Fourth time failure and giving up

[angel1492]

I just took the Hesi A2 for the 4th time. The school I'm trying for only requires math, reading, and vocabulary. In reading I scored 97.6 and in vocabulary I scored 96.8. In math all 4 times, I got timed out with scores all in the 60s. My school requires an 80 in each subject. I'm so confused because in so the practice tests I score a 92-100 in math and I don't get timed out. After the 4th time I'm extremely discouraged. I already have a BA in a non nursing field, and there is no accelerated bsn program in my area or even close commute. I passed the TEAS exam for a different school on my second try, but that school is much more expensive. I'm so discouraged and disappointed in myself. All my life I've wanted to be a nurse, and in my personality profile, healthcare is the best career suited for me. I don't know what else to do in life if I can't be a nurse. I'm in my 30s so I can't just make up something else. Very sad here.

[kmarbleyRN2018]

It seems like you may have test anxiety. When you study the math portion of the HESI A2 try to mimic the environment that you would be in for the exam. That could possibly help reduce your test anxiety.

I know it can be easy to be discouraged, but if your heart is in it and it's truly what you want to do, don't give up!! Don't ever give up!! Be proud of what scores you have gotten on the other portions of the exam and try to work on your test anxiety.

I'm in my 30s and I also have a BA. Going back to school again for a different career can be tough but you have to keep your eye on the prize. I graduate in May and that is something that I have always reminded myself.

[kelliolson2011]

H i there

So my advise is to keep your head up and take the HESI exam again. Giving up is not an option!

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

When you say timed out, do you mean it kicks you out & shuts down or do you run out of test taking time?

[angel1492]

The school I was taking it at gives me 50 minutes per section. So in the math portion I was getting timed out a little over half way (55 problems)

[angel1492]

I just wanted to update because I feel really silly. I had been told there was no calculator allowed on the test. I was scoring really high on the other sections (90s and 100) but the math portion I was trying to solve by hand, 55 problems in 50 minutes. As you can imagine, this was time consuming and frustrating. I was surprised I made it to 68% when I did. My accuracy was probably way off from rushing to pencil everything down. Anyways, I was on my way to the study center to get help when I read YOU can't use Your calculator but you can use theirs. Why did I not know this before? I specifically asked the proctor about a calculator before taking it the first time and she said it's not allowed. The same test proctors knew I was running out of time every week. I paid 3 times to take just the math! So now I'm armed with a calculator! I notice the screen calculator is hidden by the timer. You have to actually click hide time to see the Show Calculator option. I took it the 4th time and failed the math by 2 points getting a 78 when I needed an 80. My fault. I was rushing and accidentally submitted a few answers before selecting the answer. I just solved it on the calculator and hit next without selecting a, b, or c and it didn't even prompt me! So now that I was closer and felt better, I decided to take it a 5th time at a different college and pay the extra fee. At this college the sections are not timed, only the overall test is. I felt way better since I breezed the other sections. I wish I had gone here first. Without counting the sub-sections, my overall was 88%. In some sub-sections I received 79 to 100, but I'm pretty sure I'm graded on the overall average of each main section. With that said, I finally passed. I can't believe how much it cost me because of my own misunderstanding of calculator use, but I've learned to question everything even when I'm being a pest. It could save a lot of trouble! I hope my story helps someone else!