Am I Failing?

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 6, 2012

How do you study for your exams?

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 6, 2012

Talk to your instructor and find out what you need to do to pass the course. She may be able to give you some help -- or at least some peace of mind based on knowing your situation for sure.

truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 6, 2012

How do you study for your exams?

We have a Bachelors degree level fundamentals book called Kozier and Erb's. Its ridiculously over complicated. I just read the book and try to answer the questions at the end of each chapter. All lectures are available on video online and I rewatched them. THought it helped, but it didn't.

Yves Francois · Nov 6, 2012

Most universities or colleges have an alert system through the Office of Student Services to notify those students in jeopardy; I am speaking from experience and look at me now, I passed the NCLEX at 75 the first time--YOU WILL DO IT TOO! have faith in yourself. In the meantime, ask to speak with your instructor and go over the math together, utilize your schools tutoring center if they have one or ask to be paired with a mentor until you feel comfortable with your study habits. Speaking of study habits, take good notes, then condense, color highlight with multi colors, use flash cards, skim texts, use online support, and tape record lectures if allowed. If you have test anxiety or have a learning disability undiagnosed at the time (again I speak from experience) and it is chronic, you may have recourse through the Office of Student Disabilities for test-time accommodation or a quiet environment.

But first things first my friend, make an appointment with your instructor immediately so you have time to make any necessary adjustments. Good luck.

truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

I believe I have to pull off a 76 on the last two tests and the final exam. I also have to pass an ATI proctored exam. Has anyone ever took one of those? We were only required to do about 1/2 the ATI material and I'm wondering what it covers exactly since I'm assuming it covers it all.

My first test is over respirations and fluid and electrolytes

Second is over death and dying, safety and security, and sexuality

Any suggestions? I have a comprehensive final worth 20% as well. The ATI is worth 2.5%, but I have to pass it at a Level 1 whatever that means.

perioddrama · Nov 8, 2012

I believe I have to pull off a 76 on the last two tests and the final exam. I also have to pass an ATI proctored exam. Has anyone ever took one of those? We were only required to do about 1/2 the ATI material and I'm wondering what it covers exactly since I'm assuming it covers it all.
My first test is over respirations and fluid and electrolytes
Second is over death and dying, safety and security, and sexuality
Any suggestions? I have a comprehensive final worth 20% as well. The ATI is worth 2.5%, but I have to pass it at a Level 1 whatever that means.

ATI is a standardized test that pulls NCLEX style questions from its test banks. Since you are taking Fundamentals, it will be a Fundamentals comprehensive test.

The higher you score percentage wise, the higher the Level will be. Since you only need a Level 1, you do not need that high of a passing percentage.

truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

ATI is a standardized test that pulls NCLEX style questions from its test banks. Since you are taking Fundamentals, it will be a Fundamentals comprehensive test.
The higher you score percentage wise, the higher the Level will be. Since you only need a Level 1, you do not need that high of a passing percentage.

I have to score a level 2. Not sure what that means. Do you have any idea? I'm not terribly concerned about it, but I will be dropped if I don't pass it at level 2.

missk88 · Nov 8, 2012

You CAN pass and you WILL pass if you are proactive! Talk to your professor, see where you need help when it comes to studying. Also, when I was in fundamentals I had a tough time adjusting to the NCLEX style questions on exams. Get a book of practice NCLEX questions and talk to your professor about tips when answering these types of questions. I was in the same boat as you, I legitimately thought I was going to fail but ended up getting an 88. You can do it!!!

perioddrama · Nov 8, 2012

I have to score a level 2. Not sure what that means. Do you have any idea? I'm not terribly concerned about it, but I will be dropped if I don't pass it at level 2.

I do not remember the percentages off-hand, so do not quote me on this. For example, you must score at least a 50% on the whole test to achieve a Level 1. You must score at least a 65% on the whole test to achieve a Level 2. You must score at least a 75% on the whole test to achieve a Level 3. The higher the Level, the more you know about the subject.

You can check to see if there is a tutorial on the ATI website to see if they explain the rankings.

Good luck!

wantccu · Nov 8, 2012

We have a Bachelors degree level fundamentals book called Kozier and Erb's. Its ridiculously over complicated. I just read the book and try to answer the questions at the end of each chapter. All lectures are available on video online and I rewatched them. THought it helped, but it didn't.

We have Kozier and Erb's, too. There is an online resource that is pretty helpful. Does your teacher have Power Points or anything? I find that there's so much information in the chapters that it really helps to narrow it down. There are very smart people in my class who read and outline that book 24/7 and are barely pulling C's. I skim, and really go in depth with topics covered in lecture/PPs and the principles in the online resource and the lowest exam grade I've gotten is a 92. Really figure out how to focus your studies. Every prof is different, so I can't tell you how to do that exactly in your situation - but if you learn concepts rather than blind memorization like you are probably used to for pre-reqs, you can generally figure out the questions you don't know by either thinking through them and pulling the important info or by process of elimination.

Compassion_x · Nov 9, 2012

Ask your instructor if you are failing and what you would need to do to pass. They know their grading scale and curriculum better than we do.