Effective Exam Preparations & Test Taking Strategies Intensive Review Andres D. Hortillosa, MBA, MS, FACHE President, ENTRALINK

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

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

Weeks Before The Exam Intensive Review  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.

Weeks Before The Exam Intensive Review  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.

Two Days Before The Exam Intensive Review  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.

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

One Day Before The Exam Intensive Review  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.

One Day Before The Exam Intensive Review  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.

The Day of the Exam Intensive Review  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 minutes early.

The Day of the Exam Intensive Review  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.”

The Day of the Exam Intensive Review  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.

The Day of the Exam Intensive Review  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.

The Day of the Exam Intensive Review  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.

Test Taking Strategies Intensive Review  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.

Test Taking Strategies Intensive Review  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.

Test Taking Strategies Intensive Review  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.

Test Taking Strategies Intensive Review  Believe.