Posted: 11/21/2025 1:48:41 AM EDT
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So, I'm a retired military cop and have done some tours in the sandbox, so I went into my EMT course with a little advantage over the kids in class with me, but I figured out really quick that while the mil gave me a leg up on the trauma side, the medical and anatomy/physiology stuff is a bitch. So, I'm finally realizing that I need to study my ass off the next couple weeks to prep for my cognitive and NREMT or I'm going to fail. I have Paramedic Coach and I've been working my way through it, but is it going to be enough to get me a pass on NREMT or do I really need to spend a proportionate amount of time in the book as well? Just how much of a bitch is NREMT? I felt pretty good on some of the practice exams, but I'm finding I'm still getting 80's on the practice tests and I feel like I need to do better if I can reasonably expect to pass NREMT. EMTs and Medics, I need your advice! Any chapters I REALLY need to focus on in the book? Cardiac? Respiratory emergencies? |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
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Best advice I give is to make sure you read the book. Not sure if that is helpful this late in the class, it really should be done as the sections are taught. Instructors don’t have time to teach every little thing you might be asked about on registry. It’s very common to get questions that were just a small detail asked in the book. If you’ve read it once, it really depends on your particular learning style. I personally did well by taking lots of practice tests, but not everybody learns that way. When you say you are doing 80%s on practice tests, which tests are those? Platinum planner and EMStesting.com (if your program uses those) are both known to have very low scores for classes. If you are taking a NREMT simulator style test (something like medictests.com), they are very true to the actual test and you’ll need more work. As for what chapters to focus on, I can’t tell you that. Each section is fairly equally tested on the exam. Study what you feel weak at. The way NREMT works is by breaking questions into categories and adapting to your progress. It tries to establish minimum competency in each category. If you do well in cardiology, you will get harder questions about cardiology. If you don’t do well in cardiology, it will ask you more questions about cardiology (and sometimes easier ones) in an attempt to establish your competency level. All in all, EMT-B NREMT isn’t hard if you actually study and do the work. A large number of students don’t read, don’t study, and expect to learn purely from lecture. These are the ones who have a hard time at NREMT. Hope this answers your questions. If you have any others, I’d be happy to help. |
| Thanks! Yeah, I've read each chapter as we progressed through class, but I think I need to hit some of the chapters again. At least, for sure the ones we went through early on in the class. I've been using Pocket Prep and Paramedic Coach, so hopefully I'm not wasting my time with those. |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
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Get MedicTests and use it. I used Limmer for my EMT and then MedicTest for my paramedic and passed each time. The NREMT is adaptive so it will get easier or harder as you take it based on your answers. There are many different versions of the test so there isnt any one or two things to point at to focus on. When I took it for my EMT 6 years ago there were alot of questions involving cystic fibrosis and organophosphate poisoning. Good luck! |
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The NREMT test is no joke. There are some very specific questions that you cant guess at. Most multiple choice tests you can throw out two of the four answers, and then take a pretty close guess between the other two... not so with the national registry tests... Ask anyone who has taken it, its not a freebie. For subjects that require pure memorization of facts, I have always found the best way that I can study is to write it down in my own words... ie, open the book, read a paragraph or two, and then on a legal pad, write down what it says, but in your own words and phrasing. That works for me, but may or may not work for you. What ever method you use, 2 hours of study time every night for a couple weeks is the bare minimum for your first time taking the NREMT test. A month would be better. Learning more will only make you a better tech. My original EMT class was in 1992 and then medic in 1995. It was much easier back then at the EMT level, with far less anatomy and physiology, and more of the practical hands on work... it was a huge jump to medic back then. As the first 20 years went by, the gap became smaller and smaller from medic and EMT. Then somewhere around 2012 a lot of the curriculum changed in a short period of time, and the medic level went way, way more advanced, and it damn near became a bachelor level nursing degree taught in a period of 8 months (depending on where you take the class)... The EMT also took a big leap and the level of what was taught became more advanced than what I originally learned in the early 90's. But that gap between the two levels opened up again, and is larger that it was in the 90's. I took my last recert test in 2014, and made the decision to let my cert lapse when it expired. I wasn't active on an ambulance anymore, and I realized the constant changes in eds, cardiology and ACLS was too much to keep up with as just a side gig or "hobby"... You sound like a practical guy, just put in the study time, and you'll pass!!! |
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Just read the book and choose which answer is most correct. The biggest part of the actual 'test' will by the psychomotor portion. Unfortunately NC is buying into the pay to play BS and starting 01/26 NREMT will be required. Utah is believe uses NREMT for their state licensing. |
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Originally Posted By StillGonnaSendIt: Just read the book and choose which answer is most correct. The biggest part of the actual 'test' will by the psychomotor portion. Unfortunately NC is buying into the pay to play BS and starting 01/26 NREMT will be required. Utah is believe uses NREMT for their state licensing. Registry no longer defines the psychomotor portion of the test. They have left it up to the individual state DHS to define the test, many of whom have turfed it to the schools to decide. The school I instruct at still uses the same check sheets that registry did, but the process is no longer as formal as it once was (no longer need a representative from registry present for testing, etc). And the psychomotor is and was always a joke. |
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That test is no joke, put in some serious time reading the book and memorizing as much as you can. Hopefully the program you were in had some challenging tests throughout each topic. Odds are that after the test you’re not going to feel good about how you did. At least not until you get the email showing you passed. Good luck! |
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I passed mine yesterday on a second attempt, having missed the first one by two or three questions. Prior to that, our instruction was an accelerated course of nineteen days in the classroom and eight rideouts with local EMS. The second test took around thirty minutes and cut off at seventy questions. The one prior took most of an hour and went the full hundred and twenty; I also took it through the test provider's remote service, which I don't recommend to anybody unless you have no options otherwise. As was pointed out, read the book. If you don't, some of the material that pops is going to seem like left-field stuff. Still testable, and there are no shortage of opportunities to get a question with two good answers, one slightly more correct. I used EMT Pocket Prep. I've got friends who passed and swear by other products. The key here is finding outside options that match your book and ideally give explanations for answers (right and wrong) and references to where this is found in the text. The NREMT is particularly difficult because significant portions are checking both book knowledge and judgment. You can memorize a certain percentage of the material. The rest you have to know cold. Physiology is huge, as are order of operations and patient assessment. If you go with one of the test-prep apps, it should give you feedback on your weak areas - find those and focus hard (it was functions of the heart for me, and pharmacology wasn't much fun, either). It's also simultaneously easier and tougher than you'd think...it's a strange animal. Good luck to you. |
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Something to remember is only about 2/3's of the questions asked are actually graded. It is an adaptive test and about 1/3 of the questions are looking to find your baseline knowledge. Then based on your answers it with get harder or easier trying to gauge your competency. Dan Limmer did a podcast on it a while back. Limmer and Medic tests both have exam simulators. Having used both I prefer Medic Tests. Having taken the B and the P NREMT exams and finishing closer to the minimum number of questions and passing both times I don't think anyone takes them and feels good after. |
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I don’t think it’s been addressed but really, and I mean really read each question to determine what they are asking. Lots of information such as vitals or symptoms will be red herrings and not pertinent to what they question asked but will be relevant to other incorrect answers. I can’t stress this enough. I was a first time pass for EMT-B but when the test ended abruptly I had a “what the heck just happened” feeling and like most everyone was sure I failed. Good luck. |
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Thanks everyone for the advice! Took my NREMT today and passed. The test stopped at 70 questions, and I thought I screwed the pooch, but I am official now. How do I get my star of life on my user info now? Attached File |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
| I just took a practice test of 40 questions online. I have been retired for 13 years and haven't bothered keeping up with EMS. I also haven't gone hands on since 1999 though I did do the minimum CE to keep my license until I retired. I scored 75%. Some of my misses were legal aspects and the mass casualty terror stuff because that seems to have been updated since I retired. my advice, if you were weak in particular areas of a practice test, go back and hit the books in those subjects. Remember, in test taking looking for wrong answers will often lead you to the right answer. |
| Old post of mine, but a little update. This is my last week of AEMT, and I got offered (and accepted) a Sheriff's Office Medical Deputy position in our county jail. I'll be basically one of the medics in the jail (our county keeps one on duty 24/7). I'll have to go to corrections POST within the next year, which sucks because I was a military policeman for 20 years, but it pays good and will give me another pension. No complaints. So, fingers crossed I pass my psychomotor evaluations on Weds, because the SO job is conditional and depends on me getting my AEMT licensure. |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
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Originally Posted By takdriver: I took my nremt yesterday and just got the email that I passed. 4 months of training, thousands of pre test test questions, clinicals, practicals and then finally the last test. Congrats! AEMT? Paramedic? I'm taking the AEMT NREMT test this morning. I feel like I've studied enough that I should pass. One of my classmates tested two days ago and failed, so that has me a tad stressed, but I should be good. I hope so, because I just got offered a part-time AEMT position with the local ambulance service, in addition to the full-time job at the sheriff's office. Failing NREMT right now would suck! |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
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I passed the AEMT national registry exam! Thank God, because I was not looking forward to telling my two new employers I failed! Attached File |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
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Congrats on passing! I went through a similar situation. My PD agency offers an EMT class (not NR) that focuses heavily on trauma. I was able to pass the state exam no problem, but when I started teching at my VFD, I realized that I could deal with any trauma out there fine, but the "sick" was another story. In the process of refreshing now, so hoping to pick up a lot on the "sick side". |
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Originally Posted By CATM: I passed the AEMT national registry exam! Thank God, because I was not looking forward to telling my two new employers I failed! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/2860/Utah_AEMT_jpg-3770622.JPG Congrats! Thank you for all of your dedication to pursue this career path. |
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Originally Posted By CATM: Congrats! AEMT? Paramedic? I'm taking the AEMT NREMT test this morning. I feel like I've studied enough that I should pass. One of my classmates tested two days ago and failed, so that has me a tad stressed, but I should be good. I hope so, because I just got offered a part-time AEMT position with the local ambulance service, in addition to the full-time job at the sheriff's office. Failing NREMT right now would suck! Originally Posted By CATM: Originally Posted By takdriver: I took my nremt yesterday and just got the email that I passed. 4 months of training, thousands of pre test test questions, clinicals, practicals and then finally the last test. Congrats! AEMT? Paramedic? I'm taking the AEMT NREMT test this morning. I feel like I've studied enough that I should pass. One of my classmates tested two days ago and failed, so that has me a tad stressed, but I should be good. I hope so, because I just got offered a part-time AEMT position with the local ambulance service, in addition to the full-time job at the sheriff's office. Failing NREMT right now would suck! Well congrats back! Mine was just basic emt. |
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Originally Posted By RedSS454: Congrats on passing! I went through a similar situation. My PD agency offers an EMT class (not NR) that focuses heavily on trauma. I was able to pass the state exam no problem, but when I started teching at my VFD, I realized that I could deal with any trauma out there fine, but the "sick" was another story. In the process of refreshing now, so hoping to pick up a lot on the "sick side". That sounds similar to the 18D's and the PJ'S trauma is their bread and butter but you get geriatric patients or medical patients and it's a totally different demographic. |
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Well, out of AEMT school I landed two jobs. A part-time job with the local 911 ambo service and a full time job with the sheriff's office working as a medical technician in the county jail. Enjoying it so far! But, I'll have to go to POST within a year. So, I'm working on getting back into shape for that, because at 52, it's not going to be as much fun as when I was 18 going through the Air Force Security Police Academy! Attached File |
RIP TSgt Jason Norton and SSgt Brian McElroy. KIA 22 Jan 06, near Taji, Iraq.
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer
LaRue Armorer, Colt 1911 Armorer, Colt M16/AR15 Armorer, Glock Armorer