NCTC ADN Fall 2013

Nursing Students School Programs

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I'm going to Gainsville next week to apply for the ADN program and was wondering if anyone else was looking to do the same. I live in Lewisville, so Gainsville is quite a drive, but I'd be willing to car pool! Has anyone started to study for the Kaplan? I need to get started on that since the test is scheduled to take place at the end of June. Good luck to all of the applicants!

I actually asked the woman in the business office when I went in to pay for my test. She had the list of students in front of her and I asked her how many were on it and she counted in front of me. It wasn't exactly 100, but it was close.

I'm relieved to hear that the test scores are low. Now I don't feel quite so stressed. I also think I did okay, but don't feel confident enough to say I made it in.

I can also send you some information tomorrow on what to expect on the Kaplan. Good luck to everyone that is waiting to see that cut off score tomorrow!

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Bummer on the 100 people :( oh well at least its over. It was so stressful ever since I recieved the letter to test. All we c an do now is hope and pray and believe it was meant to be.

Can't wait to hear results! Good luck and sending prayers for all for good news tomorrow :)

Sorry if this message is sloppy. I'm on my phone :-/

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Specializes in Transplant.

I'm so nervous for the cut off score to be posted today! I scored an 80 overall on the test, but since they are testing 100 students, I guess any cut off score could be possible. The AP portion threw me for a loop as well, but it makes me feel a little better that so far the test scores have been kind of low. Does anyone know if the cut off score has ever been below 70?

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I'm not sure that the cut off would be below 70 since it is the posted minimum for the test, but I suppose it is possible. I would think they would just accept fewer students rather than take students that didn't pass.

I've already checked the website three times this morning. I know the score isn't there yet, but I want it to be! Goooooooooooood luck you guys. I'm crossing my fingers for myself, but for you guys as well.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Last semester, the cut-off score was 70. But the applicant pool was a lot smaller because of the changes the program had made. At first, they were going to do the BSN track only, but then allowed for the ADN. From what I have heard, there were a lot of applicants this time around. Typically, the cut-off score is around 73-75.

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I imagined there were a lot of applicant since they let everyone with 9 priority points take the test. I think everyone will feel a bit better ice the cut off is posted and we know what we're dealing with.

Since you're already in the program, do you have any tips on how to get prepared for the program once we are accepted. I know they send out a letter of what you need to buy, but it never hurts to be prepared beforehand!

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Well, I finished the test. Math, writing, and reading were all pretty easy. I made sure to read through everything very carefully, and I did all my math twice before continuing. The A&P portion, however, was brutal. I was confident on maybe three of them. I barely passed the A&P section...but I did pass it. The rest of the test boosted my score, so I'm sitting on a low A overall. The critical score was higher than my overall, so in case of a tie, I'm hoping it helps.

I took the test today at 9am, so I wouldn't expect anything before 12:30 or so. Maybe after 1pm I'll start checking. Good luck to everyone who tested. I'll check back here later to see how we all did!

As to what's on the test, I thought everything in the Kaplan guide was spot on for math, reading, and writing. Reading was on par with the guide, as was the writing. I thought the math portion was easier...mainly focused on nursing-type math. A&P was more in-depth than the guide, and even A&P for dummies wasn't quite enough (my opinion). There was a bunch of critical thinking, and you really had to dissect some of the answers to get the "right" one. If I had to study over again, I would have gone through the reviews at the end of my A&P book, and hit on some of my in-class notes as well. I was surprised at how many of the questions were on topics emphasized in-class.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You'll have a lot to do when you're accepted...besides buying books. The information packet they will send has all the info and it's really important to read through all of it and get it done ASAP.

Make sure to get all your titers done. And make sure to get a TB test. If you have had one in the last year, you only need 1 TB test. HOWEVER, if it has been more than a year, you need a 2 step test. It can be confusing. A 2 step test is getting a test, then getting it read. Then 7-21 days after getting it read, you get another TB test. I went to the health dept.

Order your scrubs online because they are way cheaper that way. If you are short, order your scrub pants in petite. Mrs. Goodman - your first semester clinical instructor - is a real stickler for looking professional. Class scrubs are Landau True Red. Clinical scrubs are white - they need to be plain. No frills, no empire waist, no crossover tops. Get scrubs with lots of pockets!

You do need a stethoscope. Don't buy an expensive one! I have an Omron stethoscope that I got on Amazon for $13.

Finally - be prepared to spend around $2000 between tuition, supplies, books, etc. You spend the most money in 1st semester, but it's for stuff that you use through every semester. But you can cut a lot of costs if you buy your additional books online.

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As to what's on the test, I thought everything in the Kaplan guide was spot on for math, reading, and writing. Reading was on par with the guide, as was the writing. I thought the math portion was easier...mainly focused on nursing-type math. A&P was more in-depth than the guide, and even A&P for dummies wasn't quite enough (my opinion). There was a bunch of critical thinking, and you really had to dissect some of the answers to get the "right" one. If I had to study over again, I would have gone through the reviews at the end of my A&P book, and hit on some of my in-class notes as well. I was surprised at how many of the questions were on topics emphasized in-class.

Khor, can you tell me which Kaplan book you used? There are a couple on Amazon and I want to make sure to get the right one! Thanks!

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Was there much about the endocrine system on the exam? I took A&P I at UTA and now I am transferring to NCTC. UTA didn't cover the endocrine system in A&P I, so now I am studying it on my own. So, I am worried I won't have a enough good knowledge base on this important system. I am waiting to hear back from the instructor at NCTC to get the power point lecture notes from A&P I covering the endocrine system.

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Congrats on doing so well on your test! I agree that the AP for Dummies workbook wasn't enough for the AP section of the test. If I had to test again, I would try to look for a book that focused more on practical/patient care based questions than general AP. I actually used the HESI and TEAS study guides I had for the math, reading and writing sections and they were all more than enough for what the test required. Most of the math seemed to be dealing with fractions and percentages and I think I only had two actual dosage questions.

Thanks for the info on what we can expect to get ready for the class! I have my immunizations already, but I was very curious what other tasks we would need to complete to get ready for school. Is it true that the books we buy the first semester are used for the entire program?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Yes. All the books you buy for first semester are used for the entire program. Other tasks are the background check, fingerprinting, physical exam, entering your titers/immunizations into a specified program.

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