Flash back to one of the happiest days of my life:
The day I passed the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists!
I know there are some “RD to be”s who read, so I wanted to share my experience for them… and for everyone, because I think it gives a better understanding of what all goes into becoming a registered dietitian (and further distinguishes between an RD and a ‘nutritionist’)
I finished my internship the week before Thanksgiving in 2013 (definitely something to be thankful for!) and there were a few things I had already decided about taking my exam:
~I wanted to take a full week off of EVERYTHING and just relax. So the week of Thanksgiving that’s what I did. I slept. I caught up on my favorite TV shows. I read a book for fun. I spent time with my family. It was awesome and refreshing.
~I knew I did not want to wait too long to take my exam. My internship director recommended 30-40 hours of studying with no more than 2 hours at a time. I figured if I studied ~10-12 hours per week then I should be good to go in a month or so.
~I didn’t want to tell anyone I was taking the exam (except K, of course) because I didn’t want the added pressure on myself. I definitely don’t regret this.
I’m going to be completely honest with you. The thought of taking the RD exam made me want to dry heave.
I am t.h.e.w.o.r.s.t. test-taker ever and my test anxiety is through the roof. Becoming an RD was something I felt like I put my life on hold for to pursue, so that just added to the pressure.
Despite all of this, I felt very prepared (and oddly calm) on the day I took my test. I attribute this to creating a study plan and sticking to it. Here’s what I did:
- I knew that most of my school work would be winding down at the end of my last rotation, so I ordered the Inman Review and RD in a Flash in October. The Inman Review came with CDs and I casually listened to them at times during my commute to my rotation. I kept the RD in a Flash in my bag at all times and pulled them out whenever I had a free moment. This wasn’t serious studying… just getting my feet wet.
- After my week-long break over Thanksgiving, I began my study plan where I studied most nights for 1-2 hours.
- I started by listening to the Inman Review CDs all the way through with no written material in front of me…. only listening.
- I went back through and listened to the CDs with the Inman study manual. I highlighted any concept that seemed unfamiliar and/or confusing to me.
- I went back and reviewed everything in the Inman study manual that was highlighted.
- I took all of the Inman practice tests with no help from outside material. I reviewed which questions I missed and studied those concepts.
I will forever remember our “Christmas Vacation” last year… I studied every chance I got.
The big question amongst RD students is what materials to get. I cannot recommend the Inman Review enough. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. Did I sell it for the same price I paid for it? Yes 
If money is tight then I think you could pass on the RD in a Flash cards. They were helpful and convenient, but I see them more as an ‘extra’ study material rather than a necessity.
Here are some tips for studying for the RD exam:
- Don’t start studying until the end of your internship. You are already going to have a lot on your plate with internship work.
- Give yourself a small break after you finish your internship. You have earned it!
- Make a clear plan of how you are going to study and when you will should feel ready to take the exam. Like I said, I was aiming for 30-40 hours of consecutive study times in 1-2 hour increments, so I felt around a month was about enough time.
- Register for your exam as soon as you are eligible. I think this was a key motivator for keeping me on track with studying. If I had waited until I felt ‘ready’ then I would have probably kept putting it off.
- Study concepts instead of just memorizing material.
- Instead of studying in long blocks, study in short increments for 1-2 hours at a time.
- Don’t wait too long to take your exam. Everything will be fresh in your mind right when you finish your internship so use this to your advantage. Plus, you will already be in the habit of doing school work from when you were in your internship so you might as well stick with that routine and study.
- Get plenty of sleep the night before the test. I know this is easier said than done but at the very least, please do not stay up all night studying. You have been through 4 years of school and 1800 hours of an internship. I promise you that you are not going to absorb any extra information in 1 night.
- Wear comfy clothes when you take the test.
- CELEBRATE when you pass
Most Importantly:
Everyone learns differently so what worked for me may not work for you. Do you learn best studying in a group? Gather up some fellow classmates for a study date. Do you primarily learn by reading material? Maybe you should skip the Inman CDs and focus on the study guide. It’s really up to you, and you probably know by now which study method works for you.
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I loved reading this :)
I’m a undergrad Dietetic student in my last semester so that means I’m shopping around for my internship choices. It’s such a stressful time… all the teachers reminding me how competitive it is and changing of the rules to be even be considered at some schools. Yikes! But I love reading your blog for motivation. I don’t see anywhere that you’ve posted the place you did your internship at, do you mind sharing? I suspect you stayed in North Carolina since you’re married.
Hey Andrea! I completed Utah State University’s program.
Here’s my post about it:
https://ggnutritionco.com/2014/08/07/becoming-a-registered-dietitian/
Good luck on deciding on internship programs!! :)
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the helpful tips and positive encouragement for passing the RD exam. As a current dietetic intern with USU, I am finishing up my clinical rotations with a completion date of March 2015. It seems that you had a nice “plan of attack” for your exam and I will try to follow your successful lead.
Wishing you a happy and healthy career!
Congratulations on almost being done! I’m sure that is an amazing feeling :) I felt that USU really prepared me for the exam so I’m sure you will do great! Please check back in after you pass!
Hi Sam, I just came across this post and it is SO helpful! I am in my second year of dietetics right now and have just applied for my internship through the Coordinated Program. I know that the exam is a way down the road for me, but I still found all of this information incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
P.S. I also have an Erin Condren Planner and love it haha :P
I’m glad you find the information helpful! Good luck on your applications!
Hi, I saw that you took and passed the RD exam. I was wondering if you still have a copy of Inman’s Study guide and if so, could I purchase it from you? I have heard that it is one of the best resources to use to study for the exam. Also, one more question,.. How long did you study before you took your exam?
I don’t have my copy. I actually purchased my Inman + RD in a Flash on ebay. I also sold it on ebay for the same price I paid for it. I studied for my exam for 4ish weeks. I finished my internship the week before Thanksgiving, took 1 week off, started studying after that and took my exam the first week in January. I think it was the perfect amt of time to get it over with but still feel prepared :)
Hi Sam
I just took the exam and failed. Do you have any sugestion on how to study the math equations for managemet and food service?
Thanks
Hi Joyce! I’m so sorry that you didn’t pass the exam. That is a bummer… BUT I know *many* people who did not pass the first time and went on to pass the 2nd time and have happy careers as RDs. Also, it’s a hard exam because there are so many different areas of dietetics to cover. You have an advantage the 2nd time of knowing what it’s like to take the test also. So I hope you’re not being too hard on yourself :)
I will be honest and say foodservice was my highest scoring domain because of my work experience. I used to be a school dietitian creating recipes, so all of the math questions were 2nd nature to me.
My advice to you is to understand the concept instead of just memorizing an equation. I think memorizing something doesn’t taking you very far, but you can figure out pretty much anything by understanding exactly what the question is asking and breaking down the question. Do you have the Inman review? If not, I would recommend it. The practice tests were invaluable to me for identifying concepts that I needed to review.
Thanks Sam.
Yes I already have the Inmman’s review plus the RD in a flash. The clinical domain was my highest score, is just food service and management. I memorized the equations and as soon as got the exam I forgot all.
Thanks again for your advised.
Hi Joyce! What happened to you is EXACTLY what happened to me. I scored highest in clinical also but the equations for food service/management are exactly what got me too!!! I did not pass by ONE point. This was 2 weeks ago. Now I’m struggling to get back on the horse and figure out a different way to study some of the things that got me. Have you taken it again yet or found anything else that has helped you study?
Yayyy so glad I found this post! I’m starting my studying TODAY :). Did you find that 10-12 hours/week was too little? I’m taking the exam in 3.5 weeks.
I felt like that was the perfect amount of time for me. I tend to stop absorbing information after a certain point. But you know how you learn things best and retain information, so def study more if you feel like it’s not enough time for you. GOOD LUCK on the exam. I’m sure you will own it :) Please come back and let me know when you’ve passed.
Studying jean Inman now. I graduate from my internship next Friday. Freaking out inside a little…but this helped!
Don’t freak out! You’ll be fine :)
So glad I ran across this post! I just signed up for the RD exam and I don’t even know where to start studying. I have RD in a Flash, Inman, and dietitianexam.net. Your study tips are incredibly helpful; I am a HORRIBLE test taker and even the thought of taking the RD exam makes me nauseous. Thanks!
From were I can get this Jean Inman please let me know
Her website
Thank you so much for writing this post!! I finished my Coordinated Program in May and am waiting on my verification letter to schedule, cannot wait to have a firm date. With so much to study it helps tremendously to read about other RD’s study strategies, especially when it comes to getting an idea on how to split up the info to study. Are there any specific strategies you used to reduce test taking anxiety? Also, how much studying would you advise the day before the test? Thank you! :)
I have horrible test anxiety. I think physically planning out a study schedule based off of my internships recommendations helped tremendously with this because I felt prepared. I was finished with most of my studying days before the test and was basically tying up loose ends right before. As far as studying the day before the test…. I think there comes a point when you spend 30+ days studying that you are only going to learn what you’re doing to learn. I personally would collect a small list of a few areas that I still didn’t feel comfortable with and maybe look over them the day before the test but there’s really only so much you can cram into your memory at that point :) I also think every study strategy is not meant for everyone, so I would think back to your college test-taking days and do what worked for you then! Good luck!!
I am looking to purchase or rent a study guide and audio for Jean Inmans review! Can u please help?
I don’t have mine anymore- sorry! Check eBay or talk with your internship director. Good luck studying :)
I have a copy that I am trying to sell! Email me at christinawadelton@gmail.com if you are interested!