Anatomy & Physiology Excelsior Exam

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Hello everybody- I'am grateful for allnurses and all the support and helpful information on this site...So I wanted to share my experience of the A&P excelsior exam and what I used to pass with a "C" today. I know a "C" is just passing, but I'm actually okay with it because it was a very hard exam. Everyone is different, I read through so many threads to figure out how I will study for this exam, I'm the type I have to read over and over again to understand, and I have photogenic memory. I used The "Barrons E-Z A&P" book, read it thoroughly, bought an old edition of the Martini recommended textbook [only used it as a reference]. I also bought the sg101, which i did not use, I cant follow bullet points, although a great studyguide, it wasn't for me. I took the excelsior practice exams twice, yes twice, because I wanted to see my progress. So the very first time I took the practice exam A- i got a 69, without any studying. exam B i got a 39, I felt discouraged, knew I was over thinking on the questions [this is just how i'am, test anxiety related]. Then I read only the Barron's book and retook the practice exams again, this time on exam A- received a 45, and exam B received a 48. Still felt discouraged, but I had read all the of the Barron's book and cross referenced with the Martini textbook as far as the exam questions were concerned. And one week later - now, I passed the A&P exam with a "C"....hope this helps someone, because I know how it feels having the fear of failing, not knowing what will be on the exam. And if anyone has any suggestions/study tips about the nursing theory exams for me- i would greatly appreciate it!! and of course prayer with some sacrifices helps alot as well!

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Hello everybody- I'am grateful for allnurses and all the support and helpful information on this site...So I wanted to share my experience of the A&P excelsior exam and what I used to pass with a "C" today. I know a "C" is just passing but I'm actually okay with it because it was a very hard exam. Everyone is different, I read through so many threads to figure out how I will study for this exam, I'm the type I have to read over and over again to understand, and I have photogenic memory. I used The "Barrons E-Z A&P" book, read it thoroughly, bought an old edition of the Martini recommended textbook [only used it as a reference']. I also bought the sg101, which i did not use, I cant follow bullet points, although a great studyguide, it wasn't for me. I took the excelsior practice exams twice, yes twice, because I wanted to see my progress. So the very first time I took the practice exam A- i got a 69, without any studying. exam B i got a 39, I felt discouraged, knew I was over thinking on the questions [this is just how i'am, test anxiety related]. Then I read only the Barron's book and retook the practice exams again, this time on exam A- received a 45, and exam B received a 48. Still felt discouraged, but I had read all the of the Barron's book and cross referenced with the Martini textbook as far as the exam questions were concerned. And one week later - now, I passed the A&P exam with a "C"....hope this helps someone, because I know how it feels having the fear of failing, not knowing what will be on the exam. And if anyone has any suggestions/study tips about the nursing theory exams for me- i would greatly appreciate it!! and of course prayer with some sacrifices helps alot as well!

wow Excelsior doesnt give you study materials or have a book for you to buy?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

EC does offer an exam content guide (exam outline/syllabus complete with references to recommended textbook.) there is a recommended textbook but like all A&P texts it is expensive and many try to opt out since it's not a 2 year class but a challenge exam. The content guide also includes other recommended resources such as websites and articles.

Since it's an independent study/challenge exams there are varying opinions on how to prepare. Generally using the (free) a Excelsior exam content guide as a basis is the most recommended.

That said a C isn't bad for a single exam that covers the equivalent material of a 2 semester course.

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Hi Diva - just to clarify, Justbeachynurse is right. Excelsior does have a content guide for you to follow. And the recommended textbook was the Martini book i wrote about, that i used just as a reference...also just to add on, I did not read much on the anatomy portion of the content but more the physiology, because that was the bulk of the exam. But then again, I have taken A&P before [over 5 years ago], and of course in LPN school.

Thank you Justbeachynurse! a year long class to study in a month- heck yea im happy with my C!! :yes:

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Hi Diva - just to clarify Justbeachynurse is right. Excelsior does have a content guide for you to follow. And the recommended textbook was the Martini book i wrote about, that i used just as a reference...also just to add on, I did not read much on the anatomy portion of the content but more the physiology, because that was the bulk of the exam. But then again, I have taken A&P before [over 5 years ago'], and of course in LPN school.

Thank you Justbeachynurse! a year long class to study in a month- heck yea im happy with my C!! :yes:

Oh ok thank you guys. Just like you my A&P is just a little over five years and did it in lpn school but now have to retake it ughjjj

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I am studying for A&P now, just 2 weeks into it, but I'm finding the part about cell structure and function has me worried. I am going over and over that part trying to make sure I fully understand it before I move on. THe anatomy is not as challenging since I've been an lpn for 15 years, but I'm' glad to hear that the Anatomy is a hard test, only because I started to lose confidence and thought I should know this. I am planning on taking my time with it. I am using SG 101 and the recommended Prentice Hall book, anything I can google and you tube.If anybody has any other tips please share. thank you infinity85 for sharing that the Physiology was most of the exam.

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I am studying for A&P now, just 2 weeks into it, but I'm finding the part about cell structure and function has me worried. I am going over and over that part trying to make sure I fully understand it before I move on. THe anatomy is not as challenging since I've been an lpn for 15 years, but I'm' glad to hear that the Anatomy is a hard test, only because I started to lose confidence and thought I should know this. I am planning on taking my time with it. I am using SG 101 and the recommended Prentice Hall book, anything I can google and you tube.If anybody has any other tips please share. thank you infinity85 for sharing that the Physiology was most of the exam.

Hi sbtr50! you're welcome. what i put in my original post is really what i did, for me i like things short and to the point, because a big fat textbook could never keep my attention for long. again i have great memory and photographic memory, it helped with alot of things, but physiology you just have to know it in order to get around to the question and answer it correctly. the answers aren't straightforward on the exam, you have to go thru the process. the practice exams that i took, those definitely helped, read all the rationales on the practice exam after taking it. the types of questions on the practice exam are definitely the type of questions on the actual exam, you get a feel for it, questions aren't word for word on it- but you get my point. invest in the practice exams if you haven't already! good luck!

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