Standardized exams are a serious point of anxiety for many students. Maybe you are good at classroom learning, you have worked hard and received good grades for four years. Yet, everything you’ve done comes down to a few hours. One test may decide your professional future.
Other times, standardized exams are required before you can get into graduate degree programs. In all cases, the pressure is very high.
Whereas there are no ways around these tests, there are online tools and resources that make preparing for them easier.
In this article, we take a comprehensive look at how you can use digital tools to improve your chances of passing standardized exams and becoming professionally licensed in your chosen field.
What is the Purpose of These Exams?
Often these examinations are required before you can become licensed in your chosen field. You may have completed your degree program, but you cannot start working until you pass a standardized test that cements your licensure.
In many cases, these exams are taken after graduation and are hosted by a state-sponsored organization. The NCLEX is a good example. People who appear for this examination have already graduated from college, but are not eligible to begin working as a nurse until they pass their exam.
Naturally, this requirement can be very stressful, but there is good news. Once you are eligible to go for a standardized quiz, it generally means that you have already successfully completed the coursework that will be covered on the exam.
You know your stuff. Now you just need to prove it. Below, we take a look at some tips and recommendations that will help you find success leveraging online tools, and study resources.
Utilize Practice Tests
Say you are a nursing student. You’ve gone through four years of education. You’ve completed your clinical work. You are now on the precipice of graduation. Excellent, right?
Here’s the issue. Before you can begin working as a nurse, you need to pass the NCLEX.
This test is a serious point of anxiety for nursing students all over the country. 80% of people who appear in the exam pass it on their first try it is still a very difficult exam, condensing four years of education into several grueling hours of examination.
Here’s the good news: tons of people have taken the NCLEX. Precisely because it is standard, it is also widely written about. There are endless online support materials and group forums where you can hear what other people think about the exam. Practice tests, where you can experience firsthand what it will be like on the D-Day. These resources are a great way to begin preparing.
You don’t even have to play online detective to begin looking for digital preparation materials. Your school should have a set of tools to prepare students for taking the NCLEX.
Speak with people within your department to find out what resources they provide, and how they can help you prepare for this standardized test.
Learn in a Way That Makes Sense to You
College professors have hundreds of students. Consequently, they are unable to customize lesson plans to accommodate the learning preferences of individuals. This can make it difficult for people who do not learn well in traditional reading and writing learning environments.
However, online materials are more adaptable, using automation to customize learning plans to fit the unique preferences of whoever is using the materials.
Adaptable learning modules are a great way to learn in a way that is most natural for you.
Look for tools that best suit your preferred learning method.
Are you a visual learner? Do you like auditory materials? Some resources suit these exact preferences for preparing people for standardized tests.
Once again, if you are unsure where to look, consider reaching out to a guidance counselor at your university. They should be able to point you in the direction of tools that will accommodate your unique learning needs.
Stop. Collaborate and Listen
Online spaces are also just a great place to get advice from people who have already taken the test. On community forums, you can get study tips and receive insights on what they are like in their current iteration.
Though exams like the NCLEX are standardized—meaning everyone takes approximately the same — they are also routinely adjusted.
Study guides and practice materials from several years ago may not be relevant. By using online forums you can get up-to-date information on what to expect when you sit down on the day.
Preparing for Success
The NCLEX typically requires a mandatory wait period. The timeframe may vary by state, but is usually around 45 days. This required gap between graduation and the day of a test is an excellent time to prepare.
The key is to take things slow. Instead of relying on intensive study sessions, break up your efforts, reviewing materials gradually every day. As your exam nears, slowly pump, the brakes. Your instinct may be to start cramming, doing so typically causes more harm than good.
Note also that you do not necessarily need to take the contest the moment you are eligible to do so. Whereas it may be tempting to get the exam as soon as you can so that you can begin working, there are benefits to waiting until you feel ready
For the NCLEX or comparable examinations, students who fail on their first try are typically forced to wait before they can take it again. This wait period can also vary by state, but is often around 40 days. What’s more, many people who fail to pass the first time around typically never succeed.
It is almost always better to wait until you feel fully confident, rather than rushing in before you are ready.
Conclusion
NCLEX is a great option to start your career with a professional exam. Not only this, but various other examinations can help you overcome higher education as well. All you need to do is just have a proper, well-thought plan for your future, and a disciplined study routine. If you find this article helpful in any way, consider sharing it with your friends as well.
