As a provisional psychologist preparing for the National Psychology Exam (NPE), it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed about where to start. Multiple-choice exams can be particularly tricky, as the answer options often seem similar and confusing.
However, with the right exam strategies, you can approach the NPE with confidence and increase your chances of success. Here are my top tips for tackling the National Psychology Exam effectively.
1. Understand the Format of the National Psychology Exam
A clear understanding of the exam structure is key to managing your time and avoiding spending too long on difficult questions.
The National Psychology Exam consists of:
✔ 150 multiple-choice questions ✔ 210-minute time limit (≈ 1.4 minutes per question)
📌 Question distribution by domain: ✔ 30% – Intervention ✔ 30% – Assessment ✔ 30% – Ethics ✔ 10% – Communication
Knowing how the domains are weighted allows you to prioritise your study time accordingly.
2. Review the Exam Content Thoroughly
Your study plan should be based on the AHPRA National Psychology Exam Curriculum and Reading List. This ensures you’re focusing on the right material.
✔ Identify your weaker areas and allocate extra study time to those domains.
✔ Create notes and summaries to help retain key concepts.
✔ Use structured exam preparation resources to save time.
📌 Need structured guidance? My National Psychology Exam Preparation Course covers all curriculum components with over 47 hours of self-paced content.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice
NPE exam-style practice questions is one of the best ways to improve your test-taking skills and boost confidence.
✔ AHPRA provides 20 sample questions after you register for the exam.
✔ My National Psychology Exam Preparation Course includes a full-length practice exam to simulate the real test experience. It also features over 100 additional practice questions with answers and rationale.
✔ If you only need practice questions, my NPE Preparation Quiz offers a standalone practice exam with 80 exam-style questions, answers, and rationale in a live-simulated format.
✔ You can also purchase additional NPE practice questions in PDF format, which include detailed answers and rationale.
Please note: If you purchase my comprehensive National Psychology Exam Preparation Course, there is no need to buy the NPE practice quiz or additional NPE practice questions—they are all included in the course!
Practising under timed conditions will help you refine your approach, improve your accuracy, and reduce anxiety on exam day.
4. Eliminate Wrong Answers First
If you don’t immediately know the correct answer, use strategic elimination to improve your chances:
✔ Rule out obviously incorrect options first.
✔ Pay attention to extreme wording (e.g., "always" or "never")—these are often incorrect.
✔ If two answers seem similar, identify subtle differences in wording and meaning.
By narrowing your choices, you increase the probability of selecting the right answer.
5. Read the Question Carefully
Many candidates make avoidable mistakes because they misread or over-interpret the question.
✔ Read the entire question carefully before looking at the answer choices.
✔ Avoid assuming extra details—AHPRA provides only the information you need.
✔ Pay attention to phrasing traps, such as double negatives.
Taking an extra few seconds to fully understand the question can prevent unnecessary errors.
6. Avoid Changing Your Answers
Unless you’re 100% certain that your first answer was incorrect, avoid changing it.
✔ Research shows that people are more likely to change a correct answer to an incorrect one than the other way around.
✔ Stick with your gut instinct unless you realise you’ve misread the question.
7. Manage Your Time Wisely
✔ Don’t spend too long on difficult questions. Flag them and come back later.
✔ Aim to complete all 150 questions with at least 10–15 minutes remaining for review.
✔ If stuck, make your best guess—there’s no penalty for incorrect answers.
Practising under timed conditions before the exam will help you develop an effective pacing strategy.
8. Stay Calm & Focused on Exam Day
Test anxiety can impact your performance, so prioritise self-regulation techniques:
✔ Take deep breaths and refocus when needed.
✔ Trust in your preparation and ability.
✔ If you start feeling anxious, pause, reset, and continue.
Remember, you’ve studied hard, you’re prepared, and you can do this!
Final Thoughts: Your National Psychology Exam Strategy Matters
The National Psychology Exam is challenging, but with the right strategies, you can boost your confidence and improve your chances of passing.
✅ Understand the exam format and content.
✅ Use practice exams to refine your approach.
✅ Eliminate incorrect answers and read carefully.
✅ Manage your time and stay focused.
By applying these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the NPE successfully.
Want a Comprehensive Study Solution?
💡 If you’re looking for structured guidance, I offer:
✔ National Psychology Exam Preparation Course – Covers all four domains with detailed video lessons, practice exams, and study strategies.
✔ NPE Practice Exam Quiz – A standalone practice exam with 80 questions, answers, and rationale.
✔ You can also purchase additional NPE practice questions in PDF format, which include detailed answers and rationale.
Good luck!
– Amanda