how to study SATA questions

Published

How do you study SATA questions? What are some specific sources used to study them? Also does anyone have some some tips to getting them right?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab, Geriatrics & School Nurse.

I haven't took my test yet but Im using Saunders CD then choosing alternative questions...Select all apply are must know info

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Change your thinking about SATA questions. Think of each option as an individual response that is true/false in relation to the original question. Simple example:

There are many beautiful colors in the world, but there are specific colors that have been identified to occur in a rainbow spectrum. Select all that apply.

a. red

b. white

c. pink

d. blue

e. black

f. green

Step 1: What do I already know about the question? (as applicable) There are seven colors in the rainbow ROYGBIV.

Step 2: Which of the options are accurate responses to the question?

a. red true, main color on a rainbow

b. white false, not a color

c. pink false, it is a color but not on the raibow spectrum

d. blue true

e. black false

f. green true

So the SATA answer in this case would be A, D, F

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

For the SATA questions, how many answers are listed A, B, C, D, E OR F more? Out of the SATA questions, is it usually always pick 3 out 5 or 4 out 5 that are right. Does anyone know? Idk just asking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's not a specified Pick 3 out of 5, it's select all that apply so it can be 1 out of 5 or 5 out of 5. I've never seen more than 6 choices in a SATA question.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

I had two on my boards that I think only had one answer. I feel this is cheating, but whatever, it's over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Intensive Care Unit.

I had 8-10 on my boards and i heard the more you get the better you are doing since they are considered the hardest form of a question (so ive heard) my best suggestion is to cover up the answers and find out what the question is asking you. Is it asking you if something is right or wrong? Is it asking specifics? Figure out what you know already. Then look at the answers and pick the ones you absolutely know are right. I was told by many instructors that there is almost always more than one answer. Read the options carefully and go with your gut. You will do great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

So, if a person gets more of SATA is better and its harder questions? So, harder questions means, what? Higher chances of passing NCLEX?!?!?!?!?!?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

Just look at the answer choices as true/false... I got very few practice ones on Kaplan. I found that the ones on the actual nclex was very straight forward, I found the priority questions much harder that the SATA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care.

That is correct, Tachycardia33. SATA are "passing level" questions. Meaning, if you get SATA questions, you are ABOVE the passing line. You don't need to answer a certain amount of questions right, you just need to be above the line of passing long enough for the test to mind you "minimally competent" as an RN. So, although SATA are tough questions, it's not such a bad thing when you get them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've never seen a SATA that only had ONE of the choices as an option. We were told by one review that NCLEX would never make the selection only 1. They also said it is rare to have it be all of the choices; although in preparing with the Mosby's Comprehensive Review, I had a couple that indicated all were correct, so who knows.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

Thank you. Yes, I will do them as true or false questions on SATA. In saundars there are a few SATA questions only so just a few. When I am testing myself on the cd of saundars I have a problem not sure if anyone can relate to me or this:

When I read a question and I can figure which two might be answer and I can cross out the wrong answers.....so its between two....I seem to pick wrong answer and hate it between two.

Or if I read a question on cd saundars and review it and get it correct, yah! Then three days later I read it again, I know answer right away without reading it because I've seen question and answer already, and know answer right away.....I hate that. Does anyone have same issue?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion