Preparing for the MBLEx exam: Tips and resources for massage therapy students

Start early

Start preparing for the exam well in advance. Ideally, start studying a few months before your scheduled exam date. There’s a lot of information to review, so the more time you leave yourself, the better prepared you’ll be. 

Study in sessions that last 45 to 60 minutes, then give yourself a break. Trying to study in longer sessions can be counterproductive, since you’re less able to focus and retain information when you’re tired. Work for as long as you can be productive, then take a break and return to studying when you’re refreshed.

Access your program’s resources

Your current massage therapy program may be a valuable source of help as you prepare for the exam. To start, ask about and take advantage of any study resources your program offers. For instance, your program may supply you with MBLEx study guides and practice sessions. Your teacher may be willing to hold a practice test for students, and if they don’t offer this, ask them if it would be an option. A practice test can give you a sense of what the real test will be like, so you can get an idea of how quickly you’ll need to work to complete the test in the allotted time. 

Many schools offer free tutoring. Consider signing up for tutoring sessions to help you prepare for the exam. A tutor can help you improve your knowledge and understanding of any test subjects that you struggle with, and they can also help you identify the study techniques that work best for you. 

You might also have access to a mentorship program. Your school might help you connect with experienced massage therapists who can help you better understand what the exam will be like. They may have some valuable tips to help you prepare. 

Be sure to also take advantage of any hands-on training options your program offers. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience can help you solidify your understanding of the lessons you’ve been studying in the classroom, making it easier to recall and convey that information during the MBLEx exam.

Host study groups

Study groups can be fantastic ways to prepare for the MBLEx exam, and chances are that your classmates will be interested in joining a study group that you create. These groups don’t necessarily have to be in person, either. Virtual study groups can be just as effective. 

The value of a study group is that you and other group members have the chance to learn from each other. If someone has a question or gets an answer wrong, you can discuss the right answer and the reasoning behind it. These discussions can give you new ways of understanding information, and the act of talking out concepts and information can help you better retain the information. 

Review your old tests and notes

Save any tests that you’ve taken in your massage therapy program and use those to help you review for the MBLEx. Be sure to spend some extra time studying the questions you got wrong before.  

You can also review any notes that you’ve taken during your classes. Consider beginning or ending each study session by reading through your notes so that the information is familiar and easy to recall. 

Create flashcards

Flashcards are a tried-and-true study technique that can be helpful in preparing for the MBLEx. When you create flashcards by hand, you’ll identify questions that might be on the exam, and you’ll go through the work of writing out the questions and the answers. Physically writing out information can help you to better remember it, plus the flash cards will be valuable study tools that you can use again and again whether on your own or studying in a group. 

Use practice tests and study guides

Practice tests and study guides can help you to study independently, too. Study guides are excellent because they can help you better identify the types of information that’s going to be on the MBLEx exam. These guides make the process of studying a bit less overwhelming, and they can help you focus on the concepts that are most likely to be on the test. The FSMTB has study guides and practice tests available for purchase on their website. 

Spend plenty of time working with the study guide until you feel that you have a solid understanding of the information. Then, take a practice test. Be sure to time yourself and answer every question, even if you can only make an educated guess. Taking practice tests will help you get familiar and comfortable with the structure and types of questions you’re likely to see, and you’ll get an idea of how well you’re doing on the test and which areas you need to focus on and study more. 

Prioritize self-care

Preparing for the MBLEx exam can be stressful, so prioritize your self-care during the preparation process, too. Trying to study when you’re overwhelmed or overtired won’t give you the best results, and it can leave you even more stressed. 

Instead, create a reasonable study schedule. Make sure you’re leaving time for meals, sleep, exercise and some fun activities, like spending time with friends. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be better able to make the most of your study time.