Test Taking Tips
PREPARATION & STUDYING
Avoid procrastination:
- Procrastination is usually based on fear of failure, so the best way to avoid it is to have a plan for success!
- Consider your individual cause for procrastination and make a plan to address.
- Divide your study up into manageable chunks of time or topics to focus on.
- Plan the time in advance (like a meeting or making a date) with yourself to study.
- Turn off your phone/remove distractions to make this study time purposeful.
- Write all of the topics down on a chart. Start by studying the topics you like best or are the best at; this will give you confidence as you move forward.
- Cross topics off the chart once you have studied them – this will help you to see your progress and keep you motivated.
- Have a study buddy to help you hold yourself accountable.
Figure out your preferred study style:
- Identify a dedicated place(s) to study and take practice tests that has a comfortable seat and good lighting.
- Do you prefer total quiet? Background noise? Music on?
- Do you like to study alone?
- Try studying with friends and test each other.
Get organized! Organization is one of the keys to test preparation.
- Using a study guide is helpful.
- Create a study timetable so that you will have enough time to cover all topics.
- Schedule your studying times and add them to your calendar.
- If one topic is really difficult for you and is taking a lot of time, go on to an easier topic for a while.
Practice Test Questions:
- Review a test taking resource for more guidance on how to take a tests ( e.g., basic rules for taking tests, anatomy of multiple choice questions, how to approach and read a question prior to answering it, identifying time frames for taking tests). Here are some resources:
- https://www.educationcorner.com/nclex-test-preparation.html
- https://www.educationcorner.com/nursing-test-taking-strategies.html
- https://nurseslabs.com/20-nclex-tips-strategies-every-nursing-students-know/
- Rewrite notes, eventually condensing them down onto flashcards.
- Use diagrams, mnemonics (rhymes, acronyms, or associations) or a study guide.
- Use practice questions and practice tests.
- Time the test sessions (allocate 1 minute per question)
Talk to a peer who has taken the exam.
Take care of yourself!
- Pace yourself (take short breaks every hour or so), eat wholesome food, have a night out, get plenty of rest.
- Take a few moments to decompress before you begin your study time or exam.
- For test taking anxiety, consider consulting FEAP services. Try deep breathing exercises and mediation.
- Night before exam: get enough rest, be sure to eat and hydrate, and go into the test with confidence.
TAKING THE EXAM
Go in with confidence.
Working with test time limits:
- Work on sections with the highest point value first, if you are allowed to skip around.
- Watch your time, pace yourself. Leave a question for later that you are spending a lot of time on.
- Practice online so that you will be aware of the types of questions and how best to complete all questions within the allotted timeframe.
Multiple-choice question tips:
- Go through the test and answer all of the easy questions first – this will give you confidence when you go back to the other questions.
- Read the language carefully to understand what type of answer the question is looking for.
- Use the process of elimination. Most questions give one or two blatantly incorrect answers.
- If you are torn between two answers, go with your gut instinct and stick with the first answer you thought of. Don’t go back and change answers.
- Review your answers if you have time.
- Trust your gut.
- NPGO Professional Development Committee 11.28.22