Test Taking Tips for Nursing Students

Everything you wish you knew before you took your last nursing test! These tips are share by a nursing professor with years of experience counseling students who have failed tests. Identify and defend yourself against common traps in test taking. Check out our website (www.pocketprofnursing.com) for more materials.

[@aliciapyle787]

I wish my college had instructors who cared and would be "straight up" with us nursing students! You told it like it was and gave VERY helpful information! Your students are lucky to have you!

[@meganmcclintock9928]

Keep your spirits up and keep working! Most of the time students know the material, but are having test taking problems. You will be amazed the difference if you can figure out how to improve your test taking skills. Don't give up yet!

[@pcharminggg5984]

Here in 2022. Finishing up my last semester of the ADN program

[@asiastandifer6283]

This is unbelievably helpful! I am preparing to go into my final semester, and I am glad I came across this video!

[@valerierose9171]

Absolutely amazing! I wish I would have seen this a couple of months ago before I failed my second exam to the point of where I am failing the class. Thank you so much for your help!

[@PwrPuffGurl]

Thank you SO MUCH-this was great! I just started an accelerated RN program in May and you've given excellent tips on surviving and thriving on both unit exams and the NCLEX!

[@jessicagoodrich4279]

Thank you for having compassion and wanting to help those of us who may be struggling. You advise has really helped! Please keep it up!

[@l.b.5187]

This was a great video. I have issues with changing answers and reading into questions. And I hate not knowing the topic inside and out, that increases my anxiety. You made me feel better. I will use the underlining tip too! Thanks.

[@amandashepherd3384]

Thank you! I've applied these approaches to Med/Surg and Pharmacology this semester and they have helped.

[@MsTvincent]

Thanks so much!!!! Just took my hesi and score just below passing and I can very much apply these tips. Thanks!

[@yendor106]

Megan, as a freshman in nursing currently taking Fundamentals,your advice in this video boosted my confidence in my test taking. I couldn't agree more with some of your advice. Thank you for your work!! I will be watching many more of your videos for the remainder of my education!

[@peterm.abrahambsnrn4198]

This video and your why did I fail that nursing test has helped me through 3 semesters of RN school; and will help me this coming fall. I've shared both over time to various classes. Thank you so much for such helpful tips.

[@jessicacordova8969]

I really liked this video, I just took my first nursing school exam and failed and I studied every second, but the types of questions asked really stumped me. Thank you for the tips!

[@Islandgrits]

I believe these tips will help me to improve my scores on my exams. My teacher recommended your video. Thank you

[@tinaortiz9685]

Love this video, thank you so much, this is exactly what has been happening to me. I'm starting Nursing school and almost finishing nursing 1, did not do well on my test due to these same mistakes mentioned on your video. Thank you again!!!

[@hennejessica]

Great video!!! You talked about just about every mistake I've made on exams. I have one coming up next week and I feel a lot more confident going in now! Thank you for taking the time to make this video

[@FAithFilledNursingwithJackie]

so glad I watched this video before I went to school for my RN from LPN because getting the apps on nclex is a GREAT Idea that I can start before i even get started!

[@atha126]

I've watched several videos on a variety of topics, they are very helpful! And it's nice having an instructor do these with understanding of the student :)

[@lizeedawson]

Thank you I have my final on Monday and I find I am at the bottom of the scale as far as scores go. I found this very helpful. My problem I think is anxiety and reading into the question to much.

[@judithfrank4908]

I just viewed this video and boy I wish I had this when I was in school. I advised my daughter to view it, I believe it will be very helpful....Thank you for sharing

[@EYEONTHEHORIZON]

I thank you for the heads up on how to test. I will apply your tip when I start school. please keep giving us advise. Thank you.

[@Blusadiva]

Thank you so much for your videos. Great supplemental info, an very informative. love, love !

[@gailstone7556]

I love you videos and I find that they inspire me to study, as I am getting reading to go into the Nursing program because Ive always had a difficult time at taking tests. Thank you. I look forward to you posting more!

[@didi7680]

+gail stone I would get my RN but passing Anatomy will take a miracle. My memory is 50 yrs. old now lol

[@jburns3622]

This video along with "Why Did I Fail That Test" is so helpful! I am now more confident in taking NCLEX! I will be listening to this over and over again until I take the test! :-)

[@claudiagore3038]

These tips have helped me tremendously for Med-Surge 1 and 2! Your videos ARE making the difference. Thank you.

[@LindaBrown-by5pb]

Excellent video on test taking strategies by a nurse educator who is caring and facilitating successful student outcomes. Thank you Megan

[@brandit4698]

Wow! Thank you for posting such a great video! I am down to my last 6 weeks of nursing school and wish I had this months ago! Very informative...NCLEX here I come!

[@simonmash7638]

your greatly increased my nursing study

[@totallylovinnerdyme]

I'm aiming for early admissions to start next fall (took an honor course which give you all mandatory highschool classes in 9 n 10th grade...I'm a junior now and start on higher learning ' 6 honor classes pre calc..calc...chem 1&2.....english 11.....and world history.....) I want to go straight into nursing school because I love learning about the human body. ..it amazes me....and I love helping people......and this really gave me solid confidence in nursing school and that I'll be just fine :)

[@tovias35]

Thank you so much this explain a lot to me I just I test and didn't pass and one of your explanation really hit home for me to understand why

[@alexiss3992]

You are so helpful! Wish there were more teachers like you to help out us nursing students!

[@meganmcclintock9928]

I don't currently, but I need to make one. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jesstiss222]

Hello! I just found your channel. It looks like you’ve been gone from it for I think ) years! I pray you and yours are well and thank you so, so much for sharing your gift of teaching. You are awesome! Blessings!💗

[@sarahwells2961]

Thank you for making this video! I'm going to watch the Learning Styles and Why did I Fail next!! Awesome real tips!

[@shaykisalu9875]

Thanks for the tips!! I feel a bit more prepared for the nursing program in the fall.

[@crystalholder2213]

Your advice is excellent, just excellent...I am an LPN pushing on for my RN...I suffer with a lot of test anxiety and general anxiety in day to day life. When I was in my LPN nursing program. I actually would start with the last question on the test and work forward on....since I noticed the harder questions were at the back of the test. I would also remove the eraser from my pencils....I was infamous for going back and changing my correct answer to the wrong one...I STOPPED. I would underline key words in the stem of the question. Thank you...wish you offered "nursing tutoring" in Philadelphia, PA. I will keep referring back to your videos hopefully I get accepted into RN school Fall/21.

[@navjotghuman3620]

I am going to have my Med surg 1 first exam this Tuesday ... following these skills ..!

[@laambriaflorence8785]

Thank you! These are awesome tips!

[@niccililac]

Well spoken manner, organized content, and extremely helpful information. thank you!!

[@wandajackson9497]

Thank you and Bravo for your transparency!!!! It is said that "hid sight is 20/20" and in my case it is extremely true. I came across your video because in nursing none of this is taught, students get by on caffeine, Adderall or whatever is handy. After missing the mark in Med Surge, I found videos on how to take notes more effectively. Nursing school is about application and not memorization and unfortunately that is not taught. Once again, Thank you for taking the time to do something that is nearly a lost art and that is "teaching".

[@annetkabuusu9375]

I really enjoyed all the tips you gave , i felt like i had never been in nursing school, the tips are very helpful and l highly recommend your videos.

[@mtmevergreen]

Most importantly, try not to memorize, but to learn the material. It will make a world of difference when you get to Med Surg in nursing school. Also important is to use your learning style! If you are visual, draw or print pictures. If you are kinesthetic, move your own body and point where things are. If you are auditory, read your notes out loud. Lots of fun, memory tip books out there, but they won't help you if you don't add your learning style to it.

[@fivefiveseven557]

I really appreciated this video. I would really like to see a video on how to study and how to take notes both from lecture and from the textbooks. Thank you!

[@ajarangel1115]

Excellent video! I have a horrible time test take and simply understanding what the question is really asking. I get very distracted by the distracters and end up discouraged by the middle of the exam. I have tried all the offered pre advice such as: going to sleep early, eating a good breakfast, tuning out all the negative chatter before the exam, over preparing/ & even not studying except the blue print (which works well for some , like 98% on the exam well!!) .... I feel at a loss!

[@isaactrujillo8119]

thanks! i liked the NEVER change your answers part.

[@mamasean12]

very helpful....i find what we learn in lecture so much not related to how the tests are structured., this helps thank you

[@mrsmartinezx5]

Great video on test taking! ...applying to nursing school in the spring.

[@leethompson9185]

All the videos I have viewed have been very very helpful. Awesome!!! Thank you so much for preparing them.

[@BrandiRevers]

Thank you so much! This really was a wonderful help!

[@mplp5450]

Great tips.. i failed Nclex rn 2wice because of test taking habit. Hope to pass this time thanks

[@arcanetoculture]

yes yes yes! thank you so much.

[@immasmiler7520]

Im considering to shift to nursing, and this really helps thanks

[@shantibooker1532]

I am excited to be a nursing student!

[@cde2112]

The textbook should have a list of keyterms and objectives. You can also ask the instructor for a study guide

[@jenniferkennedy-taylor8463]

Hello, Thanks for giving the much needed tips. I want to know how to pick the best answer for the fundamentals as there's three but there's only one that is correct. I am so nervous and filled with anxiety. Thanks again that was a great video. The instructors state they aren't trying to trick us, but some of them are very tricky.

[@fugi4521]

I love your voice! it is so calm, I wish you could be with me during my tests. thanks :)

[@GS-is2lq]

Amazing 👏. Thanks so much. I'll share thos video with my class and 4 cohorts more.

[@LH-spec09]

Thank you. This is still very applicable and helpful!

[@Fritzline765]

Thank you soooooo much. You were great.

[@alishaellis6131]

Very effective, preparing for my Nace exam.

[@meganmcclintock9928]

Check out the "Why Did I Fail That Test?" video. That might really help you even more.

[@TheEvie129]

I really appreciate these videos. I just subscribed to your channel and after watching, "Why did I fail this nursing exam?," I think my 2 problems are distractors and not reading carefully. I will be looking at your videos again. Thanks

[@niathenurse]

I REALLY LIKE THIS VIDEO IT WAS VERY HELPFUL THANK YOU SO MUCH I WILL WATCH THE REST OF THEM

[@TheDrobin54]

Hi thanks for the video , the information helpful. I wish professors will give test taking session for first time nursing student, it would be appreciated.

[@feleciaberry8537]

Currently taking the Transitional Nurse course. The test tips you mentioned that instructors should not use are used all the time. My final is coming up soon..I will definitely apply the tips given. Thanks.

[@Hottoothpick84]

Thank you!

[@irisaguilar-rivera3574]

I am glad I found this in my 1st semester of nursing school, this is very useful. thaks.

[@sehajkahlon87]

Thanks your good tutor and your voice is very soft

[@stephaniehwilson4056]

Thank you so much. I’ve been studying nonstop, but failed the first two concepts exams (I think it’s the same as fundamentals). My anxiety gets the best of me then all strategy goes out the window! I am going to use these tips on my next exam.

[@naiyfaouda2201]

Me too. Failed my first two exams😢. Did you pass the class?

[@totallylovinnerdyme]

This is gold....and just in time :)

[@antoinettejohnson1254]

Thank You for this video, I'm starting the nursing program in Jan, im very nervous, however your video eased me a bit. Im not sure how this subscribe works but i will be trying to keep up with your tips.

[@idaliabermudez6691]

Will really really appreciate a MEDS video.

[@jo-anliereyes3392]

Thanks! I'm so scared to take the licensure exam but i am dying to get my license. This video helps me to go to that test though i'm really really scared.

[@nelfi11]

Ty soooo much, amazing video with so much info...ty and god bless 🙏🙏💪❤

[@malcolmsanders9620]

you guys makes scare I tried this over 12 yrs ago and walk away no being a middle age man I'm following my destiny the I love and I got the zeal aptitude so here goes wish me all the best

[@sylviaducksworth5430]

Thank you so much!!! Great video! I think this is going to help me a great deal! Do you have a video for Diabetes and Ortho? Please help!

[@CaughtupinaTzzy]

Great tips! This is very helpful!

[@tshirtsofwildlife1453]

Very good, thank you.

[@marciia1968]

amazing! i wish you were my instructor. i have only had one instructor (OB) that has really taught me what nursing is about, the others i just feel they are there because they have too. I am doing peds now and she doesnt even give us the power points to study bc she doesnt waant us to publish them on the web ugh....i just cant wait to Finish nursing school. so tired of the instructors that dont care about us

[@kellyrg30]

The video is great. Thanks so very much.

[@deinese-amoah317]

really helpful thank you so much

[@ghenggheng4294]

Wow thank you 👏🏻

[@arloarlo88]

I start nursing school in 12 days. Great video and I really enjoyed it. I subscribed, so please stick around til at least 2016 lol.

[@CrispyBakedPotato]

I would like to see little video clips on different topics where you address the ten top takeaways

[@meganmcclintock9928]

I can't speak to the PN boards since I haven't ever taken them. However, what I've noticed on NCLEX is that you must "go with your gut". Don't try to look for tricks and overanalyze the question - go with your initial response.

[@mindfullearner344]

Thank you.

[@nayblue510]

You are great! My problem with tests is that I don't know how to answer nclex questions even though I know the info like the palm of my hand :(

[@pamelaybadlit3087]

Very informative! Great video!:)

[@naniahajeabbas1083]

Thnks for the shre vry helpful and great vedio.

[@meganmcclintock9928]

Most schools have medical surgical nursing 1 and 2 and sometimes even 3. 1 is usually basic diseases, 2 & 3 are more complex.

[@wend13]

thank you so much!!

[@oliviabaumgart7956]

OH MY GOODNESS THE GREAT MEGAN MCCLINTOCK MADE THIS VIDEO?!?!?! I DIDN'T EVEN SEE THAT LITTLE DETAIL UNTIL HALFWAY THROUGH THE VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel so much better and more confident that I will do better than my next exam!!!!!!

[@thenaturalnubian5430]

Excellent !

[@mrsmartinezx5]

Keep the advice & videos coming =)

[@jamiebeene4922]

Thanks so much or this video! I've just posted to my FB wall for my other nursing school friends to take a look at. I have a huge problem with test anxiety & test taking skills. I am studying for a big test tomorrow & am definitely going to try & use these awesome tips on practice questions today! Thanks again! Hoping for an A on that big test tomorrow :)

[@mercybeaie5214]

How did it go?

[@jodiwilson7910]

Very straight to the point with just a few examples. I like that because I don't want to watch an hour long video with tons of information. Yeah it might all be useful, but 1) I don't have that kind of time, and 2) my ADHD kicks in and I am more into my phone and have got NOTHING out of it! Post MORE!!

[@nicolelipinski9251]

Great video. Do you have any videos for nursing students on dosages calculations?

[@meganmcclintock9928]

Thinking about this some more. I probably should explain the link I suggested below in this particular video. I was confusing it with "Why Did I Fail That Test?" video. You are correct that it shouldn't be mass advice for everyone, but more a caution for students who have a particular problem with frequently changing answers.

[@meganmcclintock9928]

Every student feels this way. I don't have a great tip, because it depends on how your professor tests. What I would suggest is this - be sure to do SOMETHING before coming to class. If you don't have time to read the entire chapter, read the chapter summary that is often in your online resources. Having been exposed to the material before hearing it from your professor makes a big difference in what you understand and retain during class. Try it and see if I am right about it.

[@simonmash7638]

thanks alot