Has anyone had the first exam yet? EEEEK!

Nursing Students General Students

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I'm a first year student in an ADN program, and we have our first exam coming up soon (Nclex style). I've read the tips, practiced questions in my review books, and I've read and reread all the material. I feel confident that I know the material and I have prepared myself well.....but I'd love to hear from people who have already taken the first exam.

Was it more difficult than you thought? How did you do? Any additional tips?

Thanks in advance!

KimmyKat

Had my first exam this morning and it was a breeze. Only 30 questions, finished in 20 minutes. They said this one was meant to ease us into the NCLEX style question. There were only a couple I wasn't 100% sure on.

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I just took my first 101 exam (100 questions) and got a 93. SO happy about that! Personally, I thought it was easier than A&P and micro tests but the majority of classmates felt it was really difficult. Several failed and several more barely passed. It covered Intro to the Nursing Profession, Communication, Critical Thinking, the Nursing Process, Physical Assessment, Sensory and Mobility Issues, Time Management, and math calculations (kg to lb, g to mcg, etc). I studied: the powerpoint handouts, notes from former 101 students, the textbook, the textbook website, ATI website, and an NCLEX question bank for each chapter.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I'm saying that if you don't get a good grade on your first nursing exam, don't beat yourself up.

Nursing exams are tricky, and a completely different learning style. Unlike your basic science classes, you cannot memorize the material. You have to apply what you know to the exam question. You will learn how to do this, it just takes time. If you don't do as well as you hoped, sit down with the instructor and find out what it is you can do to prepare for the next exam.

Remember, nursing school is a learning process. You aren't expected to get good grades on every single exam. Good luck!

^THANK YOU, littlebear!!!

I hope for this quote can be displayed for every nursing student, pre-nursing student etc...

Please heed this...The importance of the exam is KNOWING the information, and passing based in you KNOWING the information. And if you fail an exam, it's NOT the end of the world...work with the instructors. I did this when my grades weren't so good on my tests, my issues were select all that apply, prioritization and delegation.

Get the book that a PP suggested, and ask the faculty...My instructors always suggested books to study and to be prepared for specific questions.

And this coming from someone who FAILED nursing school, went BACK, and kicked butt in LPN and RN school with test anxiety..GPAs 2.65 and 2.98 respectfully...First fundamentals exams, 76 and 82, respectfully. Fast forward, I'm competent, and employable lol! :)

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I had my first med-surg test today. My second semester. 83% ack. It was 118 questions so I was really getting bored with the whole thing so I kind of hurried towards the end. Ah well, live and learn.

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My suggestion is to really read the question and even underline the key words that it is asking. Don't read more into the question and add little scenarios in your mind, think about only what the question asks (an example: on of my past test questions had something to do with cleaning the eyes, in my mind somehow the person had a prosthetic eye, but that wasn't even brought up in the question lol). Sometimes you will have 2 completely wrong answers, but 2 that are both right. Chose the MOST right answer. Also, make sure you read all of the choices thoroughly, sometimes there will be one word that makes that answer wrong.

I'm in my second semester and we just had our first test last week, I got a 94%. I just made sure that I knew the information forwards and backwards.

Good luck!! Like a couple of others have said, if you don't do as well as you want to on this exam, don't let it bring you down. Look over your test, see which ones you missed, and figure out why you missed them. Learn from it and move on! :)

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Thank you all for the GREAT comments and tips! The exam is done and I'm pretty sure I scored a solid B. The key to my success was taking my time, circling the key words, and crossing out the obvious incorrect answers. When I had completed the exam I had time to go back over each question to be sure I read everything correctly, and also to double check my answers. Wearing earplugs was super helpful as well. It doesnt matter if you are the last one done, use every available second. The NCLEX style question practice is a MUST for anyone who is yet to have their first exam.

The best part is.....it will never be my first nursing exam again~~!

KimmyKat

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