board exam test taking strategies

53
Board exam test taking strategies Millenium Review Specialists, Co. R.A. Gapuz Review Center

Upload: khaeydianco

Post on 07-Apr-2015

406 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Board exam test taking strategies

Millenium Review Specialists, Co.

R.A. Gapuz Review Center

Page 2: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 3: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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.

Page 4: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Requirements1. Positive attitude2. Critical thinking3. Working knowledge of the frequently

asked topics4. Review and study habits

Page 5: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

RequirementsThere are 3 factors that are important in

achieving success1. Reading2. Test wiseness3. Tension control

Page 6: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 7: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Affective Strategies for Success- tension ControlRealistically evaluate your personal

responses to test challengesDetermine past successes and ways

you maintained energy and confidence under stress

Page 8: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Reduce Tension!Relaxing and contracting muscles

progressively from head to toeSlow, deep breathing and calmingGuided imageryPrayers and meditationFocusing on a confident self

Page 9: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Requirements

Critical thinkingRequires you to validate and organize

dataLook for patterns and relationshipsApply knowledge from one situation to

anotherEvaluate responses according to

accepted criteria

Page 10: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 11: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 12: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

GENERALITIESWhen answering multiple choice

questions, DO NOT change your first guess unless you find a convincing reason for doing so!

Page 13: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Parts of the questionThe caseThe stemThe options- usually 4 choices

Page 14: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 15: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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?

Page 16: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 17: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Other considerations

The client of the question- either the patient the family/ family member the community

Page 18: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 19: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 20: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 21: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 22: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 23: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Types of Examination questions

2. Prioritization questionsThis directs the examinee to choose

actions to be done first InitialEssential ImmediateMost priority

Page 24: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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!!!!!!!!

Page 25: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 26: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Nursing ProcessASSESSMENT first!!!

Page 27: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Types of Examination questions (NCLEX)

3. client need centered questionsA. safe environmentB. physiological integrityC. psychosocial integrityD. health promotion and maintenance

Page 28: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 29: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 30: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 31: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Note for the followingChoices that do not fit the stem

grammatically are usually wrong!

Page 32: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 33: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 34: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Positive attitude counts!You have studied nursing for 4 yearsUse the knowledge you have amassed

Page 35: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Imagination is a good virtueUtilize imagery when reading the

examination questions

Page 36: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Reword! If you really find difficulty, reword each

question

Page 37: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 38: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 39: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Painfully Memorize!Some important laboratory values

should be kept in the memory bank!CBCABGCVPBP, PP

Page 40: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Clueless?Look for very important clues in the 4

choicesBe specially alert to two opposite

choicesHypo-hyperBelow-aboveSupine-elevatedBefore-after

Page 41: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Patient firstPut the phone downDo not yet call the doctorAttend to the patient first, not the

equipments!

Page 42: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

CommunicateEliminate : WHY?Eliminate: Cliché

Choose the response that focuses on EMOTION!!!!!!!

Page 43: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

No overnight make-overOvernight study for the examination

NEVER works

Procrastinate later

Page 44: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

Before the day of examGet a good night’s sleepAVOID late cramming

Page 45: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 46: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

On the day of examinationCarry a remedy with you to fight tension

headache. Paracetamol (and an antacid) will do good

Page 47: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

To Summarize

Know the test format It is an integrated examComposed of five partsMultiple choiceBased on measurement of safe nursing

behaviors

Page 48: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

To Summarize

Review conceptsLecture notesReview notesHighlighted “patok” topics

Page 49: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

To SummarizeBegin with your strengths and your

learning styles

Work-out your weaknesses

Page 50: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

To Summarize

Prepare yourself byAttending a review courseUtilizing support study groupsMaking small learning tools like tables

and “must-know” notes

Page 51: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

To Summarize

Invite success in your life byEvaluating yourselfSharpening test taking skillsTaming your tensionEnriching your self confidence

Page 52: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

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

Page 53: Board Exam Test Taking Strategies

The people behind R.A. Gapuz and Millenium Review Specialists, Co.

Are always PRAYING for your success!