1. Effective Exam Preparations & Test Taking Strategies Intensive Review 2007 1 Andres D. Hortillosa, MBA, MS, FACHE President, ENTRALINK

2. Weeks Before The Exam Intensive Review 2007 2  Understand the purpose of the NCLEX exam.  Understand the nature of Computer Adaptive Test (CAT).  Use one reliable source.

3. Weeks Before The Exam Intensive Review 2007 3  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 Intensive Review 2007 4  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 Intensive Review 2007 5  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 Intensive Review 2007 6  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 Intensive Review 2007 7  Eat breakfast. Do not change your diet.  Do not eat “new” food you have not tried before.

8. One Day Before The Exam Intensive Review 2007 8  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 Intensive Review 2007 9  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 Intensive Review 2007 10  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 Intensive Review 2007 11  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 Intensive Review 2007 12  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 Intensive Review 2007 13  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 Intensive Review 2007 14  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 Intensive Review 2007 15  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 Intensive Review 2007 16  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 Intensive Review 2007 17  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 Intensive Review 2007 18  Believe.