VENT: scantron error

kalley · Sep 29, 2009

That is a huge obsession of mine. I am so afraid of doing bad on a test because I mislabeled my scantron. I always take the test like 2-3 times. I go through it the first time and bubble in all my answers on the scantron and circle the answer I picked on the test page. At the end of each page, I check the number of the question that I am on and make sure that I am on the same number on the scantron. When I am finished, I go over the test again without looking at the scantron. If I make any adjustments to my answers (which you should almost never do unless you are absolutely sure), I immediately change them on the scantron. After I finish going through the test the second time, I double check my answers on my test sheets against what I bubbled on the scantron. Every now and then I find that I am off track, but I have yet to really mess up bad (knock on wood). The worst thing that really happens is I read the questions so many times that I start to second guess myself and I change an answer that was otherwise right. But it has worked so far so good, I have a 4.0 to show for it.

madnurse2b · Sep 30, 2009

To a certain extent your instructor is right. You have to pay attention...misreading one 0 could change a med to a fatal error. I am extremely fast on tests... I NEVER change answers (when I do I shouldn't have - learned that a long time ago) - but I check as I go to make sure that I am on the question I mean to be on. I usually do this about every 5th question or so. As far as that test - let it go, it's over, you won't make the mistake again, move on. Just make sure that you find your way to be sure that you have a clean scantron and turn it in.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 30, 2009

To a certain extent your instructor is right. You have to pay attention...misreading one 0 could change a med to a fatal error. I am extremely fast on tests... I NEVER change answers (when I do I shouldn't have - learned that a long time ago) - but I check as I go to make sure that I am on the question I mean to be on. I usually do this about every 5th question or so. As far as that test - let it go, it's over, you won't make the mistake again, move on. Just make sure that you find your way to be sure that you have a clean scantron and turn it in.

This is exactly how I am. I have always been the first one done on all my tests always but you have to make sure you are on the right question, I usually do this on every page just to have that one step of checks.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 30, 2009

I almost did this once but I am like the previous posters and every page (6-8 questions) I double check my bubbles and I caught it so thankfully I fixed it.

For sure take this as a lesson learned.

I have manage to miss the big bold lettering that says chose all that apply and if it says that at our school it is 100% more then one answer so now I slow down and make sure I read every word of the question as well.

simply_viki · Sep 30, 2009

That stinks royally. I've almost done that with a few questions at a time, but thankfully never have I actually turned in a test that way. I'm currently kicking my self because if the machine read the scantron right, I marked an answer wrong that I knew, the correct answer was crepitus, I even thought of the question as "the crepitus question" because I knew crepitus was the answer, but when we got the test results back, apparently I marked down a different letter on the scantron. :banghead:

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2009

better you get used to it now....NS is tough and they generally do NOT take excuses..no matter what. Go slow, be careful, and do your best...GL.

IHeartPeds87 · Oct 4, 2009

yeah I learned my lesson. I wasn't making excuses....I said in my original post that I completely understand the instructor's point....doesn't make it stink any less!

caliotter3 · Oct 4, 2009

I am usually one of the first to finish, but last to turn the test in, because I do all of the checking previously mentioned. Too bad the instructor didn't manually regrade your test, but if he did that for one, then he would owe that favor to all. Scantrons are to speed up the process, not slow it down. Better luck with this from now on.