What are your experiences with testing?

[Anesthetize]

Hello,

I saw a thread I thought was interesting on this forum a while ago, but I wanted to put my own twist on it and ask you guys what you thought. It's about the testing style of nursing schools -- in regard to "critical thinking" style questions. What are your study habits and personal strategies for getting the best grades on the exams (and, of course, learning how to be a better nurse)? I'm curious to know. Although I haven't started nursing school yet, I keep hearing people tell me this and it's worrying me a little bit. I personally have developed a very effective method for studying science, english, and all the rest... but the emphasis hasn't been on applying the material; if we are expected to "think" like the professors, then what can students do to see the bigger picture and bring the "meaning" out of the material?

Thanks a ton for your help!! :)

[greatan]

All of the tests I've taken so far, 5 have not been answers straight from the book. A&P and Fundamentals classes seem like you really need to know all the information for each chapter inside and out, so you are ready for any question that is thrown at you. You have to be able to think outside the box. You learn all the terms and definitions then have to know you to use them in a real situation. I have to study for each subject at least 2-3 hours a day, depending when each test is, I have 6 subjects. Reading each chapter a couple of times, once for general content, then reading for actual comprehension, and finally reading for everything you may have missed the first 2 times. Teachers supply a lot of practice tests for certain subjects and usually give you a heads up on what will be on the test, by emphasizing certain things. Also, always listen very very carefully in lecture.

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

The hard part about the critical thinking questions is that you not only have to KNOW all the information, you need to be able to twist it around, upside down and backwards and apply it to a situation. Many times you have a question that asks something like "What should you do first?" "Which is your priority?" "What would be the best response?"

So you get a question or situation and four choices, and really, more than one of them is "right" but you need to identify which is the "most right". Personally I tend to read the question with the answers covered, figure out in my head, based on what I know, what I think I would do, and then look at the answers and see if any of them match.

My biggest study tip: do NOT change your answers. Go with your gut. Every question I have changed my answer to, I have missed, and had it right the first time.

[jov]

Hello,

... in regard to "critical thinking" style questions. What are your study habits and personal strategies for getting the best grades on the exams

I use every source of practice questions I can find. Most books have a CD in them or a web site that has practice NCLEX questions. The best ones have the rationale that go with the right and wrong answers. You can learn A LOT from them.

[Jules A, MSN]

If you want to practice borrow a NCLEX study book from the library. If you go to a basic chapter like standard precautions, read the intro and then try to answer some of the questions it will give you an idea of how the questions are worded. Usually there are 2 that sound good and you have to find the "mostest rightest one". :wink2:

I agree don't change your mind unless you are positive your first answer was wrong and also remember the ABCs:

airway

breathing

circulation

in that order!