Test taking/study tips for Level I ADN Student

Published

I began Level I Nursing back in May. My first exam score was low, but passing. My second exam score was failing. I'm devoting soooo much time to studying, but I'm still not answering the questions correctly. I am very frustrated and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. :cry: Is there anything that anyone can recommend as far as study advice and even test taking tips? I sure would appreciate any help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

What I have noticed at my school is that the instructors will emphasize certain points over and over again. Listen to those. It's their way of giving you hints as to what to know.

If you're still not sure then email or call your instructor and ask them. I done that many times when I felt like I was studying the wrong things and they would help me out a lot.

Study groups also help! I'm in Level II now which is a killer at my school and if it weren't for my study group, I'd be a goner!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

it is important that you go over every question that you got incorrect on a test so that you understand why you answered it wrong.

see the information and weblinks on these sticky threads:

in many cases it is extremely important that you know the steps of the nursing process and what goes on in each step. when medical diseases are being tested you need to know the pathophysiology of the disease, it's signs and symptoms in the order that they occur, how doctors diagnose the disease and treat not only each symptom, but possibly the underlying cause. nursing interventions also target the signs and symptoms of the disease as well. priority of nursing interventions often follow the reverse order the signs and symptoms appear, but it is best to know maslow's hierarchy of needs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs) when prioritizing any care. when you are questioned about nursing procedures you just have to memorize those procedures and what happens in them step-by-step and the rationale for them (why you do each). always double check your answers before turning your test in and read the stem of multiple choice questions very carefully and don't let the answer choices distract you from choosing an incorrect answer just because it looks good because it may not answer what the stem of the question is asking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in labor & delivery.

Get a good nclex book that is broken down into systems such as hematology, Endocrine, etc. Make sure it has practice questions with rationales. Saunders is fantastic and comes with a cd of over 4000 questions to practice. Just reading that book and doing the questions has helped me understand how to read the nclex-style questions and pick the right answers even when I have to guess. My teachers make tests that are so unpredictable that they are very difficult to study for. Daytonite is right-on with the Maslow's, patho and nursing process. It is stressed over and over throughout the program. Hang in there!!! :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion