Test Taking and those "DOH!" Moments.......

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

:smackingf Thanks for sharing. I feel less of a dope now.

We're all only human, I was being real human yesterday I guess. LOL

lisamc1RN, LPN · Jan 31, 2005

I've made some of these exact same mistakes. I realized at the end of one test that the numbers weren't lining up. Had to go back and erase 30-some questions and fill them back in. Argh! I've also missed answers after changing them from the correct answer. I could really kick myself over that!

Fraggle · Jan 31, 2005

I entered my maiden name and filled in the matching bubbles on the scan form. Luckily, I noticed it right before I handed it in and had to erase and change it at the front of the room. I hadn't used that name in three years, and never at that school!

RNSuzq1, RN · Feb 2, 2005

LOL been there!!! Our teachers said that when they would grade our tests, she could see that we've erased the right answer and put down the wrong one. She told us ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS go with your first instinct. And ya know, it worked!!!

We were told the same thing many times last Semester and sure enough, the few times I decided to go back and "review" my answers - I'd find something that just didn't look right, change the answer and BINGO - those were the ones I got wrong.

One of the Instructors told us we should cover the answers with a blank sheet of paper while reading the question. Assuming you have read all the material and know your "stuff" - the answer should come to you before you look at the possible answers. Last Semester I would read questions over a few times and sometimes ended up "reading" more into the question than was acutally there. We just had our first Nursing test of the Semester yesterday - it covered Dev. Growth from birth to the elderly (a mountain of reading and info. to soak up). I decided to cover the answers, circle, underline, etc. any clue words that stood out and go through it quickly so I wouldn't start second guessing myself. There were a few questions with actual facts and only 1 absolute right answer, but most were very wordy and required a lot of critical thinking - with as always - 2 possible right answers, but only 1 (best answer).

This was the first time that I was one of the first people finished with a test (most of the brainiacs were still in there when I left) - so I got worried. Not sure about the rest of you - but almost immediately after an exam - everyone is out in the hall saying - what did you answer for this question, what about that question, etc...... If you hear the majority of people say they answered something differently than you - it's immediate panic. I went from feeling pretty good about the test to thinking I had totally bombed it - I was so depressed about the whole thing. Today I found out that I got a "B" -which I'm very happy about - heard some of the scores were down in the 60's. The Instructor told me that some people over analyzed the questions and that's where they went wrong. I've found that some of the people in class who are incredibly bright with the more technical stuff, have difficulty with critical thinking - so I guess I'm happy being only "semi-bright" technically.. :chuckle

I took my A&P II test this same way the other day - it was on 3 systems (3 huge chapters). I was really worried about it, but I did all the reading and did not second guess myself on any questions. I scored 104 on it, that's the highest score I've ever received since being in the Nursing Program and I was thrilled. I guess going with your gut instinct is the way to go...

aegirl · Feb 2, 2005

We were told the same thing many times last Semester and sure enough, the few times I decided to go back and "review" my answers - I'd find something that just didn't look right, change the answer and BINGO - those were the ones I got wrong.
One of the Instructors told us we should cover the answers with a blank sheet of paper while reading the question. Assuming you have read all the material and know your "stuff" - the answer should come to you before you look at the possible answers. Last Semester I would read questions over a few times and sometimes ended up "reading" more into the question than was acutally there. We just had our first Nursing test of the Semester yesterday - it covered Dev. Growth from birth to the elderly (a mountain of reading and info. to soak up). I decided to cover the answers, circle, underline, etc. any clue words that stood out and go through it quickly so I wouldn't start second guessing myself. There were a few questions with actual facts and only 1 absolute right answer, but most were very wordy and required a lot of critical thinking - with as always - 2 possible right answers, but only 1 (best answer).
This was the first time that I was one of the first people finished with a test (most of the brainiacs were still in there when I left) - so I got worried. Not sure about the rest of you - but almost immediately after an exam - everyone is out in the hall saying - what did you answer for this question, what about that question, etc...... If you hear the majority of people say they answered something differently than you - it's immediate panic. I went from feeling pretty good about the test to thinking I had totally bombed it - I was so depressed about the whole thing. Today I found out that I got a "B" -which I'm very happy about - heard some of the scores were down in the 60's. The Instructor told me that some people over analyzed the questions and that's where they went wrong. I've found that some of the people in class who are incredibly bright with the more technical stuff, have difficulty with critical thinking - so I guess I'm happy being only "semi-bright" technically.. :chuckle
I took my A&P II test this same way the other day - it was on 3 systems (3 huge chapters). I was really worried about it, but I did all the reading and did not second guess myself on any questions. I scored 104 on it, that's the highest score I've ever received since being in the Nursing Program and I was thrilled. I guess going with your gut instinct is the way to go...

Wow! Way to go on that A&P II test and the nursing test! We had our first nursing test yesterday and got our grades today. I got a B. I'm happy with that considering it was my first nursing exam ever and I thought I probably got a low C. Like you said, we were out in the hall asking what you answered for this question and that question and i'm like oh man, I failed this!!! lol I could still kick myself cuz I know there were 3 answers for sure that I should have gotten right...I dunno what I was thinking!

Altra, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2005

OK, after getting my pysch nursing test back, I now have to chime in ... :rolleyes:

Question about alcohol detox ... both the text and lecture repeatedly mentioned Librium & Serax to control DTs and reduce anxiety ...

choice "B" was something close to Serax, but not Serax

choice "D" was chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride - Librium

I swear on that I chose D. Talking in the hallway with a few others in my class - much confusion about that question. I confidently say that the answer was D.

Fast forward 30 minutes ... reviewing test ... I picked B. WTH was I thinking??? :uhoh3: :imbar

Excuse me while I go smack my head off the wall a few times ...