I got a 78% on my first exam.

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Don't be so hard on yourself. You shot for the moon and landed among the stars!! 78% is well above passing and not that far off your goal. Besides, it is only the first test and now you have something to guage yourself off of. I always score the lowest on my first exam. I bet there are 10 other people in the class that would love to swap scores with you.

I do know what you mean about remembering the right answers after you leave though, frustrating.

Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

I agree, you did great! I find the first test is the hardest - regardless of the material. You usually have not had the professor before, so you're unsure exactly what the test questions are like and what/how to study. After you get the first one out the way, you have a much better idea how to prepare. I bet you surpass your goal for exam 2! Good luck!

tigress_8207, ASN, BSN · Sep 15, 2006

Think you did great.Stop beating yourself up over it.Sure you'll improve next test.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Yep, first test is the hardest until you know for sure what to study for. We all studied many of the outline/class covered material, only to find the test was over a lot of book learning! I still did well, but those who didn't read found themselves out of rope! 78% is not that bad, remember, now you have the idea of how a test will go. Keep studying and you'll do fine.

StudentNurseAbby · Sep 15, 2006

Thank you everyone!:)

And you're right I went to A&P and a lot of my fellow student nurses had failed. I feel bad for them. Now I feel luck I did well.

moongirl · Sep 15, 2006

78 is a 100 to someone who got a 60 ! count your blessings, pat yourself on the back and say well done! you will find that the first test will probably be your lowest score all semester- they will just keep getting better! congrats!

srg4784 · Sep 16, 2006

I need to figure out how to improve my critical thinking skills, I guess.

Great job!!! We had our first test this past week and I know a lot of people that would love to have your grade!!! Be happy!!! I felt the same way after we went over test review right afterwards, narrow things down to at least two and the ones I missed I just picked the wrong one so I need to work on delegation and priority questions. A 3rd semester NS (very smart lady btw) suggested that I get a copy of Lippincott's NCLEX review because it has a lot of critical type questions so I ordered me a copy today:) So maybe something like that could boost your critical thinking skills.

kgkarma · Sep 16, 2006

Blah! I'm so frustrated. My personal goal for the first test was 80% or at least a B. I made stupid mistakes and realized about 10 minutes after the test was over [of course] and I'm kicking myself now.
73% is passing so I'm fine as far as that goes but I need to figure out how to improve my critical thinking skills, I guess.

I also had my first exam today and was fighting for a 'B'. I got an 81 which is a 'C' at the school I'm attending. The great thing is that we passed and can begin challenging ourselves for the next exam. I really felt bad for a couple of my friends that didn't pass at all. They are so bummed out, and we all studied so hard. My instructor told me that the first test is the most difficult for most people. To top things off I have to drive 2 hours tomorrow morning to take my CNA exam at 8 am. If I don't pass it, I'll be kicked out of the nursing program. All students have to have a CNA to attend this school. [EVIL][/EVIL]

I was speaking to my neighbor that's an RN and she told me that I should be excited that I passed with my grade and that in nursing school whether I pass with a 'C' or an 'A', I'll still be able to take the NCLEX exam. That kind of changed my perspective. Anyway, it's 12:30 and I have to get up at 5 a.m. to get on the road for the CNA exam. Good luck on your next exam.

Psqrd · Sep 16, 2006

I wanted to suggest looking to see if your school has a test taking program for students. My school has its own computer lab for the nursing students and it has a special program to teach how to answer nursing/nclex style questions. I went through it and it really helped to ID the different parts of nursing questions and how to focus on the key parts of the question. Good luck to you, P

P.S. I just finished my fourth week and start hospital rotations next week so I am pretty excited about that, I have taken 2 tests (not counting math and med abreviations) and it does get easier.

kgkarma · Sep 17, 2006

I also had my first exam today and was fighting for a 'B'. I got an 81 which is a 'C' at the school I'm attending. The great thing is that we passed and can begin challenging ourselves for the next exam. I really felt bad for a couple of my friends that didn't pass at all. They are so bummed out, and we all studied so hard. My instructor told me that the first test is the most difficult for most people. To top things off I have to drive 2 hours tomorrow morning to take my CNA exam at 8 am. If I don't pass it, I'll be kicked out of the nursing program. All students have to have a CNA to attend this school.

I was speaking to my neighbor that's an RN and she told me that I should be excited that I passed with my grade and that in nursing school whether I pass with a 'C' or an 'A', I'll still be able to take the NCLEX exam. That kind of changed my perspective. Anyway, it's 12:30 and I have to get up at 5 a.m. to get on the road for the CNA exam. Good luck on your next exam.

:monkeydance::monkeydance::biggringi:smiley_aa

Can you tell I'm excited? I passed my CNA exam!!!

NICU_nurse2b · Sep 17, 2006

:biggringi Congrats!!! on passing your CNA exam!