Are test banks allowed if the professor doesn't use them

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · May 19, 2016

Test banks that are meant only for the use of instructors, no those are not okay to use. As previous poster said those obtained by students are usually done so illegally, and that is a huge ethical issue which can get you kicked out of your program for academic dishonesty. Quizlet, and from what I can see about the other site study blue are not test banks.

People get ahold of test banks and put them on Quizlet. ATI, for example, works very hard to remove their proprietary questions and content from such sites.

It is difficult to differentiate what internet content is placed there illegally though. It takes an hour to write a good test question...students complain when the questions are not good...we have to stay a step ahead (at least) to keep everyone honest...it's a vicious cycle, for sure.

wendy2016 · May 19, 2016

I don't wish to be misunderstood. I use/d those resources to learn and not to memorize answers. I don't particularly care for the books my school uses. The quizlets help me realize what I need to learn more of, then I use YouTube or some other source. If Khan Academy is more ethical and free I can gladly switch to that, appreciate the suggestion.

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 20, 2016

Lets take a step back and think about this -- a test bank? A test bank from a book with hundreds and hundreds of questions? Case in point:

Pediatric Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&A Success): 978

Xlorgguss · May 20, 2016

I have never quite understood the big deal about question banks. We have been actively encouraged to practice NCLEX style questions because you need to learn how to answer them. How else are you going to practice? I get that you don't want students knowing the questions ahead of time but there are literally thousands upon thousands of questions.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 20, 2016

I've been wondering, what is the difference between taking NCLEX prepQs as part of your study routine and

Purchasing a test bank?

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 20, 2016

I have never quite understood the big deal about question banks. We have been actively encouraged to practice NCLEX style questions because you need to learn how to answer them. How else are you going to practice? I get that you don't want students knowing the questions ahead of time but there are literally thousands upon thousands of questions.

The difference is that QBank questions are designed for nursing school graduates to prepare for the NCLEX. A test bank is designed for instructors to use to create exams. Purchasing a test bank illegally (in other words, you're NOT an instructor) as a student in unethical. It's roughly the equivalent of seeing a copy of the test before you take it. It's considered cheating by most institutions and can be grounds for academic dismissal from your nursing program. That's why it's a big deal :)

To answer OP about Quizlet, you have no way of knowing if the content on Quizlet is valid because ANYONE can upload information to Quizlet. In our 3rd level Mental Health rotation, our professor actually encouraged us to use Quizlet, but it was information he had put there for us to study. Those of us who took the time to review it (there were hundreds of questions) did great on his exams.

Xlorgguss · May 21, 2016

The difference is that QBank questions are designed for nursing school graduates to prepare for the NCLEX. A test bank is designed for instructors to use to create exams. Purchasing a test bank illegally (in other words, you're NOT an instructor) as a student in unethical. It's roughly the equivalent of seeing a copy of the test before you take it. It's considered cheating by most institutions and can be grounds for academic dismissal from your nursing program. That's why it's a big deal :)
To answer OP about Quizlet, you have no way of knowing if the content on Quizlet is valid because ANYONE can upload information to Quizlet. In our 3rd level Mental Health rotation, our professor actually encouraged us to use Quizlet, but it was information he had put there for us to study. Those of us who took the time to review it (there were hundreds of questions) did great on his exams.

Ahh. I agree about the test bank questions. Its pretty shady to buy the test bank from the publisher. I understand that. But using a question bank like NCLEX mastery, or Kaplan, or any other paid service I see no problem with

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 24, 2016

There have been threads started here at AN by nursing students kicked out of their programs for using test banks. Buyer beware.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 25, 2016

Ahh. I agree about the test bank questions. Its pretty shady to buy the test bank from the publisher. I understand that. But using a question bank like NCLEX mastery, or Kaplan, or any other paid service I see no problem with

Those are intended for student use. Using nclex prep books or even student study guides is not equivalent to getting a pirated test bank

FatsWaller, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

I mean I had an instructor who just used the questions in the book word for word and must have used some sort of study bank as there were certain quizlets online that contained information that was 99% her exams. In my opinion, if your an instructor who is stupid enough to not tailor your own class and write your own tests then I don't see how its a student's fault they are using all resources (not illegal ones) to their disposal. I feel strongly about that because that instructor was one of the worst educators I ever dealt with and her lectures and notes did not follow the tests she gave whatsoever, and all because she just copied and pasted some instructor bank without even looking to see if the questions pertained to class content. We pay far too much for our educations to have half-assed instructors like that.

I dont see the issue with quizlet, study-blue, or other online resources as long as they are not made solely for the purpose of instructors and require you (the student) to somehow defraud the system or illegally obtain.

Like some said, I don't see how it matters anyway unless you're telling your instructor all the resources you use to study. At the end of the day, you're going to need to know the material for boards/real life but study it how you want. just not illegally

Mhays · May 31, 2016

Hi, I believe that some teachers use curriculum guide tests and some teachers use their own wording. It really depends on what the teacher wants to test for and how much they want their kids to know. I can remember when I was in nursing school, some of the professors made their tests up while some just used what they already had or what the school provided them to do. Personally, I found that when the professor made up their own test, it was more beneficial to me in learning the material because it was on current things or topics. When it is from the school, it is not on current topics. I would just ask the teacher what kind of test are you giving us. Good luck on the test. Marcy CNA

Nienna Celebrindal · Jun 2, 2016

Its pretty rare for teachers to not use test banks. On the one hand there are thousands of questions in there so how much can it really help a student? Not much I would think. But its soooo not worth it. Too many stories about students getting caught and getting dropped. Happened to several people in a cohort a few semesters ahead of me in school