An Exploration of NPTE Predictors of Success in Nontraditional PTA to DPT Bridge Students

Authors

• Stefanie Anderson, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Physical Therapy Department, University of Findlay, The United States of AmericaFollow
• Nicole Schroeder, Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Physical Therapy Students in the Physical Therapy Department, University of Findlay, The United States of America
• Mario Baker, Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Department, University of Findlay, The United States of America
• Sean McBride, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Student Affairs in the Hybrid Physical Therapy Program in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina

Abstract

Purpose: PTA to DPT Bridge programs are uniquely designed to bridge the skills of a working physical therapy assistant (PTA) and those needed to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). The purpose of this study is to explore factors predictive of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) scores unique to the nontraditional PTA to DPT student.

Methods: This study utilized a quantitative, non-experimental design to examine predictive factors associated with DPT students’ performance on the NPTE. Student records from 86 graduates from the 2022 to 2024 cohorts, of a single PTA to DPT Bridge program were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Variables of interest were screened for relationships with NPTE scores. The variables included demographic variables, physical therapist applicant variables (GPA_U, GRE_V, and GRE_Q scores) and physical therapist student variables (GPA₁ and PEAT score).

Results:GPA₁ and PEAT score increased explained variance from 10.7% to 41.2%, a statistically significant improvement, F_change(2, 57) = 14.80, p < 0.001. GRE_V (B = 2.38, p = 0.02), GPA₁ (scaled ×10; B = 8.88, p < 0.001), and PEAT (B = 0.19, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of NPTE performance, indicating that each one-point increase in GRE_V, each 0.1-point increase in GPA₁, and each 1 point increase in PEAT score were associated with NPTE score increases of 2.38 points, 8.88 points, and 0.19 points, respectively.

Conclusion: This study identified GPA₁, PEAT scores, and GRE_v  as significant predictors of NPTE performance among graduates of a PTA to DPT Bridge program. While this study concentrated on the PTA to DPT learner, the results can be utilized and applied to other DPT programs, especially those in a hybrid format targeting the nontraditional student.

Recommended Citation

Anderson, Stefanie; Schroeder, Nicole; Baker, Mario; and McBride, Sean (2026) "An Exploration of NPTE Predictors of Success in Nontraditional PTA to DPT Bridge Students," Health Professions Education: Vol. 12: Iss. 4, Article 2.
DOI: 10.55890/2452-3011.1411
Available at: https://hpe.researchcommons.org/journal/vol12/iss4/2