10 Tips for RD Exam Day

For the most up-to-date information on the RD exam, including information on the 2022 exam update, head over to my website www.studysmartermethod.com.

​Whether you've never taken the RD exam or if you're quite familiar with it, these 10 tips will help you keep your nerves and take advantage of the hard work you've put in so far. 

Before the Test

1. Get a good night's sleep the 2 nights before the test

Really you should be getting a good night's sleep the majority of your study days - good sleep helps you retain new information, and then retrieve that information on test day. But the TWO days leading up to the test are important for how you feel that day (not just the night before).

2. Stop doing practice questions 4-7 days before the test.

If you're following my Study Smarter Method, using the practice question part at this point in your timeline can throw you for a loop when you encounter a new concept. If you've used the Study Smarter method for the amount of time recommended, your use for the practice questions is done. Instead, utilize the study materials you've made from them - recordings, topic sheets, flash cards, and videos. 

3. Stay in tune with you

If you've worked with me before, you know I emphasize this idea. If you start stressing out, and going through a topic sheet or two will calm you down, then do it! But if the idea of studying makes your hands sweat, then back away slowly from the flashcards. Your emotions and stress level may fluctuate day by day, or even in the same day. Just go with what your brain and body are telling you it needs.

4. The night before the test, go back in your email and look up the instructions for the testing center.

What time does the test start? What time do you need to be there by for check-in? These are not the same! With that information, what time do you feel comfortable arriving at the testing center? How long will it take you to get there? Try out the Google Maps web function where you can put in "Arrive by" time, the day, and your start and end locations to see how long it will take you to get there in typical traffic at that time of day. Don't forget about materials like identification, and what is NOT allowed. 

Test Day

5. Leave the study materials at home. 

The only thing you need to review the day of the test, if anything at all, are equations or formulas that you have trouble remembering. The idea would be to look at them before the test, and as soon as you get to your white board or scrap paper, brain dump that information down. Once they're out of your brain, you don't have to worry about retrieving it later. Double check with your testing center instructions if you're allowed to bring ANY materials in. For example, for the GRE, you can be prevented from taking the test if you arrive with any books, even if they stay in the locker. So it's better to be safe than sorry.

6. Bring all the identification and other items you need with you. 

Be patient and friendly with the proctor. This doesn't mean small talk - but just smile and be calm. No need to get everyone riled up if you're stressed. You'll be surprised how much better just smiling can make you feel. 

7. Have a system for the test. 

With the Study Smarter method, you've gotten into a groove of practice questions, research, understanding, analyzing, applying. Then with topic sheets and flashcards and recordings, you've got a groove there, too. So when you're starting the test, and halfway through the test, and almost done with the test, remember this system: 

• Read the question. Identify what's supporting material, and what the actual question is. Focus on keywords that give clues as to what the BEST answer is (remember the "What driver influences all areas of dietetics practice? - keyword was ALL!). Remember that keywords also give you clues as to what concepts the test wants you to combine. Lab values? Kidney disease and diabetes? Dehydration knowledge? Check check check. 
• Use your whiteboard or scrap paper. Write out the answer choices: a, b, c, d. Scratch a note next to the wrong answers - why are they wrong? Cross them out. Work through it until you get to the best answer. Use the muscle memory of this procedure from when you did practice questions. 
• Pace yourself. An advantage of doing the 5 practice questions per study session, beyond the numerous ones I recounted on our very first phone call, is that you get an idea of how you move through questions. Obviously you aren't doing research for every single test question, so the pace is different, but the muscle memory is the same. 
• Take a deep breath before a new question. The randomized order of questions key in the Study Smarter Method helps your brain jump back and forth between different topics, but with the extra stress of test day, give yourself a little break and inhale some O2. 
• Did you just click next after question 125, and get question 126? Don't freak out! Stressing more now will do absolutely nothing to help you. Stop paying attention to the question numbers, and keep using the past few bullet points to get through. 
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8. Remember that you cannot go back. 

There is no "mark and review later" option here, so it's important to use the steps in Tip 7 to stay calm and focused. Let your brain retrieve the information you've worked hard to deposit in that mind of yours. Let your brain work to critically think and evaluate a question, even if the topic is new to you. 

9. Think to yourself, what would Bailey say? 

If you've worked with me for tutoring, think about our phone calls - when we go over a practice question, what encouragement do I give you? What direction do I give you towards or away from a question? How do I ask you to explain your rationale? What extra questions do I ask you? All of that is to form your critical thinking skills, to help you prepare. 

After the Test

10. Pass or not, there's something worth celebrating. 

If you passed, congratulations! Your hard work has paid off. 

If you didn't pass this time, that's OK. You put in a lot of hard work, and your effort so far is worth celebrating. You've taken the exam and learned about it, and can equip yourself with that knowledge for the next go-around. 

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If you haven't tried the Study Smarter Method yet, you can learn more about it and the associated study guides at www.studysmartermethod.com