Scared exams in Feb.... how do I prep?

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I am yet to take my exams^^^^ so worried^^^^, don't even know if am prep...g well

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
I am yet to take my exams^^^^ so worried^^^^, don't even know if am prep...g well

Make sure you study the material and know how to apply it to situations... dont just memorize textbook or lecture notes understand the rationales to nursing interventions ect.

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Specializes in LTC.
I am yet to take my exams^^^^ so worried^^^^, don't even know if am prep...g well

It is easy to say study nursing interventions and do not memorize book, but the prior poster did not offer any specifics as to HOW to study. Students need a system for studying and a system for taking exams. Since I used to be a nursing tutor, here goes:

Studying:

1. Make index cards on each subject you feel shakey on.

2. Use no more than 3 index cards for each subject. If you have more then you have written too much.

3. The brain recalls items best that are in short format with landmarks. This is why recalling 19 chapters of a nursing text is so difficult, because they are largely faceless, with alot of material and few landmarks. Index cards, by definition, have landmarks. What are their landmarks? Their borders! A 3 x 5 index card has very limited space and because of that limited space your brain will easily "take a picture". It is that picture that will pop up in your "mind's eye" when you have a related question in front of you on a test.

4. Take every chance you get to read over your index cards. The beauty of index cards is that you can put them in your pocket and take them with you anywhere.

5. Capture small moments of time to study (this is a time management technique). If you are in the laundromat waiting for the wash to be done, study your index cards. They will be right in your pocket and you will not have to lug that 300 lb. textbook around.

Taking the Test:

1. First and foremost, learn how to identify keywords in the question. Practice this with questions at the end of your chapter or from NCLEX books (that are on your subject, of course). Identify keywords and key phrases and there may be several in any question or just one. These will tell you what the question is asking. So many students I know read the question and the answer choices quickly (because they are so anxious) and then see something they think they recall from the 19 chapters they read and go for that answer. It is inevitably the wrong answer! For example, the nurse should avoid... (the answer should reflect something the nurse would NOT do in a particular scenario).

2. To decrease anxiety on the test, cover your answer choices on your test paper with your answer sheet. Do not look at them as soon as you turn your paper over.

3. Once you have covered your answers, identify the keywords in your question. Underline them in pencil on the test paper to help you think. (Be sure you ask your teacher if you can do this first, some of them dont want anything written on the test paper. If it is not allowed, ask teacher for a clean sheet of paper or ask permission to bring one to the exam). Even on the NCLEX, you are provided with a white erase board to use in the test. You do not bring this in. It is already in the room waiting for you.

4. Once you know your keywords and are pretty sure what the question is asking, uncover your answer choices. You should be able to eliminate 2 right away. Then your keywords will help you sort out the remaining two for the correct answer.

Hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
It is easy to say study nursing interventions and do not memorize book, but the prior poster did not offer any specifics as to HOW to study. Students need a system for studying and a system for taking exams. Since I used to be a nursing tutor, here goes:

Studying:

1. Make index cards on each subject you feel shakey on.

2. Use no more than 3 index cards for each subject. If you have more then you have written too much.

3. The brain recalls items best that are in short format with landmarks. This is why recalling 19 chapters of a nursing text is so difficult, because they are largely faceless, with alot of material and few landmarks. Index cards, by definition, have landmarks. What are their landmarks? Their borders! A 3 x 5 index card has very limited space and because of that limited space your brain will easily "take a picture". It is that picture that will pop up in your "mind's eye" when you have a related question in front of you on a test.

4. Take every chance you get to read over your index cards. The beauty of index cards is that you can put them in your pocket and take them with you anywhere.

5. Capture small moments of time to study (this is a time management technique). If you are in the laundromat waiting for the wash to be done, study your index cards. They will be right in your pocket and you will not have to lug that 300 lb. textbook around.

Taking the Test:

1. First and foremost, learn how to identify keywords in the question. Practice this with questions at the end of your chapter or from NCLEX books (that are on your subject, of course). Identify keywords and key phrases and there may be several in any question or just one. These will tell you what the question is asking. So many students I know read the question and the answer choices quickly (because they are so anxious) and then see something they think they recall from the 19 chapters they read and go for that answer. It is inevitably the wrong answer! For example, the nurse should avoid... (the answer should reflect something the nurse would NOT do in a particular scenario).

2. To decrease anxiety on the test, cover your answer choices on your test paper with your answer sheet. Do not look at them as soon as you turn your paper over.

3. Once you have covered your answers, identify the keywords in your question. Underline them in pencil on the test paper to help you think. (Be sure you ask your teacher if you can do this first, some of them dont want anything written on the test paper. If it is not allowed, ask teacher for a clean sheet of paper or ask permission to bring one to the exam). Even on the NCLEX, you are provided with a white erase board to use in the test. You do not bring this in. It is already in the room waiting for you.

4. Once you know your keywords and are pretty sure what the question is asking, uncover your answer choices. You should be able to eliminate 2 right away. Then your keywords will help you sort out the remaining two for the correct answer.

Hope this helps.

Great tips! Thanks a lot! :)

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Thank you so much ... i will adhere to your advice:yelclap:

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