An animated video about test anxiety that highlights the importance of mindfulness and writing practices to loosen worries from your mind to help boost your grade!
Meditation Music by Anatolie Antoniu & Marin Nicoarã | Graphic Animation by Koyote Sundance Meiners-Rios | Video & Audio by Thomas Molash
Practices to Decrease Test Anxiety
Write it Out!
- Write it Out Audio (7:38)
- Get rid of worries before the exam - A guided practice that clears out worries from the mind; research shows it has increased test performance by at least 5 points.
Walk Off Your Stress
- Walk Off your Stress Audio (11:50)
- Mindful walking helps to distract you from worrying and increase well-being as you are more present in the world around you rather than up in your head worrying about stuff that usually doesn’t happen.
Catch Your Breath
- Catch Your Breath Audio (9:34)
- This practice helps decrease the stress response so you can think more clearly and do better on your exam.
5 Minute Meditation
- 5 Minute Meditation (7:20)
- Research says 5 minutes of deep breathing will boost your exam scores, so chill out for a few minutes using this practice.
Find a Comfortable Rhythm
- Find a Comfortable Rhythm Audio (6:10)
- Paced breathing helps to distract the mind from worries, freeing up space in the brain to think about more important stuff.
Entry into most professional health schools requires students to perform well on Standardized Admission Tests. Since standardized tests are a way of life in health care, you will want to develop the skills necessary to succeed on them over the course of your undergraduate degree.
- OAT (Optometry Admission Test)
- DAT (Dental Admission Test)
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test -- also required by most podiatry schools)
- GRE (Graduate Record exam -- required by many PT, OT and PA programs. Also required by most graduate schools).
Professional health schools also expect students to have a well-rounded understanding of current issues, research and ethics that are faced on a daily basis when working in the medical field.
The resources listed below will help you to prepare for admissions tests for professional health schools, and you may even find them useful in your current studies!
DAT
Dental
ADA (American Dental Association)
ADEA (American Dental Education Association)
DAT Practice Tests
DAT Guide
MCAT
Allopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, and accepted (but not required) by some Physician Assistant Programs
AAMC Association of American Medical Colleges Practice Materials
AC Online MCAT Prep and Success for Medical Students
MCAT Khan Academy Study Materials
OAT
Optometry
Optometry Admission Test Information
GRE
Physical Therapy, some Occupational Therapy programs, and many Physician Assistant Programs
GRE Free Test Prep
GRE Online Guide
CASPer
A situational judgment test that is increasingly used by Physician Assistant programs (sometimes in place of the GRE); Used by other professional health programs in the secondary phase of applications
CASPer Test Prep
To make an advising appointment, click HERE.
Do you believe in yourself? Do you supply yourself the credit you deserve? Self-esteem is an integral part of personal happiness, fulfilling relationships and achievement. This test is designed to evaluate your general level of self-esteem and determine whether you need to work on your self-image. Take this self-esteem test to find out your true sense of self.
Examine the following statements and indicate how often or to what degree you agree with them. In order to receive the most accurate results, please answer each question as honestly as possible.
After finishing this test you will receive a FREE snapshot report with a summary evaluation and graph. You will then have the option to purchase the full results for $6.95
This test is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or for the treatment of any health condition. If you would like to seek the advice of a licensed mental health professional you can search Psychology Today's directory here.
Is your glass half-full or half-empty? On those days when nothing in your life seems to be going right, it can be really tough to see the silver lining among all those clouds. However, it's during these times when the ability to see the good in even the worst situations is so important. An optimistic attitude benefits not only your mental health, but your physical well-being as well. Take this test to see where you fall on the optimism/pessimism continuum.
This test is made up of two types of questions: scenarios and self-assessment. For each scenario, answer according to how you would most likely behave in a similar situation. For the self-assessment questions, indicate the extent to which you agree with the given statements. In order to receive the most accurate results, please answer each question as honestly as possible.
After finishing this test you will receive a FREE snapshot report with a summary evaluation and graph. You will then have the option to purchase the full results for $4.95
This test is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or for the treatment of any health condition. If you would like to seek the advice of a licensed mental health professional you can search Psychology Today's directory here.
“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion.”
[1] -Thomas Jefferson - 1820
Introduction and Background
As Jefferson’s quote implies, a constitutional republic, such as the United States of America, requires informed, effective, and responsible citizens. Indeed, it has been said that ‘democracy is not a machine that will go of itself” and therefore requires each generation of citizens to develop, and employ, a certain level of civic knowledge in order to sustain it. Defining and developing such civic knowledge—that is, the effective preparation of citizens to fulfill their responsibilities to sustain and enhance self-government--is an essential condition for our representative government to survive.
Unfortunately, the civic literacy of Americans has been a concern for over 75 years. For example, national surveys of college freshman in the 1940s revealed a “striking ignorance” of even the most basic civic knowledge (Fine, 1943, p. 1).” In 2019, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation surveyed 41,000 Americans using 20 questions drawn from the USCIS Naturalization Panel. The results “validated what studies have shown for a century: Americans don’t possess the history knowledge they need to be informed and engaged citizens…. (Wilson Foundation, n.p. 2019)”
Additional support for this trend comes from the Congressionally mandated National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This assessment measures American K-12 students’ progress in a number of subjects, including civics, every four years. Results of the most recent Grade 12 NAEP-Civics assessment indicated that only 24 percent of 12 th graders scored at the ‘proficient’ level or above and that 36 percent scored below even a ‘basic’ level of civic literacy.
Civics Knowledge
In order to assess student progress, sophisticated frameworks identifying and detailing key civics concepts have been created. For example, the most recent NAEP-Civics assessment framework was developed by a panel of more than two dozen experts in civics and civic education. [2] These authors of the NAEP-Civics Framework determined that essential civic knowledge consisted of answers to questions such as:
- What are civic life, politics, and government?
- What are the foundations of the American political system?
- How does the government established by the Constitution embody the purposes, values, and principles of American democracy?
- What is the relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs?
- What are the roles of citizens in American democracy?
The National Standards for Civics and Government—developed by the Center for Civic Education (2003) [3] — provides another key reference point for determining key civics concepts. The authors of this framework extended their document to stress that educational institutions have a responsibility “to prepare informed, rational, humane, and participating citizens committed to the values and principles of American constitutional democracy (page v).
The Purdue Civics Test
As an educational institution, Purdue University recognizes its responsibility to prepare informed citizens who value the principles of American democracy. The creation of a civics literacy requirement is in-line with that responsibility. The development of the Purdue Civics Knowledge Test is part of the overall literacy plan. The purpose of the test is to measure undergraduate students’ mastery of the basic civics concepts and principles underlying the system of government in the United States. This includes an awareness of their rights and responsibilities, as well as the source of those rights and responsibilities. Students should also know the structure and function of the government as described in the U.S. Constitution, and the role citizens play in the political and social life of the country. Finally, students should be familiar with the origin and contents of significant documents and events that have shaped the United States
“Citizenship—commitment to and participation in a community’s civic life—is the engine of constitutional democracy and a free society. Knowledge of the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of citizenship fuel that engine. Without the participation of informed, effective, and responsible citizens, a democratic republic cannot and does not function, nor can it make progress toward its ideals (NAEP Governing Board, p. 1, 2014).
Although it is hoped that civics knowledge will be related to active participation in civic life, the Purdue Civics Knowledge Test is focused directly on assessing student knowledge of key civics principles, facts, and government structures. It does not try to assess student behavior or beliefs.
Developing the Test
The development of any standardized test should follow clear, well-documented procedures consistent with professional test development practices. The first step is establishing a clear purpose for the test. The purpose of the Purdue Civics Knowledge Test was outlined above. The next steps include (1) identifying eligible content, (2) establishing detailed test specifications, (3) developing items aligned to the targeted content, (4) providing for expert review of test items for content accuracy and freedom from bias, (5) field-testing items, (6) completing the psychometric analysis of field-test data, and (7) creating final test forms. [4] The development of the Purdue Civics Knowledge Test included attention to each of these steps.
Defining Eligible Content . The test development team referenced multiple sources to identify eligible content. The three most significant sources were (1) the National Standards for Civics and Government produced by the Center for Civic Education (2003), (2) The National Assessment of Educational Progress Framework: Civics (2018), and
(3) test items from the Naturalization Test for United States Citizenship managed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). [5] In addition, released items from the AP US History and AP US Government tests were also referenced. As a result, the working group identified five broad constructs that defined eligible civic knowledge content for the test:
- Civic life, politics and government,
- Foundations of the American political system,
- How the government established by the constitution embodies the purposes, values and principles of American democracy,
- Roles of citizens in American democracy, and
- Important individuals and events in the history of the United States
Establishing Test Specifications . Using these sources, and these constructs, a test blueprint was developed to define the range and balance of eligible test content within a civics knowledge test form. The blueprint also set targets for the cognitive complexity of the final item pool and became a reference point for the development of assessment support materials including the development of study guides and practice tests. The final test blueprint identified five critical civic knowledge dimensions and the specific content standards to be assessed within each dimension. The test blueprint is contained in List 1.
List 1. Test Blueprint
- Civic Life, Politics, and Government - 11%
- Distinguish between civic life and private life - 2%
- Identify ways people are represented in government - 3%
- Define limited government and rule of law - 3%
- Know the purpose of a constitution - 3%
- Foundations of the American Political System - 26%
- Identify the historical events and documents that led to the Constitution of the United States - 3%
- Identify distinctive characteristics of American society (e.g., absence of nobility, religious freedom, history of slavery, etc.) - 2%
- Identify distinctive characteristics of American federalism (i.e., overlapping powers at the local, state, and federal levels) - 5%
- Identify the different ways the Constitution can be amended and the types and number of amendments that have been added to the Constitution. - 4%
- Identify how the idea of natural rights is critical to the Constitution of the United States.
- Identify separated and shared powers. - 4%
- Recognize the values and principles of American constitutional democracy - 3%
- How the Government Established by the Constitution Embodies the Purposes, Values, and Principles of American Democracy - 30%
- Identify how the Constitution of the United States distributed and limited government powers among levels, branches, and agencies - 6%
- Identify the main branches of local, state and national government - 4%
- Recognize how checks and balances influence the making and enforcing of laws - 7%
- Identify examples of the rule of law 4%
- Identify the role of political parties in the United States - 4%
- Identify the role of the free press - 5%
- The Role of Citizens in American Democracy - 19%
- Identify constitutional amendments regarding citizenship and participation of citizens in politics (ex. 14th, 15th, 19th and 26th Amendment) - 5%
- Identify personal, political, and economic rights of citizens - 9%
- Identify ways that citizens take part in civic life - 5%
- Important Individuals and Events in the History of the United States - 14%
- Recognize the contributions of diverse groups to the political and social development of the United States - 6%
- Identify the causes of the American Revolution - 4%
- Identify the causes of the Civil War - 4%
Item Development . A team of professional item writers developed well-written items clearly aligned to the targeted learning standard. Items for the civics knowledge test were either adapted from existing sources (e.g., USCIS Naturalization test items, 12 th grade NAEP history and civics items, released civics items from large-scale state testing programs) or were new items written specifically for the Purdue Civics Knowledge Test.
Expert Review of Item Content and Bias and Sensitivity Review . The pool of potential items was reviewed for both content accuracy and to ensure the items were free of potential bias and sensitivity issues. [6] Items were reviewed by expert faculty, and items were edited or eliminated based on this review. Over 175 new items passed the review process.
The Purdue University item review team included:
- David Atkinson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, History Faculty
- Kathryn Cramer-Brownell, Ph.D., Associate Professor, History Faculty
- James McCann, Ph.D., Professor, Political Science Faculty
- Christopher Munt, Ph.D., Director of Inclusive Excellence, College of Liberal Arts
- Yvonne Pitts, Ph.D., Associate Professor, History Faculty
- Phillip VanFossen, Ph.D., J. F. Ackerman Professor of Social Studies Education
- Eric Waltenburg, Ph.D., Professor, Political Science Faculty
- Peter Watkins, Ph.D. Visiting Professor, Political Science
The wordings of the test items were further subjected to a separate bias review by the Purdue University Division of Diversity and Inclusion
Simultaneous with these reviews and subsequent psychometric analysis, Purdue Libraries, under the direction of Professor Zoe Mayhook, created a resource page to provide background information for students preparing for the test.
Field-Testing the Items . The test development team built four 50-item field test forms. Each form included a core of 19 common items, and an additional set of 31 unique items. This design allowed statistical analyses to place all items on a common underlying difficulty scale. The forms were administered to samples of Purdue undergraduate students in March-April, 2021.
The test was administered through the Brightspace learning management system, with students self-pacing outside of a conventional classroom setting.
The students who took a version of the field test were recruited through a random sample of all undergraduates and two more specialized samples: undergraduates enrolled in political science courses in the Spring-21 term; and international students. In total, 355 students took part in this field test.
Psychometric Analysis of Field Test Data . Item response data collected during the field test were used to establish the psychometric properties of the items and test forms. Each of the test items was analyzed to gauge its difficulty and functioning. The full battery of items was further assessed to confirm the high reliability of the instrument, and student performance was compared across the different forms and samples to explore the overall fairness of the test.
Establishing Final Test Forms . The results of the psychometric analyses guided the development of three distinct, parallel, and equivalent 50-item test forms. The evidence collected during the development process establishing the validity, reliability, and fairness of the final test forms will be summarized in a final technical manual.
Based on the results of the field test, the decision was made to place the passing mark at 80%.
[1] Letter to William Charles Jarvis, 28 September 1820; The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition, Lipscomb and Bergh, eds., vol. 15 (278). More information.
[2] Civics Framework for the 2018 National Assessment of Educational Progress (2018). More information.
[3] Center for Civic Education (2003). National Standards for Civics and Government. Calabasas, CA. More information.
[4] American Educational Research Association., American Psychological Association., National Council on Measurement in Education., & Joint Committee on Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (U.S.). (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing.
[6] The development process and plans were also submitted for IRB review and approval. This will allow data from the field test data to be presented outside of the immediate working group.
Santa Clara University's Center for Professional Development is committed to providing our students with an exceptional level of support, and we understand that passing certification exams is a crucial step in the path to becoming a teacher. That’s why we’re pleased to partner with Teachers Test Prep, the nationwide leader in credentialing exam preparation, to provide our eligible students with Core Plus Online Prep for the Praxis, CSET, CBEST, RICA, and CPACE, at a 40% discount off of the regular test prep materials price.
To get started, please contact cpd@scu.edu to request that an account be created on your behalf, so that you may utilize free practice exams and diagnostics to determine if you are in need of prep. Once you complete your free practice test, you will receive an instant diagnostic breakdown. If your likelihood of passing is borderline or below, we will purchase the corresponding online prep program for you at a discounted price.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not contact us and instead purchase prep directly on your own, we are unable to reimburse for costs.
To learn more about the prep resources available and to see general info about the exams, visit the Praxis, CSET, CBEST, RICA, and CPACE test info pages on the Teachers Test Prep website.
If you have questions or are interested in purchasing a test prep package, please contact cpd@scu.edu.
As a licensed Professional Engineer, or PE, you can expect many more benefits when compared to other engineers; most employers offer higher salaries and greater opportunities for advancement to PE's. Only PE's can consult in private practice, and seal company documents to be sent to the government. PEs also have more credibility as expert witnesses in court than most engineers.
Steps in obtaining a PE license:
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam.
- Graduate with a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited engineering curriculum (all Engineering curricula at Michigan Tech except Robotics Engineering).
- Gain four years of engineering experience under the supervision of a registered professional engineer.
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam.
During your senior year you should take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which is required prior to sitting for the Professional Engineers (PE) Exam. Some requirements vary by state.
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Was this helpful?
Genital gonorrhea can be diagnosed in a number of ways, including with a urine test or a swab of your genitals or mouth.
A urine sample can be used to test for genital gonorrhea in people of any anatomy.
A urethral swab may be used to test for genital gonorrhea in people who have a penis. An endocervical or vaginal swab may be used to test for genital gonorrhea in those with a vagina.
You can use a mouth or throat swab to test for oral gonorrhea. An anal or rectal swab can be used to test for anal gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea, also known as “the clap” or “the drip,” is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. It can target moist areas of the body, including the genitals, rectum, throat, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and eyes.
Like other STIs, gonorrhea doesn’t appear *poof* out of nowhere. Instead, it’s transmitted when a person without gonorrhea comes into contact with the area where another person has gonorrhea.
If, for example, person A has throat gonorrhea and goes down on person B, the infection could be transmitted to person B’s genitals. (Yes, oral STIs are a thing.)
Likewise, if partner A has genital gonorrhea and scissors with person B, the infection could be transmitted to person B’s genitals.
To narrow down at-home gonorrhea tests for this list, we dove into patient feedback, cost, result accuracy, result timeline, and ease of use.
Next, we broke them down into the categories like “best on a budget” and “most comprehensive” so that you can find the best at-home gonorrhea test for you. We also thoroughly vetted the brands and products in this roundup to make sure you get the best quality and experience.
As you scroll down, you’ll notice that each of the four at-home gonorrhea tests below also tests for chlamydia. That’s because both bacterial infections are often asymptomatic, but present with similar symptoms when symptoms are present.
Best overall
Nurx Healthy V Kit
- Price: $$$
- Type of samples: vaginal swab, throat swab, finger prick
- Results: available online within a few days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive and negative test results
The name of this kit may be a little cringe, but it’s overall the best get for vagina-havers.
Why? Because it tests for gonorrhea in the vagina, as well as the throat, using the vaginal swab and throat swab.
Here’s why that’s so important: Oral STIs are indeed a thing, and a thing anyone who engages in oral sex is at risk of. But most doctors (and at-home tests) don’t collect throat samples — due to a combination of the oral sex stigma and lack of knowledge — which leaves many individuals with a false understanding of their own STI status.
The Nurx Healthy V Kit also tests for:
In addition to the swabs, the kit also comes with a lancet so you can collect a blood sample to test for syphilis and HIV.
Recommended for those with a vagina who haven’t been tested for STIs in over a year — as well as those who have been experiencing symptoms — the Healthy V Kit is a great one-stop shop.
Best on a budget
Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test
- Price: $
- Type of samples: urine
- Results: available online within a few days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive test results
This at-home test by well-known STI testing brand Everlywell is the ultimate double-whammy: It tests for both chlamydia and genital gonorrhea using the same urine sample.
Request this package online and you’ll receive a kit with all the instructions and materials you need for sample collection in the mail.
Basically, you pee into a green cup. Then, squirt the pee into the urine sample tube using the included pipette. Finally, you put the sample tube into a biohazard bag before putting the whole thing into a prepaid return bag.
You’ll receive your results within a few days through the Everlywell patient portal.
If you receive a positive test, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with a healthcare professional about next steps (like antibiotics) at no additional cost.
For a more encompassing test, Everlywell also has a full at-home STD test available for $149 that tests for multiple types of STDs at once.
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
Most comprehensive
MyLab Box 3-Site
- Price: $$
- Type of samples: swab and urine sample
- Results: available online within 2 to 5 days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive test results
Once more for the people in the back: It’s possible to have gonorrhea of the genitals, rectum, or throat. That means if you engage in anal or oral play with a person who is STI-positive or whose current STI status you don’t know, it’s wise to get tested in all three locations.
MyLab Box 3-Site allows you to do just that! This box also tests for chlamydia in all three locations.
Collection for the test has three parts, but from start to finish, it shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes.
First, you’ll pee into a little tube. Next, you’ll swab your anus. Finally, you’ll swab your throat. (Don’t worry, neither the anal nor throat swabs are painful).
Once you’ve collected your samples, you’ll ship them off to the laboratory using a pre-addressed and pre-paid envelope. And you’ll receive your secure results within a matter of 2 to 5 weekdays.
If you test positive, you’ll receive info on how to obtain a free (yes, free!) telemedicine consultation with a doctor in your state. This doctor may be able to prescribe treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea, depending on what you test positive for.
They’ll also tell you when you should be retested after treatment to confirm that the infection is gone.
Best for combination STI testing
LetsGetChecked
- Price: $-$$$
- Type of samples: urine, finger prick
- Results: available online within 2 to 5 days
- Follow-up care? yes, after positive test results
LetsGetChecked offers three STD tests in the above price range:
- Simple 2 at $99 tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea
- Standard 5 at $149 tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis
- Complete 8 at $249 tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, trichomoniasis, Gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma
The Simple 2 uses a urine sample. The Standard 5 and Complete 8 use urine and finger prick blood samples.
After activating your kit and collecting your samples in the morning, you’ll send them back for laboratory testing in an envelope with a prepaid label. Easy-to-read results will be sent to your secured online account within 2 to 5 days.
If any of your test results come back positive, you can request a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional who can prescribe medication, for $39 per visit.
Symptoms usually (usually!) appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure. However, most cases of gonorrhea are asymptomatic, meaning there are no symptoms.
When someone does experience symptoms, they usually include:
- burning or pain while urinating
- yellow, white, or green discharge
- itching, soreness, or skin irritation
- abdominal, pelvic, rectal, or genital pain
Regardless of whether or not someone has symptoms, the bacteria can still be transmitted.
And not only that — the infection can progress. If untreated, gonorrhea can cause complications such as:
In short: Getting tested is imperative.
But did you know that some time needs to pass between when someone first comes into contact with gonorrhea and when they will test positive for it?
Known as the incubation period, this time ranges from 1–14 days. That’s why experts recommend getting tested for gonorrhea 2 weeks after potential exposures and then again several weeks later.
If you get tested before that, you might receive a negative result, even if you’re positive. Or, if you receive a positive diagnosis, it could be because you came into contact prior to your last sexual encounter.
If you find out the person you had sex with has gonorrhea shortly (1–3 days) after having sex with them, talk with a healthcare professional. They may be able to prescribe an antibiotic taken as a precaution against the infection. You can also talk with your partner about expedited partner therapy, or EPT. This practice has been around since 2006 because of EPT’s usefulness in reducing gonorrhea reinfection rate.
All of the tests we’ve reviewed for this roundup are analyzed in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratories. However, they may use different terminology in their reports.
In some instances, you may see your results indicated as positive or negative. Or, you may see words like normal and abnormal. Interpreting your results, and determining the best treatment option for you, should be done by a healthcare professional.
It’s possible to be positive for multiple conditions. No matter what your results are, don’t start or stop using medication until you speak with a healthcare professional.
Getting test results back can be confusing, or, let’s face it, even scary. Every test on this list gives you the option of quickly connecting with a healthcare professional at no or low cost.
Take advantage of that, and check in with someone who can calmly explain your results to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Take notes if you need to.
And don’t end the consultation until you’re completely clear about what’s going on and what you need to do next. If you already have a doctor you trust, you can also supply them a call to discuss your results.
At-home tests should be discreet, reliable, and accurate. When you’re choosing the best type for you, make sure to check off these boxes:
- your kit will arrive in a discreet envelope
- the test will be analyzed in a CLIA-certified laboratory
- your online privacy and test results will be protected with up-to-date security features
- your identity and information will not be sold, ever, to any third party
- test results will be provided within 1 week or less
- follow up consultations with healthcare providers are available
If you’re studying this, odds are it’s because you’re on the market for an at-home gonorrhea test.
Well, you probably have questions beyond, “Which at-home gonorrhea test is best?” That’s why we put together this FAQ list.
Are at-home gonorrhea tests accurate?
Yes! Most at-home STI testing brands use the same type of samples as an in-office collection.
Further, at-home testing companies send your samples to the same exact labs that in-person healthcare professionals use, meaning the accuracy of the results is the same.
When should I get tested?
Again, the best time to get tested is 2 weeks after a potential exposure or if you have symptoms, and then again several weeks later.
Beyond that, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that any sexually active person get tested at least once a year — and more often if you frequently have new sexual partners.
Who should get tested?
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with gonorrhea, you might choose to take an at-home gonorrhea test.
However, because the symptoms of gonorrhea are similar to those of many other STIs, as well as infections like yeast infections, it may be more cost-efficient for you to take an at-home STI test that tests for multiple STIs. Or, it may be better to get tested at a doctor’s office, Planned Parenthood, a health department, or another low-cost clinic.
Are at-home gonorrhea tests private?
Yes. All the tests listed here are completely confidential and private — they have to be under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The packaging for these tests is also discreet. The only indication of where the package is coming and going is the shipping label.
What should I do if my test results are positive?
Most at-home STI testing companies have healthcare professionals on staff who will call you to discuss the next steps.
Gonorrhea can’t go away on its own. So, the first step will involve going on antibiotics, which will either include an intramuscular injection or oral dose. The exact dosage and type of medication will vary based on how much the infection has progressed.
You should also abstain from sex. A healthcare professional will tell you when it’s OK to start engaging again.
Learn more about gonorrhea treatment here.
Next, they will help you figure out how to talk with your current partner(s), as well as determine how far back in your sexual history you should be alerting folks. (Yes, talking with current and recent sexual partners is an important step.) Additionally, gonorrhea is a reportable STI, which means a positive test result should be reported in accordance with state and local regulations.
Finally, 1–2 weeks later, the healthcare professional will have you get retested for gonorrhea. This is known as test-of-cure and is important because reinfection is super common. Experts also recommend getting retested 3 months after to check for reinfection.
Knowing your current STI status, including your gonorrhea status, is imperative for being a responsible sexual citizen, as well as prioritizing your own health.
And at-home gonorrhea tests make it easier to do so, especially for people who don’t have transportation to a testing site.
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer sex educator and wellness journalist who is committed to helping people feel the best they can in their bodies. In addition to Healthline, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Household pollutants can come from a variety of sources including the materials used in your home’s construction, and mold and mildew caused by poor ventilation. Clean air in the home can protect you from carcinogens, allergens, and harmful particulates. Even if you don’t suspect a problem, it’s a good idea to have some type of air quality monitor in the home. Threats like radon and carbon monoxide are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and you’ll have no clue that there’s trouble until you’re already in the danger zone. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to conduct indoor air quality testing and monitoring yourself: All you need is a few key tools.
Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality
The wide range of pollutants, particulates, and allergens that can affect indoor air make it difficult to create an all-inclusive list of poor indoor air quality indicators. However, there are circumstances and signs that could indicate poor air quality in your home, including:
- Poor ventilation: Condensation on walls or windows, musty-smelling air, or areas where mold collects on walls suggests a ventilation issue.
- Health problems: Respiratory or other health problems that develop after moving into a home and that subside after time spent away from home point toward an environmental issue in the home.
- Unusual odors: If you notice unusual odors after a period of absence from home, pollutants or mold could be permeating the indoor air.
- Older homes: Materials and construction methods used in older homes sometimes include materials known to emit harmful VOCs or pollutants. Outdated construction methods may also contribute to ventilation problems. That doesn’t mean that new homes can’t have issues with indoor air quality—it just means that poor indoor air quality is less likely in newer builds because they have to conform to modern building codes.
RELATED: Mold vs. Mildew: What’s the Difference?
Before You Begin
Not every home requires air quality testing for every potential particulate or pollutant. Often, the types of symptoms you experience and the age and location of the home can help you narrow down potential pollutants. Be sure to consult a doctor if you are experiencing health problems that you suspect are related to your home environment. A doctor can help identify and treat health issues related to exposure to mold, radon, and carbon monoxide.
STEP 1: Set up an indoor air quality monitor.
How is air quality measured? Some monitors use electrochemical sensors that detect toxins while others estimate particulate matter (PM) based on the particulates that pass in front of a laser. It depends on the type of monitor you have and what it’s designed to detect.
Air quality testing can detect harmful odorless gasses like carbon monoxide and radon. Depending on the model, they may also detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or pollutants such as airborne particulate matter. More advanced indoor air quality monitors may also measure the room’s humidity and temperature.
Choose a monitor that detects the specific pollutants that concern you. For example, if you live in an area with high air pollution, you’re more likely to need a model that detects particulate matter. Those who live in older homes may want to get a model that detects radon and carbon monoxide (though either can be present in newer homes, too).
Our Recommendation: Temptop M10 Air Quality Monitor – Get it at Amazon for $92.99
This portable air quality monitor’s sensors track airborne particulate matter, VOCs, and formaldehyde with a simple display and interface.
STEP 2: Test for mold.
Mold tests come in various formats, including swabs, tape strips, air pumps, and petri dish tests. Swabs and tape strip tests collect potential contaminants from a surface like a counter or tabletop. The results from a swab test come within a few minutes, though you may not know the exact type of mold.
Tape strips, air pumps, and petri dish tests require the collected sample be sent to a lab for analysis. While these tests are more accurate than a simple swab test, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get the results. Additionally, petri dish tests can get contaminated from other particles in the air. Tape strips and swabs can also get contaminated by other particles on the tested surface.
Air pumps offer a closed system that’s less likely to get contaminated, though they tend to cost more. Set the mold test up near the home’s ventilation or in the area where you suspect mold or a contaminant. However, always follow the directions on the test kit for the best results.
Our Recommendation: Seeml Labs DIY Mold 3 Test Kit – Get it at Amazon for $32.99
This kit comes with three tests (one swab and two tape strips), which offer same-day (that the results arrive) results from a lab.
RELATED: How to Test for Mold
STEP 3: Perform a radon test at home.
Radon gas naturally occurs as a byproduct of the breakdown of the uranium found in certain rocks and soil. The gas can seep its way into a home through the foundation until it reaches harmful levels.
Radon tests detect levels of the gas over time. Short-term tests take 90 days or less, while long-term tests can take several months. The results from these tests are usually interpreted by a lab. Continuous tests monitor radon levels at all times and alert you if high levels of radon are detected.
Depending on the type of radon test you use, the testing process may require installing detection sheets or other materials in an area suggested by the manufacturer. The key is to follow the instructions on the test.
Our Recommendation: Airthings 2989 View Radon – Get it at Amazon for $199.99
This continuous, battery- or USB-operated radon monitor measures indoor radon levels, temperature, and humidity and integrates with the Airthings mobile app to provide the user remote alerts.
STEP 4: Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, poisonous gas that causes confusion, dizziness, and headaches before it causes a loss of consciousness and death. Many smoke detectors these days are combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s critically important to have both types of detectors in your home, so you’ll want to make sure that your home safety plan monitors both smoke and carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed outside bedrooms, and anywhere in the house you’d place a smoke detectors. There should be a carbon monoxide detector on each level of the home and near sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide rises with air, so the detector should be placed about 5 feet off the floor on a wall or on the ceiling. Do not put them near a fireplace or open flame.
Our Recommendation: Kidde Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Detector – Get it at Amazon for $34.99
Kidde’s Nighthawk is a reliable, affordable carbon monoxide detector that sounds when CO levels reach unhealthy levels. We like that it has a digital display and multiple power sources, including battery backup, so it will continue functioning during a power outage.
RELATED: 8 Myths About Indoor Air Quality and the Facts You Need to Breathe Easy
Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Home air quality monitoring devices will alert you if pollutants reach dangerous levels. However, there are many things you can do to prevent levels from reaching dangerous levels in the first place.
• Check your HVAC system to make sure it’s functioning at peak efficiency.
• Increase the airflow in your home by periodically opening the windows and using fans to circulate the air.
• Stay on top of mold removal and prevention around the home. If you find mold, try scrubbing it with a mold-killing cleaner like bleach or borax. For delicate surfaces, you can use dish soap or diluted white vinegar. Unfortunately, you may not be able to remove mold from porous surfaces, and they may need to be replaced.
Carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous. If you suspect that there’s carbon monoxide in your home in high or low doses, leave at once. Open windows and doors, and get outside into the fresh air. Contact the proper authorities to get you and the home checked for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Prices in this article are accurate as of August 3, 2023.
