Tips for Taking the NCLEX-RN

Develop successful test-taking skills!

Tip 1.

Know the Parts of a Test Question. A multiple choice test
question consists of three main parts: a background
statement, a stem, and a list of options. The background
statement is a brief scenario that may or may not provide
useful information for answering the question.
The stem is the part that contains the specific problem.
It may be in the form of a question or an unfinished
statement that you must complete. The options are a
list of potential answers to choose from. The correct
answer is called the keyed response and the rest
are distractors.

Tip 2.

Read the Question Carefully Before Looking
at the Options.
The stem is the heart of the question. It provides focus
and directs your thinking. You must identify your key
words in the stem. Don't read it too quickly or you will
miss key words and misinterpret the question.
Read it carefully and grasp the complete thought before
looking at the options. Then read each option and
select the best possible answer.

Tip 3.

Identify the Theme and Base It on Information
Provided - Don't Assume Anything.
Each test question is designed to measure a specific
piece of knowledge or a specific process skill.
When you read the stem you need to identify the precise
idea it intends to measure. Confine your thinking to the
information provided and don't add to it. A common error
is to assume that information was meant to be included
that is not actually given. Don't assume anything or
you will wind up choosing one of the distractors.

Information on this page provided by:

Successful Test Taking.
By Marian B. Sides, RN, PhD
and Nancy Korchek, RN, MSN.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
ISBN: 0-7817-9202-9
Order this title.