All test takers experience some anxiety. A certain amount of anxiety is motivating, but be prepared to control unwanted anxiety. Anxiety can be man- aged by both physical and mental activities. Practice anxiety management strategies while you are taking the comprehensive examinations in this book, and use them with each exam you take in school or else- where. Practicing managing test anxiety when taking
“low stakes” tests, such as classroom tests, will make managing test anxiety much easier when you are tak- ing the “high stakes” tests, such as course or program fi nal exams and, of course, the licensing exam. Com- monly used anxiety management strategies include:
■ Mental rehearsal—Mental rehearsal involves reviewing the events and environment during the examination. Anticipate how you will feel, what the setting will be like, how you will take the exam, what the computer screen will look like, and how you will talk to yourself during the exam. Visualize your success. Rehearse what you will do if you have test anxiety.
■ Relaxation exercises—Relaxation exercises involve tensing and relaxing various muscle groups to relieve the physical effects of anxiety. Practice systematically contracting and relaxing muscle groups from your toes to your neck to release energy for concentration. You can do these exercises dur- ing the exam to promote relaxation. Smile! Smiling relaxes tense facial muscles and reminds you to maintain a positive attitude.
■ Deep breathing—Taking deep breaths by inhal- ing slowly while counting to 5 and then exhal- ing slowly while counting to 10 increases oxygen fl ow to the lungs and brain. Deep breathing also decreases tension and helps manage anxiety by focusing your thoughts on the breathing and away from worries.
■ Positive self-talk—Talking to yourself in a positive way serves to correct negative thoughts (e.g., “I can’t pass this test” and “I don’t know the answers to any of these questions”) and reinforces a positive self- concept. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones, for example, tell yourself, “I can do this,” “I studied well and am prepared,” or “I can fi gure this out.” Visu- alize yourself as a nurse—you have passed the test!
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exam, adjust your work schedule several days ahead of time.
■ Avoid planning time-consuming activities (e.g., weddings, vacation trips) immediately before the exam.
■ Do not use any drugs you usually do not use (including caffeine and nicotine), and do not use alcohol for 2 days before the exam.
■ Eat regular meals before the exam. Remember that high-carbohydrate foods provide energy, but excessive sugar and caffeine can cause hyperactivity.
■ Dress comfortably, in layers that can be added or removed according to your comfort level.
The authors of this review book and CD-ROM offer you our best wishes for success on all of the exams you will be taking throughout your aca- demic career. We are confi dent that your review and preparation have given you a good foundation for a positive testing experience!
References
1. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
Retrieved July 26, 2010, from https://www.ncsbn.
org
2. National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2007).
The NCLEX Delay Pass Rate Study. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from https://www.ncsbn.org/
delaystudy2006.pdf
■ Use practice questions until you can score at least 75% on the exam. Use practice exams with at least 2,000 questions so you test yourself with a wide range of content and types of questions.
■ Use a timer to determine how many questions you can answer in a specifi ed amount of time. Use the timer to be sure you are keeping a steady pace, but not rushing through the test.
■ Schedule to take the exam when YOU are ready, but as soon after graduation as is feasible.2 Candi- dates who take the exam before they are prepared are not as successful. You are in control of when you take the exam!
■ Make sure you know the date, time, and place the exam will be given; how to get to the exam site;
how long it takes to drive there; and where you can park. It may be helpful to visit the exam site and see the room where the exam will be given.
■ Visualize yourself in the room taking the test.
Use mental rehearsal to practice anxiety-managing strategies.
■ Organize the information you will need to bring to the testing center the night before the exam. You will need to present your Authorization to Test. You will also need to provide required identifi cation.
■ Make sure you are physically prepared. Get enough rest before the examination; fatigue can impair concentration. If you work, it may be advis- able not to work the day before the exam; if you work on a shift that is different from the time of the
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