Taking practice exams has helped me understand what types of questions come up during an actual exam, and how I should proceed to answer them. I have learned some of the tricks of the trade and am making good use of them on the actual exam. What I found is that most students prepare by reading lots of books. However, that practice doesn’t teach them what types of questions will appear on the exam, or how to strategically answer those questions. If you prepare with an objective in mind like “I want to score the highest possible score on the NCLEX-RN” you will probably find the test much more manageable.
You may think that by taking practice tests that you will be able to get a feel for how the exam is formatted. This isn’t really true. When I took my HESI exam, I was preparing for two different exams. To make sure I understood exactly how the format worked, I bought and read several sample tests from each vendor. Once I had finished reading all the samples, I could analyze the format and decide which version I wanted to take the test under.
So what should you do if you want to take a practice test to find out how well you understand HESI exam grammar? Start by finding an appropriate type of review site. Some exam sites allow students to download practice tests that they can take at home. I prefer exam review sites that allow students to download a practice test from each vendor so that they have the most similar practice test to work from.
Most practice tests will give you hints about where to go and what to do during the exam. Make sure you pay close attention to these hints and get familiar with the format of the exam. Some hint topics to look for are: What are the best ways to structure the questions? What types of questions appear frequently on the exam?
Once you begin studying for the exam, try to stick to the format of the practice test as much as you can. Try not to allow yourself to become frustrated. If you find yourself becoming frustrated, throw away that practice test and start looking for something else. By doing this, you won’t feel so overwhelmed when it comes time for the real thing.
Another great way to prepare for HESI exam is to talk to native speakers about the subject. Get a friend to take the exam with you, so that you have someone to help you with your questions. Native speakers may know some rules of English that you don’t. Using them as a source can really help you hone in on the exact rules and words that you’re going to need for successful passing. In addition, they can help you to understand and articulate the right types of issues you’ll be encountering on the exam. It can really pay to have someone there to help you with your preparation, especially if you’re unsure of what you’re doing or afraid you may miss something important.
Finally, don’t forget that studying is simply learning. Although you may feel confident that you know what you’re doing on paper, in order to pass the test you need to refresh your knowledge periodically. You’ll find that you will get better at answering questions once you’re thoroughly familiar with the material.
