I have a dilemma, need your opinion...

Published

Ok, I just got off the phone with the Nursing Department at my school.

The way that my school does the Pre-Entrance exam testing seems to be different than most. They actually have 6 month windows when you can take the test. You can take it once between January and June (which I just did...took it this past Tuesday, the 19th) and then you can take it again between July & December.

Ok...here is where it get's tricky for me. I got my scores back, 85%...ok. I checked with my school just to see what the lowest score was that got in for the Fall semester and they said 83% (and I know it is different every semester, but just wanted an idea). And then I had mentioned that I could take it again in August, but wasn't sure I wanted to because if I got a lower score, then I'd be stuck with that.

Well, the woman I spoke with said no. If I stuck to the 6 month rule (which I would be considering I took it in June), then they would take the higher of the two. So, if I did score less than this past one, then they would still take the 85%.

My biggest concern is if I do take it in August, then I can't take it again until January which means I wouldn't even have the opportunity to try for Fall '08 if necessary.

I am ready to cry here and just freaking out about this :bluecry1:!!! What is your opinion? Do I take it again? My husband said what do you have to lose, but I feel like if I need that opportunity again to take it for the Fall, I want to save that, so I am unsure!!!

And to tell you the truth, the thought of taking this test again is getting to me!!! :uhoh3:

Thanks everyone!!!

Lori

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i say try with what you have now. sounds like you have an okay chance with the 85%. if you don't get in with that, that's when i would retake it - after lots of studying.

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

Hi Lori,

I am with miss arron. You passed, and with a decent score. 85% is nothing to sneeze at! I say let it stand. It is higher than the lower score of that particular semester, so let it stand!! Good luck~

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I am going to think out loud....

You have an 85 which is good, but if you take it in Aug you could make higher than an 85, and the higher grade would stand, but you could not make lower because no matter what you would still have the 85.

On the other hand you could wait until Jan you could make higher than an 85, or you could make lower, and the lower grade would stand.

What is the deadline in Aug? If you have until the end then you would still have a good two months to study, and if your not taking classes or a smaller load because it summer then thats even better. In addition if you just took it everything is still fresh in your mind, and it might not be in seven and half months.

I would take it again in Aug because the fact that they will hold the 85 is like a buffer, and takes some of the pressure off. The material is still fresh in your head, and with 2 months to study you should do really well. If you wait it will be like starting from scratch with no buffer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am going to think out loud....

You have an 85 which is good, but if you take it in Aug you could make higher than an 85, and the higher grade would stand, but you could not make lower because no matter what you would still have the 85.

On the other hand you could wait until Jan you could make higher than an 85, or you could make lower, and the lower grade would stand.

What is the deadline in Aug? If you have until the end then you would still have a good two months to study, and if your not taking classes or a smaller load because it summer then thats even better. In addition if you just took it everything is still fresh in your mind, and it might not be in seven and half months.

I would take it again in Aug because the fact that they will hold the 85 is like a buffer, and takes some of the pressure off. The material is still fresh in your head, and with 2 months to study you should do really well. If you wait it will be like starting from scratch with no buffer.

Well, the cut-off (first Tuesday in September) is for the Spring Semester '08 applications. So, I can take it again in August. If I do get a lower score, yes, I will still have my 85% to fall back on for my Spring application. BUT, if I don't get in for the spring, I will not be able to test again until January. Problem with that, the cutoff for Applications for the Fall '08 semester is the first Tuesday in January, but the last test that is offered is in December. So, if I take the test in August, that will use up my one test in the July-December window. So, the score I get in August would also have to be my score I'd use if I needed to try for the Fall semester of '08 as well.

I know, very confusing. If you can follow any of this, kudos to you!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

You score is only good for a year? What test are you taking?

I misunderstood, because I guess the schools here are different. You can only take the test twice a year if you want to improve your score, BUT if you like your score it stands for three years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You score is only good for a year? What test are you taking?

I misunderstood, because I guess the schools here are different. You can only take the test twice a year if you want to improve your score, BUT if you like your score it stands for three years.

I'll have to call the Nursing department again. From what I understood in the meeting they have you attend regarding the Nursing program, I would have to retake it again prior to every cutoff, but maybe I am wrong. I'll let you know what they say!

Edited to add: YOUR RIGHT!!! I just called them and they said yes, that I can keep the last highest score (as long as I am sticking to the every 6 month rule). So, I think I AM going to take it again! OMG...thank you so much for pointing that out!! They don't seem to explain things very clearly in their Nursing meetings!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just wanted to say good luck when you retake the test! :)

Tiffany

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Good luck!!! I am taking it for the first time in Aug, and an 85 is looking really good right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What kind of test was it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What kind of test was it?

It is the PAX...NLN Pre-entrance exam.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion