As 2016 came to a close, I finally decided to publish a post I’ve had on the back burner for some time. This article differs from my usual posts: it focuses on how I prepared for the final step to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) — the RDN examination.
While studying, reading blog posts and study plans from people who had already passed helped calm my nerves. I’m sharing my approach to help other RD2BE candidates. I used Jean Inman’s Review Guide exclusively as my primary study resource and referenced Krause’s Food & the Nutrition Care Process textbook when I needed more detailed explanations.
Below is the method I followed, broken into clear steps to make it easy to adapt to your own timeline.
Browse the Study Outline
ONE: Start by flipping through your study guide. Familiarize yourself with the topics in each domain, the test format, and the distribution of content. This initial scan helps you gauge which areas you already know well and which require more study time, so you can plan accordingly.
Schedule the Exam
TWO: Book your exam date. Having a fixed date on the calendar creates urgency and focus. If you haven’t scheduled your exam yet, do it as soon as you finish reading this post — it’s a powerful motivator.
Study
THREE: Begin with the domain you know the least. It’s tempting to start with easier topics, but tackling weaker areas first prevents running out of time and having to do extensive outside reading close to the exam.
I didn’t follow a minute-by-minute schedule. Instead, I used progress checkpoints: I set target completion dates for each domain so I would finish all material at least three days before the test. If you prefer a detailed daily plan, create one. I chose a flexible approach because I was pregnant and some days my cognitive energy varied. A looser plan reduced stress and kept studying sustainable.
Listen to the CDs
FOUR: Use the Inman audio CDs. I listened in small segments — about 10–15 pages per session — and paused often to take notes. I highlighted the text using two colors: one for general points the presenter covered and another for items she emphasized with the word “NOTE.” This made it easy to identify high-yield facts later.
Review Material
FIVE: After listening to a section, review it in depth. I kept a dedicated spiral notebook for notes and wrote down topics I needed to revisit. I made flashcards only for facts the guide explicitly noted as important or for points I did not already know. For information I already had memorized, I recorded it in the spiral and marked it with a colored star to show it was secure.
SIX: Complete one section before moving on. Then set aside a full day to review and quiz yourself on that section’s flashcards. After cycling through the cards 2–3 times, start practice questions for that domain. I did roughly 15 questions at a time on a whiteboard, checked answers, and reviewed any mistakes to understand why I got them wrong. I tracked errors by domain to reveal patterns of weakness.
SEVEN: Continue through the remaining domains following the same process. Each day I tried to review all flashcards at least once and do 15–30 mixed practice questions to keep earlier topics fresh in my memory.
Quiz Yourself
EIGHT: Reserve the final three days before the exam for practice questions and targeted review. Add any missing facts to your flashcards. I culled cards I answered perfectly to streamline study and focused on weaker items. I cycled through each flashcard deck multiple times, often 7–10 passes total, to reinforce retention.
NINE: The day before the exam, stop studying at least eight hours before bedtime and allow yourself to rest. Trust the education and training you’ve completed — you’ve worked years to reach this point. Have a calm evening, get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast the morning of the exam, and leave plenty of time to arrive at the testing center without stress. Ask any procedural questions before the test begins so you know what to expect.
I worried about needing water during the exam, so I asked the proctors about breaks; they said to raise my hand for an unscheduled break if necessary. Knowing the procedure eased my anxiety even though I didn’t end up needing a break.
Once I answered the first 25 questions, I relaxed and found the rest of the exam went smoothly. I felt well prepared and performed confidently. I hope this study plan helps you structure your preparation. If you have questions about studying for the RDN exam, feel free to reach out. Congratulations on making it this far on your path to becoming an RDN!
