04/06/2017
Preparation
1. Use practice exams wisely.
When studying for a test that provides a practice exam, such as the NCLEX or a certification exam, consider the following study pattern:
• Complete 50 to 100 practice exam questions every day. Identify what answers you got wrong and then close the book or turn off the computer. The next day, review the questions you missed and complete another 50 to 100 questions. Repeat the process until the day before the scheduled test.
• On the day before your exam, don’t do any more questions—none! Your brain needs time to rest.
2. Eat, drink and sleep.
Many people try to cram by pulling all-nighter study sessions. They load up with caffeine and either eat unhealthy food, or don’t eat at all. These approaches are counter-productive for many reasons.
Instead, think of it from a physiological perspective. Your brain requires three things to maximize performance: food, fluids, and sleep.
Food: Make sure you eat a healthy balanced meal prior to the test. The worst thing you can do is to starve yourself. Your brain requires glucose to function, especially when you need to put it to work. Just make sure you give your brain healthy foods—not junk.
Fluids: Water is the best fluid to drink before a test. Although a cup of coffee is okay, just be aware that too much caffeine can make you jittery and minimize your ability to remain focused. For the same reason, avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before a test.
Sleep: The night before a test, prepare your brain by getting a good night’s sleep. I know you hear this all the time but it really makes a huge difference in your ability to concentrate. Getting a minimum of 7 hours of sleep will better prepare your brain.
Taking the Test
3. Read the whole question carefully.
Nervous test takers tend to skim through the questions and jump right to the answers to see if they know it. The problem is that you may end up missing the keywords in the question, which can help you select the correct answer.
Read the entire question and understand what it is asking before responding. Spend a little time thinking about possible answers and then review the available answers. If you have the tendency to rush through the question, cover up the answers until you’ve read through the question and fully understood it.
4. Look for key words.
In multiple choice exams, the questions typically contain key words that help the test taker choose the correct answer or confuse you if you don’t recognize them. Such keywords are: most, during, after, initially, and first. Be sure you identify them before you read the available answers. Identifying the key words makes a huge difference in your chances of passing the test.
5. Narrow down the answers.
After you understand the question, read each answer. If you don’t know it right away, start by narrowing down the choices. It is easier to identify at least one answer that isn’t correct. Continue to narrow down the choices before choosing the answer you believe best fits the question. By following this process, you increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
6. Don’t change your answers.
Many people go back and change their answers, sometimes three or four times before turning in their test. Just don’t do it! Typically, your first answer is the correct one. I never change my answers unless I realize I misread the question. Research indicates you have a greater chance of getting a question right when you stick with your first answer.
Bonus Tip—Here is my personal strategy:
I read each question. If I know the answer immediately, I answer it and move to the next question. If I don’t, I skip it. I repeat this pattern until I get to the end of the exam. Then I take a deep breath and go back to the questions I skipped. This is when I give myself extra time to think about the question, put myself in the situation, consider each answer as an option and then choose the answer I think is best. It has always worked for me. Try it.
The bottom line:
• Prepare
• Practice
• Eat, drink, & sleep
Test Taking Strategies
• Read questions carefully
• Look for key words
• Narrow down answers
• Don’t change answers
Good test taking is part knowledge and part strategy. You’ve got the knowledge; now all you have to do is apply the strategy for success. Follow these useful exam tips for nursing students and you will never go wrong.
Good luck!
Courtesy - http://www.nursetogether.com/6-tips-nursing-students-pass-exams
