Surviving the National Psychology Exam

Ethics

When you're preparing for the ethics section of the NPE, focus on knowing the APS Code of Ethics inside out! Especially the three core principles of respect, propriety, and integrity.

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You’ll need to feel confident identifying when confidentiality can be broken (like risk or legal reasons), understand consent, know your responsibilities in supervision, and be across things like record keeping, scope of practice, and advertising rules. It’s also important to think about dual relationships, cultural safety, and knowing your limits when it comes to your own wellbeing.

For the exam, be across your ethical decision-making processes. Keep it simple, and don’t forget, ethics is less about knowing every rule and more about applying the right principles to the situation in front of you.

Assessment

For the assessment section, focus on understanding when and why we assess, how to choose the right tools, how to interpret results in context and your DSM-5 diagnoses.

You need to know the difference between different screening tools, diagnostic tools, and outcome measures, and when each is appropriate. Be clear on concepts like reliability, validity, standardisation, and cultural considerations, especially when working with diverse or vulnerable groups.

It’s also important to know how to conduct a thorough biopsychosocial assessment, how to gather collateral information, and how to write up your findings clearly and ethically. On top of this you'll need to know a range of DSM-5 diagnoses and how to differentiate between similar diagnoses. 

For the exam, you’ll likely get scenarios that ask you to choose the most appropriate assessment method or diagnosis, or to identify issues in how an assessment has been conducted. Keep in mind the purpose of the assessment, the client’s background, and the ethical responsibilities we hold when interpreting and sharing results.

Treatment

In our treatment section, focus on knowing how to select and apply evidence-based interventions based on the client’s presentation, formulation, and goals.

You should be familiar with Level 1 treatments like CBT and ACT, and understand when other approaches like interpersonal therapy, solution-focused therapy, or narrative therapy. Know how to adapt treatment to different populations, including children, neurodivergent clients, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Be clear on the difference between short-term symptom relief and long-term change, and how to monitor progress ethically and effectively. In exam scenarios, you’ll often be asked what the most appropriate next step is, or how to respond when therapy isn’t progressing. Always come back to the formulation, client preferences, and best-practice guidelines to guide your decision-making.

Communication

When revising for the communication section of the NPE, focus on how we build rapport, show empathy, and adapt our communication style to suit different clients and contexts.

You need to understand the core micro-skills like active listening, reflection, and summarising as well as how to give feedback, explain assessment results clearly, and manage challenging conversations (like ruptures, non-engagement, or risk disclosures).

It’s also important to be aware of non-verbal communication, cultural differences, and how to communicate professionally in writing whether it’s reports, emails, or case notes.

In the exam, you’ll often be given a scenario where something has gone wrong or a client has misunderstood something, and you’ll need to choose the most appropriate way to respond. The key is to think about clarity, warmth, ethics, and keeping the therapeutic relationship intact.