1st nursing exam, any advice?

twarlik · Sep 6, 2003

Has the instructor given you any guidance at all? It sounds like they are structuring questions much like they are on the NCLEX. My program does the same thing, but they gave us a good hour session on test taking skills during orientation.

Get an NCLEX prep book and read through some of the really basic test taking tips. That should help a little bit.

Wish I could help more, but I just started myself. Good luck on your first exam.

Mariannsi · Sep 6, 2003

Read your notes and clarify things that you don't understand with the fundaments book or your instructor. I know that many of the girls in my class don't read the book --- well, I do. But I only read what I have topics covered in my notes (and make notations from the textbook into my note book).

The test may be different because the questions are situational (Not like an A&P or Micro test). You can always narrow your answers down to two, but remember there can only be one that is correct. Lastly, go with your gut when you choose your answer. I've made many a mistake by not doing so.

VERY IMPT: Get a good night's sleep (well at least try).

Lastly, you will need to memorize some things but the majority of topics you will have to understand (A&P/Patho). You will always be asking yourself and others: who, when, why, where and how!

As you progress you will know the rationale (why) for everything you do!

Good Luck -- Okay my 1st test is on 9/15 wish me luck too!!!

Rapheal · Sep 6, 2003

You can go over NCLEX questions pertaining to the subject matter you have covered. Usually the school library will have some or you can go to Borders book store. Try to find NCLEX books that are arranged by subject (some are not).

The reason for this is that your test will be based on critical thinking. Going over these types of questions will help develop neural pathways to that area of your brain. Many of the questions you will answer in a NCLEX review book will be similiar to the questions asked. It is usually not a good idea to memorize your notes or book passages. Exceptions to this rule are lab values.

Do not read to much into the question. This is the biggest downfall of many test takers.

Here was my strategy in school and I never failed a test. Read the material. Focus on concepts and ask yourself "What does this mean?" Go over all the review questions in the book or study guide. I never wasted time memorizing all the small details that many other students insisted was important. If I knew the concept then I could apply it to more than one situation-more than one type of test question. I would get up a little early on the day of the test and review the notes and book for no more than 15 minutes. I did not gather with the other students before the test because anxiety is contagious and there would be one student telling another student that they were wrong about something.

Here is another suggestion. Do as much studying on your own until you feel you know the material. Get together the night before the test with some like minded students who have studied as well. Toss around some NCLEX questions to each other and quiz each other over some of the topics in your books and notes. This really helped me recall some material that I was not that good at because I could remember a friend verbalizing it more than an instructor.

I hope you find something useful in my suggestions. You will find out what works best for you. Good luck and let us know how you do.

stillsmilin · Sep 9, 2003

Did your textbook come with a CD? If so, I strongly suggest that you use it. The questions are very often the same format that you will see on exams. I'm suprised by the number of my classmates that do not take advantage of this.

Hope it helps and good luck!

medicrnohio, RN · Sep 9, 2003

Nursing tests are based on critical thinking. Read through your notes. A resource that may be helpful to you and other nursing students is a book that was required in my nursing class. Test Success by Nugent and Vitale. This book is geared to nursing students. It teaches test taking skills and has many practice tests. This book is a great investment. I liked it and used it often in my first semester and I considered myself to be a good test taker prior to starting nursing school. Good luck, take a deep breath, and always think positive.

Michelle

Nightcrawler, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

I am in second semester and I have two pieces of advice for you.

1. Pay close attention in lecture and when reading the book. While doing so pay close attention to phrases like "gold standard", "best", "most effective", "leading" etc.... While the book/instructor may list 3-4 things that will work in a situation, and two of those WILL show up on the test, you will find that if you go back to the book later that there will be one thing that is said to be the best or most common. If you key yourself to these phrases now, you will be ahead of the game.

2. This will be more helpful on later tests, but if a question gives you a scenario, and there are 2 possible "correct" answers, ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS choose the answer that concerns safety issues. 99.9% of the time that will be the answer that the professor is looking for....

Good Luck,

det01 · Sep 9, 2003

Remember that in the "medical world" of a test it is a "perfect medical world". You have time for everything and unless they are listed, there are no exceptions.

If the teacher says something different than the book - ask them about it ahead of time. If you did not catch it untill the test - I would go with what the teacher said. (Does anyone else agree on this)

Do not use your life experience to answer a question if it is diffrent than what the book says or the notes say. The question is a general one. It is not asking about your auntie, cousin, grandma, parent or friend. (They told us that one in our test taking class)

Be careful to remember who the ? is asking about. Remember there can be different procedures depending on the age and situation of the patient (immunocompromised, at risk for blood clots)

Circle and Focus on the key words to determine what the ? already tells you and what it wants to know. (if you need a list of key words - ask)

Read all your answers. Just because A immediatly looks right - does not mean it is. Remember - it wants the best answer - not just a correct one.

Mark out the answers you know for sure are not correct and then concentrate on the ones that are left.

NEVER ask "what if?"

Above all tell yourself you can do it!

Hope that helps. These skills helped me get a 93 on the first test I took. I have my second test today! Wish me luck!

nynurse2b · Sep 9, 2003

I agree with all of the above advice!!! Especally Det01. My only thing to add is not to get discouraged if you don't get 100 or in the upper 90's. Your grades will probally improve the more exams you take. The NCLEX style of testing is not a style that most of us are familiar with prior to nursing school. Good luck to you and again all of the prior suggestions are great!! Let us know how you do.

jjbaby · Sep 9, 2003

My advise is to read each question 2 times and then circle key words such as "Except" or "not" Such as "all of the following EXCEPT which is an appropriate action for ........" a lot of people miss these key words in a question and miss them.

NCLEX style questions usually have more than one right answer it is looking for the "best, first, most appropriate" etc. It tests your ability to prioritize you care. And it tests your ability to apply your knowledge to a situation.

It is a completely different style of test, and it takes time to get the hang of them, but it will get easier as you go and as you get more experience. Also good advise to initially cross out the ones you know are definitely incorrect, this helps focus on the choices that are left. There are usually one or two that are blazingly wrong.

If you get one you just don't know the answer to, circle it and go back to it, you want to go on and answer those that you do know. Sometimes when you go back to the ones you skipped over you will have had another question that may help you answer it, this happens a lot on our tests. I have 2 quarters to go til graduation and these tips have worked for me.

I also agree not to get caught up in the group study sessions right before the tests. These can increase your stress levels and sometimes the other students kind of want to "throw you off" So relax read the materials and apply, apply, apply!!!!!!

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

We aren't allowed to write on our exams which is frustrating.

My best advice.........read the question carefully & figure out what they are asking for. Often times we start to read the question & then assume we know the answer without completely reading the question. Look for the keywords like jjbaby pointed out.

nursebucky · Sep 10, 2003

2. This will be more helpful on later tests, but if a question gives you a scenario, and there are 2 possible "correct" answers, ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS choose the answer that concerns safety issues. 99.9% of the time that will be the answer that the professor is looking for....

JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THE ONE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE...I took my first test today, and the entire class got it wrong, and they vow to challenge at least 5 questions on our test.

A pt has had both of her legs amputated...What will be the nurses higest priority of care for this patient?

a. safety and belonging

b. self esteem

c. nutrition

d. ensure family members visit

If you decided to go by Maslow's Hierarchy...you are wrong.

The answer is b. Self-esteem

I found this answer in the Med-surg book. I haven't even taken Med-Surg.

Good luck and don't forget to breathe.

I made simple errors on the test today.

1. Study EVERYTHING even if you think it will not be on the test. Better to know too much than not enough. There were 5 questions on the test that alot of people didn't bother to study.

2. If you sit by someone who talks while the teacher is talking...MOVE QUICK. I made the mistake of sitting by a talkative friend....I missed almost a pages worth of notes and it was on the test. Can you say..b-bye, friend.....