Test Taking strategies

optimistic_newgrad · Dec 31, 2011

Make sure you always go with your gut response and dont change it after that. Read each questions carefully first. Dont skip any words or assume what the question is asking. That use to be my problem. I would read a question way too fast and skip important key words. During NCLEX I read each questions twice, slowly each time. I would ask myself, ok what exactly is the question asking, before I even looked at the answer options. Also, maybe do practice questions. If you have an NCLEX review book, go to the section that your test is on and practice those questions. Plus this will help you when you are getting ready for NCLEX. Hope this helps. :nurse:

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2011

Read the beginning of the RN NCLEX book. It should discuss test strategies. There is a rationale behind those questions and once you understand how they designed the questions, it may make coming up with an answer easier--if you do not know it. You may try doing an online search to see what other info is out there re test strategies.

prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP · Jan 12, 2012

I haven't started my bridge program yet but we are required to get called test success for beginning nursing students(but it's supposed to help even us that are experienced) so far its pretty good info. By P. Nugent and B. Vitale

bashiera · Jan 19, 2012

We had a live review course for our exit HESI, and the instructor gave us some very good tips. Go with your first answer, don't try to go "but..." or "if this..." No, stop it! I did that in LPN school, and quit when I started RN school. She also mentioned rephrasing the question in your own words so for example

"You have three 1-day post-op patients on the unit. Which patient takes first priority for assessment and/or intervention?"

and then "a. 56 y.o female with an oral temp of 99, b. 78 y.o male c/o of incisional pain 6/10 who's next dose of morphine is available to give in 30 minutes, 24 y.o male that is requesting a prn dose of ativan for 'nerves', 44 y.o female that "looks like she's having some trouble breathing" according to the UAP (unlicensed assistive personnel" (I just made this up on the fly remembering the HESI questions)

And then you would reword it and identify what the question wants. So here it's asking "Who is most critical that I need to divert my attention to first that should be assessed and I can do something right at that moment." In this case, it's the woman with breathing trouble. This is the most life-threatening case, and you can go in there, raise the HOB, check her sats, give o2 at 2 liters to start. The other patients, while needed your attention, can wait until the woman with breathing trouble is assessed and fixed (hopefully). That's just an example. Also, read through NCLEX study books, they have really good advice for test taking. My pharm instructor also told us "At least 2, not all 5" on nursing multiple-response questions.