Effective Exam Preparations & Test Taking Strategies

1. EffectiveExam Preparations& Test Taking Strategies Andres D. Hortillosa, MBA, MS, FACHE President, ENTRALINK

2. Weeks Before The Exam • Understand the purpose of the NCLEX exam. • Understand the nature of Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). • Use one reliable source.

3. Weeks Before The Exam • Break down material into smaller bite size pieces. • Write out your study plan. • Stick to your plan. • Study for short periods of time.

4. Weeks Before The Exam • Create a study schedule around your work and family activities. • Commit to a set schedule. • Involve the entire family. • Make a contract with yourself. • Put everything in writing.

5. Weeks Before The Exam • Insist in getting your study time. • Avoid making up for lost time. • Post positive notes to yourself. • Tell yourself every day you will pass NCLEX the first time.

6. Two Days Before The Exam • Print out directions from hotel to test center using mapquest.com. • Schedule the test for the part of the day when you are functioning optimally. • Get enough sleep the night before.

7. Two Days Before The Exam • Eat breakfast. Do not change your diet. • Do not eat “new” food you have not tried before.

8. One Day Before The Exam • Do NOT open any review material. • Do NOT receive or make a call. • Avoid making major decisions or get into arguments. • Visit the test center. Do a dry run of next day’s event.

9. One Day Before The Exam • Go see a comedy or listen to classical music. • Retire to bed early. • Do not consume alcohol. • Set up alarm or ask hotel for a wake up call.

10. The Day of the Exam • Wake up early. Adjust wake up time to allow for a good breakfast. • Wear something familiar. Wear something warm. • Use a checklist for things to take to the test center. • Get to the test center at least 30-45 minutes early.

11. The Day of the Exam • Carry enough cash for taxi and incidentals to the test center. • Do not alter routine (smoking a cigarette or drinking coffee). • Remind yourself today is “game day.”

12. The Day of the Exam • Do not bring any review material to the test center. • Note board, scratch papers and writing instruments will be provided. • Listen to instructions first before asking questions. • Do not annoy the TA.

13. The Day of the Exam • TA will assign you a terminal and will give you a tutorial. • Ask to change terminal or if you think something is wrong with it. • Do not argue with the TA.

14. The Day of the Exam • Raise your hand to call the TA. Never use your voice once test has started. • Do not speak to anyone about the exam during breaks. • If possible, do not speak to anyone especially in Filipino. • When you speak, speak English only.

15. Test Taking Strategies • Relax. Breathe normally. • Remind yourself this exam is for entry level nurses. • Front load the exam. • Get rid of obvious wrong answers. • Keep plausible answers.

16. Test Taking Strategies • Pay attention to keyword qualifiers, e.g. never, always, except, all, none, first, last, etc. • Do not let prior experience influence your thinking. • Read the questions from the point of view of someone who is new to the nursing profession.

17. Test Taking Strategies • Do not dwell on past questions or past answers. • Focus all your energies on the current question. • Do not second guess yourself. • When you get upset, stop and take a short break. • Take the test one question at a time.

18. Test Taking Strategies • Believe.