224+ Free NPTE Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NPTE Exam

225

Total Questions

FSBPT NPTE (PT)

5 hours

Exam Time

FSBPT NPTE (PT)

600

Passing Scaled Score

FSBPT

$485

Exam Fee

FSBPT Candidate Handbook

+$112

Prometric Center Fee

FSBPT Candidate Handbook

11%

PT Job Growth (2024-2034)

BLS

FSBPT lists NPTE for PT as a 225-question, 5-hour exam with a passing scaled score of 600. FSBPT candidate registration resources list a $485 exam registration fee, and a $112 Prometric test-center fee. The FSBPT NPTE service page lists 2026 PT test windows in January, April, July, and October.

Sample NPTE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NPTE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 224+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During a knee ligament exam, the PT performs the Lachman test at 20-30 degrees of knee flexion. What structure is this test designed to assess, and why is this position preferred over full extension?

A.The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); this flexion angle relaxes the hamstrings and posterior capsule, making anterior tibial translation easier to detect

B.The posterior cruciate ligament; full extension locks the joint and prevents assessment

C.The medial collateral ligament; flexion isolates valgus stress

D.The meniscus; flexion compresses the joint surfaces for palpation

Explanation: The Lachman test is the most sensitive clinical test for ACL integrity; 20-30 degrees of flexion minimizes hamstring guarding and allows the examiner to detect excessive anterior tibial translation relative to the femur.

2A patient reports acute ankle pain after an inversion injury. Per the Ottawa Ankle Rules, an ankle X-ray series is indicated if there is pain in the malleolar zone plus which finding?

A.Bone tenderness along the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge/tip of either malleolus, or inability to bear weight for four steps both immediately and in the clinic/ED

B.Any soft-tissue swelling over the lateral malleolus regardless of tenderness

C.A positive anterior drawer test only

D.Pain that improves with rest within 30 minutes

Explanation: The Ottawa Ankle Rules use bone tenderness over the distal 6 cm of either malleolus or an inability to bear weight for four steps as the decision criteria for ordering radiographs, with pooled sensitivity near 97-98%.

3Which special test best isolates the supraspinatus during a shoulder exam by having the patient resist downward pressure with the arm at 90 degrees abduction, slight horizontal adduction, and full internal rotation (thumb pointing down)?

A.The empty can (Jobe's) test

B.The Neer impingement test

C.The drop arm test

D.The sulcus sign

Explanation: The empty can (Jobe's) test positions the shoulder to selectively load the supraspinatus tendon; pain or weakness suggests supraspinatus tendinopathy or tear.

4A patient lies supine with the non-tested hip and knee flexed to flatten the lumbar spine while the PT passively extends the tested hip off the table edge. If the thigh cannot reach the table, what does this suggest?

A.Tightness of the hip flexors (iliopsoas/rectus femoris), as measured by the Thomas test

B.A positive FABER test for hip or sacroiliac pathology

C.Weakness of the gluteus medius (Trendelenburg sign)

D.A meniscal tear detected by McMurray's test

Explanation: The Thomas test assesses hip flexor length; inability of the thigh to reach neutral (extension) indicates iliopsoas or rectus femoris tightness.

5Which single test reproduces pain by flexing, abducting, and externally rotating the hip while stabilizing the opposite ASIS, and is used to screen for hip or sacroiliac joint pathology?

A.FABER (Patrick's) test

B.Ober's test

C.Thessaly test

D.Straight leg raise

Explanation: FABER (Flexion, ABduction, External Rotation), also called Patrick's test, reproduces pain from hip pathology or sacroiliac joint dysfunction when the knee cannot lower toward the table or when it provokes SI-region pain.

6During a straight leg raise test, reproduction of radiating leg pain between roughly 30-70 degrees of hip flexion is most suggestive of tension on which structure?

A.A lumbosacral nerve root (e.g., from disc herniation)

B.The hamstring muscle belly only

C.The sacroiliac ligament

D.The iliotibial band

Explanation: The straight leg raise reproduces radicular symptoms by placing tension on the sciatic nerve roots (commonly L4-S1); pain in the 30-70 degree arc is considered a positive neural tension sign.

7The slump test sequentially adds thoracolumbar flexion, cervical flexion, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion. Reproduction of familiar symptoms that partially resolve with cervical extension supports what conclusion?

A.A positive finding for adverse neural tension along the spinal cord/nerve root pathway

B.A structural meniscal tear

C.Primary hip joint capsular restriction

D.An isolated hamstring strain unrelated to the nervous system

Explanation: The slump test is a neurodynamic test; symptom reproduction that changes with a remote sensitizing movement (cervical extension) supports a neural rather than purely musculoskeletal source.

8Spurling's test is performed by passively extending, laterally flexing, and rotating the cervical spine toward the symptomatic side while applying gentle axial compression. A positive test (reproduction of radicular arm symptoms) supports which diagnosis?

A.Cervical nerve root compression (cervical radiculopathy)

B.Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

C.Thoracic outlet syndrome exclusively

D.Carpal tunnel syndrome

Explanation: Spurling's test narrows the intervertebral foramen on the side of rotation/lateral flexion, reproducing radicular symptoms in patients with cervical nerve root compression.

9Phalen's test is performed by holding the wrists in maximal flexion for about 60 seconds. Reproduction of numbness/tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger supports which diagnosis?

A.Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve compression)

B.Ulnar tunnel syndrome (Guyon's canal)

C.De Quervain's tenosynovitis

D.Cubital tunnel syndrome

Explanation: Phalen's test increases pressure within the carpal tunnel; reproduction of median nerve distribution symptoms supports a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

10On manual muscle testing using the standard 0-5 (Medical Research Council-based) grading scale, a grade of 3/5 corresponds to which finding?

A.The patient completes the full available range of motion against gravity but tolerates no manual resistance

B.A trace, visible muscle contraction with no joint movement

C.Full range of motion against gravity with maximal resistance

D.No palpable or visible muscle contraction

Explanation: Grade 3/5 on manual muscle testing indicates the muscle can move the joint through its full range against gravity but cannot tolerate any added manual resistance.

About the NPTE Exam

The NPTE is the national licensure exam required for physical therapist licensure in all U.S. jurisdictions. It emphasizes clinical reasoning across body systems, safe intervention, and professional judgment.

Questions

225 scored questions

Time Limit

5 hours

Passing Score

600 scaled score

Exam Fee

$485 exam fee (+ $112 Prometric test-center fee) (FSBPT / Prometric)

NPTE Exam Content Outline

44-54 items

Musculoskeletal System

Examination, differential screening, and intervention decisions for movement dysfunction and pain presentations

39-48 items

Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems

Neuro exam measures, diagnosis-informed reasoning, and functional intervention planning

22-27 items

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

Physiologic monitoring, exercise tolerance testing, and cardiopulmonary intervention progression

8-11 items

Integumentary System

Wound assessment, pressure management, and skin integrity protection in PT care

21-34 items

Other Body Systems

Metabolic/endocrine, GI/GU/lymphatic, and system-interaction reasoning in PT management

9-12 items

Equipment, Devices, and Modalities

Assistive devices, orthotics, and adjunct modality selection with safety screening

12-17 items

Safety, Professional Responsibilities, and Research

Risk management, ethics, documentation, and evidence-based clinical decision-making

How to Pass the NPTE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 600 scaled score
Exam length: 225 questions
Time limit: 5 hours
Exam fee: $485 exam fee (+ $112 Prometric test-center fee)

Keys to Passing

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

NPTE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritize the largest blueprint ranges first: musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems

2Practice exam-style clinical reasoning, not recall alone: screening, safety, and progression decisions are frequently tested

3Use timed mixed sets to build 5-hour exam pacing and stamina

4Track misses by domain and adjust your weekly plan to close the highest-impact gaps

5Review safety/professional/EBP items every week to avoid losing points in lower-weight but high-leverage categories

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NPTE for physical therapists?

FSBPT describes the NPTE for PT as a 225-question exam with a 5-hour test window. Questions are delivered by computer at approved testing channels.

What score do I need to pass NPTE?

The NPTE uses scaled scoring, and FSBPT lists 600 as the passing scaled score for licensure decisions.

What are the NPTE test windows in 2026?

FSBPT's NPTE candidate services page lists PT windows on January 27-29, 2026; April 29-30, 2026; July 29-30, 2026; and October 28-29, 2026. Confirm seat availability in your FSBPT account before scheduling.

How much does the NPTE cost in 2026 planning?

FSBPT lists a $485 NPTE exam registration fee, and the handbook notes an additional $112 fee for appointments at Prometric test centers.

Which NPTE content areas are tested the most?

In the current FSBPT PT content outline, Musculoskeletal (44-54 items) and Neuromuscular/Nervous Systems (39-48 items) are the largest body-system ranges, followed by Cardiovascular/Pulmonary (22-27 items).

How should I prepare for NPTE effectively?

Use domain-weighted preparation: 1) prioritize musculoskeletal and neuro scenarios, 2) practice clinical differential reasoning and safe progression, 3) run timed mixed sets weekly, and 4) review rationale patterns and missed-domain trends after each session.