CNS TEST PREP: FAVORITE STUDY RESOURCES WITH SUNNY BRIGHAM

https://vimeo.com/757710708

Studying for the CNS exam...

...can be very stress-inducing. It’s hard to know what to study or where to start. There are an endless number of resources available to those who are undertaking the exam. But which resources do you focus on?

This has been a question for ages. When I took the exam several years ago, I felt the same way. Where do I even begin?!

Potential Resource 1

There are a dozen or so companies that provide sample tests to take. There are flashcards available that have been put together by past individuals who have taken the exam themselves. There’s the “drive” that most people are aware of. This “drive” is a Google Drive that was created in 2015 and has grown since. It’s the most disorganized thing I’ve seen!

It contains lectures, study guides, flash cards, and the like. Downside - it can be overwhelming diving into it, but it can be very useful.

(Note: We do not point individuals to the drive in our test prep course.)

Potential Resource 2

And then there’s the CNS primer. It’s obsolete, but so many people continue to reference it because, at the very least, it gives you a place to start so you don’t feel so lost. I get it! But, without using the primer, where do you start?

This is the question, isn’t it? Aside from my absolute favorite resource - The CNS Prep Course (I might be HIGHLY biased on this resource) - I have a few others that I recommend as well.

Downside - it's pretty outdated and contains a few errors, but it is a good starting point if you're feeling a bit lost.

Favorite Study Resources

Here are my three (3) favorite resources that I recommend when starting to study for the CNS exam:

• Burgerstein’s Handbook for Nutrition

• Medical Nutrition & Disease - A Case-Based Approach

• Study.com’s daily CNS question

Burgerstein's Handbook for Nutrition breaks down all the nutrients we use in a very clear way. The author runs through each nutrient, why it's used, signs and symptoms of deficiency, and where you can get it in food. This was a game-changer for me when I was studying many, many moons ago!

Medical Nutrition & Disease is also a great resource. This is more application than anything. It runs through various scenarios after giving information about a specific condition, disease, or ailment.

Study.com has been a staple for many. You can sign up for a daily CNS question to help test your brain a bit each day. They also have various flashcards that individuals have made for the exam.

If you don’t have these items, I recommend that you grab them! You can find Burgerstein’s book online for free to purchase a used copy on Amazon (I like to have the actual text). You can also pick up a used copy of the Medical Nutrition & Disease text as well. And the test prep question is FREE!

So…what was or is your favorite CNS study resource?

Our CNS Prep Course helps nutrition students successfully pass the CNS exam.  The course is created by CNS’s for CNS candidates. Weaving together CNS exam study tips, nutrition practice questions, study groups, a discussion forum, webinars, and 70+ modules of content, our prep course prepares nutrition graduates and students for the CNS exam.  Our pass rate is 80% for all students and 85% for interns in our Mentorship Program.

Sign up for our CNS test prep course here!