Nursing Tests

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2005

One good place to start is with your college. They should have a student assistance program or perhaps it is part of the counseling office. Many colleges offer classes in how to improve and become efficient in your studying. Ask your instructors, ask around. I'm sure you'll find them. The techniques they teach in these little courses are tried and true. These classes are often free or offered at a substantially reduced tuition.

One thing you should start doing with your tests is to really take a good look at why you missed particular questions. You need to figure out if it is because you just didn't know the information or if you fell prey to a sneakly little trick instructors sometimes like to put on their tests to see if students are thoroughly reading the questions before answering them. One thing that you are going to learn about college level testing is that many of the instructors design their tests to see if you are "thinking". It is not like high school where you mostly memorize and spit back facts. At a college level you are expected to know the facts and then apply them to situations. This is a testing technique that is used again and again in nursing programs. These are called application questions and are designed to test your thinking ability and your ability to apply rules to the facts of a situation you are given.

crb613, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2005

I would suggest getting an NCLEX book (we use Saunders). This will help you to get the hang of the questions...read the rationale & in no time you can fiqure out what they are asking. I find it is also an excellent study guide. I have used one since I started school & it really helped me. I also cover up the answers on my test...read the question.....read it again....then I ask myself what do I know about this...I then look for the answer that matches what I am thinking. This has helped me not to have my mind flooded w/too much info & time to "think" the question through. Good Luck :specs: