r/Paramedics • u/Apprehensive_Work434 • 3d ago
I have failed the NREMT medic exam twice now and I’ve never felt worse.
For the past year and a half I have worked towards this, and I keep failing. I did very well in my program and never made below a B on a test, I was in the top of my class. I studied constantly and still do. I did well in EMT school, and passed the NREMT on the first try then. I’ve been an EMT for 3 years and do well at my job.
I just found out I failed the medic exam for the second time today and I feel so stupid. I scored 894 on my first attempt and 915 on my second. I study constantly, read the textbook, use MedicTests, Pocket Prep, the Kaplan book, Paramedic Coach. I’ve done well with all that material. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Several others in my class have all passed, even ones who did worse than me in school. I don’t even know what I don’t know. I’m scheduled to take the test a third time in about 3 weeks, but I’m feeling like if I don’t pass this time, I’m gonna give up afterwards. I don’t want all this hard work to go to waste, but it feels hopeless. Idk even what to do anymore.
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u/coyote_whistler 3d ago
I know how you feel. I took the medic test three times, I passed on the third. The best medic I know took it twice. It’s very disappointing. Not passing right away doesn’t mean you’re stupid or can’t be a good medic, you wouldn’t have done well in the program if you weren’t ready. The test is really hard, and that’s by design. 950 is the passing score, so you’re really damn close. And it’s highly unlikely you’ll do worse, especially since you’ve already gotten better since your first attempt.
Be a little nicer to yourself, and don’t give up. You get six tries, use all six if you have to. Don’t compare yourself to your classmates, everyone tests differently. Maybe they got lucky and guessed the correct answers on some things, or maybe they got easier questions. Theres no way to know. Trying getting with a medic at your service and see if they can help. It might just be one area you’re struggling with that’s holding you back. Keep trying buddy, third times a charm.
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u/_ghostperson 3d ago
There's a reason you get multiple tries.
It's not ez pz.
Dont give up. It took me 3 tries, and I'm like the okiest medic around. I got the coffee mug to prove it.
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u/Belus911 3d ago
The issue with using the study apps so much is it conditions you to answer the questions in that system.
You need to know the baseline concepts so it doesn't matter how the question is asked, you know the foundational information to answer it.
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u/DoctorGoodleg 3d ago
I was in your exact spot 25 years ago. I thought about giving up. I thought I couldn’t do it.
I didn’t. Take a week for you. Rest. Engage your teachers.
You’ll get there.
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u/Medical-Vanilla_Zomb 3d ago edited 3d ago
Woah, ease up on yourself. That level of stress and attitude doesn't help you or a patient on a call, don't let it get you down on the test either. You're doing all the things except taking time to destress.
Test anxiety is a thing, especially on a life-changing test like this. Keep calm, relax, limit study time. Maybe study with a group. Try something different.
Treat this test like a patient. We don't give up on them, so don't give up on yourself.
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u/Exciting_Career_1324 2d ago
I just recently passed the test, and the main studying tool I used was Limmer Education. They work with the NREMT, and almost all of their materiel is structured like the new version of the test. Dare I say, maybe even the same questions..... There's a plethora of YouTube videos by them out there! Don't give up after 3, you have 6 tries for a reason! Keep your head up and keep at it!
(1656) Live NREMT Review: Demystifying the NREMT - YouTube
This video was great for me as well! Goodluck!!
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u/bestia54 2d ago
Hi, I am so sorry that you have so much stress. As somebody who has failed the NREMT twice, I believe that I have some idea of what you are going through. That was over twenty years ago (back when you had to wait for a mailed response, the big envelope or the small envelope) but I remember the stress clearly.
Today, with the advantage of hindsight, I realize that I had made the stress worse by focusing on the time and effort spent on the endeavor. I am not saying that it is not important, I am just suggesting that it might serve you to focus on your strengths.
As a paramedic instructor, if you were my student, I would ask you to focus on the fact that for the past three years you have been working as an EMT and have been doing it well. I would also ask you to reflect on your performance in the paramedic program. The NREMT exam is not an easy test when you are approaching as an entry level paramedic, which is what the majority of us were when we took it. If this is your goal, don’t over study, get plenty of sleep, and find a way to center yourself and find calmness before the exam.
If you need additional help, please feel free to reach out.
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u/Apprehensive_Work434 16h ago
Thank you. I’ve always done really well in school, I never had lower than a B all throughout high school and excelled in EMT school, so I think maybe his being my first real “failure” academically has been hitting me hard. I appreciate your kind words ❤️
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u/Slight_Can5120 3d ago
On the first and second tries, did you use all the time? If you had time left, did you go back & review any Qs you weren’t sure of?
You might consider reading up on test-taking strategies.
Don’t give up. Being able to ace the exam on the first try doesn’t necessarily make a great medic.
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u/_angered 3d ago
You can't go back and review the NREMT questions. Once you answer they are gone forever.
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u/guyfuture 3d ago
In the same exact position 936 1st try on medic 2nd 866 took a couple weeks break to cool down and study gonna go in soon I’ve been beating myself up to but I’m just trying to focus on my next attempt I’ve been using paramedic coach and medic tests now. A lot of medical and special populations which I’ve been sort of struggling with.
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u/DrTdub 1d ago
How are you studying and how much have you studied while being actively locked in “engaged”? - Medical Student
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u/Apprehensive_Work434 16h ago
I try to “lock in” and study for at least 2-3 hours a day, longer if I’m off work. I usually study for an hour and then take a 45ish minute break in between so I don’t overload my brain. I also do something I’ve been calling “passive studying”, which is where I listen to study materials while I’m driving or doing chores.
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u/DrTdub 16h ago
Okay, how is your active studying? Like what is your study method for when you are truly engaged.
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u/Apprehensive_Work434 16h ago
I read my textbook a lot, use notes and lecture material from my instructor, AHA algorithms and guidelines, online materials I’ve found. After I read stuff I’ll take practice tests over the stuff I studied. I have dyslexia so I have trouble focusing when I read and I have to really work hard to retain written information. That’s one of the reasons I’ve struggled with the test I think. I do so much better when I listen to things or see them done.
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u/DrTdub 16h ago
So, reading doesn’t work for you. Also, I know you say the listening works as well; however, you are passively listening to this stuff while you’re doing random chores and etc, so it doesn’t appear that works too well. Now everyone’s study method is different, but it’s important for you to find that appropriate study method. I suggest trying anki (download for free on computer). Make flashcards either from your lectures (depending on how well they prep you for the national exam) or directly from the text book you’re using. If you don’t understand a concept you’re studying on anki then watch a video or read about it online and go back to studying anki. I have diagnosed ADD non-medicated and using this method I am currently sitting at the #1 spot in my medical school class. I also used this method when I was taking my national exam for EMS prior to ever getting into med school and had no issue passing. If that study technique doesn’t work, then shoot me a dm and I can offer you guidance on other methods. I have plenty of friends to ask at one of the highest levels of education. Good luck 👍🏻
Side note: avoid practice question until you fully grasp the content. Also, I find the practice questions for National EMS exams to be very poorly written and not quite representative. Just my own opinion though.
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u/enigmicazn EMT-P 3d ago
Take a practice exam and have your instructor or another paramedic by you so they can see how you approach the questions. There is a disconnect somewhere whether its knowledge based or comprehension based.