All the years of education is not so easily suddenly forgotten. It’s still there. For graduates of a health care program, board or licensing exams are necessary to prove that candidates have the solid knowledge base and skills to practice safely.
Study in Groups
Studying for these exams is essential. Working in a group can be most beneficial because the process is to determine what the student knows and if they can take that knowledge and apply it. Divide up the subjects to be tested and everyone takes a turn at tutoring the others on a particular area. Then trade off and try it again. This helps everyone learn with different approaches.
The Memorizing is Over
Memorizing will only work for such things as normal lab values and assessment. These should be second nature by the time students graduate. With this groundwork and basic knowledge base, the student should be able to reason the scenarios or answers presented in the exams. At least two possible choices should be eliminated easily in most cases.
Look for the Trick Words
Read questions carefully and look for the trick words “always”, “never”, and “not”. Questions such as, “Which one is not the correct answer?”, or “Which one of these does not belong?” can be misinterpreted when students try to whip through a test too quickly. The most obvious correct statement is most frequently chosen when students don’t read carefully.
Math Problems
Always double and triple check any math problems. Assume that the most obvious answer is probably wrong and then prove that it isn’t before selecting it. Double and triple checking math and carefully assessing before making a decision are necessary to safe health care. They should be part of everyday practice as a health care professional. It is natural to assume that any licensing or board exam is going to ensure that this is the case before granting a license.
Protecting the Public
It is the responsibility of the government licensing agency to protect the public from nurses, doctors, dentists, therapists, veterinarians, etc. who don’t have sufficient knowledge base and skill sets to practice safely. These board and licensing exams are designed to ensure that they student is ready to make appropriate decisions.
Apply the Knowledge
Indeed, some people are much better at taking tests than others, but the key here is to prove that the student can practice safely. The knowledge base should be there. The tests are about being able to apply that knowledge. Is the student able to assess a situation, diagnose it, make a plan, implement the plan and evaluate the success or determine changes to make?
Study hard, know the norms, and apply the knowledge. Pass those boards with flying colors!
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