It has likely been awhile since you have taken an important multiple choice exam, such as the MBLEx.

All 100 questions on the MBLEx are multiple choice, with four possible answers. Working on multiple choice test taking strategies in addition to your regular MBLEx study plan will help increase your chances of passing the exam.

The steps for multiple choice strategy are fairly simple.

First, read the question carefully.

Then, reread it. This time, pay special attention to superlatives (the suffix -est and most), absolutes or negatives (all, more, always, only, none, not, and never).

Third, try to think of the correct answer before looking at the four options.

Read all the options. Then read them again and watch for absolutes, negatives, or superlatives.

If you find the answer, select it and move on.

If you don’t know the answer, or find two possible answers, don’t panic. This is where you will begin eliminating options and increasing your odds of choosing the correct answer.

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From the FSMTB Website:

There is no single text recommended by FSMTB. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination reflects practice in the United States as determined by the most recent Job Analysis.

FSMTB’s item writers and examination development committee members frequently use the following texts as resources; however, the sources used are not limited to the books listed here.

The list is not comprehensive and does not imply that references not included on this list are inappropriate or of lesser value or quality than references that are included.

The list is presented to assist individuals in preparing for the examination; however, study of the following references will not guarantee that an individual will pass the examination.

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The MBLEx is scheduled to undergo some minor changes in July of 2014.

Although, you probably won’t even notice the changes unless you have taken the exam previously. I know you want to be as prepared as possible for your exam day, so let’s review what is going to happen.

Changes the FSMTB will implement have to do with how the MBLEx is weighted, or the number of questions you will be asked per category. Not all category percentages will be changed. I will detail these changes below.

The number of questions on the MBLEx will decrease from 125 to 100.

The amount of time allowed to complete the exam will decrease from 2 1/2 hours to 2 hours. Of this time, a maximum of five minutes is allotted to the security and confidentiality agreement and five minutes to a brief survey.

Another change has to do with how soon you can take the exam again after a failing attempt. If you do not pass the MBLEx after July 1st, you must wait thirty (30) days from the previous examination attempt before you take it again.

Before July 1st, the exam will be the same as it has been the past few years. Here are the current category percentages (until July 1st, 2014):

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Each year, thousands of people nervously pick up their exam score from the front desk at their Pearson Vue testing facility and find out they did not pass the MBLEx.

This result can bring on a lot of different emotions.

You are likely dealing with feelings of personal disappointment, or even jealousy of those classmates who passed their exam.

You also may feel as if you let those who have supported your massage endeavor down.

And the thought of taking and failing the MBLEx again may be consuming you with fear or anxiety.

But life is full of challenges like this; and challenges come our way to be hurdled, defeated, and make us stronger.

First, you need to decide if you want to take the MBLEx again.

And if you do, I want to help you better prepare yourself so you can pass this licensing exam and move forward with your massage career.

If you are willing, I would love to share a few of my tips and suggestions for taking (and passing!) the MBLEx on your next attempt.

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