I've been crying all day reason- Sadly I failed my A and P exam today:(

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

What are you studying? The skeletal system? The nervous system? Some parts of A&P are really about memorization, like the muscles and bones. Some parts are more conceptual, like action potentials. For things that lend themselves to memorization, making note cards can be helpful. For things that are more conceptual, drawing out diagrams and concept maps can be helpful. Some of my fellow students make posters on big pieces of butcher paper and hang them all over their houses, so they can look at them while they cook, fold clothes, or whatever. I made it through A&P on my note cards. I'd make these note cards on 3X5 index cards and hold them all together with a rubber band. I'd take them with me wherever I went. I could study while in line at the grocery store, while on the bus to work or school, at work when I had a slow moment, at home in bed right before going to sleep.

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

I don't know what you're studying but it's A and P in general is mostly memorization and knowing why/how it works. Make up mnemonics so you can remember what certain things are.

As for your grade you would have to get 100% on the test but you would still end up with a 71.2 and I don't know if other things are factored into your grade or what you need to pass the class.

Good luck

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

the way i see this, you have a couple of options:

get with the instructor to review your exams to see where you are making your errors on the tests and find out what it is that you are doing wrong on them. if your errors are due to not knowing the material, then you know the problem is in the way you are studying. there are weblinks on post #15 of this thread to help you learn how to study: https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/study-strategies-254733.html - study strategies (on the nursing student assistance forum). if you discover that your problem is that you are not good at test taking , there are weblinks on this thread to help you with that: https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/looking-test-taking-stratagies-224581.html - looking for test taking strategies (on the nursing student discussion forum)
if you continue to think that you might not pass the final exam, then drop the course while you can so a failed grade doesn't show up on your transcript or ruin your gpa and take this course at another time when your study skills are stronger. you will need to get 74% on the final to pass this course with a 60% overall average.

the early part of a&p is best learned through memorization and the use of flashcards, but you have to put in the study hours.

studying is skill like any other skill we learn in our lifetime. how did we learn to skate, ride a bike, tie our shoes? we made lots of mistakes. it is the same with studying and tests. but, you are older now and in college and have control over the outcome of your grade. learn from the experience, but don't be punished for it by taking a failing grade because that will seriously damage your chance of getting into a nursing school.

madascanbeRNtobe · Jan 10, 2008

Lets not make her feel worse, especially with wrongly done math calculations. If she got a 100% on the final, she would have a 71.2%.

But thats of no relevance. She said she needs 60% overall to pass, So she needs 72% on her final exam to barely make it.

Tiffany, everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and this is yours. If you are taking A+P, you are still early in your nursing career, You can still get an 80% average in your subsequent semesters, if you learn from what went wrong this semester. It will make the subsequent semesters all the more sweeter.

I am taking A+P as well, and i have an 81%. We need 65% to pass. I study by reading each chapter 3 times, to fully understand the material before doing any memorizing.

Once, I have understood and memorized, I discuss with friends, do the textbook questions, the questions on the CD and website.

You should also take full advanatage of the resources at your school. Think up of good questions to ask for each topic, and go see your instructor during her office hours every week. She/He will likely expand on each question, and you will get an idea on whats relevant to them, and therefore whas relevant on the test.

Send me a private message if you want my e-mail address. You can ask me to clarify material for you as well.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 10, 2008

But, you are older now and in college and have control over the outcome of your grade. Learn from the experience, but don't be punished for it by taking a failing grade because that will seriously damage your chance of getting into a nursing school.

I agree. I'm not sure how admissions selections work in Canada but here failing grades can blow your gpa and leave you in a tough spot as far as getting into a nursing program. Ask your advisor because there are times when it is far better to withdraw rather than fail.

I'm also not sure I understand your cut off percentage. I thought nursing programs have a requirement of at least 75%.

itybity · Jan 10, 2008

first of all i know how you feel...unfortunately i've been there! the biggest thing you need to do is take a deep breath and calm down. Believe me...this is not the end of the world, or your healthcare career. the second thing you need to do is find out what it is your having ahard time with. Do you freeze up when you get the test, or can you just not remember what you studied? I made it through A and P using flashcards which i see a few other people have mentioned, you can also find books at local book stores that help with studying, they have diagrams thatyou can color on to help you learn systems and muscles etc. you really need to find out what it is that is messing you up on the tests. you said that you knew all the answers studying the night b4 so have you ever been screened for test anxiety? there are a lot of different things you can look into and many answers to all the problems you may be having, but the true key to studying

A and P is to find out what works for you. are you an auditory person or a visual person? or maybe you learn better by doing? you really should use the link "Daytonite" left for you to figure this out and it will do volumes for you! Good Luck and remember, take the class over again and sign up for a grade replacement at the beginning of next quarter!! it will save your GPA which is what counts when you are trying to get into/ stay in nursing school!

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 11, 2008

OK I'm confused you have to have a 60% to pass the class? Here anything below a 75% is failing pre reqs or nursing courses.

I agree with speaking with advisor and the instructor to see if there is anything that you can do because a failure in the class could make it harder for you to actually get into the program if this is a pre req (A&P I&II are pre reqs here).

moosiesmom · Jan 11, 2008

Try Barron's Anatomy Flashcards. I just purchased them in a college bookstore but I am sure they have them @ Barnes and Noble. They are subdivided into all of the systems.

There are 264 full-colored cards. They would be in the "study guides" section in the store or any college book store. Especially a school with a medical/nursing school. I am going to look at them before I start to retake my old A&P's. Hang in there. Before you get too upset talk to your teacher about your options, or how you can bring your grade up etc. Let them know that you are very concerned about doing well in their class. They may be able to help you. They may curve your grade too. Some do that. Take care. Hope this helps.

love-d-OR · Jan 12, 2008

The suggestions above are great. Sorry to hear you failed the exam, hope the next one goes better

tccjknv · Jan 12, 2008

Here is what I did and it worked for me...

- Read notes from previous lecture

- While looking at notes, rewrite them

- Read notes again

- Put notes away and try to write down as much info as I could from memory

- Pull notes out and read them

- Put notes away and add material I forgot to my list

- Pull notes back out and read them

- Put notes away and add more material

* I would continue this process until I had almost everything. It really helped me tremendously. The first time I took A&P I had to drop because I was doing so bad. The 2nd time I took it my teacher suggested this method of studying and it really helped me. I got an A in both A&P 1 and 2. It was helpful that my teacher gave us his powerpoint slides, so the notes that I was using to study from were his good notes. This process helps to get the info from your short term to your long term memory.

Good luck

tiffany311 · Jan 12, 2008

Actually my instructor called me and said that I passed that exam:)

Yah wow talk about a scare.

But I can use really great tips for studying, that you swear by.

thanks for all your support:)