test taking techniques for the beginning nursing students

I am not the best student. In fact I am happy when I get C's in my classes. Because of my not so good grades my nursing instructor loaned me her copy of this book. After reading the first chapter, I decided to go and buy it for myself. And boy am I glad I did.

This book claims to "master a wide range of testing formats, including multiple choice, true and false, essay, and more," "reduce anxiety an develop confidence," successfully pass fundamentals," and "get better grades,". As far as I'm concerned, it did all of that.

The first chapter begins with how not to "freak out" before and during tests. It explains how to think positively and avoid the negative thoughts that enter mind. The book tells how should "establish control before and during the test." It explains how you should get to the test early so you are not rushed, make sure you have all of your supplies, and making yourself comfortable. Before this book I was forever freaking out before and during tests. The instructor and students around me noticed the difference in attitude in me. They said, "whatever you did, do it again." I seemed so at peace during the tests.

Another chapter explains critically thinking and how to learn to critically think. This is the first book I have read that defines critically thinking in a way that I can understand. It takes you step by step the process of critically thinking and how to use it in the nursing field, on class assignment, and on exams. The book gives a list of questions to ask yourself while taking a test to help you reach the correct answer. The end of the chapter gives you a reasonable easy question to answer. Then it explains what you need to look at in the question and what knowledge you need in order to answer correctly. Then they give a rationale to each option as to why that is correct or incorrect. The next clinical day after reading this book, I felt I was able to think more effectively, efficiently, and accurately.

There is also a chapter on study techniques. Here they explain how to prepare for a test, take notes, and how to study for tests. This chapter was a little difficult to follow. They did say stuff that I already knew. I ended up skimming over this chapter because I decided studying habits was not causing my poor grades.

My favorite chapter what how to answer multiple choice questions. The book tells you the components to a multiple choice question. I didn't even know that there was components. During this chapter a light bulb turned on in my head. The book takes you step by step through many different kinds of multiple choice questions and teaches you what to look for and how to answer. There is another chapter later on in the book that goes in to more depth on that topic.

The book includes 700 multiple choice practice questions with rationales for incorrect and correct answers.

My grade improved after I read this book. I feel more confident in my test taking skills. I feel this book has also helped me in the clinical setting. I can now easily assess a situation and quickly think of what needs to be done. I started to feel more like a real nurse. I recommended this book to three other people. Their scores are improving as well. This book is for beginning nursing students. I suggest if you are about to start nursing school you should buy this book right away. If you are like me and are already in the nursing program and now realize..."oh god, my grades, now what," it isn't too late to read Test Success. Take it from me, its a life saver.