Let's face it - surviving really tough exams is a feat that most examinee, most of us hope to accomplish.
But there is an easy out when it comes to exams that run a multiple choice system.
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You must learn how to prioritize what questions to answer when.
Budgeting your time is really a key if you wish to pass with flying colors. Let's take the NCLEX exam for Nurses as a good example. It's an adaptive test taken by computer. The test changes and adapts to you as you progress through, adapting the type and severity of questions as you progress. Since the NCLEX deals with different approaches for its exams, it's fundamental to deal with several exam strategies that range from how to answer problem solving, multiple choice or serial recall questions such as enumeration.
The most essential weapon you have is to study early.
Repetitive study facilitates understanding and understanding is one of the best forms of mnemonics available to the test taker. You may forget codes or 'clever sayings' that have no meaning at all to you; but understanding the principles behind the issue is the one thing you will never forget. Repetition refines understanding, understanding refines the ability to lodge the comprehensive thread safely away for instant recall when required.
Since the NCLEX mostly deals with multiple choice questions intended to focus on specific scenario details, studying early buys you time to refine long term memory. This is one type of test where one should never rely on short-term memory.
Next, identify key points being emphasized in the review process and memorize them almost as sub-headings. Whether it's written material or a lecture, it's a good idea to keep try to keep to this structuring approach. It's a subtle clue telling you the flow of information and the relevance of detail within each sub-heading. The best way to seal this point or perspective is to actually try to recall the parts of the lecture or study session it occurred at.
Again, understanding the logic behind something is a lot better than just memorizing it. This is better applied when you try to correlate the concept to a real world scenario, especially as examiners and question writer tend to phrase questions in such a way that relying on pure memory doesn't help. However, looking into the rationale of a concept will keep you out of the traps set for those who take everything too literally.
You can also gain a competitive advantage if you know how the exam will be structured.
* Research is essential in gaining this advantage. Answer every question if possible in the time allocated. Obviously the chances of getting a higher score are higher when you get to answer more questions but, and this is a big BUT - this is not a license to be reckless.
Always read instructions carefully and if possible, read them twice or thrice if you can. It certainly won't pay not to follow instructions and lose a large chunk of questions just because of not knowing what you should be doing. Never simply skim, read instructions line by line. Understand what is being asked of you.
There may be certain periods during the exam where, because of your speed and confidence due to preparing so well, you have the time to peruse your answers. However silly it sounds (and it does but please, trust me on this) always, always pay attention to the following qualifiers in questions OR in scenarios descriptions: most, bit, only, all, every and others. These help you read between the lines and paying attention to them ensures you don't misunderstand the basics of a questions and fail it because of misreading it!
Maximizing your performance during the exam depends on how you prioritize the different questions, as this ultimately tells you how you need to manage your time.
After reading through the paper and getting settled in, answer the easy questions first. Never get stuck on the too difficult ones as this eats away at your time. I mean, you don't want to be handing in an test paper with questions unanswered.
When dealing with the more difficult questions, learn the art of eliminating the most likely incorrect answer. Learn to anticipate the most likely correct answers if you suspect there is more than one. Mark them and then come back to it later.
If you use these tips both in your preparation as well as your actual exam you'll not go too far wrong if at all.
A final warning: studying is always the best bet to success and in no way whatsoever can guess work ever be a better substitute for it.
The Top 3 Greatest Tips For Passing The NCLEX Exam NAPLEX
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