NLN pre-entrance for RN exam

Cllaws889, BSN · Sep 5, 2012

From what I have understood about the test, all of the questions involved in the study guide are previously used questions that were removed and approved by the NLN to use to better prepare students for the material that is on the test. I myself am a Sophomore Pre-nursing student and am registered to take the test next Friday, and to be honest with you I feel that the study guide was the best thing to prepare me mentally and emotionally for the test thus far. I have already taken all of the practice tests and read the material and I feel that if from what I have researched, anyone who has done the same should be adequately prepared. I think you will do great if you have read over the material and know exactly what to expect, after all the priority of many schools right now is to fill this gap of Nursing positions and any way they can "prepare" you to do well is what they are doing. In short, don't worry it isn't a test that you can pass or fail, its a test to show you your personal potential and retention of material verse those other pre-nursing students in your applicant pool! Make the best of that test, you're there to show them what you're made of!

Manders0624 · Sep 7, 2012

I have taken the NLN Entrance Exam Twice now. The first time I did not pass according to my school's standards. Granted I was also 7 months pregnant at the time with a sinus infection, but I found it to be difficult. The first time I prepared using only the study guide. The second time around I used freerice.com to practice vocabulary and used an SAT book to help prepare as well. I also used Cliffnotes.com to prepare myself for chemistry and physics questions on the test as it is heavily saturated in those types of questions. Lastly I used the NLN book and Davis' Math Review Book for Nurses to prepare for the math portion. The second time around I did much much better. I will also say I prepared for the test the second time around by studying 2-3 hours per day for one month. Prior to the month before the test I did about an hour of studying a day.

Relaxing during the test, taking deep breaths and preparing are the key to passing the test!

Limik · Sep 9, 2012

I used the study guide only and reviewed it over the course of the week before I took the test. I scored a 139 which put me at the 96th percentile. I usually do better on standardized tests by not overstudying but I have also been an LPN for over 18 years and I'm sure that helped. Just review the sections in the study guide and you should be ok. Good luck!

winterlights08 · Sep 9, 2012

I took it last November and scored a 144 (98%) after studying for a week. I used the red NLN exam review guide and found it to be a huge help. The only area that I felt was lacking in the study guide was basic physics. There was a little bit in there, but I've never had a physics class so it wasn't enough--there were a lot of physics questions on the exam! I would recommend if you have time, is to review a Physics Made Easy book or similar. The other science that was covered was mostly biology, and some pretty basic chemistry. I think that this test is designed to be able to be taken out of high school, so there really isn't much A&P or Micro (if I remember correctly).

I also recommend that when you review, if you are crunched for time, is to spend less time reviewing the reading comprehension section. At this point, you either know it or you don't. Of course you should review to get a feel for the types of questions, but it's not like the vocabulary in the review book is going to be the same as on the test. That was for me personally, obviously if you feel that you need to spend time on it, then that's what you will do.

For the math section, I had to relearn how to do basic math without a calculator. Math is definitely not my strong subject. If you really spend time doing those problems over and over, and getting the steps down without a calculator, then you'll be okay. There are a lot of percentiles, decimals, and fraction questions. The study guide was great for showing how to work out these types of problems. There was not a lot of algebra. Definitely time yourself when you do the practice tests. Since you'll have to work out these problems by hand, it adds time. It seems a lot of people run out of time near the end of the math section. They'll give you scratch paper.

If your exam is computerized (I think it usually is), then you'll be able to flag questions to go back to at the end. I had about 10 math problems flagged and when I went back to them, I was able to answer them easily because I was looking at them fresh. You'll get your score at the end, and a brief explanation of the raw score and ranking percentile. Oh, and the exam is three hours, with a break in between each section.

The best thing to do, is the day before, don't try and cram all this stuff in. Relax, sleep well, and leave plenty early the day of the exam. I had loads of traffic the day of my exam, couldn't find the building, and showed up late :uhoh21:, but maybe the adreneline actually helped me out! Good luck to you!!!

jeo684 · Sep 12, 2012

Thank you for all of your comments!!

Well apparently I have forgotten just about everything! I took the practice test that came with it on the CD and didn't do so hot. I have been studying away.... I am so scared! I am glad to hear the success stories though! If I pass I start my nursing classes in January.

Do any of you remember what was the majority of the math and science questions? How much physics was there?

Cllaws889, BSN · Sep 14, 2012

There were quite a few physics problems on mine. I finished with a 140(97) and im really glad that I looked over some physics equations online before going to the test.