National Physical Therapy Examination Scores from 2023 and 2024 Cohorts in the United States

Authors

Richard Cahanin, Northern Arizona UniversityFollow
James W. Farris, Arkansas State UniversityFollow
Tara Andrews, University of South AlabamaFollow
Preston Warren, University of South AlabamaFollow
Jennifer Patterson, University of South AlabamaFollow
Shawn Drake, University of South AlabamaFollow
Barry Dale, University of TennesseeFollow

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine which student academic performance variables within physical therapy education programs most strongly predicted NPTE scores. Methods: A prospective, multi-institutional cohort study with 228 doctoral physical therapy students representing the 2023 and 2024 cohorts was conducted. Hierarchical multiple linear regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to evaluate research hypotheses. Results: No significant difference in NPTE scores between the 2023 and 2024 cohorts was found (p = .936). A streamlined model identified 2-year DPT GPA (p < .001), total PEAT score (p = .004), and total GRE score (p = .046) as the most significant predictors, which accounted for 37.8% of NPTE score variance. A composite NPTE prediction score less than 624.710 was associated with approximately a 44% chance of failure. Conclusion: Student academic performance, encompassing both pre- and post-admission metrics, accounted for less than half of the variance in NPTE scores. Comprehensive in-program metrics, such as 2-year DPT GPA and total PEAT score, were the strongest predictors of NPTE score. The 2024 NPTE format revision had no adverse effects on student performance compared to the 2023 version. Recommendation: A composite NPTE prediction score < 644 among students who have completed 2-years of didactic work in a traditional physical therapy educational program, the Graduate Record Examination, and the retired NPTE form of the Practice Exam and Assessment Tool may be at risk of failing the NPTE. Also, lower performance within courses emphasizing musculoskeletal disorder or orthopedic content may be an early indicator of students falling into the “at-risk” category. Students “at-risk” of failing the NPTE may benefit from additional resources to help them prepare for the NPTE.

Author Bio(s)

Richard Cahanin PT, DPT, PhD is an associate professor within the Department of Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ., USA.

James W Farris PT, PhD is an associate professor and Program Director within the Department of Physical Therapy at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR., USA.

Tara Andrews PT, DPT, NCS is an assistant professor and assistant director of clinical education within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL., USA.

Preston Warren PT, DPT, MD is an assistant professor within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL., USA.

Jennifer Patterson is the Coordinator for Admissions and Clinical Education within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL., USA.

Shawn Drake PT, PhD, EP, CSCS is a Professor, Director, and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL., USA. She is a fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Institute.

R. Barry DalePT, DPT, PhD, MBA, OCS, SCS, ATC, CSCS is a Professor, Director, and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN., USA.

Acknowledgements

None

Recommended Citation

Cahanin R, Farris JW, Andrews T, Warren P, Patterson J, Drake S, et al. National Physical Therapy Examination Scores from 2023 and 2024 Cohorts in the United States. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Mar 03;24(1), Article 15.