Test strategies I've learned

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That the exams are modeled after, "Bloom's Taxonomy of Cognitive Levels"

http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/assessment/multiplechoicequestions/blooms.html

As demonstrated in the link above, each cognitive level shows 'key verbs' to help you identify which level the question is written.

Your'e welcome IaCountryGir!l

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Specializes in Infusion.

I'm not sure why an honor student that dropped out of nursing school was a motivator to write all this. All of the people coming into nursing school (at least at my school) were on the honor roll and had some serious humbling after the first few tests. I like the idea of reading with the thought of the topic being a test question and trying to guess what those questions might be. Absolutely know all your definitions. Know your role as a nurse and what interventions YOU can do without an order and definitely know what you should NOT do (stuff that worsens a situation). Know the pathophys of the conditions you are being tested on and the classic signs and symptoms. Know the treatment methods - surgery, medications, medical equipment. What are the common side effects, what are the dangerous side effects. Whenever you have a drug with a very narrow therapeutic range, take that into your memory whether it is in your study material or a clinical situation (it is good to know how NOT to kill someone with too much medication). Know what a normal situation looks like and when the situation is emergent. Know what your 1st step is going to be.... are you going to call for help first, position the patient first, monitor the situation if nothing is serious now but could become serious? Look for key words in the questions - especially if the answer isn't coming to you. You may have overlooked the word "assessment" or "not". Memorization is only part of the equation and I think it should become easier as the information keeps building on previously learned info. Good luck and while I hate the word "concept map", I think it is very helpful.

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I'm not sure why an honor student that dropped out of nursing school was a motivator to write all this. All of the people coming into nursing school (at least at my school) were on the honor roll and had some serious humbling after the first few tests. I like the idea of reading with the thought of the topic being a test question and trying to guess what those questions might be. Absolutely know all your definitions. Know your role as a nurse and what interventions YOU can do without an order and definitely know what you should NOT do (stuff that worsens a situation). Know the pathophys of the conditions you are being tested on and the classic signs and symptoms. Know the treatment methods - surgery, medications, medical equipment. What are the common side effects, what are the dangerous side effects. Whenever you have a drug with a very narrow therapeutic range, take that into your memory whether it is in your study material or a clinical situation (it is good to know how NOT to kill someone with too much medication). Know what a normal situation looks like and when the situation is emergent. Know what your 1st step is going to be.... are you going to call for help first, position the patient first, monitor the situation if nothing is serious now but could become serious? Look for key words in the questions - especially if the answer isn't coming to you. You may have overlooked the word "assessment" or "not". Memorization is only part of the equation and I think it should become easier as the information keeps building on previously learned info. Good luck and while I hate the word "concept map", I think it is very helpful.

Hi JROregon, we are all honor students at my school too. I felt empathy and compassion for the student who dropped out, because I knew how proud she was to have been accepted into the program and how unprepared she was for failure. And I knew that there were others on the verge of giving up, so that was my motivation. I wrote it in her honor, and for those like her, because...I care.

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Wow, I'm surprised at some of the criticism here! Rbrandnew, thanks for posting all of this. You included some really helpful information on critical thinking, especially as it applies to nursing (and nursing exams!).

I'm adding two little "mantras" that I repeat to myself just before a test to stay focused and positive:

1. The right answer is on the page. I'm looking at it; I can see it. I CAN figure this out.

2. NO ANSWER CHANGING! I can count on one hand (probably 1 finger) the number of times I've changed an answer from wrong to right. I've changed an answer from right to wrong at least 5 times. I stopped changing answers unless I remembered a specific piece of information that undeniably changed my previous approach to the question. For example, if I remember a normal lab value that's pertinent to the question, I'll consider changing. Unless I have this "flash of lightning" - no changing! I've seen too many students start to get nervous as time winds down and second-guess themselves, only to their detriment.

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Thank you pecanpies :)

Your tips are so point on.

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Easy way to remember the cranial nerves.Nursing Tip | Easy Way To Remember Cranial Nerves - YouTube

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Rbrandnew, all I can say is thank you so much! I read your first post on this thread and I couldn't stop until I got to the end. I can appreciate everything you had said and I plan to use it and pass it along to other classmates. So far I am able to keep an "A" but I need more tools to help me study smarter. Thanks again!

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You're welcome, Nurseroc :)

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How to avoid careless Math mistakes.

t's Possible!

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Hot tip of the day!

Short on study time? Too much to organize, too much to remember?

I've found something that works for me. To study for cumulative Finals, I start with the syllabus and gather all my class notes, recorded lectures, my review notes from questions I got wrong on previous tests.

Then I go back over each chapter's/syllabus objectives; tables; tips; summary and review questions.

As I go over the objectives and summary I formulate 'my own' questions, paying close attention to any information that may make a good, 'select all that apply'; T/F or 'all except' question.

Before answering the 'Review Your Knowledge' questions, I rephrase the question in 'my own words'.

After answering all the questions, I verify my answer from the back of the book. I read ALL the rationales and then from the rationales of the incorrect answers, I formulate 'my own' new questions.

So where's the 'time saving' tip?

Coming right up, but first think about the information that I have provided you thus far.

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