Grades In Nursing School

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ok...i might've brought this up before - a while back - but seriously - what is the thinking behind writing tests so hard that few people even pass

last week, i took two tests. the average for the first was 19/35 correct e.g. 54%!!!!!:eek: what?!?! so on that test, i got 26/35 - 74.3% oh good! i passed no b/c in my school 74 is a d great - have to get a c in the class to progress...

then, the next test's average was 68% - lovely the average grade is failing:( (68 and under is failing) again, i passed with an 80% - which is a c in this program - not the b i'm used to from previous classes...

i'm not really upset w/ myself as i am a bit above the curve, but i am really not able to comprehend the thinking behind designing tests that are so hard!

it's discouraging!!!:confused:

anybody have any insight?? any similar experiences?

Specializes in MS Home Health.

TEsts were so hard for me. Never got higher than a B and I studied my butt off! Got some Cs. Maybe there is some way we could help give you some study tips. Are the tests geared like an NLN test were you pick the most correct response out of all correct responces? I did a little group study but did not really like it. Some people really do well in a group. Have you tried it? I always taped the lectures and listened to them later. Maybe that would help. Alot of people taped them. Would love to hear if others have some tips. Just don't let them run you off to fast!

renerian

I've had quite a few tests this semester that are like that! My professors call it the "upside down, backwards curve" :chuckle

I've remained above the curves on most but the absolute worst class is chemistry. 80% of the students in my lecture failed! :eek: I came ONE POINT over passing! Thank goodness it's pass fail!

But yes, you'd think someone would be monitoring the TEACHER progress, not just the student progress.

I have since become an index card freak! :chuckle It's helped me get 2 test completed in Medical Terminology with a perfect score on both tests and pass all of my A&P exams with over 80% as a grade. I study them when I'm watching the kiddos play in the bath, driving some where (dh driving of course) LOL and in between commercials when/if I ever sit long enough.

The taping lectures suggestion is a great one! I know many people who actually sit their recorder right on the podium in front of the professor! Don't be shy, YOU are paying them to teach you!

originally posted by renerian

tests were so hard for me. never got higher than a b and i studied my butt off! got some cs. maybe there is some way we could help give you some study tips. are the tests geared like an nln test were you pick the most correct response out of all correct responces? i did a little group study but did not really like it. some people really do well in a group. have you tried it? i always taped the lectures and listened to them later. maybe that would help. alot of people taped them. would love to hear if others have some tips. just don't let them run you off to fast!

renerian

i tend to not do so well in groups...sadly, we're all so miserable that when we're together we tend to go down the path of negativity and talk a lot more than study...

taping would be good for one of the classes that i mentioned - the other one - doesn't permit audiotapes and she talks so quietly that we have to ask her to speak up 2-3 times every class so there is no point to sneaking the recorder into the back of the room

yes - the tests are choose the best answer types - i'm gonna get the nclex book and hopefully that will help...

thanks for the info/advice:d

We have to get 80% or above to pass our exams.. there is talk of raising the grading scale.

Right now it's

94-100- A

87-93- B

80-86- C

Years ago an 80 was a "B"

I think the index cards are a good idea for studying. Study groups that can be focused on the material are also a good idea. Review a little the day of the exam and eat a good breakfast.

Marie:)

I don't know that study techniques are the problem if the average grade in the class is a failing grade!!!!!:eek:

In one of my classes the first test was like that. only two people out of 26 passed the test:eek: :eek: :eek: Luckily the instructor noticed that most of her class had pretty good GPA's and she reviewed the test herself. (She had just used the standard test that came with the book) She kept the grade but offered us about 25 points of extra credit over the next week to bring our grades up. Gotta love her:D

I realize that the tests should be a little hard as they are preparing you for the ultimate test-NCLEX's, but sometimes the wording that the book uses and the wording that the teacher uses in powerpoint are so different that they contradict each other in a way.

Again, just my 2 cents

Leigh

94-100- A

87-93- B

80-86- C

This was our grading system as well. I always studied better in with a study buddy or a study group. As for the NCLEX, I just took it last Wednesday and passed. But that was by far, the WORST test I've ever taken. I honestly thought that I had gotten all the answers wrong. I didn't feel comfortable with any question or answer. Maybe that's what they are preparing you for.

Good luck and don't give up. You CAN get through this. :)

Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

Nursing school is frustrating. I was a 4.0 student in my prereq classes but no more! My cumulative drops just a little more each quarter. It's not that I'm bad at taking tests, it's just the way they are. I tend to think that if more than a few folks got 95% or higher on their tests, the faculty would have an emergency team meeting to see what's WRONG!! (laughing with comical disgust)

Z

In my classes, the tests were hard to.

I taped, used index cards, studied with a friend, went to the library for peace and quiet....

anything I could do to get by and through nursing school was my goal. It has to be. It is true when they say that you will eat, drink and breathe nursing school...

but believe me...when it's all done and over, it's more worth it than you could imagine.....

Hang in there, you'll be all right.

Hugs~

Julie

Here at Marquette their philosophy is, if more than 1/3 of the class passes the exam, it must be too easy and they will make it "harder". I know this because I also work for the Physician Assistant program here and I create the exams for the PA students. Pretty sucky!!!!

I also arrange the tutoring for Biochemistry and Human Gross Anatomy. Mind you that these students are overachiever/psychotic/neurotic and rich so you can imagine them coming in my office crying because they got a B on an exam. Heaven forbid they mess up their perfect 4.0!

:eek:

originally posted by julielpn

in my classes, the tests were hard to.

i taped, used index cards, studied with a friend, went to the library for peace and quiet....

anything i could do to get by and through nursing school was my goal. it has to be. it is true when they say that you will eat, drink and breathe nursing school...

but believe me...when it's all done and over, it's more worth it than you could imagine.....

hang in there, you'll be all right.

hugs~

julie

hey julie!!! good to see you...

I know how you feel. First-year student in Associate Degree program here. I got a BS in Political Science about 20 years ago. This is a real adjustment. Check out the Course Objectives or Unit Objectives in your course syllabus. Study for those.

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