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Introduction and Purpose
This document is intended to serve as a guide to the multiple choice question examination offered through the Specialty Board on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. The examination assesses the candidate's knowledge base that guides successful clinical performance.
Test Structure, Development, and Scoring
The content and format of the examination is determined by the
Examination Committee of the BRS-S Board based on their broad
experience in academic teaching and clinical practice, and feedback
from others who have taken the examination. Questions on the
examination require recall of factual data, as well as integration of
information, prioritization of choices/alternatives, and/or utilization
of clinical judgment in choosing a correct response. Examination
content will undergo revision, as needed, based on the emergence of new
concepts and new technology. To assure that a specific item does not
reflect just one individuals' point of view, all items were vetted
through a review process with initial Charter members and subsequent
applicants who took the examination. Clarifications and changes based
upon feedback from these members were incorporated into the
examination.
Preparing for the Examination
Repetition is the key to learning and this applies to preparation for
BRS-S examination. To be most effective, reading textbooks and journal
articles should be done multiple times. Candidates often ask if one
textbook or journal provides better preparation than another but, to
the BRS-S Board's knowledge, no one text or journal is singularly
better than any other. Each text is written in a different style and
individuals often find some styles easier to read than others. The key
is to find textbooks whose style you find easiest to read and whose
content is broad and comprehensive. This increases the likelihood that
you will read it initially and repetitively. The use of multiple
textbooks and journal articles will provide the candidate with the best
inclusion of a variety of information.
Suggested Reading List
The following list of documents and textbooks are recommended for basic
and advanced level review of knowledge and skills required by a Speech
Language Pathologist seeking BRS-S.
ASHA Reference Documents
Policy documents on swallowing and swallowing disorders can be downloaded
from the ASHA website:
Suggested Textbooks
The recommended textbooks are representative of those that review basic
and advanced level knowledge and skills required for BRS-S.
- Arvedson, JC., Brodsky, L. (2002) Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Assessment and Management. Albany, NY. Singular Thomson Learning.
- Dikeman KJ., Kazandjian MS. (1995) Communication and Swallowing Management of Tracheostomized and Ventilator Dependent Adults. San Diego, CA. Singular Publishing Group, Inc.
- Groher, M. (1997). Dysphagia: Diagnosis and Management. Burlington, MA. Butterworth Heinemann Publishers
- Langmore, S. (2001) Endoscopic Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders. New York. Thieme Publisher.
- Logemann, JA. (1998) Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders. Austin, TX. Pro-ed.
- Miller, A. (1998) Neuroscientific Principles of Swallowing and Dysphagia. San Diego, CA. Singular Publishing Group, Inc.
- Murray, J. (1999). Manual of Dysphagia Assessment in Adults. San Diego, CA. Singular Publishing Group, Inc.
- Perlman, AL., Schulze-Delrieu, KS. (1996) Deglutition And Its Disorders: Anatomy, Physiology, Clinical Diagnosis And Management. Albany, NY. Thomson Learning.
Basic Test-Taking Skills
A distinguishing characteristic of the BRS-S examination relative to
many other multiple choice question examinations earlier in your
education is that the BRS-S examination must account for the complexity
of clinical application of dysphagia. It is recognized that in
clinical, research or academic settings, a clinician may not utilize or
perform all existing assessment techniques (both clinical and
instrumental assessments) or treatment approaches. However, the
application and examination process is based upon the premise that a
Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders should
have a solid theoretical and clinical knowledge base covering all known
and recognized areas of assessment, treatment, and patient/family
education.
In completing the examination it is essential that a candidate
carefully read each question and ALL of the response options before
selecting an answer. In selecting an answer you must choose the best
answer from among the available choices for the defined circumstances.
A helpful technique to assure that you have fully and properly read the
question is to cover the answers. This then converts many questions to
a fill-in-the-blank format. Then formulate your answer and compare it
to the possible responses. If your answer is present among the possible
choices, you have probably read the question correctly. If your answer
is not present, reread the question for details you may have missed on
the first reading. Regardless of question type, if you cannot identify
the correct answer, a good strategy is to then eliminate clearly
incorrect choices and, thereby, improve the odds of guessing the
correct answer.
Time management is also very important; be sure to budget your time for
the entire examination. Understand the time limits and monitor your
progress throughout the examination. Do not spend excessive time on
questions for which you do not readily have an answer. If you are
uncertain about the answer to a particular question, move on to
additional questions and then review it after you have completed the
remainder of the examination. Remember to allow enough time to return
to unanswered questions.
What to Do If a Passing Score is Not Obtained
Candidates who are unsuccessful on an examination may apply for
re-examination. The BRS-S Program provides feedback on performance in
specific content categories to individuals who did not pass the
examination to allow candidates to identify specific areas of weakness.
Candidates are able to retake the examination within a period of one
year after the date of the first examination. There is no limit for the
number of retakes within that one year period. There is no fee
associated with the first retake of the examination. However,
subsequent retakes during that period will incur a $75
administrative/processing fee. If a candidate was not successful in
passing the examination during this one year period, he/she must wait
three years prior to initiating the BRS-S process again.
Summary
The BRS-S Board appreciates your hard work and dedication to persons
with swallowing and swallowing disorders. We recognize the importance
to you of Board Specialty Recognition and hope that this information
helps you toward that goal. We welcome your comments and feedback and
wish you good luck on your examination!
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