disorder takes an hour to stock
24 soup cans on the shelf because once he has placed the cans on the shelf, he removes
them and starts over, stating that "all labels were not lined up exactly in the same
direction." Which method would MOST effectively evaluate the individual's work
performance?
ANSWER ✓ On-site observation of performance skills
7. An OT has been working with an individual recovering from a TBI. A standard pivot
transfer has been successfully demonstrated in the gym. The MOST appropriate way to
assess generalization of this new learning would be to have the patient perform which
activity?
, ANSWER ✓ Attempt a standard pivot transfer from wheelchair to bed in the patient's
hospital room
8. An OT is working with an individual with depression who is cognitively intact but
demonstrating difficulty carrying out self-care and other ADL tasks. Which standardized
assessment is MOST appropriate for this purpose?
ANSWER ✓ Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS)
9. An OT is conducting a perceptual function screening with an individual who has had a
CVA. Which informal screening activity would identify the presence of agnosia?
ANSWER ✓ Identify or demonstrate the use of common household objects
10. An individual with an L4 spinal cord injury wishes to become independent in driving
an automobile. The MOST appropriate piece of adaptive equipment is:
ANSWER ✓ Hand controls for acceleration and braking
11. What is the MOST important aspect of administering and scoring a standardized
test?
ANSWER ✓ Adherence to specific instructions for administration and scoring
12. During an initial interview, parents describe their child as having difficulty
communicating and interacting with others. The OT observes him repeatedly gazing
upward and scanning the ceiling or quickly patting his hip. These behaviors are MOST
likely associated with what disorder?
ANSWER ✓ Autism spectrum disorder
13. A toddler with spina bifida has been referred for assessment. When collecting initial
data during an interview with the child's parent, what should the OT focus on
PRIMARILY?
ANSWER ✓ The parent's concerns and goals for the child
14. An individual who had a CVA one year ago continues to demonstrate unilateral
neglect. The individual drives daily to therapy despite several suggestions to discontinue
this activity. The therapist has determined that the client is an unsafe driver. What is the
BEST approach for the OT to take?
ANSWER ✓ Report the information to the physician
15. A four-year-old preschooler is referred to OT. The OT determines that the child
demonstrates age-appropriate cognitive and fine motor skills. What would the OT
observe to help make this determination?
ANSWER ✓ Assemble a four-piece puzzle of a human body
