My study dungeon!
I was determined to take the RD exam ONE time in my life and then move on with my career. When I googled “RD Exam Study Tips” I got horror stories on forums where certain people had taken the exam multiple times and couldn’t pass. It was a little unsettling, yet motivating- this is a test you have to take seriously.
Disclaimer: this is just what worked for me! I offer no guarantees! 🙂
I used Jean Inman’s review – not the seminar, just the CDs and written course – as well as RD-in-a-Flash Flashcards. I studied passively for a few weeks (just every now and then, scanning over things) then set up a schedule to get through the Inman CDs and the corresponding notes, domain by domain. The Inman materials were definitely most helpful in reviewing everything that could be on the test. Having the audio helped keep me focused, although I had to pause and take notes quite frequently. Plus, there are a TON of practice questions for each domain to go through. I made up my own outlines, charts, etc, then brought the flashcards with me when I wanted to study on the go.
If you are prepping to take the RD exam I highly suggest you sign up for weekly video tutorials, daily practice questions, and weekly questions. You can even sign up for the daily and weekly questions way ahead of time and just save them in your email box and look at them when you’re ready to study. (The videos do expire after the week they are released).
Another good resource is a study guide from the American Dietetic Association (ADA). It costs $35 but is less money than other sources. It also has a CD-Rom test that mimics the actual format of the exam.
RDStudy.com seems like a helpful resource as well. I didn’t end up using it, as I already had the Inman review and this service costs additional money, but their free video tutorials were so helpful I can imagine the rest of their tools are too. It appears that they have practice exams, in-depth tutorials, and even an RD on staff to answer questions.
The following are more resources I found helpful:
- Here is a webpage that has a lot of good information about the test itself as well as resources to prepare for it: http://fshn.illinois.edu/dietetics/handbook/rdexaminfo.
- This is the CDR webpage where you can find answers to a lot of questions: http://www.cdrnet.org/
- For those of you taking it in 2012 and beyond, there’s a new test information: http://www.cdrnet.org/testspecs.cfm.
- The All Access Internships blog has feedback from several now-RDs about what study materials worked for them: http://allaccessinternships.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-rd-exam-prep-materials-worked-for.html. (Sidenote: They also graciously feature me on their “Blogs We Like” list!)
- Here are some free practice questions. The website is full of ads, but I still found the sample questions helpful: http://www.testprepreview.com/modules/dietetics.htm
Mission: Dietitian 
The RD exam is a long way off for me, but I do have a question. How many weeks/months did you dedicate to studying and how many hours per day/week did you study?
Thanks for the great info.
Hey Carrie, good question. I studied diligently for about a month and a half, just getting through the Inman CDs and Inman study guides, then completing practice exams and writing my own notes to reinforce the information. On average I think I studied maybe an hour or two per day, but it really varied. I just kept a calendar of when I wanted to reach certain study benchmarks and let that dictate how much time I needed to spend- whether I was busy and had no time some days, to if I had a day off and plenty of time to study. In the last week I spent many hours each day doing as many practice questions I could get my hands on, so it was fresh in my mind. Hope that answers your question! Thanks for reading and good luck in the future!
Hi,
Thanks for the helpful tips! I am beginning my studying for my RD test and am looking for an Inman’s Review to buy. Is there any way you would be willing to sell your test prep material?
-Dylan
Hey Dylan, I actually gave away my flash cards and am planning to keep my Inman review for reference. But you should know it was the product of a few photocopies and I wrote/highlighted/doodled ALL over it, so it’s in pretty poor condition. Sorry I can’t help you, but I’m sure if you keep checking back on ebay and forums, you can find it. Another tip is if your intern class wanted to pool together to buy a new copy. Good luck studying, and best of luck on your test!
Hi, thanks for the tips! i am extremely nervous about this exam. I am also using the Jean Inman CD’s/review course and the Rd in a Flash. I hope they help. I am finding the questions to be the best review. BUT i ran into a problem! My answer sheet for domain III/IV/V got accidently shredded at work!!!!! I am looking for someone that may have a copy they can scan and send to me. I have all of the questions, just that answer sheet is missing! I am hoping someone can help me out and maybe e-mail a copy??? I am taking the exam soon and need help!
Hi Amy, is it too late? I can check and see if I have the answer sheet. No promises, but if I do find it I can scan it and send it to you. What’s your email?
Very informative and helpful blog post. I’m about 3 years away from taking the RD exam but am prepping way in advance =)
Did you end up passing the test the first time? Likewise, I have also came across MANY people who took the test multiple times in order to pass. I’m a 25 year old stay at home mom just getting into school. I am a lot more mature than I was when I was 18 so classes are coming easy for me. Do you think that most people who take the test multiple times just aren’t prepared enough? I can’t imagine a test being THAT hard when you have been learning about it for years.
Anyways, thanks in advance and I am curious to check out the rest of your blogging site! =)
I passed on my first time. I think the reason a lot of people struggle to pass is because the test format and wording, not just because they simply don’t know enough. Someone can be extremely competent as a potential RD but still struggle with passing the exam. It is a difficult test that covers a LOT of detailed material, not to mention the pressure to pass can be intense (especially if you’ve already been hired as a dietitian and your new job depends on you passing!) My best advice is to get your hands on as many practice questions as you can, prior to your exam, so you’ll get used to HOW they ask things. Unfortunately they don’t make becoming an RD very easy…between competing for an internship and passing the exam…but it’s worth it!
Reblogged this on Mary Rodavich – WVU Dietetic Intern and commented:
Although the RD exam seems like a far away goal, I thought I’d reblog this for (sooner rather than) later.
Thanks for putting all this information into one spot…I have a year left ’til I’m elligible for the exam, but weekly study questions and videos sound like something I could do now, just to become familiar with the material and style of wording. Thanks!
When you took the exam, how well were you doing on practice tests? I took all my practice tests before studying so I could re-test and gauge how well my studying is helping… so I’d like to know when I should feel safe for the real thing!
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it,
you’re a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will often come back down the road. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
Hello,
I have graduated with a Bachelor degree in Nutrition and Food Science and completed my internship about 14 years ago. I haven’t worked since due to my family situation. It’s been a while. I am on a mission to return to a working field but to be honest with you I don’t know where to begin. I would love to become a registered dietitian but will all these review courses be sufficient enough for me. I didn’t practice and actually forgot a lot of fundamental information. So, I would greatly appreciate the input and some guidance . Thank you
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Hi, I was wondering where did you buy the Inman review? I read that its about $>150 but on the Inman website, its $380. Is that about right?
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Selling RD exam material Jean Inman Material with CD recordings. Also have outline from AND avail. Would be willing to throwin in RD in a flash material for the right price. If interested email kg12566@gmail.com
Hi, thanks for the info! One question – I clicked on the link for the practice questions at testpreview.com that you posted and there were only ten questions. Is there a way to access more questions? Maybe I’m just technologically-challenged but I couldn’t find more. Thanks!
Do you still have the inman review?
Has anyone attended any seminar like Inman’s seminar? Do you find that helpful?
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