OK I gotta vent for a minute about Excelsior exams!

Kr_nurse09 · Sep 22, 2011

I heard the ls series is the hardest. I'm studying for ls1 right now. Perhaps you're scheduling them too close..? 7 exams in 6 months seems like a lot, but that's just me. Sorry I don't have much insight..Good luck!

ladside, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Sep 22, 2011

I remember LS 3.....that was the only exam that I studied for for only 7 days and went in to take the exam. I was so happy because finally I was gonna get my first A outta Excelsior. Instead, I barely made the grade....came outta there with a C. For the longest time, I truly believed that the writers of that particular exam had another exam in mind when it was created. I got a C so I let it ride.....You are not the first person to feel that way about LS 3. And yes, the LS series are much, much harder than the rest but it also depends on your prep time for each. I only allowed 2 weeks in between each exam so I really didn't have much ground for a fight over grades. Good luck on your retake. I would suggest, if you don't mind a little unsolicited advice, that you go in right away and highlight in the EC study guide or whatever materials you have, what you remember from those exams while it is still fresh in your head....even write down the wording that you remember on specific questions so that you know exactly how they asked certain questions. I did that after each exam even though I passed them just in case, somebody somewhere goofed on the grading and they try to steal my passing grade, such as it was, from me. Again, good luck!!!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

mamac0805 · Sep 23, 2011

Felt that exact same way with Repro. I am not much of a studier, I usually just take the first practice exam then skim the material then take the second practice exam and that's it. I have scored B's on all of my exams. Now for repro, I was a little more nervous being I have no "real" experience with OB. I actually bought the studygroup 101, printed notes from yahoo groups, and did both practice exams, WAY more than I usually do. Spent a lot of time on the material, took the test feeling great afterwards. Hit the end exam button and saw i got a D!. I was amazed, i thought the exam was quite easy on the grand scale of things and that it was pretty straight forward. Apparantly I missed the big picture somewhere. this is my last exam and am going to take it again in two more weeks. But know exactly how you feel. It bind sides you.

anjule18 · Sep 23, 2011

Hi, I took the EC nursing tests and passed them all. I took cpne and failed that. I am retesting in two weeks. My question is what are you using to study? I took a test every 3 weeks to 4 weeks. I used Chancellors study guides and my med surg book from LPN school,with the study guide from EC. It helps to go over the anatomy and physiology,especially with repro and LS series. Also, Saunders NCLEX-RN Comprehensive Review Book was a huge help in passing for the LS1,2 and 3. LS1 and 2 were hard,I have no idea how I passed LS2, LS3 wasn't bad for me. Some people did well with LS2 and LS3 was bad. These tests are so hard. Maybe you are overthinking the questions. Try to go with your first instinct. Its just a thought. The practice tests with Excelsior are invaluable. I would read over what I got wrong as well as what I got right. Many times questions are on the real test but maybe worded different. Hope this helps:)