Make sure you understand the test structure. Know where you are going and how you will reach your goal. This will save you time and allow you to focus on critical thinking skills. Look for a study guide that helps you understand the test structure.
Be sure you have the answers to questions that are commonly asked. You do not want to spend hours trying to figure out the answer to a HESI A2 question when you could have been doing some studying and prepared for it. Spend the extra time studying and practice the questions that are frequently asked. This will increase your critical thinking skills and help you get the answers right. This is one of the best ways to prepare for the exam.
Have a notebook handy when you take the exam. If you do not know where to start, look at the sample questions or have a list of questions that you know the correct answers to. You can then focus your critical thinking skills on each question without having to worry about finding the answer. Use the notebook or list of questions as a guide and never give up until you get the answers right.
Get a quiet place to take the test. Even though you will be focused on your critical thinking skills, it will still be distracting. Taking a home test can help you relax and get comfortable with answering the questions on the test. Take the time to make a plan and you will be able to focus on the task at hand.
Practice makes perfect and taking practice tests on the computer or the test board is a good idea. This will allow you to see how you are performing on actual paper and in the real situation. You may also find that you have not practiced the type of question you are going to be asked on the actual test. This can cause you to have a lot of trouble answering the type of question you were asked if you did not practice. Taking practice tests on the computer or the test board is a good way to improve your critical thinking skills.
Make sure you take your time with the critical thinking portion of the exam. There are going to be a lot of different topics that you will need to understand completely. Spend some time reviewing the material and working through the problem. Do not rush through this part of the test. It may seem easy at first, but you want to make sure that you fully understand the concept.
As you review and do your practice exams, always remember that you are using yourself as a reference guide. What you are reading does not have to make sense, but you must understand it completely. There will be times when the material on the test will make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Reading the test and having a prepared answer for that question can help you get through this part of the test faster. Take the time to review the material and have an answer ready when you are faced with a confusing question. Taking the time to think critically and understand the questions on the test can help you succeed on the HESI A Test with critical thinking skills.