Dissecting the Test!

Nursing Students General Students

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Today is our test review... I am dreading it because it usually always ends up in an "us against them" argument with the instructors. My class has a terrible habit of dissecting every question they can possibly remember from the test in the week between the test and the review. It drives me batty, really. I can understand if what they were challenging were questionable but most of the time it is a stretch just to get more points... Anyone else have this problem in their school.

Yes, we have that same issue. I think it is due to the fact that most of us are either Type A personality, or OCD enough to want to get everything due us. Good luck with all the... questioning.

Richard

i obtained a double major degree in psychology and philosophy before entering nursing. in neither of those majors did ANYONE contradict debate, or argue test questions with ANY of our profs.

as a student in nursing, however, i found it interesting (in a negative way)and DISRESPECTFUL when i witnessed such arrogance and ignorance on the part of students who were just entering the field of study.

nursing students don't know what they don't know. most nursing profs are willing to DISCUSS important concepts within a framework of mutual respect -- but none of them desire to debate or argue with the student. (and MOST students don't like it either)

the best policy for the student is to LISTEN to the rationale for why a particular answer is or is not correct. it will make more sense as you progress in your nursing studies.

our school does not allow questions or discussion during the test review b/c of the DISRESPECT shown to the Instructors. it got to the point where the Instructors were going to walk out of the review. now, the policy states that if you have a question re: a test question, you must write it down and document your source for the correct answer. The prof will answer your question IN WRITING. the prof has the FINAL say on whether or not they will grant you credit on the test question.

BTW, my niece completed her JD in Law. in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, would they have evver even considered contradicting, debating, or arguing with their profs. They respected them for what they are: Law profs AND nursing profs are EXPERTS in their field!

Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I HATE it when students do this and I think professors should not allow it. Even those students who clearly marked the wrong answer find a need to fight for their answer. My fundamentals professor during my first semester of nursing school would go over the exam right after taking it, but she didn't allow any conversation about the questions. Her reasoning: she spent a great deal of time making sure these questions were written correctly. Thus, if someone had a problem, they could visit her during her office visits and voice their concerns.

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Rather than be irritated at the numskulls who are trying to eek points out of the instructors, I'd be paying attention to the instructors who are probably dropping pearls of wisdom as to test taking strategy and critical thinking which the numskulls aren't paying attention to anyway. You never know when these gems of wisdom might come in handy--like during the time you take your NCLEX?

Specializes in ED.

I am sorry but I disagree. Professors can be wrong I would not argue about it in class but get the proper documentation (page number) where you found it and present it to the instructor. We had one question (pedi resp) what is the priority intervention you are going todo for this pt: a. give O2 as ordered B. put baby on pulseOX C. position the baby for comfort. The whole class said A. the professor wanted C. If that was your pt are you going to make sure that the baby is comfortable or give them O2? Next question (pedi resp) what wouldl be not considered an obstructive or restrictive A. PNA B. RSV C. Pneumothorax. When I saw this question I knew they were going to have to throw it out. The professor wanted C. The priority nursing Diagnosis is impaied gas exchange which would be considered restrictive in nature due to the fact that only one lung is working properlly. I found the info that I need to prove the my theory and the question was thrown out. Teachers are not gods. we had one teacher empahtically tell us that you exhale into an incentive spirometer. Some instructors are so outdated in their materials because of pure laziness. 2 weeks ago I received an info packet about AIDS and in the first paragraph it stated by the year 2000. It was written in 1993. So yes if you think that you are right and a majority of the class though the same as you did then by all means get that documentation and prove your theory in a professional manner. If nobody questioned a theory we would still all be sitting on a doughnut post-partum. ;)

Specializes in LTC.

I agree that professors can be wrong but there is a time and a place to discuss questions about the test. Insulting the instructor to her face during class and arguing 30 out of 50 questions is beyond annoying. It is just plain wrong and I am tired of it.

I feel like I am in preschool sometimes!

To the OP, I hope you find a way to deal with your classmates because evidently they just keep on going.

i obtained a double major degree in psychology and philosophy before entering nursing. in neither of those majors did ANYONE contradict debate, or argue test questions with ANY of our profs.

as a student in nursing, however, i found it interesting (in a negative way)and DISRESPECTFUL when i witnessed such arrogance and ignorance on the part of students who were just entering the field of study.

nursing students don't know what they don't know. most nursing profs are willing to DISCUSS important concepts within a framework of mutual respect -- but none of them desire to debate or argue with the student. (and MOST students don't like it either)

the best policy for the student is to LISTEN to the rationale for why a particular answer is or is not correct. it will make more sense as you progress in your nursing studies.

our school does not allow questions or discussion during the test review b/c of the DISRESPECT shown to the Instructors. it got to the point where the Instructors were going to walk out of the review. now, the policy states that if you have a question re: a test question, you must write it down and document your source for the correct answer. The prof will answer your question IN WRITING. the prof has the FINAL say on whether or not they will grant you credit on the test question.

BTW, my niece completed her JD in Law. in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, would they have evver even considered contradicting, debating, or arguing with their profs. They respected them for what they are: Law profs AND nursing profs are EXPERTS in their field!

I disagree with that entire policy. Professors are not God's, they are not the end-all, know-all scholars. Instructors that FEAR publically addressing a student and their concerns...I start questioning their own knowledge and ability on the subject and I'll give you a great example.

I had a friend that took AP this summer, new professor, and the first exam, he gave ack to the students. On a 60-question exam, the students were able to find 13 INCORRECT answers...that were black and white/stone cold/no question about it...wrong answers.

Not only did the professor not give the students the points (which was immediately corrected when many of them went to the Dean as the Dean agreed with the students)...the Professor's solution? He didn't give any more of the exams back to the students...if you wanted to see it, you could schedule an appointment wtih him and look over your test, but he wouldn't allow you to look up anything in your notes, etc.

Do you think that is good instruction? I don't. I call it a professor that got busted not reading his own notes.

One of the questions on one of my pharmacology exams asked where Aspirin originated from...the answer I choose, was "plant", her answer? It was derived from a mineral.

I happened to know that not only does Aspirin come from a plant, it comes from a tree, specifically, the bark of the Willow Tree...do you think I got credit?

Nope.

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