How to Use NATA Position Statements as a BOC Exam Study Tool

When you’re preparing for the BOC exam, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the volume of material—textbooks, class notes, clinical experiences, and endless practice questions. One resource many athletic training students overlook? NATA Position Statements.

These documents are professional guidelines and exam prep gold. They tell you what the profession considers best practice, which is exactly what the BOC wants you to know. 

Here’s how to make them a core part of your BOC study strategy.

Why Position Statements Matter for the BOC

Position statements serve several important purposes in the athletic training profession:

• They outline standards of care and expected professional behaviors.
  
• They summarize current evidence and recommendations in key practice areas.
  
• They directly support the BOC domains, particularly Risk Reduction, Healthcare Administration, Emergency Care, and Clinical Evaluation.
  
• They reflect what ATs should be doing in the field—exactly what the BOC looks for in exam questions.
  

If the BOC exam assesses safe, ethical, evidence-based practice, NATA position statements practically hand you the blueprint.

How to Study From Position Statements

1. Start With the Objectives and Recommendations

Every position statement begins by outlining the purpose and the core directives ATs should follow. These recommendations are essentially “must know” points.
Turn each one into:

• A flashcard
  A quick scenario
  A short explanation in your own words
  

This helps shift the content from passive reading to active understanding.

2. Identify the Big Themes

Even though each statement covers a unique topic, common themes appear again and again:

• Safety and patient protection
• Legal and ethical responsibilities
• Documentation and communication
• Collaboration with other healthcare providers
• Evidence-based decision-making
• Risk reduction and prevention strategies
  

These themes are heavily tested on the BOC, so noting them across statements helps reinforce patterns.

3. Build Clinical Scenarios

Position statements are written with real-world application in mind. After reading each recommendation, ask:

• What situation might require this?
  
• How would I respond as the AT?
  
• What does “best practice” look like in action?
  

Scenario-based thinking mirrors the structure of BOC questions and strengthens decision-making skills.

4. Make a One-Page Summary for Each Statement

Try to capture:

• Main purpose
• Key recommendations
• Safety considerations
• Legal/administrative points
• Common mistakes or risks

This creates a high-yield study resource you can review quickly during your final prep.

5. Pay Attention to Any Algorithms, Flowcharts, or Checklists

Many position statements include tools such as:

• Emergency action plan flowcharts
• Stepwise clinical procedures
• Return-to-play guidelines
• Decision-making algorithms

These visuals often reflect the exact reasoning patterns you’ll need during BOC case scenarios.

6. Focus on What the AT Is Expected to Do

Every position statement clarifies AT responsibilities. On the BOC exam, this is critical. You may be asked:

• What the AT should recommend
• What steps the AT must follow
• What the AT must document
• When the AT must refer
• What constitutes appropriate preparation or prevention
  

Position statements outline these responsibilities clearly and consistently.

7. Cross-Reference With the BOC Practice Domains

For every statement, ask:

• Which domain(s) does this relate to?
• What BOC tasks does this support?
  

This helps you integrate the information into the bigger exam framework.

Why This Study Method Works

Using position statements strengthens your BOC preparation because they are:

• Concise – they filter the most important information for you.
  
• Evidence-based – they reflect current professional standards.
  
• Application-oriented – they emphasize real-world situations and AT responsibilities.
  
• Aligned with exam content – the BOC draws from these principles when designing questions.
  

You’re not just memorizing information—you’re learning how to think like a certified athletic trainer. Here are a few final tips: 

• Rotate through position statements during your weekly study schedule.
• Make summary sheets and keep them organized by topic.
• Use them to create mini-quizzes for yourself or your study group.
• Review them again in the final weeks before the exam—especially the recommendations sections.