Last year, over 23,000 MBLEX exams were taken, and the pass rate was less than 68%. For comparison, that’s not all that different than the pass rate for the bar exam.
No doubt about it: if you want to get your massage and bodywork license, it’s going to be a challenge. But most people that fail the exam do so because they aren’t prepared.
Want to learn more about the MBLEX exam? And want to learn how to pass it? Read on to learn more!
What Is the MBLEX Exam?
So, what is the MBLEX exam? MBLEX stands for the massage and bodywork licensing exam and is one critical component of getting your license (although not the only part). The exam was created by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) to better regulate massage therapy practice.
Why is the licensing exam necessary? When the FSMTB created the MBLEX, they had four goals in mind.
- Create a standardized licensing exam for massage therapy professions.
- Speed up the time between applications and exams so licenses aren’t delayed.
- Help with professional mobility.
- Establish oversight over exam content, procedures, and policies.
The MBLEX exam is required in 45 states, as well as Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kansas, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wyoming don’t regulate massage therapy practices. And Hawaii and New York use their own state exam, not the MBLEX.
To take the MBLEX, you have to prove that you’re either enrolled in or have graduated from an approved massage therapy education program. Once notified that you have Authorization to Test, you’ll have 90 days to set up the exam.
Perhaps the best part of the MBLEX is that it’s a one-and-done test type. There are no continuing education or renewal requirements.
MBLEX Exam: The Basics
Once you get your authorization, you can register to take the test at any time. It’s offered year-round across the U.S. and U.S. territories. Follow this link to find testing centers near you.
If you register to take the test and then something comes up, you can change the date or location. There will be a $20 fee, and you can only make changes up to three days before your appointment. The fee to take the exam is $195, so don’t miss your time slot!
During the MBLEX exam, you’ll have 110 minutes to complete 100 multiple-choice questions on a computer. During the exam, you’ll be able to see the time remaining on the top right side of the screen. Below, it will show you how many questions you have left.
It’s very important to answer all questions, even if you have to guess. Even failing to answer one question will automatically result in a failing score.
The MBLEX uses computer adaptive testing. That means as you answer questions, the exam changes based on how well you’re doing. This makes the exam a fair and accurate measure of your abilities.
Each item has a weighted point value based on how easy or hard it is. If you get easier questions correct, harder questions will follow. Because of this system, you cannot save questions for later and must answer each one in order.
Your score depends on question difficulty and the number of correct questions answered. When you get your results, you’ll either get a pass or a fail, not the exact score number. Additionally, if you fail, you’ll get information on how you did in each content area.
If you fail the exam, you can take it again 30+ days after your last exam. But you’ll need to apply for authorization again and you’ll need to pay the fee a second time.
What Is on the MBLEX Exam?
So, what should you study for the exam? The 100 question breakdown is as follows:
- 17% for client assessment, reassessment, and treatment plan
- 16% for ethics, regulations, laws, and boundaries
- 15% for guidelines for professional practice
- 15% for benefits and effects of techniques manipulating soft tissue
- 14% for pathology, areas of caution, contraindications, and special populations
- 12% kinesiology
- 11% anatomy and physiology
Further breakdown of each category can be found on the FSMTB website.
You don’t need to worry about old, outdated tests. Every 5-7 years, FSMTB uses the Job Task Analysis survey to get input on current practices from professionals in the field. They then update questions and percentages.
What’s the Best Way to Study?
So, what’s the best way to study? Well, that’s going to be different for each individual.
First of all, take a look at those percentages and be sure to focus your studying accordingly. But you know yourself best, so if you have a weak point that makes up a smaller percentage of the exam, don’t be afraid to emphasize it in your studies.
Realize that it’s impossible to know everything. You’ll always end up with a question on your exam or practice exams that you can’t answer. And it’s okay — a person can only do so much!
We recommend that you practice for at least an hour each day. Do some practice questions, and if you answer something wrong, take note. Read up on that item and you’ll be sure to ace it next time you come across something similar.
UGO Prep has over 900 practice questions. That’s a lot of studying you can do!
Also, be sure to take some practice exams. 100 questions in 110 minutes means you have just over one minute per question. You’ll want to practice with timed tests so that you feel comfortable with the limit.
We also offer 7 full-length, timed exams that you can take at any time. That provides plenty of opportunities to get used to the look and feel of the MBLEX exam. And you can take each test multiple times!
Start Your MBLEX Exam Prep today!
So, who offers the best MBLEX exam prep? UGO Prep, of course!
We offer over 900 practice questions and 7 full-length, timed exams with your MBLEX prep package. So what are you waiting for? Buy our MBLEX exam prep today!
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