Microbiology/Excelsior

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 16, 2008

I know I sound like a broken record because I always say this, but invest in the EC practice exams!! Also, be sure you're using the EC exam content guide as your outline. I read a book called "Microbiology Demystified" first, and it was actually enjoyable.

**Trinity** · Jun 16, 2008

thanks for responding! First and foremost, congratulations!!!! I totally envy you!

Now, about those practice exams... are they exams you take on your pc? or do you have to go to a testing facility? with that said, are you able to take notes regarding the test exam? Thanks for your help!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 16, 2008

You take the practice exams on your PC, through the EC website. I used the practice exams for every test, and never regretted it!

They're $60, but well worth the money, in my opinion. You can only register for them after you pay for the actual exam. They really give you an idea of what the actual exam entails. You actually get two tests for each subject, one called "Form A" and and the other "Form B." You have to take Form A before Form B. Each test has 100 questions and you have two hours to complete it (and you do have to do that in one sitting -- you can't close it and come back to it another day). At the end of the exam after you submit your test, it gives you all the answers, plus the rationales for both the right and wrong answers. They are great study tools. Some of the questions on the actual exam are very similar to the practice tests, and they also tell you which area of study the questions are from, so if you find that you're getting a bunch wrong in one area, you can go back and study more in that area.

You can't print the practice exams, and you aren't supposed to take notes on them (violates the terms of EC's academic honesty policy), but you have access to them for something like 120 days after you sign up for them, so that was plenty of time for me to take them and review them several times!

I posted something about the EC practice exams and what we're allowed to do with them here just recently:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f125/just-passed-essentials-chronicity-269890-2.html#post2891677

I thought Micro was not NEARLY as bad as A&P! I'm glad I did A&P first -- kind of put all the other exams in perspective for me.

Oh, and THANK YOU!! :) Your support means a lot. I love this place.

exnavygirl-RN · Jun 25, 2008

The practice exams were a must for me. I'm studying for Micro right now. I just received my date for the CPNE for September. I'm trying to get Micro out of the way in the next couple of weeks. One of the books I'm using is Clinical Microbiology made rediculously simple. It's actually entertaining. Another EC grad recommended this to me. I also have Microbiology The Easy Way.

**Trinity** · Jun 26, 2008

the practice exams were a must for me. i'm studying for micro right now. i just received my date for the cpne for september. i'm trying to get micro out of the way in the next couple of weeks. one of the books i'm using is clinical microbiology made rediculously simple. it's actually entertaining. another ec grad recommended this to me. i also have microbiology the easy way.

hi, and thanks for your response! i do have a question for you, do the books you mentioned include the lab techniques in them? thanks!!!

exnavygirl-RN · Jun 26, 2008

There are no labs.

Excelsiors Microbiology is only worth 3 semester hours. If you were taking it in a traditional school it would be4. The 1 extra hour is the lab. Excelsiors A&P is worth 6 semester hours vs. 8 semester hours that has a lab.

If I thought I was going to pursue a BS or MSN through another school I would probably have to take these over because they do not contain labs. Does this make sense?

**Trinity** · Jun 26, 2008

hmmmm.... I wonder how much material on the exam will actually include the different labs and techniques?

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 26, 2008

Trinity, go by your study guide for what will be covered on the exam. It should all be there.

**Trinity** · Jun 26, 2008

Trinity, go by your study guide for what will be covered on the exam. It should all be there.

Thanks for your response. Yes, I've thoroughly examined the study guide and have purchased the entire course kit from Excelsior College... so basically, I am expected to learn everything inside and out except for the kitchen sink. I know, "boo hoo", right? I think I'm going to have to quit Excelsior again. This Microbiology is overwhelming and I just have way too much going on right now with working graveyard shift, family, kids, homeschooling them, etc. I don't have the time to learn every single stinking bacteria and blot technique known to mankind... which I will never use anyway. This really stinks. I guess I'll go on making LPN salary for RN work until my kids turn 18, right? Thanks again for your response. P.s... the cowbell skit is hilarious. :up:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 26, 2008

No need to give up. Don't feel overwhelmed- the best thing to do with those courses that have a lot of content is to break it all down, and study it in sections. Then, once you've done that, gather it all together, and then go over it all again. Take one of the practice exams to gauge where your weaker areas are, then pick out those areas and go over those until you feel comfortable. Then take the second practice exam.

You can do this. And FWIW, it is a very helpful class. I found it useful to know the difference between a gram neg rod versus a gram neg cocci when caring for my infectious patients. I did take Micro in a trad school before I started at EC though, and I can imagine how much more difficult it must be not having that dish in front of you if you're a visual learner.

You can finish the program, as long as you believe you can. Good luck to you!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 26, 2008

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/A-Brief-History-of-Microbiology.topicArticleId-8524,articleId-8406.html

Here's a Cliffsnotes link to help in your studies. I found these kinds of things to be helpful, because Cliffs Notes are great at organizing large amounts of content into a workable size.