OEBC Written Exam study plan
OEBC Written Exam · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Osteopathic Principles and Philosophy & Anatomy
Explain the four core osteopathic principles in your own words and map each to at least two clinical scenarios
Compare the major philosophical models (structural, respiratory-circulatory, neurologic, behavioral, metabolic) and state the treatment implications of each
Trace the brachial plexus from roots to terminal branches and list the myotome and dermatome for each cord-level lesion
Draw and label the bony landmarks of the pelvis and sacrum from memory, then verify against an atlas
Your checkpoint
A one-page handwritten brachial plexus diagram with root, cord, nerve, and clinical deficit annotations, plus a 5-item self-quiz scored at 80% or better
Anatomy & Regional Musculoskeletal and Neurologic Conditions
Dissect the lumbar plexus and lumbosacral trunk relationships, then predict deficit patterns for L4, L5, and S1 nerve root compression
Differentiate the five lumbar somatic dysfunction types by naming the motion restriction and tissue texture change for each
Build a comparison table of radiculopathy versus somatic dysfunction referral patterns for the cervical and lumbar spine
Practice and document the seated and standing flexion tests with correct landmark palpation
Your checkpoint
A completed 10-row differential table (radiculopathy vs. somatic dysfunction vs. facet arthropathy) with at least three discriminating findings per row
Physiology and Pathophysiology & Anatomy
Explain the Frank-Starling relationship and list three osteopathic-relevant factors that alter venous return
Describe the autonomic reflex arc from visceral afferent to somatic efferent and identify where viscerosomatic facilitation occurs
Map the sympathetic innervation levels for heart, lungs, liver, and small intestine to their corresponding spinal segments
Summarize the physiology of lymphatic return and name the pumps and pressures that drive it
Your checkpoint
A viscerosomatic reference sheet listing at least eight organs with their sympathetic and parasympathetic levels and expected somatic findings
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis & Visceral and Somatovisceral Relationships
Perform and document a full structural examination sequence using the TART framework for at least six regions
Interpret a screening osteopathic examination and justify which regions need focused follow-up
Correlate three common visceral conditions with their expected Chapman reflex points and anterior/posterior tender points
Write a differential list for a patient presenting with right upper quadrant tenderness referred to the right shoulder
Your checkpoint
A complete mock structural examination write-up (six regions, TART findings, and a prioritized problem list) reviewed against a checklist with at least 90% of required elements present
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and Technique & Regional Musculoskeletal and Neurologic Conditions
Demonstrate and describe the setup, hand placement, and force vector for muscle energy, counterstrain, and myofascial release in the thoracic and rib regions
Select an appropriate technique for each of five listed somatic dysfunctions and justify the choice by contraindication review
Identify absolute and relative contraindications for high-velocity low-amplitude technique and list two alternatives for each
Practice indirect technique for a patient who cannot tolerate direct force
Your checkpoint
A technique card set of at least 12 entries (region, technique, hand placement, force vector, indication, contraindication) self-tested to 85% recall
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and Technique & Clinical Integration and Case Management
Integrate a treatment plan into a full SOAP note for a patient with low back pain and a visceral comorbidity
Sequence a treatment session for the cervical, thoracic, and rib regions and justify the order using physiologic principles
Reassess after treatment and document objective change using at least two measurable parameters
Describe how to modify a plan for an older adult with osteoporosis and a patient on anticoagulation
Your checkpoint
Two complete SOAP notes (one musculoskeletal, one with a visceral contributor) including pre/post objective measures and a documented rationale for each technique chosen
Clinical Integration and Case Management & Professional Practice, Ethics, and Safety
Apply informed consent, scope of practice, and mandatory reporting rules to four written clinical vignettes
Identify documentation errors in three sample notes and rewrite each to meet standard-of-care expectations
Explain how to recognize and respond to a treatment complication, including when to refer
Analyze two ethical conflicts (boundary issues, billing integrity) and state the correct action and rationale
Your checkpoint
A four-vignette ethics and safety worksheet with a written justification for each decision, scored at 80% or better against a rubric
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis & Clinical Integration and Case Management & Professional Practice, Ethics, and Safety
Complete two timed 60-question mixed-domain practice sets and log every missed item by domain
Re-teach the three weakest domains from your error log using self-generated summaries
Rehearse a full case presentation from history through treatment plan in under ten minutes
Review your technique cards, viscerosomatic sheet, and differential tables for final consolidation
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam summary showing at least 70% overall and a written remediation plan for any domain below 65%
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or better on a self-made 20-question anatomy and somatic dysfunction quiz covering weeks 1-2 material
Week 4: Complete the mock structural examination write-up with at least 90% of checklist elements and correctly identify Chapman points for three organs
Week 6: Submit both SOAP notes for review and confirm every technique listed has a documented indication, contraindication check, and reassessment
Week 8: Achieve 70% or better on the timed mixed-domain practice sets with no domain below 65%, or have a written remediation plan for any that are