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Step 3: Use Effective Study Methods

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Reasons to Join ABMP

Step 3: Use Effective Study Methods

Throughout the Student Life newsletter series, we have shared useful and successful study methods you can return to now as you prepare for the MBLEx. Check out the Picked Fresh section of this newsletter for particularly helpful links to primary study methods and resources, and try out these ideas to help focus your study. The end is in sight, so now is the time to forge ahead!

Terms are Tops!

The terms below are based on those outlined by the Entry-Level Analysis Project (ELAP) for the Integumentary System. Review these terms and ask yourself, “Could I pick the definition for each of these terms out of a list of definitions? Could I give a basic definition off the top of my head?” If the answer to both of these questions is yes, you’re in good shape already! One reason people fail the MBLEx is they haven’t mastered health-care and anatomic language. Make sure you know your terms!

  • Abrasions
  • Absorption
  • Accessory organs
  • Acne
  • Acute
  • Animal parasites
  • Burns
  • Chronic
  • Clinical reasoning model
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Contagious skin disorder
  • Contracture scars
  • Cutaneous
  • Decubitus ulcers
  • Dermatitis
  • Dermatome
  • Dermis
  • Eczema
  • Epidermis
  • Excretion
  • Fissures
  • Fungal infections
  • General sense receptors
  • Hair
  • Herpes simplex
  • Incisions
  • Integumentary system
  • Keloid scars
  • Keratin
  • Keratinocyte
  • Lacerations
  • Melanin
  • Melanocyte
  • Nails
  • Neoplastic skin disorders
  • Nociceptor
  • Noncontagious inflammatory skin disorder
  • Papules
  • Pores
  • Pressure receptor
  • Protection
  • Psoriasis
  • Punctures
  • Pustules
  • Scar tissue
  • Sebaceous glands
  • Sebum
  • Sensory receptors
  • Skin
  • Skin injuries
  • Staphylococcal infections
  • Streptococcal infections
  • Sub-acute
  • Subcutaneous layer
  • Sudoriferous glands
  • Superficial fascia
  • Tactile stimulation
  • Temperature receptor
  • Temperature regulation
  • Touch deprivation
  • Touch receptor
  • Ulcers
  • Vesicles
  • Vibration receptor
  • Warts

Flash It!

Another great way to prepare for the MBLEx is to create decks of flash cards. Flash cards, often 5”x 7” index cards, are used to practice the recall of information. Write a question on one side of an index card and write the answer on the back. You can also make flash cards for terms by writing the term on the front and the definition on the back. If you have been making flash cards throughout your massage training program, pull them out now and use them again for study. Practice 10–15 cards at a time by reading the front, recalling the information, and then checking your recall by reading the back. If you recall the information on the card correctly, place it off to the side. If you don’t recall the information correctly, place the card at the bottom of the pile and try again when the card next appears at the top of the deck. When you have successfully learned the entire deck, leave the cards for the next study session and move on to another deck. Shuffle the cards frequently to ensure you learn each item completely.

Quiz It!

Another great strategy for exam preparation is creating practice quizzes. Take out your textbook and read through a topic. Write as many quiz questions as you can generate from the topic. At the end of the reading for a topic, take the quiz. If you can’t answer any of your own questions, go back to the reading and look up the answers. Keep your final quizzes for future study.

Action Item: Review the Picked Fresh section of this newsletter for additional study tips that can support your preparation for the MBLEx. Identify and list the top three methods you will use to prepare for the test.

In the next newsletter, we will create an initial eight-week study plan. This will take you right up to your application for the test, and provide you with a good idea of what to study while you wait for your test date and your application to be approved.