PSB at Collin College

VictoriaMc · May 2, 2013

Okay well I took the exam today and here are the time limits in case anyone needs them. The time limits make finishing the test difficult especially since Collin does the PSB on paper and there is no digital timer in the room, just a clock but when under that much stress it's hard to pay attention to the hands. I would recommend bringing a watch with you to keep track of timing, so mad I didn't think of this! Overall, I found the exam easy I will go into more detail below. I do not know my results yet and hate that I have to wait 2 weeks!
- Academic Aptitude: 35 minutes, 90 Questions
There is no calculator allowed but you totally do not need it. This section was really easy, however I was not able to finish the entire thing. I left about 5 blank because I lost track of time.
- Spelling: 15 Minutes, 50 Questions. This section was hard for me just because I have never seen many of the words. I will say that knowing the spelling rules would probably help with this section. I got many of the words because of studying from the NLN Review Book. Had more than enough time to go back over everything.
- Reading Comprehension: 15 Minutes, 40 Questions
Ahhh the dreaded reading comp section. I totally freaked out on this section and was unable to finish it all, I left about 10 blank. I do think it is totally possible to finish this section though. Many review books and people say not to read the entire section, but I do not recommend this because the passages are small and densely packed with information. I read the first 2 passages and thought I should skim for the last - total mistake- I would have finished it if I had just read it, just my opinion though. I recommend practicing with a timer from the review books, but don't worry too much because the book passages are much longer than any of the passages I had.
- Science: 30 Minutes (maybe 35 can't remember), 90 Questions
I loooovved this section! By far my favorite. The PSB science section was way better than the TEAS V which I had to take for TWU. The PSB science section focused on things you would need to know as a nurse like biology and A&P. There was some electrical questions and some chemistry too, but not much. This was very basic and I had time to go back over any I was worried about.
- Vocational Adjustment: 15 Minutes, 90 Questions
This section doesn't require any studying, super easy, was able to finish with time left over.
Okay well that's all I can think of for now. Let me know if you have any questions cause I know there are so few posts about the PSB at Collin.

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I have been searching high and low for information about the PSB RN exam for Collin College specifically and I have not been able to find anything as helpful as your post. I am applying for the Spring 2014, and I have all the credits I need, I just have to take this test. I am scheduled to take it on May 14th and to be honest I am very worried. I took the TEAS V and did very well on the reading comp, ok on the math and I not enjoy the science portion (which didn't count in my college) so I am happy to know that the PSB focuses on A&P more than earth science and chemistry. Anyway, I just want to thank you for posting this information.

Gracej · May 2, 2013

Can somebody give me an idea of what going to be there in academic aptitude section? is the nursing PSB same as the PSB for respiratory care program at collin college ??

VictoriaMc · May 16, 2013

Can somebody give me an idea of what going to be there in academic aptitude section? is the nursing PSB same as the PSB for respiratory care program at collin college ??

Hi I just took my PSB test yesterday and I hope I am answering you in time before you have to take yours. the academic aptitude had 90 questions, and I was given 30 minutes. There was math (mostly fractions, percentages and decimals-some conversion problems but no algebra or geometry) I am not good at math and I did not find it difficult. There were "spacial" questions just like on the PSB website practice questions. There will be a big circle and a little circle, then they will show you a big triangle and you have to find what comes next in the four multiple choices. In this case it would be the little triangle. Then there are four words and you have to choose which word out of those does not belong. That was also not hard, but they give you such little time that I was rushing through it and still did not have time to complete all 90 questions. I would suggest practicing with a timer and trying to get as many math questions as you can in a 10 minute time frame just to become accustomed with speed computing. Also, the questions were all mixed up, so you have to switch from math mode to shapes then to words. I hope this helps. Sorry I do not have an answer to your last question.

allnurses Guide · May 17, 2013

The PSB is not graded on a flat grading scale like a classroom test. It is graded on a comparative percentile. This means that your score is calculated according to how many questions you answer correctly of those you did answer in comparison to the database of all the other people who have taken the PSB. Therefore if you get ,say, an 85% on a certain section, it does not mean you answered 85% correctly, it means you scored higher than 85% of people who have taken this test.

The big impact of this scoring system comes in answering the questions correctly, not in answering as many as possible. Leaving questions blank has little impact on your score but answering incorrectly has huge impact. Therefore your strategy should be to answer all questions you are sure about first, then go back with whatever time is left and answer those that are less certain for you. The worst thing you can do is get in a hurry or bubble in madly in a misguided theory that any answer is better than no answer. Those tend to score very low. You are better off leaving questions blank that you are unsure about.

rahellove · Jun 6, 2013

Hello people I am applying to Collin college nursing program and I have to take the PSB exam ...can you guys give me an advice on that...I am willing to buy the study guide if you guys still have it...please reply...thank you..

Tac2011 · Jan 17, 2018

Hello guys I am trying to study for the PSB and was wondering if anyone knows of a tutor for the test?

Bianca_French · Jul 11, 2018

Hey there! I am new on here! I registered to take my PSB exam Ausuts 14,2018! But I want to know what website, book or flash cards I can use to study for it! I def need the practice ASAP. Please let me know what I can use to study!