If you searched for "CPTE neuro practice questions," "PCE neurology sample questions," or "CAPR neuro questions," here are real ones to attempt. (The PCE and CPTE are the same national exam — CAPR's Physiotherapy Competency Examination — so these apply whichever term you searched.)
Neurological physiotherapy on the CPTE spans stroke, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathies, vestibular, and neuro assessment — and the questions reward pattern recognition and localisation over memorised lists. Below are six neuro questions pulled directly from the CAPR-aligned PhysioExamPrep bank, each with the correct answer and a full rationale.
How to use these: cover the answer, commit to a choice, and explain why the other options are wrong before you reveal it. Read the rationale even when you're right.
Question 1 — Guillain-Barré Syndrome
A therapist is testing reflexes in a suspected GBS patient. What is the expected reflex finding in the affected limbs?
- A. 0 (Areflexia) or 1+ (Hyporeflexia).
- B. 3+ (Brisk).
- C. Normal (2+).
- D. 4+ with clonus.
Answer: A — 0 (Areflexia) or 1+ (Hyporeflexia).
GBS is a LMN disorder. Demyelination of the peripheral nerves and roots disrupts the reflex arc, leading to early loss of DTRs.
Question 2 — Glasgow Coma Scale
A patient performs "Withdrawal" from pain on the left side but "Extension" on the right side. How should the Motor score be recorded?
- A. Average the two sides.
- B. Record the worst response (M2).
- C. Record the best response (M4).
- D. Only record the right side.
Answer: C — Record the best response (M4).
GCS scoring rules dictate that you always record the best response achieved by the patient.
Question 3 — Spinal cord syndromes
A patient presents with Posterior Cord Syndrome. What is the primary functional deficit for this patient?
- A. Loss of vision.
- B. Complete paralysis.
- C. Severe sensory ataxia due to loss of proprioception.
- D. Inability to feel pain.
Answer: C — Severe sensory ataxia due to loss of proprioception.
This rare syndrome destroys the DCML. The patient can move but cannot feel their limbs, making walking extremely difficult and ataxic, especially in the dark.
Question 4 — GBS vs CIDP
A therapist is differentiating GBS from CIDP. What is the primary temporal difference between these two conditions?
- A. GBS is only in children; CIDP only in adults.
- B. GBS reaches its nadir within 4 weeks; CIDP progresses or relapses over months to years.
- C. GBS is LMN; CIDP is UMN.
- D. There is no difference.
Answer: B — GBS reaches its nadir within 4 weeks; CIDP progresses or relapses over months to years.
GBS is acute/monophasic. Weakness continuing beyond 8 weeks shifts the diagnosis to CIDP (the chronic version of GBS).
Question 5 — BPPV (Epley maneuver)
The therapist is treating Right Posterior Canal BPPV using the Epley maneuver (Canalith Repositioning Procedure). In Position 3 (turning the head and body toward the left side), what is the correct orientation of the patient's head?
- A. Head turned 45 degrees to the left and looking 45 degrees down toward the floor.
- B. Head in neutral.
- C. Looking back at the right shoulder.
- D. Looking up at the ceiling.
Answer: A — Head turned 45 degrees to the left and looking 45 degrees down toward the floor.
In Position 3, the patient is rolled onto their left shoulder, and the head is rotated so the nose points toward the floor. This uses gravity to move the otoconia from the posterior canal into the common crus.
Question 6 — Stroke prognosis
A therapist is reviewing the prognosis of a patient with an Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) compared to a Thromboembolic Ischemic stroke. Regarding recovery, which statement is generally true comparing these two types of stroke?
- A. Recovery timelines are identical for both types.
- B. Hemorrhagic strokes often have a higher initial mortality rate, but survivors may show more significant functional recovery as the hematoma resolves and pressure is relieved.
- C. Ischemic strokes have a higher initial mortality rate but better long-term recovery.
- D. Hemorrhagic strokes never recover motor function.
Answer: B — Hemorrhagic strokes often have a higher initial mortality rate, but survivors may show more significant functional recovery as the hematoma resolves and pressure is relieved.
While hemorrhagic strokes are more "deadly" in the first 48 hours due to ICP issues, the neural tissue in a hemorrhage is often displaced/compressed rather than immediately destroyed. As the blood is reabsorbed, functional gains can be more dramatic than in ischemic strokes where the tissue has infarcted.
Keep practising
The full PhysioExamPrep bank is CAPR-aligned for the 2026 CPTE and covers neuro in depth — stroke, SCI, GBS, vestibular, tracts and reflexes — with the same answer-and-rationale format. Start practising for free (a daily allowance, no card required) and track accuracy by topic. Premium — a one-time CA$49, valid for two years — unlocks unlimited practice, Written-section mock exams, and Oral-section case practice.