Neurodiagnostic Niche Newsletter #5

This is Your Year to Getting Registered

Hi everyone,

Over the past several weeks we’ve discussed:

• Focusing on the process

• Staying connected to your “why”

• Showing up consistently

• Building stronger study habits

Now let’s talk about something that separates strong board candidates from everyone else:

Learning how to think like the exam.

🔍Quick Insight


Many candidates believe board exams are simply testing memorization.

They're not.

The exam is designed to evaluate whether you can recognize patterns, connect concepts, and apply knowledge in realistic situations.

Success comes from understanding why an answer is correct—not simply remembering that it is.
🧠 Deep Dive:

Thinking Like the Exam

One of the biggest shifts during board preparation is moving from learning information to applying information.

Here are three ways to begin developing an exam-focused mindset.

1) Look for the Key Clue

Board questions often provide one or two pieces of information that point directly toward the answer.

Train yourself to identify clues such as:

• Patient age

• Clinical history

• State of consciousness

• EEG pattern description

• Common artifact characteristics

When reviewing questions, ask yourself:

"What clue led me to the answer?"

The more you practice this skill, the faster pattern recognition develops.

2) Understand Why the Wrong Answers Are Wrong

Many candidates review only the correct answer.

A better approach is reviewing every answer choice.

Ask:

• Why is the correct answer right?

• Why is each incorrect answer wrong?

This strengthens understanding and helps prevent similar mistakes on future questions.

Sometimes the greatest learning happens after getting a question wrong.

3) Think in Clinical Scenarios

EEG doesn't exist in isolation.

Board questions often connect EEG findings to real-world patient situations.

As you study, consider:

• What does this pattern look like?

• What patient might I see this in?

• Why is this finding important?

Connecting EEG concepts to patient care improves retention and makes information easier to recall during the exam.
🎯Tip of the Week

Create an "Exam Clue List."

As you study, write down recurring clues that appear in practice questions.

For example:

• Sleep spindles → Stage N2 sleep

• Eye movement artifact → Frontal predominance

• Generalized spike-and-wave → Generalized epilepsy

• Breach rhythm → Skull defect

Over time you'll begin noticing patterns in how questions are written and how answers are tested.

Those patterns can become powerful study tools.

🔗From the Site

This month we'll continue focusing on:

• EEG pattern recognition

• Common board-tested concepts

• Artifact identification

• Clinical correlations

• Exam-style question strategies

The goal is not just learning more information.

It's learning how to use the information you've already studied.

You can always explore more tips, resources, and tools on the site anytime.

Just click here.
💬Closing Thought

The candidates who pass aren't necessarily the ones who study the most hours.

They're often the ones who learn how to recognize patterns, think critically, and apply what they've learned.

Keep building one concept at a time.

The confidence you're looking for comes from repetition, understanding, and practice—not perfection.

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know

If you want more tips to your inbox – please be sure to follow by entering your email address on the site.

This is public, please share. Much appreciated!

Are You Interested in Board Prep?

Are you eligible to take the board exam? or Are you ready to start the process of preparing for the exam?

Reach out to today to hear how board prep lessons can help you on your journey!

Just email me @ Rtompkins@TompkinsAssociates.com for more information.

This is Your Year to Getting Registered!

Neurodiagnostic Niche Newsletter #4

This is Your Year to Getting Registered

Hi everyone,

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about:

• Focusing on the process


• Staying connected to your “why”


• Showing up consistently—even on difficult days.

Now it’s time for the next step:

EEG board prep content

🔍 Quick Insight


Confidence comes from repeatedly learning, reviewing, and recognizing patterns over time.
That’s how successful technologists prepare for boards.

Not by cramming.
Not by memorizing everything at once.

But by steadily building familiarity with the material until concepts begin to feel recognizable instead of overwhelming.
🧠 Deep Dive:

How to Study EEG More Effectively

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is trying to study EEG passively.
Reading alone is rarely enough.

EEG learning improves when you actively engage with the material.

Here are three ways to make your study sessions more effective:

1) Study Patterns, Not Just Definitions
EEG is visual and pattern-based.

Instead of only memorizing terminology, train yourself to recognize:

• Normal variants

• Artifacts

• Seizure patterns

• Slowing patterns

• State changes

Review each point above 1 by 1.
The more examples you see, the more natural interpretation becomes.

2) Focus on High-Yield Concepts First
You do not need to master every advanced concept immediately.

Start with:

• Basic waveforms

• Normal awake and sleep patterns

• Common artifacts

• Fundamental epilepsy terminology

• Pattern recognition basics

Strong fundamentals make advanced topics much easier later.
Again review each topic above 1 by 1.

3) Use Repetition Intentionally
One review session won’t make something stick forever.

Revisit concepts multiple times:

• Quick daily reviews

• Question practice

• Looking at EEG examples repeatedly

• Teaching concepts back to yourself

Recognition grows through exposure.
🎯Tip of the Week

Start building a “Pattern Notebook.”
Click Here for a GREAT option on Amazon to help with this.
Print the notecard size waveforms and build your set of flash cards.

Each time you study:

• Write down one EEG pattern

• Add its key characteristics

• Include why it matters clinically

• Note common exam clues associated with it

Over time, you’ll create your own rapid-review guide for boards.

🔗From the Site

Over the next several weeks, we’ll begin integrating more:

• EEG board prep tips

• High-yield review concepts

• Pattern recognition strategies

• Clinical correlations

• Exam-style thinking

The goal isn’t just to help you study harder.
It’s to help you study smarter.

You can always explore more tips, resources, and tools on the site anytime.

Just click here.
💬Closing Thought

Board preparation can feel intimidating at first because there’s so much information to learn.

But remember:
No one masters EEG overnight.

Every technologist who became registered once sat exactly where you are now—learning one concept at a time.

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know

If you want more tips to your inbox – please be sure to follow by entering your email address on the site.

This is public, please share. Much appreciated!

Neurodiagnostic Niche Newsletter #3

This is Your Year to Getting Registered

Hi everyone,

Over the past two weeks, we’ve talked about:

  • Focusing on the process
  • Staying connected to your “why”

This week, let’s bring it all together with something you’ll face every single day while preparing:

Showing up—even when you don’t feel like it.

Stick with me and subscribe on the site – Next week we dive into content!

🔍 Quick Insight


Consistency isn’t built on motivation.


Everyone starts strong.
What separates successful candidates is their ability to keep going on the days that feel harder, busier, or less focused.
🧠 Deep Dive:

What Actually Builds Consistency

Motivation comes and goes—but habits are what carry you forward.
Here are three ways to stay on track, even on low-energy days:

1. Lower the Barrier to Start
On difficult days, don’t aim for a perfect study session—aim to just begin.

Instead of:
“I need to study for 2 hours”
Try:
“I’ll review one concept”
“I’ll do 5 questions”
“I’ll read for 10 minutes”

Starting is the hardest part. Once you start, momentum often follows.

2. Have a “Minimum” Day
Not every day will be your best—and that’s okay.
Define what a successful low-effort day looks like:
Review 1 EEG pattern
Revisit notes
Watch a short clip

This keeps the habit intact, even when energy is low.

3. Focus on Repetition
You don’t need to master everything in one sitting.
Learning EEG—and preparing for boards—is about:

Seeing patterns multiple times
Reinforcing concepts gradually
Letting understanding build over time

Progress is layered, not instant.

🎯Tip of the Week

Try this simple system:

The “No-Zero Days” Rule
Every day, do something that moves you forward—no matter how small.
Even 5–10 minutes counts.

Zero days break momentum.

🔗From the Site

Now you have the full framework:

Structure (how you study)
Purpose (why you study)
Consistency (how you keep going)

This is the foundation for long-term success.

If you missed the earlier posts, go back and review them together—they’re designed to build on each other.

You can always explore more tips, resources, and tools on the site anytime.

Just click here.
💬Closing Thought

There will be days when you feel focused and motivated.
And there will be days when you don’t.
Both are part of the process.

What matters most is this:
You keep showing up anyway.

Because every small step forward adds up.
And over time, those steps turn into confidence, skill, and success.

Keep going—you’re closer than you think.

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know

If you want more tips to your inbox – please be sure to follow by entering your email address on the site.

This is public, please share. Much appreciated!

Neurodiagnostic Niche Newsletter #2

This Is Your Year to Getting Registered

Hi everyone,

Since it’s Neurodiagnostic Week, this feels like the perfect time to zoom out for a moment and remember why you started this journey in the first place.

Last week, we talked about focusing on the process.

This week, let’s talk about something just as important:

Staying connected to your “why.”

Let’s stay curious and grow what we know.

If you want more tips to your inbox – please be sure to follow by entering your email address on the site.

This is public, please share. Much appreciated!

Neurodiagnostic Niche Newsletter #1

This Is Your Year to Getting Registered

Hi everyone,
If this is your year to get registered, there’s one idea I want you to keep front and center:

Focus on the process—and progress will follow

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the end goal. But success in this field doesn’t come from one big push… it comes from consistent, intentional steps over time.

Let’s stay curious and grow what we know.

If you want more tips to your inbox – please be sure to follow by entering your email address on the site.

This is public, please share. Much appreciated!

Re-calibrate: It’s Your Year to Getting Registered

Working in healthcare has a way of making everything feel urgent.  Turning that feeling off after the work day isn’t always easy.

But what if we took a moment to re-calibrate?

When things seem out of control, focus on what you can control.

Our habits can keep us grounded.


Have the goal of getting registered this year?
Re-read some of my earlier posts to help get on track:

Your Year to Getting Registered

What’s the Plan

Look to Your Mentors

Why Wait?

Check out the Marketplace on this site:
A weekly Study Guide to help you either stay on track with your learning or help you gauge where you are with your Board Preparation.

Click here to access the Board Prep Study Guide.

Use the questions that you know to help you feel confident in your abilities and use the questions that you don’t as a focus point for your studying.

  • Research the topic in a text book (if you don’t have one you need one – peek at My Amazon Finds for my recommended book).
  • Make Individual Note Cards
  • Review them Daily

If you like what your reading please take a moment to follow me via the email link on the bottom on this page. You can also find me to follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know

Board Prep Resources

Need any help with your board prep?

Visit the Neurodiagnostic Niche Marketplace for Study Guides, Notecards, and Tutoring options – don’t forget to check out the Neuro-Scholar Bundle to take advantage of built-in discounts & savings!

While your on the website – be sure to check out the Neuro Amazon Finds for links to supplies and a great textbook recommendation!

Just click here to visit today!

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know

2025 Exam Statistics

The 2025 Exam Rate statistics are out!

An Overall Pass Rate of 56% for the R.EEG T Exam

Pass % rates are:

  • Pathway I – 46%
  • Pathway II – 44%
  • Pathway III – 56%
  • Pathway IV – 42%

Some things to note about the stats:

  • Repeat test takers are not included.
  • It’s a slight increase from previous years: 2024 (53%) and 2023 (49%)
  • ABRET offers 4 Pathway’s to registry – which is AWESOME because we need to make this process accessible to the thousands of technicians working in this field.

And the most important thing to note:

However a technician qualifies to take the exam – our field needs them!

For those that are working towards Registry these exam statistics can still be discouraging:

Whichever Pathway you are in…..you have a team of mentors available to help!

For those of us in this field…we want to be sure we leave it stronger than we found it – we are here for you!

There are a whole host of resources available to you – You.Got.This!

For some specific to this site:

To reference the 2025 stats and previous year’s pass rates – just click here to access the ABRET site.

Helpful Tip: Be sure to sign up for the ASAP practice test on the ABRET site before you sign up to take the actual exam. The practice tests are not all you will need – but they are a good indicator for your foundational knowledge.

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know

It’s a Great Day to Read a Book

Is this Your Year to Getting Registered?

It’s the Home Stretch!

Remember it’s the Sum of Small Efforts…Daily Efforts.

There is no cramming for this test.

If you have tried to prep without reading a textbook – I highly encourage you not to miss this step!

Click Here to Amazon for one of my favorites and it’s the one I read many years ago preparing for my boards; however, there are many good textbooks.

To search other good EEG books on Amazon just click here.

Reading and understanding a book is not optional in this process.

It’s essential.

Today’s educational models have substituted a lot of digital content instead of text books.

Although digital resources are useful – they are not an equal substitute for a book.

With the remaining weeks of the year – let’s use them wisely and READ.

Like really Read – a Book : )

Let’s Stay Curious and Grow What We Know