QBL = Question-Based Learning
To operationally define QBL for our purposes in this post, what I mean is reviewing content based on the practice questions you complete and letting questions be your guide to prep. In relation to prepping for the Certified Nutrition Specialist exam, the reason question-based learning is not an effective strategy for studying is that the CNS exam content outline itself is dynamic. Meaning it changes over time based on a job analysis conducted on current CNSs. Being that the content outline can change every few years, trying to just focus on learning the content that shows up in practice questions is not a great strategy.
Another reason I don’t advocate for this type of learning is that the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) doesn’t produce its own question database. Even if they did, for the CNS exam, the process of arriving at the correct answer on the exam requires that you be familiar enough with the content to make the right associations to arrive at the correct answer. The CNS exam is different than the RD or registered dietician exam or any other healthcare exam you have probably taken. It is not classically defined as what would be considered a traditional standardized exam, like what you may have taken before or are familiar with – think SAT, ACT, NCLEX, MCAT, etc. Does this make sense?
This is my personal opinion after preparing, taking, and passing this exam on my first try. I actually really like the exam and the process the BCNS uses to develop it. It keeps content relevant for the test taker, and overall, it is really applicable to addressing and testing the skills and competencies we need as nutrition practitioners.
Can you take the most basic concepts and apply them to a case? Can you go beyond memory to application? How can you use your knowledge of the essential amino acids to help you answer a question about Phenylketonuria? How can you use your base knowledge about the essential vitamins and minerals to answer a question about optimizing carbohydrate metabolism in someone with Type 2 diabetes? Can you identify the metabolic kink in your client or patient’s health, given a set of conditions?
This exam is about how well you can apply what you know, not just about memory. Instead of using practice questions to guide your content review, I highly recommend wearing out that content outline and starting your exam prep review with the Principles of Nutrition domain. This content domain area, along with the Nutrients and Human Health domain, will help to give you a strong foundation for reviewing all the other content domains for the exam. Nail the basics, and then answering the more complex questions won’t be as hard. Is this making sense?
I definitely recommend completing practice questions and familiarizing yourself with case studies and putting on your practitioner cap as you study each domain and review/solve relevant cases during your exam prep time. It is so important to do this! Don’t let how little or how extensive your client experience is impede you from taking this exam! You are more qualified than you think.
In my personal process of preparing for this exam within 4 months after graduating from my nutrition master’s program a year and a half before, I front-loaded studying for this exam with content review and getting comfortable with recalling the basics. I used practice questions as checkups on my learning. What I discovered was that the more familiar I became with the exam content topics, the better I would perform on the practice questions whenever I took them. I aimed for around a 65-70% or higher when completing practice questions. In nutrition terms, I let PQs be my side dish and content review my main. I share this to give you insight into my experience, but please do what is best for you! If you want to hear more about my CNS Exam prep journey in my own words, subscribe to my YT channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NutritionPrepNotes
Videos are coming soon at the time of the writing of this post!
For an extensive list of the practice questions and resources I used to prepare for the exam, you can get those in my study strategy course called Strategies for Success.
My last piece of advice for this post is to study to understand, not to memorize! You can do this! Enforce dedicated study windows and allow yourself to get immersed in the material. You’ll come out of each study session with a fresh perspective. It’s hard work, but you can do this!
Also, let me know if you agree or disagree with this in the comments. What practice questions did you use to prep for the CNS Exam?
Wishing you the best in your journey!
It’s Time to Prep like you Mean It!
Zoie
Disclaimer: The designation Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) is an official trademark that is owned by the Board for Certification for Nutrition Specialists℠ (BCNS). This post is not affiliated with or endorsed by the BCNS or the American Nutrition Association (ANA).