Prepare for the CDCES Exam
Prepare
Review
Review the exam content outline (ECO) and use it to assess your readiness. The ECO will help you identify any potential knowledge gaps.
When doing the self-assessment, focus on areas that fall outside your day to-day experiences in your current practice setting.
When doing the self-assessment, focus on areas that fall outside your day to-day experiences in your current practice setting.
Examples
For example, Jane typically partners with adults with type 2 diabetes, so she’d want to review the ECO thinking about a patient population that falls outside of her current one, e.g., conduct the self-assessment considering how a pediatric population with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes might be different and where that might help identify areas of study.
Or, if you are a registered dietitian nutritionist, you may also want focus on areas that might be outside the usual scope of your discipline. For example, Diane, a registered dietitian nutritionist, might look over the ECO looking for nursing- or pharmacist-focused tasks or Erin, a pharmacist, might look at dietetic or nursing-focused tasks.
For topics that you’d like to focus on, you might want to consider finding a continuing education activity or other resource that will meet your needs. CBDCE does not offer courses or test preparation materials, other than the practice exam. For a list of exam preparation resources, review the Exam Handbook.
Or, if you are a registered dietitian nutritionist, you may also want focus on areas that might be outside the usual scope of your discipline. For example, Diane, a registered dietitian nutritionist, might look over the ECO looking for nursing- or pharmacist-focused tasks or Erin, a pharmacist, might look at dietetic or nursing-focused tasks.
For topics that you’d like to focus on, you might want to consider finding a continuing education activity or other resource that will meet your needs. CBDCE does not offer courses or test preparation materials, other than the practice exam. For a list of exam preparation resources, review the Exam Handbook.
Exam Handbook
Review the Exam Handbook which includes
- Exam Content Outline
- Information on studying
- Sample questions
- References
- Policy on when new information can be tested
Take the practice exam to increase your confidence on exam day. You can learn more details about it in the Exam Handbook.
The practice exam allows you to
Take the practice exam to increase your confidence on exam day. It costs $55.
The practice exam allows you to
- Practice using the time allotted in relation to the full exam
- Understand how questions are structured and formatted
- See how the exam will look on the screen and how to move through the exam questions
Take the practice exam to increase your confidence on exam day. It costs $55.
Studying
To do your best on the exam, you should work on developing effective study strategies.
- Establish a timetable to focus your study efforts.
- Set a modest amount of time aside each day to study, rather than studying for several hours at a time.
- Form a study group with other health professionals providing diabetes education in your area.
- Read the exam tips brochure. It includes suggestions and tips to assist you prepare for the exam. You'll get ideas that can be incorporated into your study plan and for information that might be helpful on exam day.