94 on first exam but the next ones are harder and i have issues with this first one

Nursing Students General Students

Published

ok so i read chapters and did flash cards for our power point slides and i studied from the moment we started the section. The weekend prior to test i reviewed notes like crazy and took practice tests like a crazy woman but i have heard that this was the easiest test and i got a 94 over three dumb mistakes. Does anyone have any study tips to make sure you get that A on the next few tests ? I am in my first semester of nursing school and this is my only shot at it so i need to pass.

0 Votes
Specializes in L&D.

I guess Im not sure why you are so upset? A 94 is an A isn't it? An A is an A is an A :)

0 Votes

Since this method worked for you on the first test, keep doing it! I think the only difficult part is accommodating for when you have more information to learn than before. Keeping the momentum going is important as well. You got it!

:up:

0 Votes

maybe it is only a B+ at her/his school.....and who wants to lose a perfect score on "dumb mistakes"...though i don't know what OP is considering a dumb mistake...

I guess Im not sure why you are so upset? A 94 is an A isn't it? An A is an A is an A :)
0 Votes

I got a 126/150 (B) on my first exam and I am psyched about it... Actually one of my highest grades in college yet! (recently diagnosed with AHDH)... I would say dont beat yourself up about it and continue to maintain good study habits... My school is big on making sure you understand not memorize the material so ask questions ask questions! Don't let questions go unanswered!

Also a little tip on test taking, read and then highlight important words that will lead you to your correct answer. Read what the question asks not quickly read and read what you think it says. Ex: question on the exam about normal physiological decrease in elderly body (something like that) one option was A continent pt... everyone in the class read INcontinent and not what it really said!

It worked for me but everyone is different!

Hope this helps!

0 Votes
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You said you made "dumb mistakes." That sounds to me like studying is not the problem -- or the answer. It sounds like you knew the material well, but made mistakes in taking the test. Go back and review how you made those dumb mistakes. Did you mis-read the question? Did you read too much into a question and insert all sorts of twists and turns that the professor never wrote?

More study time or changes in study techniques will probably not help you avoid "dumb mistakes." The best way to avoid those is to figure out why you have made them in the past and change the behaviors that led to them.

0 Votes
Since this method worked for you on the first test, keep doing it! I think the only difficult part is accommodating for when you have more information to learn than before. Keeping the momentum going is important as well. You got it!

:up:

Thanks!

0 Votes

Read the questions as carefully as time allows. Answer exactly what the question is asking. Underline the words NOT and except for. I know a lot of students end up getting the answer wrong because they answered the question 'backwards' because they missed those words. Remember safety is always a top priority. Select all that apply questions are just glorified true/false questions; treat them as such. You're on a roll, keep up the great study habits, know & understand the material; don't just memorize facts.

You're a star! :cheeky:

0 Votes

The only way to get better at NCLEX style questions is to do a lot of them. Buy a NCLEX question and answer book(or a few books) that's broken down by subject. I like Lippincott's Q&A, the questions are harder than most other sources, but I also have both Saunders books, and the Success series for some classes.

If you're making stupid mistakes, slow down, re-read the questions. Ask yourself, 'do I understand with the question is asking?' Make sure you check to see if the question is asked in the negative, ie. 'a need for further teaching' or 'all of the following except'.

What class is this? Something like Nursing Fundamentals? How comfortable are you with therapeutic communication questions? Those mess up a lot of people early on, the key is to address how the patient feels, no matter how stupid the answers would sound in real life.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment