-
-
Engage with us and deepen your learning
Sign up and get access to the free Essential Chinese Herb Learning course.
Update : I passed! :)
As I said before, I’ve been spending a significant amount of time studying for and taking my NCCAOM acupuncture board exams. As I said in my last post…
“…I’ve successfully completed the foundations and biomedicine exams already. I found them to be much different from what I was expecting. I know I am not allowed to share much about my experience – but I’ll just say that I don’t think any commercially available study aid helped me…”
This includes the much lauded TCMTests.com. Don’t get me wrong, I think they offer a great service. If nothing else, they allow you to have some degree of comfort with the format and general content of the test. However, the specific topics covered in the real test were not touched on much by the practice tests on that site or on the official NCCAOM site. Others may not share my experience, I know.
As an alternative, I recommend you go through the list offered by NCCAOM (content outline) and read through the texts they indicate as sources for question writing. I found that these outlines were quite accurate, and I would pay attention even to those topics that seem less important. While some of the more minor subjects may not come up often, one really unexpected question can really throw you off your rhythm.
Also, it will help you to be a good test taker and – perhaps most importantly – to be lucky. 
Now, I’m studying for the “big one,” the exam about acupuncture and point location. I actually postponed the test once, because as I dove into studying the material I really found out how unprepared I am – at least by my reckoning. Why? Certainly not because my education has lacked quality. It doesn’t reflect on my ability to treat patients. It doesn’t reflect on some lack of scholarly rigor on my part. Quite the reverse is true, I think. Why?
Simply, NCNM doesn’t teach to the test. We don’t read Maciocia as a textbook. We learn TCM pattern differentiation, sure, but we learn so much more that is (in my opinion) far more compelling. So, as students, most of us choose not to focus much on the TCM stuff we are taught. Even those professors who might be thought of as “more TCM” on our faculty have a wealth of Classical information and clinical pearls they are constantly divulging – so the TCM stuff tends to get swept under the rug a bit. So, what’s a guy to do?
Ironically, now at the end of my education, I feel that I’ve finally settled on some winning learning strategies. As I studied for this test, I started to use every trick in the book to get the stuff to stick. I had huge pieces of easel pad paper taped up all over my house, I was using innovative mindmapping software, I was making flashcards, I was making diagrams… All of these strategies were definitely helping, but then I ran across an article discussing multiple intelligences, then through some web searching another one about the VARK learning styles theory. The particulars aren’t super important, but it got me thinking about how I learn most effectively.
For me, it’s all about the auditory. I learn very well from lectures – even better if I record them and listen to them a hundred times. I learn well from music, from silly songs, and also from speaking things aloud. It was a small insight, but when I really realized this – I went to town with it. I’d like to share some of the strategies I am using that appeal to my auditory learning style. I should mention that I feel that I learn quite well from reading and writing things as well – but I wanted to talk particularly about the auditory aspects today.
1. I am a big fan of Cal Newport’s blog, Study Hacks. Among a lot of other great advice, he recommends that students use a method called “quiz and recall.” Using this method, you collapse lecture notes (or other material) into “big ideas” with one sentence prompts. You then move through those one sentence prompts and give a pretend lecture to nobody in particular. I do this in the backyard, pacing through my living room and on my daily walks. You can follow the link above to learn more.
With the material I’m studying now, I’ve had to alter the method a little bit. Because I’m not really working off of any notes, I simply let my prompt be the name of a channel or TCM syndrome. With the latter, I actually break it down a bit – working off of a list of diseases and their differentiations. So, I might come to a prompt that says Gan Mao due to Wind-cold. Then I lecture passionately concerning the points involved, their categories and locations, the needling method employed and so on. This has been incredibly powerful.
2. There are a couple of commercially available audio products designed to help you learn and review Chinese medicine related information. I’ve tried Tunes for Tangs and Songs for Sans as well as the product I review below. I’ll talk about Tunes for Tangs in another blog post in the future.
Radioqi.com offers a set of MP3′s called AcutherapeuticA that are meant to be used in learning and reviewing the acupuncture points by channel. These recordings include a soothing female voice speaking over some repetitive trip-hop style electronic music. The voice lists the point designator (HT1, etc), the Chinese name and an English translation, any pertinent categories (Yuan source, etc) and finally some basic TCM actions. Sometimes, they will offer a little more – such as a particular contraindication (like LI-4 being contraindicated in pregnancy). They also include a two-file set of the 100 most popular acupuncture points set against more upbeat music. I have not tried the second product, but I own several of the channels set over the more soothing music.
It’s undeniable that this product has helped jog my memory about some of the less used points. Because I’m largely an auditory learner, the stuff goes in my head with the music and sticks there. There is something quite compelling about the ability to go on a walk in the dawning summer sun and be studying at the same time. As I’ve discussed elsewhere, and doubtless will again, I’m a huge fan of audio learning for that very reason. However, I’m very disappointed that Radioqi has not included location information! I also feel that the voice speaks a little too quickly through the action information. Because of these shortcomings, and also because I can’t afford the ~$100 it takes to buy all the channels, I hit on one final (and my favorite) acupuncture audio learning solution.
3. I have a MacBook, which has a great built-in microphone. I also own the excellent free audio editing program Audacity. Sitting here, frustrated with my limited choices as far as audio learning of acupuncture goes, I hit on a natural solution. Make my own MP3′s! I simply recorded myself reading out of my favorite text for studying for the acupuncture exam (link broken – no longer available online), adding commentary as I thought of it. For instance, when talking about a Yuan source point, I might mention e
verything I know about that category of point. In a couple of instances, I played the excellent Yi Ching Music for the Health CDs, in the background, using the element corresponding to the channel I was studying. I then exported these as WAV files from Audacity, and added them to my iTunes library, converting them to MP3s in the process. Finally, I loaded these onto my iPhone for listening to on the go.
While it’s a bit weird listening to myself talking about acupuncture channels, it has been very helpful. The points are sticking in a way they haven’t before. I’m going to try this technique for syndrome differentiation as well. After this exam, when my time opens up a bit, I plan to use some version of this technique to continue learning about formulas.
If you know of other audio learning techniques – let us know in the comments!
Hey Eric!
I have found myself in exactly the same situation as you! When studying points I found just reading them very tedious, and I love my iPhone and listening to music on it and have it with me all the time so, used a voice record app to record the points and then exported and reimported them again as mp3. It’s not perfect, its my voice and there is no music in the background which I wish I had added. I recorded them as channel groups rather than each point so I can only skip between each channel which is a bit of a pain. When combined with a couple of Acupoint apps (neither of which are perfect) its a pretty good solution that suits my geeky needs. There is definate room for improvement though!
Hey Eric,
Good to hear from you again, you’ve been missed.
Thanks for the good links, it’s the first time I see these websites.
I can totally understand why you wouldn’t want to spend too much time on studying the TCM stuff- while it works on certain levels (in my humble opinion and experience), it’s very stressful to study and not very interesting.
But then, wouldn’t you prefer to have some kind of workbook from your school to help you through these exams, which are- in my understanding- very TCM?
Or maybe you have it and I didn’t get that…
I hope you’ll do very well!
Take care,
Yael
Rob: Wow, it’s not just me! We should get together and record something for other folks. I’ve already heard from people who just aren’t willing to go through the trouble, but don’t like what’s available so far. Looks like a market has opened up for geeky folks like us.
Yael: I don’t think I would want my school to do that, no. The fact is that the exams change, and we already are given a complete listing of the topics in the test by the testing agency. I’d rather my school focus on things that matter, and allow me to find my own way to pass the exams. I’ve had no problem so far, they’re not exactly the most challenging things in the world. I’m just being extra cautious with this last one.
Also : great work on the redesign – I hope I can do something similar soon.
e
Inspired by this post, when I was supposed to be doing TCM revision after work, I had a play with Garageband and managed to put some of my itunes music to my read out points which makes my voice much more listenable!
hey eric,
i have a recording of the point locations, some soothing woman’s voice over hypnotic chords. it’s probably not useful to you anymore, but if it is i am happy to give it to you!
thanks for being a constant source of information and inspiration.
we’ll miss you, mr. president!
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the shout out on RadioQi.com and our AcutherapeuticA recordings on iTunes. FYI, I am still a student of Chinese Medicine here at Emperor’s College in Santa Monica,CA with a graduation date of 2010. Yea! Wanted to let you know, Eric, that I was inspired to create these recordings after experiencing exactly what you did. I worked with an esteemed professor, Dr. David Twicken, as our content editor (once I had compiled all the info from multiple and reliable sources, such as Deadman’s text). I also worked on AcutherapeuticA with Keith Kohn, a very talented friend of mine who composes music for TV & film here in Los Angeles. And over the course of several months compiled and recorded the points with English names, as well as pinion, along with their indications. This intensive project required that I individually raise several thousand dollars to produce the MP3 series (9 hours of recorded material!) professionally to the level of excellence I felt our profession deserves. I feel it is important to put a face and a name with our product to communicate to you and your readers that RadioQi.com was birthed by just another student like yourself. Currently, 10% of our net profits go to international children’s charities, so everyone can feel great about purchasing and downloading AcutherapeuticA. Additionally, Eric, I just want to note a very important correction to what your write up, and that is that the cost of AcutherapeuticA is not $100 for all the channels. It is an affordable $10 per album download (the same as most albums on iTunes), and some albums include several channels. The comprehensive material is actually summed up on only 6 albums (the ones with the soothing meditative music), and can be purchased in total for only$60…not $100. If someone wants the additional, techno groove mixes of the 101 most commonly used points, that’s only an additional 2 albums, again for just $10 per album. And important to note…RadioQi.com doesn’t set those prices…iTunes does. We have several more recordings in process and locations are among them, Eric, so stay tuned! And thanks again for the awesome shout out. AcutherapeuticA has been a very personal and dedicated labor of love, and I am very grateful for being able to be a part of it and inspire greater learning for all.
Hi Eric, thanks for your suggestions and articles.
Congratulations for passing two tests already.
I am a chinese medicine doctor in china . i would like to take NCCAOM test. However, The offcial website of NCCAOM lists so many reference books , most of them are the ones i could not get in china. so could you do me a favor please? could you tell me abotu the foundation and acupucnture and biomedicine. which reference books are the most important, which means i MUST have them? i mean based on your experience and what you got from the test paper, which books do you think are must read books? please write to me to dadulovespota@yahoo.com.cn
i need to work everyday as an acupucnturist in china so i have just a few hours to prepare the test every night . hope i can receive your reply soon . thanks so very much .
Good luck in your acupuncture exam.
Linlin
Hi,
I am just getting myself involved in the TCM, and I’m still at the research moment, trying to figure out which path, and school would be better for me. Would you be kind enough to tell me about your experiences in school, the potential outlook of your future career, the international opportunities ( as I have an interest in international work) , international / national licensing, which school is better ( i live in Canada, but am interested in any N. American schools), what to look in a school, etc… etc…
I would value your guidance very much.
ad.
Hi Eric!
I love reading your blog. I am an acupuncture apprentice. I have taken and passed the foundations and the biomedicine modules, and I agree, there was really no commercial aid that covered what was in them. I have taken the acupuncture with point location and not passed (!!) and am very cautious and nervous to take it again-I missed it by 4. I also am using audacity and going to sleep each night with my ipod reading back the meridian pathways, points names, locations, actions and indications. I find that to be very helpful, but I have difficulty with the point prescriptions. As an apprentice, we had a less standardized way of teaching/learning than a regular school I would imagine. How do you study the point prescriptions for specific ailments? I think the NCCAOM study guide is the best, but it does cover so much and the KSA’s kind of throw me off. Also, any recommendations for studying the 4 levels and 6 levels theories? We didn’t really cover guasha or cupping much and that is on there too. Eek!! Well, good luck to you!! Hope to hear good things about you passing!!
Hi Tara,
The exam you are attempting to pass is somewhat standardized, and TCM focused in nature. With that said, if your goal is to pass this exam, you need to purchase the following textbooks and study the point prescriptions contained within:
1. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (revised edition), ISBN 7-119-01758-6
If you study no other book for this exam, study this one! Crucial text!
2. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, author: Giovanni Maciocia
3. Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text, editors: John O’Connor & Dan Bensky
4. Practical Diagnosis in Tradition Chinese Medicine, author: Tietao Deng
5. The Acupuncturists Clinical Handbook, author: Jeffrey H. Jacob
6. Navigating the Channels of Traditional Chinese Medicine, author: Yitian Ni
BTW, #6 is concise and awesome! I highly recommend this book regardless of whether you use it for an certification exam or not.
For standardized tests, the best thing you can do study what the certifying board wants you to study, which means read the books they draw their questions from.
CAM (#1 listed above) is your safest bet to passing. Just review chapters 17 and 18.
Cheers,
Delia@RadioQi.com
Thank you Delia!
I have been reviewing those chapters, and taking some sample tests…do they really want us to memorize ALL the point combos in these chapters??
Thank you so much for the advice! I look forward to checking out your #6 suggestion. I am taking this exam for the 3rd time on Oct. 7. Here’s to Hoping! (I have been studying almost as much as I breathe!)
thanks again
Tara
This is for Tara Star…
I’m am interested in studying acupuncture as an apprentice and am curious about where/ with whom you study. I am looking at an opportunity to study with an individual in Mexico. Any more details and/or feedback is appreciated!
S
Eric, thanks so much for this post. I too became acquainted with my earning style only at the end of my time at NCNM; this would have benefited me greatly in my younger years. I am a TERRIBLE auditory learner! I used to tape lectures and listen, to no avail. Flashcards, notes, reading and reading…not much help either. It turns out that I am VERY affected by semantics, and am hugely a kinesthetic learner. Hula hooping while reciting the Krebbs Cycle, for example. I learned that I simply cannot study with others who need to be orators of the material, because it throws me way off!
I too will be taking NCCAOM boards this year, and I appreciate the tips you have presented in this posting! More gems are always appreciated.
Thanks for all the work you do promoting and investigating Chinese Medicine, and Happy New Year!
Cara
Cara – I’m so glad it was helpful! It’s sort of incredible how important this learning styles stuff is. I think that’s particularly true of a body-based knowledge like medicine. Anyway – thanks for your kind comment and Happy new Year to you as well!