Occupational Therapy Exam (NBCOT)
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary goal of occupational therapy?
A. Diagnose medical conditions
B. Improve participation in meaningful daily activities
C. Perform surgical procedures
D. Prescribe medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals participate as
independently as possible in meaningful occupations such as self-care, work,
education, and leisure.
2. Which organization administers the national certification examination for
occupational therapists in the United States?
A. AOTA
B. NBCOT
C. AMA
D. ACOTE
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
administers the certification examination for occupational therapists.
,3. Which occupation is considered an activity of daily living (ADL)?
A. Driving to work
B. Bathing
C. Shopping for groceries
D. Managing finances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bathing is a basic activity of daily living (ADL). Shopping and managing
finances are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
4. Which occupation is classified as an instrumental activity of daily living
(IADL)?
A. Dressing
B. Feeding
C. Meal preparation
D. Toileting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Meal preparation is an IADL because it supports independent
community living.
5. Which OT process step occurs first?
A. Intervention
B. Evaluation
C. Outcomes review
D. Discharge planning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation is the first step and includes gathering information to
determine occupational performance needs.
,6. Which ethical principle requires treating all clients fairly?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness and equitable treatment of all clients.
7. Which ethical principle requires telling the truth?
A. Veracity
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Veracity requires honesty in communication with clients.
8. Which ethical principle supports a client's right to make personal decisions?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes the client's right to make informed choices.
9. Which body system primarily controls voluntary movement?
A. Digestive system
B. Nervous system
, C. Endocrine system
D. Respiratory system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nervous system coordinates voluntary movement through the
brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
10. Which joint allows the greatest range of motion?
A. Hinge joint
B. Ball-and-socket joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ball-and-socket joints, such as the shoulder, allow movement in
multiple planes.
11. Which muscle contraction occurs without a change in muscle length?
A. Isotonic
B. Isometric
C. Concentric
D. Eccentric
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Isometric contractions generate force without changing muscle length.
12. Which developmental milestone is typically achieved first?
A. Walking independently
B. Rolling over
C. Running
D. Jumping
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary goal of occupational therapy?
A. Diagnose medical conditions
B. Improve participation in meaningful daily activities
C. Perform surgical procedures
D. Prescribe medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals participate as
independently as possible in meaningful occupations such as self-care, work,
education, and leisure.
2. Which organization administers the national certification examination for
occupational therapists in the United States?
A. AOTA
B. NBCOT
C. AMA
D. ACOTE
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
administers the certification examination for occupational therapists.
,3. Which occupation is considered an activity of daily living (ADL)?
A. Driving to work
B. Bathing
C. Shopping for groceries
D. Managing finances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bathing is a basic activity of daily living (ADL). Shopping and managing
finances are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
4. Which occupation is classified as an instrumental activity of daily living
(IADL)?
A. Dressing
B. Feeding
C. Meal preparation
D. Toileting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Meal preparation is an IADL because it supports independent
community living.
5. Which OT process step occurs first?
A. Intervention
B. Evaluation
C. Outcomes review
D. Discharge planning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation is the first step and includes gathering information to
determine occupational performance needs.
,6. Which ethical principle requires treating all clients fairly?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Justice refers to fairness and equitable treatment of all clients.
7. Which ethical principle requires telling the truth?
A. Veracity
B. Fidelity
C. Autonomy
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Veracity requires honesty in communication with clients.
8. Which ethical principle supports a client's right to make personal decisions?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes the client's right to make informed choices.
9. Which body system primarily controls voluntary movement?
A. Digestive system
B. Nervous system
, C. Endocrine system
D. Respiratory system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nervous system coordinates voluntary movement through the
brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
10. Which joint allows the greatest range of motion?
A. Hinge joint
B. Ball-and-socket joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ball-and-socket joints, such as the shoulder, allow movement in
multiple planes.
11. Which muscle contraction occurs without a change in muscle length?
A. Isotonic
B. Isometric
C. Concentric
D. Eccentric
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Isometric contractions generate force without changing muscle length.
12. Which developmental milestone is typically achieved first?
A. Walking independently
B. Rolling over
C. Running
D. Jumping
