Study Tips for the RD Exam

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.

POST UPDATED 11/8/2017

There are so many ways you can learn the information for the RD exam. Here are some of my suggestions - tried and true! You can learn more about my Study Smarter Method at my RD Exam page.

Check out my RD exam resources, read what past students have to say, and learn more about the test.

I am a verbal-visual learner, so I retain information best by writing out my notes and making diagrams...and color-coding.

Learn more about Multiple Intelligence (or learning styles) at EDUTOPIA. 

Research shows that re-reading and highlighting information is one of the least effective study strategies. If you plan on re-writing notes for the RD Exam, it's important to reorganize the information in a different way. Work those neural pathways! 

8 Study Tips for the RD Exam
1) Make a practice quiz
2) Make a worksheet
3) Help important information stand out
4) Change the layout
5) Draw a diagram
6) Make a chart
7) Summarize the information
​8) Talk it out

The Study Smarter Method E-Book for the RD exam explains how to revamp your RD exam study strategy including using these 8 active learning techniques. Learn more about the Study Smarter Method (used by dietetic internships nationwide) and download free worksheets for your study sessions at www.studysmartermethod.com.

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Make a Practice Quiz

Test yourself how you'll be tested! After you go through the information, think up test questions. Making up questions (and then answering them) is a way to study in itself.

Go beyond multiple choice and think up practice questions for a single concept, writing them on flash cards. They don't need to be at the level of the CDR test, don't worry! It's all about challenging your brain to work in different ways.

Make a Worksheet

Make a worksheet that challenges you to memorize what you need to know. Here is a worksheet for the Kreb's Cycle, and key concepts below. Make blank copies, and an answer sheet, to come back to as you move on to other domains to stay sharp.

Active learning activities like this are great to assess where you are. You can find examples on my RD Exam resources page.

Change the Layout

There's a lot of acronyms to remember, and sometimes they are easier to remember in acrostic format. Split them up and highlight to remember what each letter stands for - and what that concept is!

Some concepts are amenable to charts or graphic organizers. For example, you may want to make a chart of the pros/cons of different management theories, or a table to fill in the symptoms, duration, etc. for food borne illness.

Draw Attention

Use different colored paper with tape/glue stick and highlighters and stars to make important information stand out. When you go back to look through your notes, you'll remember it!

Brightly colored sticky tabs make this even easier. Mark your topic sheets, big questions, or important notes. 

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Draw a Diagram

Draw a diagram that fits the information. It might be super visual like this GI tract, or it might be more of a chart, a diagram, a graph, a venn diagram.  

My RD Exam resources include worksheets and study guides that prompt you through these active learning activities.

Make a Chart

Sometimes a lot of information is best put into a chart. Examples for the RD exam include "maximizing effective learning experiences based on education and motivation level", vitamin and mineral charts, lab values, etc. If you can think up a common x- or y-axis, you can make a table from it. 

Summarize the Information

Combining definitions and photos can be helpful when differentiating between concepts that are hard to tell apart, such as the different types of observational studies, which agencies are responsible for what food safety guidelines, or other information you find yourself flipping through your notes over and over again.

You can find active learning worksheets that use these concepts on my RD Exam resources page.

Talk it out

Just like writing information out uses mechanical pathways, speaking and listening use different pathways than reading. Using different methods to study helps you integrate information in new and different ways, helping it stick better. 

So how could you use audio in your studying? When you're reviewing information, whether flash cards or topic sheets, talk it through out loud instead of in your head! Even better, record it, and then listen to it on your commute. That's 2 birds with 1 stone.

Questions? Leave a comment!

BD