I failed my first exam. Now what?

Published

I just finished my third week of nursing school. Our first exam was on Monday and I was feeling pretty good about it. Two days ago, we got our results and I was terrified to look at my score - and for good reason, seeing as how I only made a 69. I cried like a baby for the rest of the day and now I have this feeling of hopelessness weighing down on me. Our next exam is Tuesday and it doesn't seem to matter how hard I try or how much I read, I can't get the material down. I can't seem to focus, my brain seems to be on a completely different planet at some points.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds to me like you may worry a bit too much. Don't get me wrong - a 69 percent on your first exam is bad - but, it's not the end of the road.

If I were you, I would ask to speak with your professor. The two of you could go over the questions that you missed. Also, I know what it means to have lack of focus. It is awful! What I have been doing lately to alleviate this lack of concentration - is studying in quick bursts (20-30 minutes) followed by a 5 minute break. I have found this approach to be very beneficial. Not only am I retaining more information - I am understanding it a lot better as well.

I also exercise daily, try to eat a healthy diet and perform progressive muscle relaxation on a daily basis. I also reward myself every day, with a big reward on the weekends.

All these things help to improve my well-being and my concentration.

I'll add as well, that it may benefit you to see your Doctor (if indeed you have access to primary healthcare), tell him about your symptoms and see if he can help you out.

Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It sounds to me like you may worry a bit too much. Don't get me wrong - a 69 percent on your first exam is bad - but, it's not the end of the road.

If I were you, I would ask to speak with your professor. The two of you could go over the questions that you missed. Also, I know what it means to have lack of focus. It is awful! What I have been doing lately to alleviate this lack of concentration - is studying in quick bursts (20-30 minutes) followed by a 5 minute break. I have found this approach to be very beneficial. Not only am I retaining more information - I am understanding it a lot better as well.

I also exercise daily, try to eat a healthy diet and perform progressive muscle relaxation on a daily basis. I also reward myself every day, with a big reward on the weekends.

All these things help to improve my well-being and my concentration.

I'll add as well, that it may benefit you to see your Doctor (if indeed you have access to primary healthcare), tell him about your symptoms and see if he can help you out.

Best of luck to you.

I definitely do worry more than the average person. It's not so much that class (Fundamentals) that I'm worried about. It's my Health Assessment class, which is the exam I have Tuesday. That particular exam is only going to have 35 questions, which comes from 13 chapters. I don't have the greatest teacher either which isn't helping matters any.

I really appreciate your help and I'll definitely try some of the things you have suggested.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

When I first started nursing school I failed my first 2 tests! I was thinking I was doing everything right. Reading the chapters, taking good notes, study groups, nclex questions, you name it I did it BUT I STILL FAILED. What I realized was that everyone was giving me great advice on how to study, but I had to figure out a method that was right for me! I talked to my teachers and got their advice and I thought about the things that I could do differently as far as my studying. I was determined to succeed so I got a tutor and changed my study methods a little bit and my grades improved greatly. My advice would be to calm down and stop worry so much about the things that are already done. You can't change your test grade so it's best if you just stop worrying about it and put your focus into the test that is coming up because if you worry to much your mind will be consumed and you want pass the next test either. Definitely talk to your teachers and get some advice from them. Maybe think about a tutor. Your grade wasn't terribly bad either so maybe think about the things you did do right in your studying and continue to do that. Just take it up a notch and give the next test all you have. You might want to get with some students that are doing well in the class and see what they are doing or either form study groups with them too. Do whatever it takes to succeed. I wish you the best of luck and sorry for the ramble. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel your pain.....I flunked my first test tooo!!! I cried for 2 days, just thinking am going to fail out of nursing school..I wish I could give you advise on what to do but I am in the same sinking boat!!!!! Just don't give up!!!;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel your pain, I've come home from an exam feeling good and then I saw the score. What you need to do is review your exam (if it's too late then do that next time) and see were you went wrong, maybe you thought too much about the question or you read it too soon and missed an important part. Also you should do practice questions for the class you are taking. The success books are great because they give you sample questions and give you a rationale for every single option. Don't just focus on reading, take a look at your notes, did you record your lectures? if so listen to those again. Do you have a study partner/group? If so maybe you can quiz each other.

Did they give you a blueprint/study guide? Or did they tell you how many questions would come from each chapter? If they did then focus on the chapters where most of the questions will come from.

Hope this helps!! Don't give up!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

try not to over think the questions and answers. I understand that you have 4 pretty good answers to choose from but dont get to carried away. when reading the wuestion the first time read it slowly. Pick out the KEY words. then read your answers. Go back to your question and read it again then start eliminating answers. when you have two answers left start back at the KEY words you picked out in your question. Its a bit time consuming but it works for me every time

Keep in mind that what worked for me might not work for you though. I took my first test last wednesday and went into it freaked out and feeling unprepared and I came out of i with a 96. i was beyond thrilled. Keep practicing the NCLEX style questions online or in a practice book and be ready to spend a few minutes on each question time permitting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For those who fail a test this is my advice find out what you missed and why you missed them...did you not know the subject, misread the question, was thinking B when you should have been thinking A. Make notes if only mental on what you missed then sit down with your book and review what you missed. As far as studying goes it has been proven time and again anything over 1 hour without a break is wasted time. Sauders nclex review 5th edition is a great resource as is prentice hall rationale and reviews they have them for med surg, ob peds, pysch,leadership, fundamentals. I would highly suggest to invest in them. If you have a smart phone droid, blackberry ect invest in the davis drug guide and tabers medical dictionary you will use it in and out of school. Good luck to you future nurses

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

When I was going through nursing school, my first exam was always my lowest. However, after taking the exam, I knew exactly how the professor was testing. The rest of my exams were good. For example, my first critical care exam had 50 questions, of which 27 were select all that apply. It was all or nothing. In other words, if you missed selecting one of the answers, you missed the entire question. Because of that, I changed by study habits and prepared differently. The final three exams, I scored well on. I think it also helped me when I took NCLEX.

It was only one exam and quite honestly, a 69 is not a difficult score to make up. Besides, you are in your fourth week of nursing school. Now you have been exposed to NCLEX style questions. I would encourage you to do practice questions over the content you are covering in class. For example, if you are covering the Endocrine system, get a few NCLEX books and practice the questions regarding that system. Specially look at prioritizing and delegation questions. Good luck! You will be fine!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I failed my first quiz and my first test 4 weeks into school, I'm a complete mess. I've been studying so much and I can't retain any of the information??? I'm so stressed because I worked so hard to get into nursing school!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Look at how you are studying... are you just reading, alone or in a group, use flashcards, do nclex questions on subject, hunt for rationales regardless of if you got it right or wrong its not enough to make a lucky guess gotta know why its right and why the others are wrong, you do that you cant fail....did anyone tell you in nursing school your only life is school and clinicals? Head up smile it will get easier if you are determined.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi amanda!

what class is this??

try not to be so down. my first exam which is MedSurge 1....I FAILED also!! but I would def recommend to see your professor and talk to her/hiim just so he/she can be familiar with your face and know that you are asking for extra help!!

GOODLUCK!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion