Test help- Those who did well

[FNPhopeful]

Ok I spend hours reading and reading and writing, but the exam always ALWAYS seems to be things I overlooked or thought wasnt a big deal. I soooo frustrated now I wanna turn in my nursing uniform.

I spent all weekend studying and it wasnt enough, (yes I study during the week too).

Whats the secret! Im reading some of you are getting A's on your exams. Im in fundamentals and its alot of info. But the problem is I dont know what to focus on. Our teacher does a poor job of leading us in the right direction. We'll have stuff on the test Ive never seen in the book and she never talked about.

Ultimately its my own fault, but I'd like to correct it.

I did my reading, took notes in class and as I read, supplemented with looking concepts up on the internet, did practice questions etc. I cant fail out now! ahhhhh

[FNPhopeful]

Ok..........but passing at our school is 76%, so if I get a 72% or a 70% thats failing..........I dont care if I get A's anymore but I have to pass!

Thats why I cryed myself home today, it all seems so hopeless. My past study skills that got me A's in Micro, Anat, etc arent cutting it. And I dont know how much more I can do.

Anyone got a Xanax?.............

[moongirl]

do you study too much so that when you get a question, you over analyze it to the point you dissect every answer, then possibly picking the wrong one? I am consistently in the upper 80's, low 90's for tests, and got that way by reading the question, scanning the answers and the one that "hits me" or jumps off the page is the one I choose. I have sometimes re read and re read the question and the answers, disregarding my gut feeling, only to pick the wrong one, when ultimately, I had thought of the right one in the first place. Once I stopped dowing that, AND changing my answers, I got way better grades!

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

#1- you can study too much

#2- tape your lecture and listen to it! Helps identify key points you may have missed the first time

#3- get a really good fundamentals NCLEX book and practice taking that style test...which is different from you A&P and Micro tests...it requires more critical thinking and application

#4- try a study group with others that are doing well to supplement your independent study...also helps identify key points that others pick up on that you may have overlooked

#5- relax....the more anxious you get, the more negative self talk you have, the easier it will be for you to fail

You can do this! Keep telling yourself that and don't be so hard on yourself if you are not making the grade you wish you had made