Losing confidence- failed another practice exam

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 13, 2008

Which sections are giving you the most trouble?

changeofpaceRN · Feb 13, 2008

Honestly, it's a combination of all of them. I get more wrong in cardic and respiratory then I do the cancer topics. I think the main issue I'm having is that no matter how much I study the material, the problem is applying it to certain situations and knowing what to teach the patient. I know this is part of critical thinking. I read the rational and can understand why the answer is what it is but my mind never thought that way :-/ Not sure if that makes any sense..

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 13, 2008

It does make sense. I found the same thing when I went over the practice exams, too -- the right answer made sense when I read the rationale, but I hadn't thought that way in the first place. I think the practice exams helped me understand where I wasn't quite "on" in my critical thinking.

The tough thing about the practice exams is that they're two different exams, so you won't necessarily score better on the second one than the first one. And that CAN be discouraging!

Have you check the EC exam content guide to ensure that you're covering all the required material? Another thought: you might consider getting the notes from StudyGroup101 -- they're very comprehensive, I think. They do a great job of pulling the pertinent information from the textbooks and really driving home key points. http://myworld.ebay.com/studygroup101 -- their prices are very low and very worth it, IMO.

Good luck!! Hang in there ... self-study isn't easy. *hugs*

dessyrell · Feb 14, 2008

hi, there...don't lose your faith! i also scored low on the tests, 80's then went down to 60's...just to get an A on the real exam. Some of those questions are not very "good" questions in my opinion and even after i read their rationale, didn't entirely sit right with me and didn't relly know where to look for that rationale...just know what the answers are, some questions may be on your exam, make sure you don't miss them...every point counts. Then i would recommend you buy Saunders, "NCLEX-RN" and work that book..those questions are real good, will help you on the real exam and in the real world.

Good luck to you...don't give up...

nursemomof3boys · Feb 15, 2008

for the course that deals with cardiac, respitratory and cancer/abnormal growth. I took the practice test before I started studying to see where I needed to focus. The 1st time I got a 54%.. ok.. I looked at what I got wrong and understood where my weaknesses were. I studied and studied and studied. I re-took the practice test today after weeks of dedication to these topis to get a 54% AGAIN.
My idea was to take the hardest classes first (I knew this would be hard for me) to get them out of the way and I'm very bummed about it. I don't know how else to study or what else I can use to study.. suggestions? I have all the recommended textbooks.

Changeofpeace,

I think I made a 66 on the first practice exam and a 73 on the second, only to make an "A" on the real exam. Don't be discouraged. The study tips from the yahoo group and answering NCLEX questions helped me a lot. You might want to explore those. Good luck.

nursemomof3boys

nursemomof3boys · Feb 15, 2008

for the course that deals with cardiac, respitratory and cancer/abnormal growth. I took the practice test before I started studying to see where I needed to focus. The 1st time I got a 54%.. ok.. I looked at what I got wrong and understood where my weaknesses were. I studied and studied and studied. I re-took the practice test today after weeks of dedication to these topis to get a 54% AGAIN.
My idea was to take the hardest classes first (I knew this would be hard for me) to get them out of the way and I'm very bummed about it. I don't know how else to study or what else I can use to study.. suggestions? I have all the recommended textbooks.

Be sure to also review the questions that you missed, just like the other posters said. Some of those questions show up on the exam.

nursemomof3boys

NC Girl BSN · Feb 15, 2008

Hey change! This is the test I am studying for and Its a lot of info. I take it Feb 23rd. I made a 81 on the practice test but only because I found information from other study guides. I plan on taking practice test 2 next week. Keep studying. I have some info and test tips on this test. PM me for more info.