Really need help studying for excelsior exams

Nursing Students Online Learning

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Hey everyone, I'm having a really tough time studying for excelsior's exams. i find myself getting lost in the material and to be quite honest I don't even know what to study half the time. I have downloaded the content guides but I still feel lost. Does anyone have anyone have any good tips or motivation for me. Thanks you guys. I hope to hear from you soon.

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I would do some hard thinking about this and try to decide whether this method is right for you. Perhaps you need a traditional program where the instructor directs your study efforts. What I found effective was to get review books from the bookstore and go through these, particularly ones that had questions on the topics. The questions would familiarize you with the concepts and how questions might appear. Also, spend the $65 or so on the EC practice exams. These are heavensent, according to everyone who has used them. They are exactly like the real test and will give you that edge you are looking for. Good luck.

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I also just sign up with Excelsior and not sure where exactly to start as far as studying. I read so much about Lisa's note and Groupstudy101. I posted a thread and was told about all the misspelled .... so I decided this weekend I am going to purchase all the recommended books. I know it's hard but you have to push yourself, you've come this far. Try to find someone to study with. Even if you study couple hours a day, just try to get motivated and also set some goals.

good luck to you

Don't give up

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Adult Float Pool.

it can be so overwhelming if you let it! i go through the same thing for each test--how am i ever gonna get all this!?! so, i start by printing the study guide and getting the practice test. i read through the study guide so i have an idea of what i'm looking for in each class and then, i just pick it apart. i usually buy the studygroup 101 notes, they are easy to break apart and take with me to work. i read each section assigned, take a practice test somewhere in there, and just keep studying. i take every quiz i can get my hands on, and i review the saunder's nclex like crazy. about a week before my exam, i take the 2nd practice test and review them like crazy, rationales and all. once i get started, it doesn't seem nearly as bad as i thought it would be, but ask me again when i finish life span 1, which is what i just started! good luck!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Buy the remommended books. The content guide tells you what chapters to read. Also buy the EC practice test. There really is no easy way to study the information. Just get the books and start reading. I took alot of notes as I read so I could go back and review. Each test is equivalent to a semester so it can be overwhelming. When I read, if I knew something about the subject, I would move on to the next item. I think it was easier for me because I was fresh out of LPN school so all of it was like a refresher.You can buy notes online. I did but found that I really didn't like them that much. I also went on Ebay and bought a few College Network modules to help guide my studying.

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I did every practice test that I could find. I did the excelsior practice tests for $65 each and I found a website www.nursing-practice-exams.com and just did question after question until I got them all correct.(I found that very helpful) I had purchased the college network study guides also but they are very expensive(about 400.00 each one). Everyone, has there own way of studying, figure yours out and you can do it!

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Sherry,

What was different about the practice exams that you spent $30.00 for and the ones that Excelsior charges $65.00 for? How many practice questions are on each test with the website you mentioned above? Do you get more than one version of a practice exam with that website?

Thanks!

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Excelsior test offers version A (100 questions) version B (100 questions). The thing I didn't like about Excelsiors practice tests is they only let you take each version one time for $65.00. I liked the other website because it allowed me to keep doing questions over and over, I used it more like flash cards(if you get what I mean). I remember there being at least 200 questions per test, possibly more. What test are you preparing for?

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I'm in the process of applying to Excelsior, so I haven't taken any classes yet. The only ones I'll need are the 7 (maybe less) nursing exams and the info lit class (gonna take the sage advice of others and do the Penn Foster route).

I understand what you mean about only getting two practice test versions with 100 questions each, when you say that there are at least 200 questions per test, are they unique questions (not repeats) and how many test versions per subject (class) are available?

I still have all my Saunder's NCLEX CD's, nursing texts, etc. But I do like to take a wide variety of tests for my own self assessment needs. Thanks for the info Sherry!

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

DaFreak71 - Hey i'm just starting with health safety if you want to be online study buddies? I put bids on the recommended textbooks on ebay so far, the version before the one listed in the study guide. I'm just now starting, thinking i'll give myself 6-8wks, i plan on paying for the exam ahead of time to give me a time limit and date for it so that it will force me to stay on track. I'm going through the content guide today to figure out what i need to get done each week in order meet my goal for the exam date. Good luck with everything!

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I used my saunder's Nclex review and study group101, and the content guide. The Health safety stuff is in the Nclex review book

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

cool thanks for the info!

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