NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

[Negeshia]

I am asking for my son, who has taken the NCBTMB exam twice with no success. He did score higher on it the second time, but is pretty discouraged. FTR, our class was the first "guinea pig" class as our school made the switch from the 300-hour to the 500-hour program. Personally, I feel that I only passed the NCMTMB exam because I had more extensive knowledge from which to draw- knowledge that I have obtained from numerous sources, over a long time. My son has not had the same "life training" that I have.

So, do y'all think that he should try the NCBTMB exam yet again, or try the MBLEX the next time? It doesn't help that our state is initiating a jurisprudence exam, on top of the licensing exam (MBLEX or NCBTMB), as of June first. *I* feel like time is getting away from him. We've tried having an MTI spend some time with him for tutoring, and that helped... some.

Also, please help with some test-preparation tips! We have anatomy books, the Trail Guide books, etc., but we both are feeling like he's having to re-learn EVERYTHING, and that just isn't possible. Well, I suppose it IS possible, but not practical- he's already gone through 500+ hours, which were *supposed* to prepare him "just fine"! I am about to go ask the school personnel to help him study: they are the ones who were supposed to get him ready in the first place, right? But I think he'd be a *bit* embarrassed if I were to do that.....

(Disclaimer: I realize that at the moment, I'm "doing the mommy thing", and that the responsibility for his getting his license is ultimately his. I'm not planning on actually taking the test for him, lol!)

 

[be happier own a pitbull]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

What are is weaknesses when it comes to those tests? What information does he have a hard time grasping? Find that out and work on that. That is just about the best preparation tip I can give you. He has already taken the test twice. He should have an idea of what information he doesn't know or is unsure about. Don't study what you know, study what you don't know.

patrick

 

[krizutch]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

It is more about learning how to take a test. Just study test questions. There are tons of them for free online.

http://thebodyworker.com/test_questions.htm

Get as many test text books as you can.

Julie

 

[KatieVee]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

We have found something that I think will help him- he is re-taking the classes he needed the most help in. I think the length of time it took for him to complete his internship, and then "everything else" that got in the way of his taking the test *right* after he finished school, made that difference.

I checked the school's class schedule, and they're doing A&P and physiology *right now* (started it just a week ago), and kinesiology comes right after that. So he is going back to sit in on those classes again. Two months' worth. The school doesn't charge for this, since he's already paid his tuition in full. I think *this* will be the best help for him.

And yes, I may get him a "how to that THIS particular test" book, to work on as soon as kinesiology's done with in July.

But noone's answered my first question so far: Should he retake the NCBTMB test a third time, or might he do better trying the MBLEX this time? Has anyone taken both? How different are they?

 

[Betty]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

I don't know for sure but I think the MBLex is supposed to be easier and a more general test.

Julie

 

[katie s]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

my understanding is that the MBLex does not contain as many (any?) eastern modality questions; that it is more specific to western modalities/palpations.

my state doesn't require that nat'l cert is maintained, just that it is currently held when applying for state licensure so theoretically i never have to take a national if i don't want to (barring the legislation changing of course). i have been told however that the state MT board is switching from the NCTMB to the MBLex in the near future (or already has?) as the nat'l test required for pursuing state licensure.

hmmm, i need to start paying closer attention to that though...for a ceu to count towards relicensure requirements it has to be through a provider approved through NCBTMB as an approved provider/program. i would assume that it would switch as well.... again, this is in MY state, not federally mandated or anything.

 

[Lootomenuoups]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

We'll probably go with the MBLEX this time, then. I think that the reason we decided to go for the NCBTMB in the first place was because I was *considering* the whole certification thing (our state uses the test but also does not require certification to be attained or maintained), and DS was thinking that the certification might do him well if he should ever move to another state that does require it. He does not want to stay here forever (WAH! Ok, got that out of my system.). But GETTING the state license is the first step at any rate.

Thanks for the input, y'all. :mrgreen:

 

[Lisa N]

NCBTMB again or MBLEX this time?

If you are a new massage therapist it is more impressive to older and more experienced massage therapists that are running and managing the spas and clinics if you pass the NCBTMB exam, because they know how professional it looks and how hard it is to take. They also know that you have to know more in order to pass it. When you pass the NCBTMB you earn the credentials NCBTMB after your name. I don't even know if you earn credentials when you pass the MBLEX. Plus you are certified in Bodyworks (world pools, steam rooms, hydro collars, etc…) which are necessary tools in our trade.

I just learned about the MBLEX today after I spoke with a potential employee that she had not even taken it yet, but when she passed it she wanted to know if I would hire her. To be honest with you I am going to hire the other candidate that passed the NCBTMB and who has more hands on experience.

I personally am not impressed with either exam they should have more kinesiology and physiotherapy directed questions in their exams since that is what we massage therapists rely on the most when we are practicing. I passed the NCBTMB the first time I took it with high scores in each category.

The best way to pass one of these exams is to get a study guide that covers one of these two exams that other therapists have used to study for the exam and passed the first time. And when studying for these exams I would for the time being forget about your text books and memorize everything out of the review book.

You're welcome, Alexi