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Marriage and Family Therapy

AMFTRB national MFT exam study plan

Four phases and the domains in order of weight. The plan runs one step at a time, here on the site.

Progress dashboardBaseline testDomainsStudy planPrintable flashcardsExam resultStudy plannerPacing calculatorSelf-checkTest-day checklistHow to study

A study aid, not an official plan. These tools organize your time. They do not predict a score, and they are not official AMFTRB guidance. Your plan stays in this browser and is never sent to us.

Step 1: take the baseline test

Your plan runs one step at a time, here on the site. Start with the 25-item baseline test, taken cold: it scores you on each domain. Your dashboard then shows the domains under 70%, and those are your next steps.

Take step 1: the baseline test →Open my dashboardMake a dated plan from my exam date

Phase 1: Orient

  • Read the exam at a glance on the landing page and the domains page.
  • Take the baseline test cold.
  • Open your dashboard and note the domains under 70%.

Phase 2: Learn by weight

  • Work the domains in the order of the table below, heaviest first.
  • For each domain: read the lesson, do its flashcards, then take its quiz and read every explanation.
  • Move on when the domain is at 70% or better on at least 10 items.

Phase 3: Practice and repair

  • Mix domains: take a domain practice test every other day.
  • Review your missed items each week until the list is short.
  • Return to any domain that slipped below 70%.

Phase 4: Taper

  • Take one or two timed full-length practice tests.
  • Use the pacing calculator to set your minutes per item.
  • Walk through the test-day checklist. Lighten the load the last two days.

Study time by domain

DomainWeightShare
D6. Maintaining Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards19%about 19% of your study timeDomain page
D3. Designing and Conducting Treatment17%about 17% of your study timeDomain page
D1. The Practice of Systemic Therapy16%about 16% of your study timeDomain page
D2. Assessing, Hypothesizing, and Diagnosing16%about 16% of your study timeDomain page
D4. Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment16%about 16% of your study timeDomain page
D5. Managing Crisis Situations16%about 16% of your study timeDomain page

Weights: AMFTRB MFT National Examination Handbook for Candidates (2027 edition) and 2026 edition. This is a general outline, not a prediction of your result.