So upset, another fail!

LoopsRN2 · Dec 2, 2011

Now I have failed 2 exams, Chronicity 2 weeks ago and LS3 yesterday. For LS3, I used the practice exams, Saunders, some notes from a yahoo group, flashcards.....everything except the recommended text, because I don't have it. Well this morning I ordered the 11th edition of the MS text from Amazon for $20. I still have LS2 that I can take. I have gotten EC to reduce the time to retake Chronicity to 30 days. I've rescheduled LS2 from the 12th to the 23rd of December.
I have lost my mojo! I really thought I knew this one, hardcore studying for several days. The practice exams were a wash on this one, I think I only seen 1 familiar question. There were a lot of terms used that I had never heard of before so that is why I am getting the text. I did great on LS1 with barely any review. But these last 3 are my dragons, as I knew they would be.
So I have 22 days to prepare for LS2. I am going to get the practice exams for this one also. I also have the SG101 notes but did not use them for Chronicity or LS3, so I will use them this time for LS2. Psych scares me a lot!!!!! It was not one of my best subjects in LPN school. I just hope I can make it thru this one. I don't think I can handle 3 fails in a row.

Sorry to hear you were not successful on these last couple of exams. I think purchasing the Smeltzer m/s book was a good choice. There are a few students who made it through the program by just using Saunder's and practice exams, and I think they were very aggressive with their study habits :) but if you are having a hard time and getting stuck with your exams, you may want to really do the required reading. I didn't feel at all comfortable without doing all of the reading, but felt very confident in my knowledge after I did the required readings in the content guide and did well on all of my exams.

As I went through the content guide, I took NOTES and NOTES-I used mind mapping format and it was wonderful. Make index cards with a disease and throw down signs, sx, etiology, interventions, meds, etc! I would use both practice exams at the end of my studies (it would take me a good month to make it through all of the material) and I felt the practice exams gave me a good idea of the style of the test. My practice exams for LS2 seemed much different the exam itself. Saunder's exams were much much easier than Excelsior exams. I would rush these exams if you don't have too because it could wind up taking more time to complete the program in the long run. Have you been on the EPN? It helps to have study buddies too. Good luck!

Nervous1 · Dec 2, 2011

Yeah - I've been reading the tips on the EPN. I'm going to take my time with this one. I also ordered a copy of the Mental Health book too, because with 50% of this exam being Psych related, I can't afford not to pass it. I'm going to focus on 1 section at a time, do the reading, then go back to Basic Concepts and start my note taking. I like the idea of index cards for each disease with s/s, etiology, etc. I think I will do that after I take my notes, sort of as a review method. I may change my exam date to kick it out a little more, but I think 1 month is doable because I only work 2 days a week. I have a lot of time to devote to studying, if I can just stick with it.

JJLPN · Dec 2, 2011

You need to give each exam more time (3 weeks) and focus on the content guide and practice exam. LS3 had a lot of repeat questions from the practice exam. SG101 is all I used for my exams.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 3, 2011

My advice is always to focus on quality, not speed ... if you are rushing to test and cutting corners in your study, the end result will be less than desired. I'm glad you've purchased a text -- sometimes there's just no getting around using a good, old-fashioned, makes-your-arms-ache-to-carry-it ginormous textbook! You can do this. Reclaim your mojo!!! And if you don't feel you're ready for LS2, reschedule it. I don't say that lightly, I know I beat myself up for rescheduling Micro due to life events back when I was testing, but you're right -- three in a row would be a huge downer.

BLAKEY2005 · Dec 3, 2011

Sorry about ur failure, but i think u should take ur time and do the required reading. I'm studying for this exam and just can't seem to understand how u did it in such a short time when there's so much reading to be done. Remember that u r not just studying to pass the exam u need to have the knowledge for NCLEX and when ur on the unit by urself. Slow and easy win the race for me. I have to read the required materials or else i'm loss. Good luck studying.

BeachCathyRN · Dec 4, 2011

I did the same thing with LS2 & 3. I had tested every 3-4 weeks with all the other test but these two were different so much info. Took LS 2 got a D then three weeks later took LS3 and got a D.:smackingf So I took my time read the required text, took notes and made flash cards and went back and passed them both. Took me an extra 5 months but I knew my stuff this time and that is what matters. Good Luck you can do this. :heartbeat

LoopsRN2 · Dec 4, 2011

Sorry to hear you were not successful on these last couple of exams. I think purchasing the Smeltzer m/s book was a good choice. There are a few students who made it through the program by just using Saunder's and practice exams, and I think they were very aggressive with their study habits :) but if you are having a hard time and getting stuck with your exams, you may want to really do the required reading. I didn't feel at all comfortable without doing all of the reading, but felt very confident in my knowledge after I did the required readings in the content guide and did well on all of my exams.
As I went through the content guide, I took NOTES and NOTES-I used mind mapping format and it was wonderful. Make index cards with a disease and throw down signs, sx, etiology, interventions, meds, etc! I would use both practice exams at the end of my studies (it would take me a good month to make it through all of the material) and I felt the practice exams gave me a good idea of the style of the test. My practice exams for LS2 seemed much different the exam itself. Saunder's exams were much much easier than Excelsior exams. I would rush these exams if you don't have too because it could wind up taking more time to complete the program in the long run. Have you been on the EPN? It helps to have study buddies too. Good luck!

Yikes! I just re-read my post, and I meant to say I would NOT rush these exams....lol....

Womb Service · Dec 4, 2011

I used a Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice to study. It helped a LOT! I had it left over from LVN school and it was a life saver. It leaves out a lot of the excess and it was easier for me to study from.