nursing test taking skills-i have nursing knowledge but can not pass any tests

2ndyearstudent, CNA · May 4, 2011

i know we must use Maslow and prioritize, as well as using nursing diagnosis, but is there anything else besides those 2 things to help me choose the best and correct answer,

Yes. Practice. A lot of it.

One of the reasons nursing school is so hard is that programs are preparing you to take the NCLEX. So you get a lot of practice on those types of questions.

survrgrl08 · May 4, 2011

Hi,

I have the same problem. I can narrow down the questions to 2 or can figure it out on the get go. I know that I need to practice, practice the questions. I have 2 really good NCLEX books that I have been using to practice with. Saunder's is an excellent book. I recommend it!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · May 5, 2011

I would get an NCLEX book and do practice questions. That is the best way to get you in that nursing "mindset" and it is also great practice for the NCLEX. Make sure to read every rationale (including all choices) even if you answered correctly. This will help build up your knowledge base, too!

Tiger95 · May 5, 2011

I finally found a way to take these tests and be successful. My advice...cover all answers and read the question. Make sure you understand what is being asked and then write off to the side what you know regarding the topic in the question. Underline pertinent key words in the stem and then uncover each answer one-by-one. As you uncover an answer, ask yourself whether this option applies. If not, cross off and go on to the next answer. I've found that by eliminating each one individually and by writing down what I know before looking at the answers, I could easily pick the right answer. I went from a low C average to a strong B by doing this. Good luck!!!

BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN · May 7, 2011

Also, if I am not 100% sure of the answer, I skip it, circle it and go back to it. Lots of times when I go back to it, I can easily get the answer. Either another question has triggered some info in my brain, or I can just better eliminate the wrong ones.

I also do exactly what the above poster mentioned. I am not getting A's consistently.

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · May 8, 2011

Once you get the test taking strategies down.... and you can get those from any number of NCLEX study guides (I have Kaplan), and you get into your medical questions, you need to know anatomy of the system you are being tested on. Know the symptoms of the common problems. Know how one thing affects another. What constitutes and emergency situation? What do you need to take care of first? Airway, pain, putting a patient at ease.... what is going to be most important at this particular time given the particulars in the question. Know your terms.... I didn't know what the term stridor meant in depth, I just thought it was a hoorifice sound. Oops, stridor is a sign that a person is losing their airway - emergency!!! Know your basic drug groups. Know the 2 or 3 drugs most commonly used for each condition. Don't try to memorize the action of every drug but know the drug category. It's a lot to know, I know but I get more out of skimming through the readings really quickly, listening to the lectures and the emphasis, then going back to the books to find all the stuff I'm still unsure of. Brought me from Cs to As.

sandyfeet · May 11, 2011

First I read the entire question. Then, I go back and highlight the key terms: what the question is really asking. Often there will be extra information in a question that is not pertinent to the answers, and it is important to focus on what the question is actually asking. Sometimes, if it was something the professor emphasized in class, I'll jot some words or a mnemonic associated with the topic next to the question, just in case it will help. Then, go through the answers one by one. Once you decide an answer is wrong, draw a line through it and never look at it again! Your first instinct is usually your best one. If you end up with two possible answers, go back and read what you highlighted in the question. By then one answer should be clear. Also, take your time during this process! If you skim the question you may miss important information.

This is what I do on tests and I am doing great in nursing school!

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · May 11, 2011

what everyone else said. in addition, i've found that my instructors will use a lot, if not all, of the practice questions from the end of the chapters in our textbooks on our tests and quizzes. so i do those questions several times after i complete my assigned reading.