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NCLEX Exam Versus Real World Nursing

Some of you are LPNs or LVNs completing your RN studies, while others are EMTs. Some of you worked during school as student techs. All of you, however, spent time in a clinical setting during your nursing education. All of this adds up to a significant amount of experience. Experience will help you get a […]

NCLEX Strategies: Recognizing Expected Outcomes

You spent much of your time in nursing school learning about what might go wrong with clients and their care. This makes sense; after all, nurses need to deal with problems and illnesses. Many test questions that your nursing school faculty wrote focused on what was wrong with clients and their care. In order to […]

NCLEX Strategies: Using Answer Choices to Obtain Clues

Because the NCLEX-RN® exam is testing your critical thinking, the topic of the questions may be unstated. You may see a question that concerns a disease process or procedure with which you are unfamiliar. Most test takers who are “clueless” about a question will read the question and answer choices over and over again. They do […]

NCLEX Strategies: Eliminating Incorrect Answer Choices

One of the major problems of unsuccessful test takers is that they do not thoughtfully consider each answer choice. They react to questions using feelings and hunches. Unsuccessful test takers look for a specific answer choice. The following strategy will enable you to consider each answer choice in a thoughtful way.   Let’s practice the […]

NCLEX Strategies: Don't Predict Answers

On the NCLEX-RN® exam, you are asked to select the best answer from the four choices that you are given. Many times, the “ideal” answer choice is not there. Don’t sit and moan because the answer that you think should be there isn’t provided. Remember: Identify the Reworded Question. Select the best answer from the choices given. […]

ACT Math: Imaginary and Complex Numbers

You might be surprised that not all numbers are real–some are imaginary. No, imaginary numbers aren’t as interesting as you might imagine them to be. They’re merely numbers invented by mathematicians to signify the even roots of negative numbers. Yup, just when you thought the test-writers packed in enough math material for a standardized test, […]

ACT Math: Exponents and Roots

  Exponents, or powers, are numbers that tell us to how many times to multiply a number by itself. For example, 26 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2. You might read this as “two to the sixth power,” and our answer would be 64. For the ACT Math, you’ll really […]

ACT Math: Interpreting Graphs, Charts and Tables

Before we discuss strategies and tips for interpreting graphs, charts and tables, we first need to know the use and purpose of each. Charts and graphs organize, categorize and compare data. They come in various shapes and sizes (e.g., pie, bar, line). They commonly use columns, symbols and/or pictures to show the information needed to solve […]

ACT Math: Averages

Averages, or arithmetic means, are likely to show up on the ACT Math section. Most of us know how to find the average, but the test will probably present average questions in a more complicated way. Rather than present you with all the numbers in a set and ask you to find the average of […]

ACT Math: Pacing & Strategy Overview

The ACT Math Test is always the second test and comes right after the English Test. It is always 60 minutes long and consists of 60 questions. Concepts tested include arithmetic, algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and (unfortunately) trigonometry. The math concepts get harder as you progress, so timing is an important part of the […]