I just took the HESI entrance exam this weekend at HCC coleman and I am really angry about the test.
They put a brand new section on the test called: Critical Thinking. They never gave us any information on this new section when we are registering for it. The section was filled with questions like a patient is peeing blood and another is hallucinating because alcohol intoxication and two other not so important patients. So the question ask you which one is most important? well I never had any experience working in hospitals and not to mention the rest of the students taking that test, but I thought I will give it my best. I started to think if you don't get to the bloody pee patient she might die due to kidney failure, but what if the drunk moron start a rampage in the hospital or do something harmful to himself or others? You see what I am talking about? I can't believe they put a section full of these kind of questions. I don't have any problems with HCC before and I loved Dr. Schwartz's Biology class. But this really ****** me off, it made me felt like got picked on by a bully and I am powerless to fightback. I studied really hard, spend lots of time got good grades all other sections which are A&P, math, reading, grammar. (if this is the old test I won't have any problem to pass it at all!) I was wondering did the nursing school chair used his or her critical thinking before he or she decide to put it on the test????????
But ohhhh do I have something much better for you! When I was on the Critical Thinking section question 26, all of the sudden the entire computer testing system went hay-wire! all the computers froze and won't take any clicks on the answers. The IT guy called up monkeys at HESI asking what the heck is going on... well, after he log us out and back in again he says the problem should be gone, but noooooooooooooo computers still not taking anything!!!! so, they tell us we can't take the test anymore hahahahahaha(sarcasim) and we have to sign our name on a piece of paper so they can contact us later... don't know what's gonna happen now. This is really messed up. In all of its wisdom, HCC... sigh....:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
Note that under the boxed text, it says, "There is also a Critical Thinking exam, which is primarily used at program entry and exit. This exam is designed to measure the growth in critical thinking skills from admission to program completion, and consists of 30 test items." (my bolding) Please note that I am not 100% sure they are talking about the HESI A2 as the "program entry" exam; that is my assumption. I find it interesting that numerous Google searches of the site didn't come up with a page where Evolve talks directly about the Critical Thinking portion of the HESI A2. They talk about biology, anatomy, math, etc., but not the critical thinking part.
Anyway, it seems that even Evolve/Elsevier doesn't say the critical thinking part is designed to figure out who should get into the program. Instead, they say it is designed to give the nursing school a way to see how your critical thinking skills grow and improve over time as you complete the program.
If you do write the letter, you might want to calmly point out that quote, saying that it was the intention of the test writers to use the Critical Thinking section as a way for them to follow the progress of students who *are* admitted to the program.
I'm not sure if this is where you want to put your energy at this point; from what I've seen, nursing schools don't budge on issues like this and complaining further may make you seem like a "troublemaker". You may be better off just studying your butt off for that portion of the test. I don't want to be negative or discourage you, because I think you have a valid point. I agree with you! But if this school is the only nursing school you can attend, you need to weigh your actions carefully.
understood. I know I don't want to be a trouble maker, but I just want them to know they shouldn't be doing this. I am gonna study my butt off for that section and I am going to give my best to finish all the questions in that book. but I will write a letter to let them know about this (not in a I am gonna bring you down kind of way, but like hey, I just thought it could be different and you don't have to do it like this)
Just a follow-up, here are a couple of links from the Evolve/Elsevier site about the Admissions Assessment test, in which they are talking to admissions people:
^thanks for the good wish. about the answer, from what I have studied so far, unfortunately the drunktard gets help frist. So he doesn't kick someone in the face, or put fingers into power sockets... Correct me if I am wrong. Please. and thank you. I am going to HCC Coleman tomorrow, to talk to their "monkeys" in person, so if you have and suggestions please let me know, so I can sound educated and prepared to those "monkeys"
First of all I find it quite offensive that you would call the STAFF at HCC monkeys. I am a student and I understand your frustration but what you are saying is very offensive! Also remember you are trying to get into the program "You are not in it yet" so if your gonna go to the school with a petition try to be more professional about it. Don't ruin your chances with them because you never know who you may need. Just a little advice........ Nursing school is very hard and sometimes frustrating but just keep your cool and always be respectful to the instructors and staff.
gotcha! I know what you are saying. And I do feel I went a bit too much, but I was really mad and well, frustrated. I apologize if I sounded offensive.
Hi all, I took the HESI at HCC back in April and I too was surprised by the Critical thinking section. I don't remember seeing any information on this section being included and I don't remember the staff saying anything in the info. session.
What happened to me is that I didn't get to study for this test at all! I had an A&P II test coming up and I just gave up and said "oh well". I just decided to take it and see what it's like and take it again if I had to.
Surprise! I passed it with an 88 point something and I got a 910 on the critical thinking part:yeah:.
I agree that it's strange for them to put that section in there when you're going to nursing school to learn that stuff.
I think I passed it because I think too much and always have. If someone comes to me with a problem I immediately start thinking of all the possible solutions and consequences of each one. I am also an older student which I think also helps and I read everything my eyes will rest upon (love reading almost anything).
I think that the best thing to do is to get some practice with these types of questions. I would go to the bookstore and look specifically for a critical thinking in nursing type book like the NCLX practice books that I've seen everywhere. Hopefully, reading this kind of material will also help to prepare you for what's ahead in nursing.
I hope it helps, and good luck with the next test if you need to retake it:redpinkhe
Hi all, I took the HESI at HCC back in April and I too was surprised by the Critical thinking section. I don't remember seeing any information on this section being included and I don't remember the staff saying anything in the info. session.
What happened to me is that I didn't get to study for this test at all! I had an A&P II test coming up and I just gave up and said "oh well". I just decided to take it and see what it's like and take it again if I had to.
Surprise! I passed it with an 88 point something and I got a 910 on the critical thinking part:yeah:.
I agree that it's strange for them to put that section in there when you're going to nursing school to learn that stuff.
I think I passed it because I think too much and always have. If someone comes to me with a problem I immediately start thinking of all the possible solutions and consequences of each one. I am also an older student which I think also helps and I read everything my eyes will rest upon (love reading almost anything).
I think that the best thing to do is to get some practice with these types of questions. I would go to the bookstore and look specifically for a critical thinking in nursing type book like the NCLX practice books that I've seen everywhere. Hopefully, reading this kind of material will also help to prepare you for what's ahead in nursing.
I hope it helps, and good luck with the next test if you need to retake it:redpinkhe
So, I didn't get in the summer pharmacology. T_T I am even more confused... I got an 80 on AP 84 on Grammar and 88 on Reading 94 on math... and 690 on Critical Thinking (that's the bugged section I didn't have a chance to finish) the requirements for hcc is 75 on A&P 75 on Reading 75 on Grammar 75 on math and a 750 on Critical Thinking (I asked the person in charge of nursing she told me not to worry about Critical Thinking Section due to all the comtuper problem and everybody there gave me positive feed back telling me I have a great chance to get in pharmacology) sigh... I don't understand this.
and I couldn't get in the summer pharmacology.... I feel depressed... but I still have the option to take pharmacology at another school and sumbit the transcription to HCC so I still have a chance to start in fall. I want to know which school I can go to take summer pharmacology? thank you very much.
And if the worst happens is there anyother nursing related classes I can take with pharmacology in fall and have a 12 hr credit? I completed bio 1 & 2, micro, A&P 1 & 2 and all the other pre-requisites.... I feel so horrible right now....
:banghead:
I had an A&P II test coming up and I just gave up and said "oh well". I just decided to take it and see what it's like and take it again if I had to.
AtomicWoman
1,747 Posts
jinjin, here is a page from the people who wrote the HESI A2:
http://evolve.elsevier.com/staticPages/s_reach_exams_specialty.html
Note that under the boxed text, it says, "There is also a Critical Thinking exam, which is primarily used at program entry and exit. This exam is designed to measure the growth in critical thinking skills from admission to program completion, and consists of 30 test items." (my bolding) Please note that I am not 100% sure they are talking about the HESI A2 as the "program entry" exam; that is my assumption. I find it interesting that numerous Google searches of the site didn't come up with a page where Evolve talks directly about the Critical Thinking portion of the HESI A2. They talk about biology, anatomy, math, etc., but not the critical thinking part.
Anyway, it seems that even Evolve/Elsevier doesn't say the critical thinking part is designed to figure out who should get into the program. Instead, they say it is designed to give the nursing school a way to see how your critical thinking skills grow and improve over time as you complete the program.
If you do write the letter, you might want to calmly point out that quote, saying that it was the intention of the test writers to use the Critical Thinking section as a way for them to follow the progress of students who *are* admitted to the program.
I'm not sure if this is where you want to put your energy at this point; from what I've seen, nursing schools don't budge on issues like this and complaining further may make you seem like a "troublemaker". You may be better off just studying your butt off for that portion of the test. I don't want to be negative or discourage you, because I think you have a valid point. I agree with you! But if this school is the only nursing school you can attend, you need to weigh your actions carefully.