Since 1997, the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) has overseen practical and written examinations for aspiring dental assistants. At the end of a training program, students are eligible to write the NDAEB exam to earn their full qualifications and begin their dental careers.

The NDAEB examination ensures a standard level of expertise among Canadian dental assistants, testing professional knowledge and critical thinking skills. The written multiple-choice exam, which is combined in some cases with a Clinical Practice Evaluation, assesses knowledge acquired at designated schools. Like all exams, this one rewards effective training and careful preparation.

Are you hoping to ace your NDAEB exam? Keep reading for some helpful tips.

1. Make the Most of NDAEB Materials While Preparing

The NDAEB offers important resources to students, helping them focus their preparation ahead of the exam. In particular, the Candidate Handbook provides crucial insight into the exam’s priorities and content. Once they become eligible to take the exam, students should plan suitable study time to go over the handbook’s information, which covers everything from exam sites to testing outcomes.

Students may find group-study effective in preparing for the NDAEB exam

Perhaps above all, the handbook offers sample questions, giving students a sense of the content and phrasing they are likely to encounter on testing day. Students may want to do these sample questions mid-way through their preparation, as this will test knowledge while still allowing them time to adapt their studying if needs be. Aspiring dental assistants may also consult the NDAEB’s website for updates on exam resources and results.

2. Use Third-Party Resources Wisely After Dental Assistant Training

In addition to the NDAEB’s own material, students may find further assistance online. While these sources might prove helpful in testing one’s studying, it is important to note that the NDAEB does not officially recognize these alternate sources, typically sample exams.

While students should prioritize NDAEB materials after receiving their Dental Assistant Diploma, some further online resources might also help. A good way to evaluate third-party materials is to compare their content with the ‘Domain Descriptions’ in the official handbook. From ‘Dental Sciences’ to ‘Laboratory Procedures’, these eight domains give students a sense of what content their studying should cover – and thus a good basis for assessing any external help.

‘Patient Care Procedures’ is among the NDAEB’s eight domains

3. Develop Strategies for Multiple Choice Success

Effective exam preparation considers format in addition to content. Barring requests for special test conditions, the NDAEB exam allows students four hours to complete 200 multiple choice items. While there is no substitute for strong dental assistant training and careful exam preparation, students may benefit from multiple choice strategies that can enhance confidence, and maximize correct answers on the day. For instance, students should be careful to read questions one word at a time, allowing them to note subtle exceptions or negations that might change their best answer.

Moreover, some students prefer to cover all the answers while reading the question, developing an unbiased idea of the answer before searching for the closest option. In order to get to all 200 items, exam takers are also advised to manage their time well, not spending too long on any particular question. In fact, challenging questions should be skipped over and returned to once all known answers have been provided.

Are you hoping to launch a rewarding career with a Dental Assistant Diploma Program?

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