[adamsmom]

I have been studying my A** off and I got a 80% on my test today. My friend who admits of only studying a few hours got a 88%. I am happy for her but she gets it all the time and she always says oh I am not sure if I passed, and she gets a 86 or 88 on all the tests, it kills me. She even says she is a good guesser on tests.
I currently have a 77% for the semester because I failed 2 tests and passed 2. Many students in my class is either just passing like me or not passing. Passing is 75% for our school and we have 1 more test a paper that is worth a test grade and the final and 2 small quizzes. They go by points not grades. We have to get a min. of 525 points for the semester to pass and if you do not get that many you have to start over next year. Thanks for listening
Lee

[General E. Speaking, RN]

Congratulations on the passing grade! Try not to compare yourself. Some people just pick up stuff quicker with less studying. It is frustrating, though. I think it depends on the subject matter too. For me there are things that I "get" right away and others I struggle with.

It is annoying when you hear them say "Oh! I hope I passed" when they always do.

Good luck!

[GratefulHeart]

Good guessing on tests does not help one to become a competent nurse. In fact, some people who test well on paper don't do as well in their clinical experience. My point is just that we all have areas where we're weaker and stronger than others, so it doesn't help to look around. Just do your best and celebrate all that you're learning, whether or not it seems like you have to flub up more than your cohorts to get there.

[GingerSue]

good luck with your studying
80% is a fine mark/grade

study to learn, that'll be more helpful to you most of the time instead of guessing

[Annaiya]

Doing well on a test is half knowing the material and half knowing how to take the test. Usually the people who are "good guessers" or just lucky on tests don't do better because they know the material better, but because they understand how the test is structured.

For example, on most multiple choice tests there are two answers that are obviously wrong and then two that could be right. If you know to first look for the two answers that you can disregard, you've already cut your odds of picking the wrong answer by 50%. Then you can look at your remaining two answers and try to analyze which one seems the better of the two.

Try to learn the ways in which the test tries to "trick" you into picking the wrong answer. Also, make sure you ALWAYS read the entire question carefully and each answer. Even if you think you know the obvious answer right away. (I get caught too often by not reading all of the answers, because I'm in a hurry.)

Besides taking a class or reading a book to learn more about test taking, I think the best thing you can do is review your test afterward and figure out why you got each question wrong. Was it because you missed something in class? Or was it because you thought the question was asking something else. If it is the latter reason, figure why you read the question wrong, so you don't do it again in the future.

I used to be a horrible test taker until I realized that I needed to learn how to take the test just as much as I needed to learn the material.

[psalm]

Turn a deaf ear to your "friend". Nursing school shouldn't be a competition of grades...as someone else said clinical skills are important. Look at the whole picture.

Continue to study, take tips from above posts that you think will help you, ask questions, get some sleep and nourishment...we care

[SteveRN21]

Your friend can score A's 'til the cows come home, but unless she retains and understands all the info after graduation, she'll be just as helpless as someone who didn't study at all.

[eternity1]

I got one thing to say sweetie:


C = RN

Now I know you will shoot for the best grade possible and you should but you may have quite a lot going on in your life that the other person doesn't. Get a NCLEX review book now and learn how to take the test, study what you can, listen attentively in class and remember C = RN for the rest!

[MB37]

It sounds like your friend is trying to be modest about her grades. It's not like she's pulling 100's and still acting worried. As others have said, she probably just has better test-taking skills. It feels great to do well in school, but it's hard to not be able to have your friends share your excitement over good grades. That's how it sounds to me, at least.

[cybernurse81]

yeah don't worry about it oo much, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, at least u passed and 80% is pretty damn good to me! congratulations