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Study Guide Structure of the Written Exam The
written examination consists of five sections—covering homeopathic theory,
materia medica, repertory, case analysis, and health sciences. Approximate
percentages of questions realting to each area are given here. (This is an
approximation, and intended only as a guide. The actual content of the exam and
number of questions may vary slightly as the exam continues to be developed and
refined.) The
Theory /Philosophy section
is a review of concepts related to classical homeopathy, drawn from
Hahnemann’s Organon and writings of other homeopaths whose works are mentioned
in the book-list. This section makes up approximately 30% of the total exam. It
contains multiple-choice-format questions on homeopathic history, philosophy,
and practice-related ethics, including subjects such as confidentiality, patient
management, research and teaching use of patient information, professional
relationships, legal restrictions on treatment of certain conditions, and other
relevant issues. Questions regarding concepts of health and disease,
susceptibility, individualization, the vital force, the principle of similars,
totality of symptoms, provings, single remedy, potentization, miasmatic theory,
progress and obstruction of cure, and case-taking theory should be expected.
Questions about case history and analysis may include such topics as
interview methods and observation, consideration of a patient’s family
history, identifying the central disturbance or imbalance, etiology of
disturbance, evaluation and hierarchy of symptoms, assessment of the vital
force, acute cases, chronic cases including medical evaluation, suspected layers
and miasmatic evaluation, difficult or serious cases, and prognosis.
Case management topics for questions include posology and remedy
selection, various methods of remedy administration, and managing acute episodes
during chronic treatment. Follow-up
case analysis questions may include interpretation of the patient’s response
to a remedy, Hering’s Law, recognizing improvement, disruption, suppression,
palliation, antidoting, and identifying changes in the characteristics of the
vital force, chief complaints, and other symptoms. The
Materia Medica section
will use a multiple-choice format to test an applicant’s knowledge of
homeopathic remedies. Candidates are expected to have a greater depth of
knowledge of the polychrest remedies, and be familiar with keynote indications
for smaller remedies. (A list of remedies to be familiar with before taking the
exam is included in this study guide. )This section makes up approximately 30%
of the total exam. Expect questions on general information pertaining to the
provings of remedies and relevant pharmacology. Specific questions about
remedies and therapeutics including etiology, mental/emotional characteristics,
totality, keynotes, remedy relationships, clinical materia medica, comparative
materia medica, and developmental stages in remedy pictures from health to deep
pathology may be expected. The
Repertory section
includes forty statements describing symptoms in common language, for which the
applicant must find appropriate rubrics in the Repertory—writing out the
rubrics and citing page numbers. The Repertories used must be in book form
(computers may not be used), and only Kent’s Repertory, Schroyens’
Synthesis, or vanZandvoort’s Complete Repertory may be used on the test. This
section makes up approximately 15% of the exam. The
Case Analysis essay section includes
the presentation of written or video cases that the applicant will be expected
to analyze, discuss, and select a prescription for. The response is expected in
the form of a structured essay that addresses specific questions set out in the
instructions. Essays must include a clear explanation of the
applicant’s thinking process, symptoms chosen for consideration, rubrics,
and comparisons of several remedies considered. The
purpose of the essays is to give the examiners a clear idea of the applicant’s
understanding of case analysis, and to give the applicants an opportunity to
explain how they go about considering a case, and the internal process used when
assessing a patient’s situation and deciding on a remedy. Applicants are
expected to use repertories, materia medicas, and other appropriate reference
books while working on this section. (Computers may also be used for this part
of the exam, but not in any other section.) This section makes up approximately
25% of the total exam. The
Human Sciences exam
consists of multiple-choice-format questions, related to basic understanding of
body processes, recognition and interpretation of signs and symptoms that may be
encountered in health care situations— awareness of danger signs, appropriate
response to serious conditions or emergencies, and judgment regarding referral
to other health professionals. Questions related to anatomy, physiology and
integrated function, basic diagnosis, functional disorders and basic pathology,
common clinical examination and assessment techniques, first aid, and emergency
situations should be expected. Some questions concerning the purpose and
significance of commonly-administered medical tests such as CBC, blood chemistry
panel, thyroid panel, urinalysis, glucose tolerance test, etc., may also be
included. Questions on topics such as referral procedures, reportable diseases,
and potentially serious conditions such as meningitis, sepsis, cancer, bowel
obstruction, aneurysm, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus,
epiglottitis, foreign bodies, acute abdomen, contagious diseases,
conjunctivitis, rubella, measles, mumps, tuberculosis, pertussis, strep
infection and sequelae, impetigo, AIDS, and STD’s may be included. (Questions
will not involve statistics or minute factual details that have little practical
relevance.) An
applicant must achieve a separate passing score on the Human Sciences section of
the exam to pass the exam as a whole. (That is, the scores in Human Sciences and
Homeopathy parts of the test will not be averaged.)
The entire written exam must be passed before the oral exam is scheduled.
All parts of the exam must be completed successfully for certification to be
earned.
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