FAQ: How Do I Know If I am Ready for the RD Exam?

As a RD exam tutor, I get a lot of emails and DM's that are some version of:

“Help! My exam is in ___days/weeks and I'm freaking out not knowing if I'm ready. My latest practice exam score was _. Am I ready for the exam or should I push it?”

While you guys know I am always here to answer an SOS message, I also want to help prevent you from feeling this way and the best way to do this is 2-1.5 weeks before your exam and to check in with yourself. This is the time to really think about if you are ready for the exam as you still have plenty of time to study more and fix trouble areas or decide that you do need to push your exam.

Pre-Exam Check in Check List:

#1 Pick a date for this check in. It should be pick a date for this check in. I would make it closer to 2 weeks out if you have a busy schedule and are studying part time.

#2 Take a practice exam. Compare this score to your previous exams and make sure that you are seeing improvements in your number of questions correct, confidence and decreased guessing. For ERP exams goal would be ~75% and for Pocket Prep exams goal would be ~ 65%.

#3 Make a list of your trouble areas. Look at the topics (not domains) you have been getting wrong on your questions and also think about what topics are still difficulty for you to answer.

#4 Check in on confidence. The goal is never to know 100% of the material, but you want to be feeling confident is ~80% of the material.

Keep your exam date if:

1. Your practice exams have been increasing week to week (and not just because you know the answers from seeing them before) and you are close to the recommended targets.

2. You will have enough time in your study schedule to loop back on all the topics on your trouble area list.

3. You are feeling nervous (not scared) and know that you can work to improve your mindset and have been working on test taking strategy methods.

Consider moving your exam if:

1. You haven't finished studying the material and won't have time to finish before your exam date.

2. You feel like your current study schedule isn't working for you and you are just checking boxes vs learning.

3. You can not imagine yourself passing on your exam date.

These are all general recommendations as it is difficult for me to give tailored advice unless I am working with you, but I think all of this check in exercise important for all students to give you a more objective view of your exam preparedness. 

If  had to recommend my 2 favorite courses to quickly improve exam preparedness they would be:

#1 Situational Practice Questions Bundle: Includes 10 Situational Practice Questions classes decided to give you a review of topics from all 4 domains and improve test taking strategies. 

#2 Pre-Exam: Key Topics Review: Designed to help the student who's exam is in 1 or 2 weeks and want a quick breakdown of the must know topics from each domain. 

Or get BOTH in the RD Exam Mastery Membership! This program also includes Wed 8pest group tutoring classes, Vocab Bundle, study guides and a different trouble area video each week.