HESI Chamberlain Phx Campus: Myths, Tips, Tricks

[LydiaMae]

Firstly, if you're looking for a brief "here's everything you've been looking for in 500 words or less" move along my friends, because I talk a lot. 

So, when I was studying for the HESI I was directed to this website for "tips and tricks" and I don't know that they 100% helped with how I preformed on my tests, but I can say that the advice given definitely helped with nerves. Also, I only kept finding threads that were years old, and while I believe the HESI stays the same to an extent, it's nice to see updated/recent posts. So I thought I'd share my experience.

First off: Go pee before you start, because you'll be comfortable and relaxed and not thinking about peeing yourself. However, I was told that you couldn't even leave the room to go pee. Otherwise, your testing session would be done. THAT'S FALSE. I don't know ANYONE who can hold their pee for 5 hours (the length of time they give you) or anyone in their right mind who would force you to hold it for 5 hours. If you have to get up, get up and go. Just be mindful of the people still testing. Because this girl I was testing with, was not and It really is annoying. and rude. But I'm not bitter. 

I Studied: Elsevier 3rd Edition HESI practice book. Quizlets & Practice tests off Google.

Grammar-- 88%

Vocabulary-- 88%

Reading---88%

Math--84%

Chemistry -- 88%

Biology-- 88%

H&P-- 68%

Also, don't know how I managed to get an 88% on literally everything, but hey, I'll take it.

I'd have to say that the Grammar, Vocab, Reading comprehension are pretty basic and straight forward. They aren't trying to trick you, but you do need to know a wide variety of words/definitions for vocab and you need to know how to pick out the main idea and such for reading comprehension. Grammar was probably the most simple. It'd give you like what word in the sentence below is incorrect. "Him wants to go get ice cream." Things like that. Obviously there were things that made me think, because I only got an 88%. (Still happy).

Chemistry -- I was really nervous for this one. I only got a B in Chemistry when I took the class and that was after blood, sweat, and tears and maaaaannyy hours of tutoring. But the questions they ask you are pretty basic knowledge of chem. Protons, neutrons, and so on. I'd read through the chapters instead of just trying to take the tests.

Biology-- same thing, pretty basic biology concepts that the HESI practice book provides you with.

Math-- I suck, royally, at math. So I knew this was going to be tough for me. There were some problems that I just couldn't figure out but to anyone that is decent at math or really good at math...these problems are basic. I even overheard another student talking about how easy she thought the math was and I was jealous but you can only worry about yourself. There is a calculator provided, both on the computer and physically at your desk a long with a billion sheets of blank paper (and you can ask for more). KNOW conversions and ratios!!

H&P-- Im not going to give much advice seeing as my grade was so low. Maybe what I can say is that I wish I really read through the pages of the practice book on H&P more than I did. Instead of thinking "Oh I got this, I just took this course. I'm good". Because the book (on any subject) really summarizes what they want you to know and what they're going to ask questions on.

I suggest (and this is just what I felt was best for me) to start with the topic you are most confident in. As soon as you're done with one subject, it automatically tells you what you got. So if you start with something you know you're going to do well in, you'll get a boost of confidence and it'll keep you motivated. Then, I went directly into my hardest subject because I wanted it to take the bulk of my time since I knew the others weren't going take me so long. AND COMPLETELY IGNORE THE COUNTDOWN, maybe glance a couple times just to make sure but don't focus on it, it will scare you.

I read on here, that there was also a critical thinking and a personality "questionnaire" that was apart of the test and then I was hearing from people who were taking it at different colleges and they were saying it wasn't so I wasn't sure. Low and behold, they are apart of the HESI. Don't stress. The personality one just wants to figure out what type of student you are. How you learn, your strengths as a student and a person..etc. The critical thinking test even explains before you start the test that all answers are correct they're just again testing to see what you would do in a situation.

READ THROUGH THE HESI PRACTICE BOOKS FOR EVERY CHAPTER. DO THE SAMPLE QUESTIONS IN EACH CHAPTER ESPECIALLY MATH, AND DO THE PRACTICE TESTS IN THE END OF THE BOOK. FIND ONLINE PRACTICE TESTS TO GIVE YOURSELF MORE PRACTICE. BUT ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND, THAT THE PRACTICE STUFF IS ONLY A FLAVOR OF WHAT IS ON THE HESI. IT'LL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS THEY'LL ASK BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME QUESTIONS.

BREATTTHHHEEEEEEE.

Study for more than week. I know I've seen other posts, that say "oh I passed the first time an I studied only a week." Remember that everyone is different, and you don't know what their background is, if they had known this stuff before or if they're just the prodigy of their family and are some special kind of genius. You only know you, and you know your study habits and study techniques. But don't forget that you DO know this stuff, and you CAN and you WILL pass. Believe in yourself. Get a good nights rest, eat a great breakfast, and relax. You can only do your best!

I'd like to hear any comments/questions/whatever you've got for me. I hope this helped, if not I hope at least I was able to entertain you.

[tmahbee]

Thank you so much for this post. This has definitely calmed down my test anxiety, I take my test this month :) And also its crazy all of your scores was 88% the daily pick in the lottery the other day was 8 8 8. HAHAHAHA

[Dahliadiaz]

I'm looking into enrolling for January 2018. Do you think I should start studying now? Lol.

[Den1978]

How soon do you need to take the exam if you applied recently for Jan 2018 entrance exam?

[LydiaMae]

I would!! You can never study "too much" lol also I would suggest taking it before you're ready to enroll because you have so much other stuff you have to get done before classes start so it'd be one thing to check off that checklist.

[LydiaMae]

If you applied to take the exam in January you'll take it in January, when you pay the application fee the advisor should provide you with a date that you'll come in and take it. But if you're looking into being enrolled Jan 2018 I'd take it at least a month before. As I mentioned in another reply, you have so much to get done before enrolling, if you get the exam out of the way you can focus on all the rest.

[LydiaMae]

haha dang! I should have bought a ticket. How'd you do on your test?! Which campus are you applying for?