NBCOT COTA study plan

Sequence the full evaluation process from referral receipt through screening, assessment, interpretation, and written report

Differentiate screening, initial evaluation, and re-evaluation, and state the indication for each in 8 client scenarios

Select standardized versus nonstandardized tools for 8 given cases and justify each selection by client factor and setting

Break down 5 ADL or IADL tasks into component steps, required client factors, and performance skills

Compute and interpret raw scores, standard scores, and percentile ranks from 3 sample assessment data sets

Identify reliability, validity, and administration errors that would invalidate an assessment finding

Convert 6 evaluation findings into measurable occupation-based goals containing baseline, target, and timeframe

Document evaluation results in SOAP format for 3 cases within a 20-minute-per-note time limit

Grade 6 activities along three parameters (sequence, level of assistance, environment) for a specified client

Justify use of preparatory methods, purposeful activity, or occupation-based intervention across 10 scenarios

Design a 45-minute group session for 4 clients with mixed functional levels, naming the leadership style and group dynamics targeted

Analyze 5 vignettes for therapeutic use of self, boundary, and ethical concerns, and state the correct response

Contrast intervention approaches across acute care, SNF, and school-based settings for the same functional deficit

Construct a positioning and transfer progression for a client with hemiplegia after CVA

Sequence a feeding intervention for a child with sensory-based feeding difficulty from presentation to carryover

Adapt 4 tasks using environmental modification and low-tech assistive technology for clients with low vision and cognitive deficits

Complete a timed mixed-domain practice exam and categorize every missed item by content area

Determine discontinuation readiness for 5 clients using measurable criteria of goal attainment, plateau, and safety

Construct a discharge plan for 3 clients specifying durable medical equipment, justification, and funding source

Design a caregiver training session with a return-demonstration competency check for a family after total hip replacement

Write a transition-of-care handoff summary in a standard format for 3 pending discharges

Select and justify 3 outcome measures for a caseload and interpret minimal detectable change and clinically important difference

Match 6 community resources and funding programs to specific client needs and eligibility requirements

Script a referral to another discipline containing the information that discipline needs to accept the case

Defend, in writing, a decision to discontinue versus modify the plan of care across 5 cases

Complete a Domain 3 practice set and log errors by content area

Differentiate supervision requirements and COTA responsibilities for OTR-COTA teams across three practice settings

Apply skilled, reasonable, and necessary documentation criteria to 4 sample notes and flag each deficiency

Resolve 6 ethical and legal vignettes using the AOTA Code of Ethics and state regulatory board authority

Outline the provisions of IDEA, ADA, HIPAA, and state licensure that most often appear on the exam and in practice

Complete 2 full-length timed practice exams under real test conditions and score 75% or higher on each

Re-audit the cumulative error log and re-teach the 5 weakest content areas flagged across weeks 1 through 7

Recite from memory the 20 highest-yield facts for each of the 4 domains

Build a test-day plan specifying per-question time budget, flagging strategy, and break schedule