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A client discloses escalating intimate partner violence and says their partner monitors their phone. What is the safest intervention response?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NPE Exam

150

Multiple-choice questions

Guidelines for the National Psychology Exam

210 min

Exam duration

Candidate manual and guidelines

70%

Scaled passing score

Guidelines for the National Psychology Exam

45/45/45/15

Questions across Ethics, Assessment, Intervention, and Communication

Guidelines for the National Psychology Exam

4

Exam sittings listed for 2026

National Psychology Exam page

4 weeks

Results release timeframe after close of exam period

Candidate manual

The National Psychology Exam is a 150-question, 3.5-hour computer-based regulatory exam for Australian psychology general registration pathways. It tests applied case-based knowledge across ethics, assessment, intervention, and communication, and requires a scaled score of 70 per cent or higher to pass.

Sample NPE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NPE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A candidate is planning study time for the National Psychology Exam. Which statement best reflects the official structure of the exam?
A.It is graded with penalties for incorrect answers to discourage guessing.
B.It assesses ethics, assessment, intervention, and communication, with ethics, assessment, and intervention each weighted more heavily than communication.
C.It requires candidates to pass ethics, assessment, intervention, and communication separately.
D.It contains 150 short-answer questions completed over 210 minutes.
Explanation: The NPE assesses four curriculum domains: ethics, assessment, intervention, and communication. Ethics, assessment, and intervention are each 30%, while communication is 10%.
2A candidate fails the National Psychology Exam and asks when they can attempt it again. What is the best response?
A.They may re-sit at the next available sitting without further requirements.
B.They must repeat their full accredited psychology program.
C.They may appeal automatically because the exam is norm-referenced.
D.They may re-sit only after completing a further three-month period of supervised practice.
Explanation: Candidates who fail may re-sit after a further three-month period of supervised practice.
3A psychologist with general registration is asked to advertise as a clinical psychologist because most of their clients present with anxiety and depression. What is the most ethical response?
A.Decline, because professional titles and endorsements must accurately reflect registration status and competencies.
B.Agree, provided the psychologist has treated similar clients for several years.
C.Use the title only in online advertising, where clients can ask follow-up questions.
D.Use the title if a disclaimer is included in small print.
Explanation: Psychologists must not misrepresent qualifications, endorsements, registration status, or scope of competence.
4At the first session, a client says they do not want to hear about confidentiality limits and asks to begin therapy immediately. What should the psychologist do?
A.Ask the client to sign a form without discussion to avoid distress.
B.Delay all services until the client independently researches confidentiality.
C.Explain key consent information, including confidentiality and its limits, before proceeding with substantive assessment or intervention.
D.Proceed, because the client has clearly requested treatment.
Explanation: Valid informed consent requires understandable information about the service, confidentiality, limits, fees, records, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
5A client's spouse phones and asks whether the client is attending sessions and what has been discussed. The spouse says they are paying the invoices. What is the best response?
A.Provide a summary because the spouse is paying for the service.
B.Disclose information only if the spouse promises not to tell anyone else.
C.Do not confirm attendance or disclose information without the client's consent, unless a legal or safety exception applies.
D.Confirm attendance but do not discuss session content.
Explanation: Payment by another person does not remove the client's confidentiality rights. Disclosure generally requires consent or a clear legal or safety basis.
6A psychologist receives a subpoena for a client's full file. What is the most appropriate first step?
A.Check the validity and scope of the subpoena, seek appropriate legal or professional advice, inform the client where appropriate, and disclose only as required.
B.Ignore it because client confidentiality always overrides court processes.
C.Send the complete file immediately without reviewing relevance.
D.Destroy irrelevant notes before responding.
Explanation: Legal demands must be handled carefully. The psychologist should verify requirements, seek advice, protect confidentiality as far as possible, and comply lawfully.
7During therapy, a 13-year-old discloses sexual abuse by an adult family member and begs the psychologist not to tell anyone. What should the psychologist do?
A.Promise secrecy to preserve the therapeutic alliance.
B.Ask the child to decide whether a report should be made.
C.Wait until the next session to see whether the child repeats the disclosure.
D.Respond supportively, explain the limits of confidentiality, follow relevant mandatory reporting law, and document the decision-making process.
Explanation: Child protection concerns require action under relevant state or territory law. The psychologist should support the child, report where required, and document carefully.
8A client says they have been thinking about suicide, has bought medication for an overdose, and intends to take it tonight. What is the psychologist's best immediate response?
A.Send the client a psychoeducation handout and monitor progress next week.
B.Conduct an urgent risk assessment, explain confidentiality limits, involve crisis supports or emergency services as needed, and document actions.
C.Respect confidentiality and schedule a follow-up appointment tomorrow.
D.Tell the client to promise not to act, then end the session.
Explanation: Imminent suicide risk requires active risk management, which may include breaching confidentiality to protect life and safety.
9A client makes a credible threat to seriously harm an identifiable person after session. What should the psychologist do?
A.Discharge the client immediately to avoid involvement.
B.Assess immediacy and seriousness, consult where possible, take reasonable steps to reduce risk, and document the rationale.
C.Take no action because threats made in therapy are confidential.
D.Confront the intended victim in person without assessing the risk further.
Explanation: Serious threats to identifiable others may justify or require disclosure and protective action. The psychologist should act proportionately and document decisions.
10A former client sends a social media friend request to their psychologist. They completed therapy two weeks ago. What is the best response?
A.Accept because therapy has ended.
B.Accept but never interact with the client online.
C.Accept only if the client's account is private.
D.Do not accept the request, consider clinical and privacy implications, and address boundaries through appropriate professional communication if needed.
Explanation: Social media contact can blur boundaries, compromise privacy, and affect future care. A professional boundary should be maintained.

About the NPE Exam

The National Psychology Exam is the Psychology Board of Australia's regulatory examination for applicants who must demonstrate minimum applied professional knowledge for safe independent psychology practice. The Board states that the exam supports the General registration standard and assesses eight threshold professional competencies through four curriculum domains: Ethics, Assessment, Intervention, and Communication. Current Board resources describe a 150-question computer-based exam with five answer options per question, a 3.5-hour time limit, dual delivery by test centre or online proctoring, and a scaled passing score of 70 per cent.

Assessment

Computer-based regulatory examination with 150 multiple-choice questions derived solely from the exam curriculum. The four curriculum domains are Ethics, Assessment, Intervention, and Communication, with 45 questions each for the first three domains and 15 questions for Communication.

Time Limit

3.5 hours (210 minutes); candidates are told to allocate about four hours including registration, pre-testing, and post-exam administration activities.

Passing Score

Pass/fail. Candidates must achieve a scaled score of 70 per cent or higher; candidates do not need to pass each individual curriculum domain separately.

Exam Fee

Not separately listed in the official public Schedule of Fees reviewed. The candidate manual states that the fee for sitting the exam is published in the Board's Schedule of Fees and paid through the examination portal. (Psychology Board of Australia)

NPE Exam Content Outline

45 questions; 30%

Ethics

Applied ethical and professional reasoning, confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, record keeping, legal duties, risk management, culturally safe practice, supervision, and reporting obligations.

45 questions; 30%

Assessment

Selecting assessment methods, mental status examination, risk assessment, psychometric properties, diagnosis and formulation, feedback, report writing, referral questions, interpreters, and limits of assessment conclusions.

45 questions; 30%

Intervention

Evidence-based treatment planning, intervention selection and implementation, monitoring outcomes, safety planning, adapting care, working with comorbidity, telehealth, stepped care, scope, and referral.

15 questions; 10%

Communication

Therapeutic alliance, communicating risk, feedback after assessment, writing reports and letters, communicating with children and families, interprofessional collaboration, managing complaints, and culturally responsive communication.

Applied case studies and professional issues

Exam Process and Professional Standard

Exam eligibility, dual delivery, exam rules, confidentiality of exam content, result reporting, re-sit requirements after failure, and the applied professional knowledge standard for safe independent practice.

How to Pass the NPE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail. Candidates must achieve a scaled score of 70 per cent or higher; candidates do not need to pass each individual curriculum domain separately.
  • Assessment: Computer-based regulatory examination with 150 multiple-choice questions derived solely from the exam curriculum. The four curriculum domains are Ethics, Assessment, Intervention, and Communication, with 45 questions each for the first three domains and 15 questions for Communication.
  • Time limit: 3.5 hours (210 minutes); candidates are told to allocate about four hours including registration, pre-testing, and post-exam administration activities.
  • Exam fee: Not separately listed in the official public Schedule of Fees reviewed. The candidate manual states that the fee for sitting the exam is published in the Board's Schedule of Fees and paid through the examination portal.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NPE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with the current candidate manual, guidelines, exam curriculum, and professional competencies because official questions are derived from the curriculum.
2Use case-based practice rather than isolated fact recall; the exam tests application of professional knowledge to real psychology practice issues.
3Balance study across the four domains: ethics, assessment, intervention, and communication, while remembering ethics, assessment, and intervention each carry 30%.
4Practise pacing for 150 questions in 210 minutes and answer every question because official guidance states there is no deduction for incorrect answers.
5Review high-risk practice decisions: confidentiality limits, consent, record keeping, risk assessment, mandatory reporting, scope of competence, referral, and culturally safe communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the National Psychology Exam?

The Psychology Board of Australia develops the National Psychology Exam and Ahpra administers exam operations through the examination portal.

How many questions are on the National Psychology Exam?

The Guidelines for the National Psychology Exam state that there are 150 multiple-choice questions.

How long is the National Psychology Exam?

The candidate manual and guidelines state that the exam duration is 3.5 hours, or 210 minutes, with candidates asked to allow about four hours including administration.

What score do I need to pass?

Candidates must achieve a scaled score of 70 per cent or higher. The pass mark applies to the total score; candidates are not required to pass each domain separately.

Can the NPE be taken online?

Yes. The Board states the exam is offered by dual delivery, so candidates can choose a test centre where available or online proctoring from home or workplace.