Need desperate help with test questions.

RetrieverGirl, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2009

Experiencing same problem. Struggling to meet the minimum.

>--stethoscope--o · Oct 6, 2009

For all of you out there that get 80's and 90's please help us out. It will be greatly appreaciated.

AmyJean · Oct 6, 2009

First, I study the power points gone over in class. I make my own study guide from them and sometimes flash cards. Then I re-read the materials from the book readings assigned. Then, I tie it all together and test myself. I write and rewrite A LOT. That seems to help me out. HTH.

BahoRN · Oct 7, 2009

Depends on what Nursing Level you are in.

Always know your signs and symptoms of any disease process, and always know your nursing interventions.

Above all else, know what the "normal" is, this way you'll always be able to pick out the abnormal when it presents.

Big help to students are the work books, CD's, and critical thinking questions provided with your text books. Any answers you get wrong - go back and study THAT material. Don't waste time going over what you already know.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

see the information on this sticky thread: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/looking-test-taking-224581.html - looking for test taking strategies

RetrieverGirl, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

I do know you can register your text books online for helpful nclex style questions. Some may give you rationale for choosing the right answer verses the wrong choice. I did notice that my instructors pulled some questions from the back of the chapter review tests and some similar online. I am experiencing the same difficulty. Some much information and so very few questions... Good luck to you. I feel your pain:crying2:

>--stethoscope--o · Oct 7, 2009

Thanks you guys! I'll look into doing all of this. If any one has more to add to this, go for it. The more the merry.

>--stethoscope--o · Oct 7, 2009

I do know you can register your text books online for helpful nclex style questions. Some may give you rationale for choosing the right answer verses the wrong choice. I did notice that my instructors pulled some questions from the back of the chapter review tests and some similar online. I am experiencing the same difficulty. Some much information and so very few questions... Good luck to you. I feel your pain:crying2:

oh..ah ah....We can not allow our selves to be sad and feel negative about ourselves or a certain situation! I'll admit, when I posted this I was very sad, almost defeated! I've also gone into an exam defeated and the only thing I got out was what I put in.....in other words if you go in to an exam with a negative attitude don't expect to get positive results!....We need to get up and walk! If all of these nurses out here went through school and finished, why can't we?!!!.....Instead of feeling sad about the situation, let us have faith!...We can not succeed with a negative attitude. I'm not trying to be harsh here, I'm trying to pump you up and get you feeling good and positive so that you can do well on your exam. I know there are alot of threads on here that have nothing but negativity. Choose to look at the positive ones. I'll be praying for you, I ask that you do the same for me. :heartbeat

pharmgirl · Oct 7, 2009

*sigh* I think nursing test questions are the hardest part of nursing school. But you can do it and "train" your brain to think the way the question wants you to. You are on the right track with practice questions, find as many as you can. NCLEX4000 is real good, has tons of questions but I think you have to pay for it. Our school bought it and posted on our school computers.

Secondly, this is what I do, it may or may not help you. When I read a question the first time I look for key words such as "priority" or "first" or "immediate". I underline them. I close my eyes a quick second and picture the question situation in a hospital setting (such as I'm walking into a patient coding, what am I doing? kinda like a mental play). I read the question a second time and the answers and see if my mental play works for the answers. If it does, I'm in luck. If it doesn't I move on to prioritizing based on the ABC's. If ABC rule isn't helping, I move on to Maslow's. If Maslow doesn't help then I move on to the next question and come back to that later.

Sounds like a long process but it really isn't, only takes seconds and might help you to train your brain. I'm still working on it myself but I'm getting there.

As far as studying, there are a lot in my class that are having issues with the application part. We've started finding case studies so we could all discuss them and try to get our brain heading into a more clinical area than just a book-smart area.

Hope this helps ...its tough but you can do it. Good luck!!