Top NPTE Study Resources by Subject (And How to Use Them Right)
Preparing for the NPTE in 2025?
You don’t need to read everything — you need to read smart and practice smarter.
Here’s a subject-wise breakdown of the most trusted NPTE books (based on what DPT students still swear by), and how to combine them with ExamLoom’s level-based practice system to actually pass the exam.
Musculoskeletal: Use Dutton — Practice with ExamLoom Level 1–4 MSK
Book to know:
Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention
Why it helps:
- Covers biomechanical assessment, special tests, gait, and rehab strategies
- Great for clinical reasoning in orthopedic cases
How to master it:
- Read 1–2 chapters/week max
- Then use ExamLoom MSK questions by level:
- Level 1 = muscle actions, goniometry
- Level 2 = injury patterns, tests
- Level 3–4 = full ortho case management
Neuromuscular: Use O’Sullivan — Apply with Neuro Packs on ExamLoom
Book to know:
O’Sullivan’s Physical Rehabilitation (F.A. Davis)
Why it helps:
- Excellent for neurodevelopmental sequences, gait analysis, tone/spasticity, and PNF
- Critical for NPTE neuro case understanding
How to use it well:
- Focus on sections about strokes, SCI, Parkinson’s, balance tests
- Then solve Neuro Level 1–4 questions on ExamLoom:
- Level 2 = Brunnstrom + Rancho
- Level 4 = multi-step interventions, assistive device decision making
Cardiopulmonary: Use Hillegass or Goodman — Test it on ExamLoom
Books to reference:
- Hillegass: Essentials of Cardiopulmonary PT
- Goodman: Pathology for the Physical Therapist
Why they help:
- Cover EKGs, vitals, pulmonary rehab, heart sounds, and red flags
- Helpful for both CP and systemic questions
What to do next:
- Review just 2–3 key CP conditions/week
- Take CP-focused Level 1–3 questions on ExamLoom
- Practice vitals interpretation + airway clearance in Level 4
Integumentary & Other Systems: Use Goodman — Then Go Clinical
Book to reference:
Goodman & Fuller: Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy
Why it helps:
- Helps identify red/yellow flags, oncology, endocrine and autoimmune conditions
- Critical for “safe to treat or refer out” questions
How to apply it:
- Use it for quick review of differential flowcharts
- Then attempt ExamLoom Other Systems & Integ questions (Level 2–4)
- Burns, lymphedema, cancer staging, wound grading
- Decision-making on referrals and precautions
Non-Systems: Use Fairchild + Practice Non-Systems Packs
Books to know:
Fairchild’s Principles and Techniques of Patient Care
Why it helps:
- Covers assistive devices, safety, transfers, documentation
- Crucial for “non-academic” but test-heavy NPTE content
What works best:
- Watch patient care skills on YouTube
- Practice Non-System Level 1–4 questions on ExamLoom
- Ethics, ADA laws, outcome measures, wheelchairs
Final Strategy: Don’t Just Read — Apply Every Chapter with Questions
For every chapter you revise, make it a rule:
“10 pages read = 10 questions practiced”
That’s where ExamLoom shines:
- Practice by subject
- Filter by difficulty level
- Identify weak zones early
- Build real confidence, not just theory
Try this now:
Take ExamLoom’s free 10-question sample and see where you stand across subjects.
Then start practicing smart, subject-by-subject — guided by the same books you already trust.
Read with purpose.
Practice with precision.
Pass with confidence.
