10 HESI test taking strategies

I have compiled 10 test taking strategies after practicing HESI quizzes to prepare myself for the exit HESI exams. Most of them were taken from the HESI test-taking tips and strategies on evolve that have helped me.

1. Usually your first answer is correct. Do not change your answer or look too much into the question. Have confidence in your initial response to an item because it more than likely is the correct answer.
2. Read the question carefully before looking at the answers and eliminate all the incorrect answers to narrow your choices.
3. After you have eliminated one or more choices, you may discover that 2 of the options are very similar. This can be very helpful, because it may mean that one of these look-alike answers is the best choice and the other is a very good distractor. Test both of these options against the stem. Ask yourself which one completes the incomplete statement grammatically and which one answers the question more fully and completely. The option that best completes or answers the stem is the one you should choose.
4. Because few things in life are absolute without exceptions, avoid selecting answers that include words such as always, never, all, every, and none. Answers containing these key words are rarely correct.
5. Look for answers that focus on the client or are directed toward feelings.
6. Be alert for details. Details provided in the stem of the item, such as behavioral changes or clinical changes (or both) within a certain time, can provide a clue to the most appropriate response or, in some cases, responses.
7. Begin studying by setting goals. Make sure they are realistic. A goal of scoring 100% on all exams is not realistic, but scoring 85% may be a better goal.
8. Anxiety leading to an exam is normal. Reduce your stress by studying often, not long. Spend at least 15 minutes every day reviewing the “old” material. This action alone will greatly reduce anxiety. The more time you devote to reviewing past material, the more confident you will feel about your knowledge of the topics. Start this review process on the first day of the semester. Don’t wait until the middle to end of the semester to try to cram information.
9. Rest is essential to the body and brain for good performance; think of it as recharging the battery. For most students, it is better to spend 7 hours sleeping and 3 hours studying than to cut sleep to 6 hours and study 4 hours.
10. Read every word of each question and option before responding to the item. Glossing over the questions just to get through the examination quickly can cause you to misread or misinterpret the real intent of the question.