Key Takeaways
- Musculoskeletal System is the largest domain at 18-22% (40-50 questions)
- Neuromuscular & Nervous Systems is the second largest at 17-21% (39-48 questions)
- Cardiovascular & Pulmonary accounts for 10-12% (22-27 questions)
- Integumentary System is the smallest systems domain at 4-5% (8-11 questions)
- Non-systems content (Equipment, Safety, Professional Practice) makes up approximately 16-24% combined
- The NPTE follows the 2024+ content outline which organizes questions by body system and clinical task
- Questions span the entire patient/client management model within each content domain
- Understanding content domain weights helps prioritize study time for maximum score improvement
Content Domains & Weight Distribution (2024+ Content Outline)
The NPTE-PT is organized according to the 2024 FSBPT Content Outline, which categorizes questions by body system and clinical task. Understanding the weight of each domain helps you allocate study time effectively.
Domain Weight Distribution
| Content Domain | Weight | Approximate Questions (of 200 scored) |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal System | 18-22% | 40-50 questions |
| Neuromuscular & Nervous Systems | 17-21% | 39-48 questions |
| Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Systems | 10-12% | 22-27 questions |
| Integumentary System | 4-5% | 8-11 questions |
| Other Body Systems (GI, GU, Endocrine) | 4-7% | 10-15 questions |
| Equipment, Devices, Technologies & Modalities | 9-13% | 20-30 questions |
| Safety, Professional Responsibilities & Ethics | 7-11% | 15-25 questions |
Study Time Allocation Strategy
Based on domain weights, here is how you might allocate a 200-hour study period:
| Domain | % of Study Time | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal | 25% | 50 hours |
| Neuromuscular | 22% | 44 hours |
| Cardiovascular/Pulmonary | 13% | 26 hours |
| Equipment & Modalities | 12% | 24 hours |
| Safety & Professional Practice | 10% | 20 hours |
| Integumentary | 8% | 16 hours |
| Other Body Systems | 5% | 10 hours |
| Practice Exams & Review | 5% | 10 hours |
How Questions Are Structured Within Each Domain
Within each body system domain, questions span the entire patient/client management model:
- Physical Therapy Examination (~30-35% of questions): History taking, systems review, selecting and performing tests and measures
- Foundations & Evidence-Based Practice (~15-20%): Anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, research interpretation
- Interventions (~30-35%): Therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, modalities, patient education, functional training
- Equipment & Devices (~10-15%): Selection, fitting, training for assistive devices, orthotics, prosthetics
- Safety & Professional Practice (~5-10%): Ethical and legal responsibilities, safety considerations, documentation
Key Content Area Details
Musculoskeletal (18-22%) — The Largest Domain This domain covers examination and treatment of orthopedic conditions including joint and muscle pathology, biomechanics, gait analysis, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise for conditions like rotator cuff injuries, ACL reconstruction, low back pain, and joint replacements.
Neuromuscular (17-21%) — The Second Largest Domain Covers neurological conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson disease. Emphasis on neuroplasticity, motor learning, balance and coordination assessment, and neurological examination techniques.
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary (10-12%) Includes cardiac rehabilitation, exercise prescription, vital sign interpretation, ECG basics, pulmonary rehabilitation, and management of conditions like CHF, COPD, and post-surgical cardiac patients.
Non-Systems (16-24% Combined) Equipment, safety, and professional practice questions appear across all clinical contexts. These include assistive device selection, modality application, ethical decision-making, documentation requirements, and evidence-based practice principles.
Which content domain makes up the LARGEST portion of the NPTE-PT exam?
Approximately what combined percentage of the NPTE do Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular domains represent?
Match each NPTE content domain to its approximate weight percentage.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right
Which content domain has the SMALLEST weight on the NPTE?