Elgin Community College NLN Exam. HELP!!!!!!!!

How did you all do on your entrance exams? I purchased this book called NLN Pre-Entrance Exam study guide and have been taking these practice tests to prepare. Now I have never thought of myself as 'dumb' or 'inadequate' when it comes to grasping things but I am doing awful on these practices tests. It is really making stress out about doing bad on the exam expecially since you can only take it twice in one year. So I looked up NIU's admission requirements and I have to take this reading test for that program as well and once again I am taking these practices tests and failing!! In my heart I believe I would make a wonderful nurse but to be honest, everytime I see how bad I do my confidence just shortens a little more each time . They base so much on these tests and frankly I have never been a very good test taker. Any advice? Does anyone have studying strategies that they have found to be beneficial? Thanks in advance