scored low on critical thinking test

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Specializes in med-surg.

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday we had to take ATI critical thinking test before we start our first semester on 25th. The college compares the scores of this test with that of TEAS and Pharm and identifies students who need help.

I did very bad in the critical thinking test (was quite surprised) and seeing my results, my morale hit rock bottom! What surprises me is that I did quite well in TEAS test and got an A in pharm and yet did so bad on yesterday's test.

I know how important critical thinking is and just with 3 days to start school I am flooded with doubt and feel demoralized. I was counting days to start the program... But I'm wondering can a person have so much disparity in their scores? Is it possible?

Well, I'm trying to be strong and remind myself that I haven't come so far to give up and will do my very best and get through the program. Thanks for letting me vent and I'm grateful to be a part of all nurses.

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Hello Everyone,

Yesterday we had to take ATI critical thinking test before we start our first semester on 25th. The college compares the scores of this test with that of TEAS and Pharm and identifies students who need help.

I did very bad in the critical thinking test (was quite surprised) and seeing my results, my morale hit rock bottom! What surprises me is that I did quite well in TEAS test and got an A in pharm and yet did so bad on yesterday's test.

I know how important critical thinking is and just with 3 days to start school I am flooded with doubt and feel demoralized. I was counting days to start the program... But I'm wondering can a person have so much disparity in their scores? Is it possible?

Well, I'm trying to be strong and remind myself that I haven't come so far to give up and will do my very best and get through the program. Thanks for letting me vent and I'm grateful to be a part of all nurses.

I know how you feel. I'm not in exactly the same situation, but I recently took the PSB exam for LPN school admission and did poorly one some areas.. areas I was expecting to do well in. My morale has dropped so much.

Just try to keep in mind that this one test is not the only measure of your abilities. Look at your other accomplishments - you did well in TEAS and had a fantastic grade in Pharmacology. You've done well in other areas. Scoring low on one test doesn't mean you are doomed for failure in your program. Try your best and keep your head up, please - I'm sure you'll be fine.

Good luck! :)

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Specializes in med-surg.

Comfortably_Numb, thank you very much for your encouragement. I will do my best, it's just that knowing these things just before you start school is deflating.

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Scrubaway, just remember that you are in nursing school to LEARN to think like a nurse. You will be working on critical thinking skills the entire time you are in school. So don't be discouraged!

When I took the HESI entrance exam, there was a totally bogus critical thinking portion on it. It asked questions about which patient I would tend to first: the post-op patient with surgical pain, the diabetic whose blood sugar was too low, etc. I thought, "This is what I am going to school to LEARN! Why would they expect me to know this now?". So I decided right then and there that I wouldn't pay any attention to that part of my score. Thankfully, the school I applied to didn't count the critical thinking portion for or against any student, but used it as a diagnostic tool. But REALLY!

You'll be fine. Don't let one test result throw you off. It is NOT a measure of who you are or how good a nurse you will be. :)

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Specializes in med-surg.

AtomicWoman, I will be more positive. Thanks for your support.

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Critical thinking is a bear, really. I graduated from another 4 yr college where we had to take a similar exam before school began but if you failed you had to take an entire semester of it! Now that's unfair (especially to the students not majoring in any sort of science). I barely passed (and I thought I was so freaking smart!)

But it can be learned, and you WILL find techniques that work for you. Every situation is different, some more complex that others. But one previous poster had it all right..."you are in school to learn." :yeah:

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Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I am taking the hesi critical thinking exam in a few hours (as it is my first day of nursing school) and I do not even know what to expect in this exam.

It is good to be reminded that one test will not determine our abilities to be a nurse. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses in certain areas and critical thinking will surely improve during nursing school and thereafter. This one test is not a measure of how smart someone is.

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Specializes in med-surg.

nstudent88, how did your test go? Good luck!

Today, was my first day of nursing school and inspite of last weeks anxiety, I was really excited. We had skills lab and had to demonstrate 3 skills and get it signed off. The best part...I did it on my first try (they were simple)!! It's just a tiny step towards many bigger things to come but I remembered the words of encouragement and went ahead. Thanks to everyone.

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test taking is such a stressful situation. Keep your mind focused and confident in the material and have no doubt that you know the material. As soon as you have one doubt, your mind keeps doubting its self. Its the law of attraction. likes attract likes. Read the book "The secret" before testing again . Its short simple and can be applied to just about everything in life , but truthfully helped me establish better test taking strategies.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

In our program you had to be an LPN or take the test with-in 6 weeks of starting school. They are challenging you with RN type questions. No matter what your score is It will only get better. You will be exposed to the tools you will need to make these decisions. Do not lement. it will all come together in the end.

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Most of the areas that I tested on were okay except one: argumentation. I got a 438/1000 in argumentation.

I do not know why, or how, it did not give me an explanation after the test of how they came up with that score or what their definition of argumentation is and how it can be improved.

But it is less than half and I guess I am very horrible at making a point or something?

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