Retired Physical Therapist
Examination Assessment Tool
(PEAT) Exam Review 2026/2027
Description: This revision set provides 200 exam-style multiple-choice questions
covering the major content areas of the physical therapy licensing examination,
including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and other
systems, plus professional practice, research, and modality topics. Each question
includes four options with the correct answer clearly marked.
Key Words: Physical Therapy, PEAT, NPTE, Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular,
Cardiopulmonary, Integumentary, Modalities, Special Tests, Gait, Ethics, Research,
Differential Diagnosis, Rehabilitation, Outcome Measures.
Section 1: Musculoskeletal System
1. Which special test is most commonly used to assess for an anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) tear?
A. McMurray test
B. Lachman test ✅
C. Apprehension test
D. Thomas test
2. A patient reports pain with overhead activities and has a positive Neer
impingement test. Which condition is most likely?
A. Rotator cuff tendinopathy ✅
B. Adhesive capsulitis
,C. Acromioclavicular joint sprain
D. Glenohumeral dislocation
3. Which muscle is the primary extensor of the knee?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris ✅
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
4. The Thomas test is used to assess:
A. Hip flexor tightness ✅
B. Hamstring flexibility
C. Quadriceps strength
D. IT band tightness
5. Which condition is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder that
progressively limits both active and passive range of motion?
A. Rotator cuff tear
B. Adhesive capsulitis ✅
C. Shoulder impingement
D. Biceps tendinitis
6. A positive Phalen test is associated with:
A. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✅
B. Cubital tunnel syndrome
C. De Quervain tenosynovitis
D. Trigger finger
7. The McMurray test is used to detect:
A. Meniscal tear ✅
B. ACL tear
C. Patellofemoral syndrome
D. Hip labral tear
,8. Which ligament prevents anterior translation of the tibia on the femur?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Anterior cruciate ligament ✅
C. Medial collateral ligament
D. Lateral collateral ligament
9. A patient with a positive Drop Arm test likely has:
A. Rotator cuff tear ✅
B. Frozen shoulder
C. Shoulder dislocation
D. Acromioclavicular sprain
10. Which of the following is a common cause of plantar heel pain?
A. Plantar fasciitis ✅
B. Achilles tendon rupture
C. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
D. Stress fracture of the fibula
11. The FABER test is used to assess:
A. Hip pathology ✅
B. Knee instability
C. Ankle sprain
D. Lumbar radiculopathy
12. Which structure is most commonly injured in an ankle inversion sprain?
A. Deltoid ligament
B. Anterior talofibular ligament ✅
C. Calcaneofibular ligament
D. Posterior talofibular ligament
13. A patient with lateral epicondylitis typically reports pain with:
A. Wrist flexion
B. Wrist extension ✅
, C. Elbow flexion
D. Shoulder abduction
14. Which test assesses for a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?
A. Lachman test
B. Posterior drawer test ✅
C. McMurray test
D. Valgus stress test
15. The Ober test is used to assess tightness of the:
A. Iliotibial band ✅
B. Hip flexors
C. Hamstrings
D. Piriformis
16. Which condition presents with a positive Trendelenburg sign?
A. Hip abductor weakness ✅
B. Quadriceps weakness
C. Hamstring tightness
D. Ankle instability
17. A patient with a Bankart lesion most likely has a history of:
A. Shoulder dislocation ✅
B. Knee dislocation
C. Hip fracture
D. Ankle fracture
18. The Squeeze test is used to assess for:
A. Syndesmotic ankle injury ✅
B. Achilles tendon rupture
C. Plantar fasciitis
D. Tibial stress fracture
Examination Assessment Tool
(PEAT) Exam Review 2026/2027
Description: This revision set provides 200 exam-style multiple-choice questions
covering the major content areas of the physical therapy licensing examination,
including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and other
systems, plus professional practice, research, and modality topics. Each question
includes four options with the correct answer clearly marked.
Key Words: Physical Therapy, PEAT, NPTE, Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular,
Cardiopulmonary, Integumentary, Modalities, Special Tests, Gait, Ethics, Research,
Differential Diagnosis, Rehabilitation, Outcome Measures.
Section 1: Musculoskeletal System
1. Which special test is most commonly used to assess for an anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) tear?
A. McMurray test
B. Lachman test ✅
C. Apprehension test
D. Thomas test
2. A patient reports pain with overhead activities and has a positive Neer
impingement test. Which condition is most likely?
A. Rotator cuff tendinopathy ✅
B. Adhesive capsulitis
,C. Acromioclavicular joint sprain
D. Glenohumeral dislocation
3. Which muscle is the primary extensor of the knee?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris ✅
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
4. The Thomas test is used to assess:
A. Hip flexor tightness ✅
B. Hamstring flexibility
C. Quadriceps strength
D. IT band tightness
5. Which condition is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder that
progressively limits both active and passive range of motion?
A. Rotator cuff tear
B. Adhesive capsulitis ✅
C. Shoulder impingement
D. Biceps tendinitis
6. A positive Phalen test is associated with:
A. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✅
B. Cubital tunnel syndrome
C. De Quervain tenosynovitis
D. Trigger finger
7. The McMurray test is used to detect:
A. Meniscal tear ✅
B. ACL tear
C. Patellofemoral syndrome
D. Hip labral tear
,8. Which ligament prevents anterior translation of the tibia on the femur?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Anterior cruciate ligament ✅
C. Medial collateral ligament
D. Lateral collateral ligament
9. A patient with a positive Drop Arm test likely has:
A. Rotator cuff tear ✅
B. Frozen shoulder
C. Shoulder dislocation
D. Acromioclavicular sprain
10. Which of the following is a common cause of plantar heel pain?
A. Plantar fasciitis ✅
B. Achilles tendon rupture
C. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
D. Stress fracture of the fibula
11. The FABER test is used to assess:
A. Hip pathology ✅
B. Knee instability
C. Ankle sprain
D. Lumbar radiculopathy
12. Which structure is most commonly injured in an ankle inversion sprain?
A. Deltoid ligament
B. Anterior talofibular ligament ✅
C. Calcaneofibular ligament
D. Posterior talofibular ligament
13. A patient with lateral epicondylitis typically reports pain with:
A. Wrist flexion
B. Wrist extension ✅
, C. Elbow flexion
D. Shoulder abduction
14. Which test assesses for a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?
A. Lachman test
B. Posterior drawer test ✅
C. McMurray test
D. Valgus stress test
15. The Ober test is used to assess tightness of the:
A. Iliotibial band ✅
B. Hip flexors
C. Hamstrings
D. Piriformis
16. Which condition presents with a positive Trendelenburg sign?
A. Hip abductor weakness ✅
B. Quadriceps weakness
C. Hamstring tightness
D. Ankle instability
17. A patient with a Bankart lesion most likely has a history of:
A. Shoulder dislocation ✅
B. Knee dislocation
C. Hip fracture
D. Ankle fracture
18. The Squeeze test is used to assess for:
A. Syndesmotic ankle injury ✅
B. Achilles tendon rupture
C. Plantar fasciitis
D. Tibial stress fracture
