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Board exam test taking strategies
Millenium Review Specialists, Co.
R.A. Gapuz Review Center
Remember! Board exam is a PENCIL and PAPER
examination Just as the novice driver needs to know what
to expect on the driving test, each graduate nurse needs a clear idea of the board exam format
This also means that examinees must be acquainted with test strategies to answer questions
Remember!The board exam is composed of five
parts- Test 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4.Each section is integrated with 100
items, multiple choice-type questionsSituations and questions represent a
variety of client health problems and needs.
Requirements1. Positive attitude2. Critical thinking3. Working knowledge of the frequently
asked topics4. Review and study habits
RequirementsThere are 3 factors that are important in
achieving success1. Reading2. Test wiseness3. Tension control
ReadingReading with concentration is a learned
skill that is critical for study, review and successful examination performance
Avoid reading on a bedStart by skimming the review textThen proceed to read for understanding
Affective Strategies for Success- tension ControlRealistically evaluate your personal
responses to test challengesDetermine past successes and ways
you maintained energy and confidence under stress
Reduce Tension!Relaxing and contracting muscles
progressively from head to toeSlow, deep breathing and calmingGuided imageryPrayers and meditationFocusing on a confident self
Requirements
Critical thinkingRequires you to validate and organize
dataLook for patterns and relationshipsApply knowledge from one situation to
anotherEvaluate responses according to
accepted criteria
Basic Study rules Never read more than a few pages of textual
material without stopping to write a gist of it from memory
Think of mnemonics! Try all of the study methods- solo, group, use
of tables, use of flash cards, reading out aloud
Gather previous test questions as they are the “indicators” of what the board examiners have considered “core” information
GENERALITIES Initially identify the TOPIC of the question ALWAYS eliminate the choices first! Focus only on the background information
and think what the options really mean Although you must read carefully to
understand the questions, avoid reading into the words more than what is actually stated
Assume that health care setting described is IDEAL and well- staffed
GENERALITIESWhen answering multiple choice
questions, DO NOT change your first guess unless you find a convincing reason for doing so!
Parts of the questionThe caseThe stemThe options- usually 4 choices
The case This provides the examinee with the
information about a clinical health problem
Example: The nurse is visited by a pregnant woman on
her third trimester with complaints of vaginal bleeding 4 hours ago
The stemThis follows the case and ASKS about
something specific in the case presented
Example:Which of the following responses by the
nurse will prevent further communication?
The optionsThese are lettered choices that follow a
questionThese are possible answers to the
question but only one is the correct choice
The other three are called DISTRACTORS or Fillers
Other considerations
The client of the question- either the patient the family/ family member the community
Other considerationsThe issue of the question This refers to the specific subject content that
the question is asking aboutNursing action Treatment or procedure Side-effect Calculation of a drug Complication Communication skills
Other considerations
The KEY wordsThese words are very important in
assisting the examinee to identify and eliminate the choices presented
Early, immediate, first, initialLate, last, leastMost, best, appropriate Inappropriate, improper
Types of Examination questions1. True or false responses2. Prioritization3. Client need-centered questions
K-type questions are now frequently seen in the local boards! Example: A. If 1, 2 and 3 are correct B. 1 and 3 are correct
Types of Examination questions
1. True response questionThis asks the examinee to select a choice
that is true as related to the case presented
Most likelyBest ChiefMost importantcorrect
Types of Examination questions
1. False response questionThis asks the examinee to select a choice
that is false as related to the case presented
except leastnot importantLowest priority incorrect
Types of Examination questions
2. Prioritization questionsThis directs the examinee to choose
actions to be done first InitialEssential ImmediateMost priority
Types of Examination questions
2. Prioritization questionsThree important concepts are:A. MASLOW’S hierarchy of needsB. ABC and SAFETYC. The Nursing process- ADPIE
ALWAYS apply the three concepts in EVERY questions first!!!!!!!!
MASLOW Usually the first priority is the physiologic
need. Oxygen is the very first “PATENT AIRWAY rule” Sometimes, the choices will be a mixture of
physiological and psychosocial Remember to recall the hierarchy- from
physiologic needs to self-actualization needs
Nursing ProcessASSESSMENT first!!!
Types of Examination questions (NCLEX)
3. client need centered questionsA. safe environmentB. physiological integrityC. psychosocial integrityD. health promotion and maintenance
Note for the following Contradictory options: Chances are good that one of the two is the
correct answer
The nurse determines that the effect of vagal stimulation is: A. Bradycardia B. Tachycardia C. Pupillary dilatation D. Increased sweating
Note for the following Global responses- The one option that
describes the rest of the three is the correct one:
The nurse is certain that one distinguishing feature of delirium is:
A. Sleepiness B. Unresponsiveness C. Fluctuating level of consciousness D. Deterioration of memory
Note for the followingStatements that contain the words
“always”, “never”, “one and only” are usually false
Statements that contain the words “often”, “usually”, “generally” are most of the time correct
Note for the followingChoices that do not fit the stem
grammatically are usually wrong!
Note for the following Choices that repeat the same words or the
same idea as the stem are usually correct!
The most important initial goal for clients with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa is?
A. To be able to cope with conflicts B. To develop more realistic body image C. To gain weight gradually D. Be able to identify significant stressors
Control your anxiety!The initial requirement for you to
prevent panic is to :
STUDY, review and learn as many possible “patok” topics for the examination
Positive attitude counts!You have studied nursing for 4 yearsUse the knowledge you have amassed
Imagination is a good virtueUtilize imagery when reading the
examination questions
Reword! If you really find difficulty, reword each
question
Eliminate first!Do not be tempted to answer the
question when you have encountered a possible correct choice
ELIMINATE first all the distractors that you know is wrong!
What is left is clearly the answer
Practice! Practice!Practice answering previous board
examination questions to familiarize yourself about the exam types
Other review book questions can be utilized to enhance your test-taking skills
Painfully Memorize!Some important laboratory values
should be kept in the memory bank!CBCABGCVPBP, PP
Clueless?Look for very important clues in the 4
choicesBe specially alert to two opposite
choicesHypo-hyperBelow-aboveSupine-elevatedBefore-after
Patient firstPut the phone downDo not yet call the doctorAttend to the patient first, not the
equipments!
CommunicateEliminate : WHY?Eliminate: Cliché
Choose the response that focuses on EMOTION!!!!!!!
No overnight make-overOvernight study for the examination
NEVER works
Procrastinate later
Before the day of examGet a good night’s sleepAVOID late cramming
On the day of examinationConsider your own comfort and
nutritional needsDress in loose clothing (usually
uniforms)Eat a light HIGH-protein breakfast with
limited fluidsCarry a fruit, candy and a can of juice
for breaks
On the day of examinationCarry a remedy with you to fight tension
headache. Paracetamol (and an antacid) will do good
To Summarize
Know the test format It is an integrated examComposed of five partsMultiple choiceBased on measurement of safe nursing
behaviors
To Summarize
Review conceptsLecture notesReview notesHighlighted “patok” topics
To SummarizeBegin with your strengths and your
learning styles
Work-out your weaknesses
To Summarize
Prepare yourself byAttending a review courseUtilizing support study groupsMaking small learning tools like tables
and “must-know” notes
To Summarize
Invite success in your life byEvaluating yourselfSharpening test taking skillsTaming your tensionEnriching your self confidence
To SummarizeExpect questions that you are
UNFAMILIARRemain confident and do not allow
frustrations and anger destroy your concentration
Read clues that help you understand the nature of the health problem or omit unfamiliar items and return to them later
The people behind R.A. Gapuz and Millenium Review Specialists, Co.
Are always PRAYING for your success!