Select all that apply questions

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I am a third semester nursing student struggling with answering the "Select all that apply" questions in my theory classes. Our instructors tell us that the NCLEX exam is using this format more frequently and they want us to be prepared. Unfortunately, these questions are dropping my test scores dramatically, because you have to get everything correct to get credit for the question! I have taken a test taking strategies class to no avail...Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

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Hi Kathie! Yes the NCLEX will have plenty of SATA questions. I took it and had about 10-11 SATA with 75 questions. Others from what I heard has gotten anywhere from 10-20 SATA!

The way to look at it, don't panic! Look at one answer choice at a time ( you can do this by covering the other answer choices and then determine if it is true or false. Hope this helps! GL

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I attack the SATA questions by looking at one at a time (I never scan all the answers before chosing). As I read a question I ask myself is this true or false. If its true I pick it, and move onto the next one repeating the same step.

My NCLEX for my LPN has a few SATA. Its just another format to questions.

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Specializes in Public Health, Women's Health.

About half if not more than my 75 questions on the NCLEX were SATA. I would suggest doing what the previous poster said.. Taking each answer individually and doing true or false. I read this in a book somewhere and it was sort of like true or false for me; I would ask myself "would I bet $500 on this answer?" If not then false, don't pick and if you would true, pick it! Hope that helps :)

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If I absolutely do not know what one of the SATA answers is (maybe it contains a procedure or med that I don't know). Should I leave it blank or choose it as one of the answers?

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Thanks to all for the great advice! I will try it this Wednesday on my Coronary Artery Disease Exam!! ;)

I'll let you all know how it goes!

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Great advice! Thank you!

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Think of them as a group of true false questions. Always think safety never second guess yourself.

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Specializes in Public Health, Women's Health.

I forgot to mention, look out for words like always, never, all, etc. and don't pick those. From studying one of the tips they tell you is, there's very few things if any that should "always" be done, or "never" be done, etc. I think that helped with a few questions. Good luck! If you haven't you can also get Lippincott Q&A book and use to study for your tests, the questions are a little hard but I used it for school and the NCLEX. You can also focus on the SATA in that book which are also very challenging. Your local library may have it too.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I had problems with the SATA questions, too. I took an NCLEX review course and they said the SATA questions are "higher level thinking" questions...so in essence, if you get a lot of them, that means you are doing well on the NCLEX. If you get a difficult question and get it wrong, the NCLEX is supposed to spit out an easier question afterwards to help get you back on track. I think on my NCLEX I ended up having about 15 SATAs.

Practice, practice, practice...I recommend getting this book or something similar: Lippincott's NCLEX-RN Alternative Format Questions [paperback]. It is full of SATA-format questions for practice. This is one of the books I used to prep for my exam in addition to an NCLEX review book.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I took the NCLEX-PN last week and EVERY OTHER question was a SATA!! :cautious: I could not believe it!! I also look at all the answers...Then i go back and ask myself if it is true or false...It could be as simple as a therapeutic level is wrong, could be that it says check B/P q4hrs when it should be q2hrs....You just gotta look at the question and make sure you understand what it is asking and then do the T or F for the answers....:up: I had MAJOR anxiety before taking the test knowing that those darn SATA were gonna take me down...But i took care of them!! :yes: Best of luck to you!!

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Yeah my professors said something about the NCLEX starting to use way more SATA questions. She said two former students had not passed and had told her that same thing about them coming up every other question. Man that makes me soo nervous, I NEVER get them right I always choose one too many or one less. ?

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