Nursing Assistant/Registered Exam: Skills and Written

After much worry about successfully passing the NAR exam, especially the skills portion, I can happily report ! I have done so ! and can now begin nursing school for the RN degree on schedule.
The written portion of the exam, for the most part, is common sense as most of the incorrect options are just plain silly. The passing score is 78% (I assume this is the same no matter in which state you take it). I got no questions related to abbreviations, which I had presumed would be the only thing I'd have to review before taking the exam.

I'm not sure how a passing score is determined for the skills exam, but I'll explain how I prepared for it and what it was like. Since I took training in an extended fashion (over 4 months time instead of three weeks time), I had a tough time retaining the skills. A couple weeks before the exam, I sought additional training through another provider, but still left feeling frustrated that the steps weren't becoming second nature. I had ordered the Avanza DVD (see http://avanzaedu.org/) and had looked it over, but without simultaneous practice, it didn't seem very useful.

As test day approached and on two separate occasions, I roped my daughter and mom into acting as patients to assist me and point out missed or incorrect steps. This practice gave me the most confidence and competence with the skills, especially since we worked together shortly before the exam and the skills were fresher in my mind for testing.

During the skills test, of course I got assigned my most dreaded skill, peri-care. This skill seemed to be the most complicated of them all somehow, but now, in hindsight, that was primarily due to the fact that two pair of gloves are needed, unlike the other skills; the skill itself was pretty straightforward. I needed more washcloths that we were taught in training (4 vs 2) since you use one for soap and one for rinse in each of the two areas being cleaned. I didn't think about keeping one hand clean while the other is considered dirty, but it didn't seem to matter.
My nervousness definitely showed in testing, but the evaluator was understanding and, given the 90+% pass rate on this exam, she may also have been fairly lenient with me as well as others. That said, if I realized I had missed steps (and I did), I said so and she gave me credit. I had read though that you can only miss a certain number before you fail the skill and, consequently, the exam.

My patient for testing was a fellow student (we had both thought a volunteer would serve as the patient, but not so). She was testing out having completed no training beforehand (minimal requirement of her nursing school) and prepared for the test by reading the skills sheets and viewing YouTube videos, which she said were very helpful. She thought she could not have passed if she hadn't actually seen the skills being performed.
I'm glad the test is behind me and I can focus on what lies ahead. I plan to pursue a non-clinical oriented career as an informatics nurse (see http://healthinformatics.uic.edu/nursing-informatics/), but we'll see what happens. At 51 years of age, I'm hoping my previous background in analysis and project management will help me secure an even higher wage than starting nurses. I'm looking forward to the prospects!

Please feel free to weigh in on your experiences and what has worked for you as you prepare for this important exam.

Score high on the NLN exam

Have you been wondering how to score high on the NLN nursing exam?

I had pretty decent luck recently when I took this exam and scored 157 out of a possible 200 points. Considering my prospective school (a community college in MN) only awards a possible 16.1 points for this exam on the nursing application, I'd say I fared well. (In other words, the school would not have counted any points gained beyond 161.) This nursing program recommends a composite score of at least 110.

The best resource for preparation I have found for this exam is the Review Guide for NLN-RN Pre-Entrance Exam, Third Edition. I took all practice exams in the manual and read the error explanations, but didn't have time to read the intro material. If you're also short on time, be sure to at least take the exams in your weakest area (and read the error explanations), which for me was science. If you have the time, take care to read the intro material carefully.

I scored in the high 90's in verbal and math, but low 80's in science. As it turns out, these scores were high enough to place me in the 99 percentile in all three subjects. It helped that I had taken a fair amount of biology and chemistry prior to testing, but with careful study of concepts, you should be able to pick up the necessary information for the exam.

I've applied to nursing school and have learned that my application score is 137, compared with other applicant scores of 139 as a median and 136 as a bottom of range, so am confident I have a decent shot at gaining admission, in large part, due to the results of this exam.

So, make sure you prepare early and prepare well for this exam. It will definitely be worth your time!

Need a Tutor now?

Have you been wanting to take up a new language, develop a hobby, or help your child ace the ACT? Today is the day!

Take a look through the academic, musical, sports, and other offerings and the tutors who teach them at Wyzant Tutoring.
Discounts are available if you purchase tutoring hours in advance:

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Background checks have been completed on many tutors or you can request to have one done.

Give it a try ... you'll be glad you did!

GRE Math Formula Sheet - great tool for comprehensive math review

Still hunting all over the internet for formula sheets to use in prepping for the GRE? Well, I've searched high and low and, although I try to get free resources whenever possible, this was just too good a deal to pass up.

For just under $9 (plus $1.95 shipping), and an immediate download to boot, you get a comprehensive, yet concise formula sheet to review before taking practice sets and exams. I really can't think of anything they've left off this sheet and all formulas are relevant to the GRE.

You can click on the above image to view and order. There are also math formula sheets for other exams at these links:

ACT Math Formula Sheet: http://www.actmathformulas.com/
SAT Math Formula Sheet: http://www.satmathformulas.com/
GMAT Math Formula Sheet: http://www.gmatmathformulas.com/

I highly recommend this resource, a real time-saver!

New Credentials: Certified Project Management Professional

I have had a taste of my own medicine in having to prepare for a major exam ... I'm pleased to report that today I passed the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam!!

For those planning to take the PMP exam, I'll tell you a bit about my background and how I prepared for this exam.
Up until June 2011, I worked for two years in project management for the State of MN. This experience was invaluable in teaching me the basics of all aspects of project management.
From there, I purchased Andy Crowe's The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try. On Amazon, this book had about the same review rating as Rita Mulcahey's PMP Exam Prep: Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam but cost somewhat less. As I searched for additional materials, Rita's name kept coming up, so I checked out the 3rd edition of her title above from the library (although the manual is now in its 7th edition).

With each manual, I did not read the chapter content; instead, I took the chapter tests and reviewed the explanations for my errors carefully. (With Crowe's manual, I also reviewed the correct answer explanations). I liked the thorough approach that Rita's book offered; if I'd had the time, I'd have enjoyed moving through the book and its exercises at a comfortable pace.

I read various opinions regarding PMP materials, including one saying s/he studied Rita's book and scored 90-95% on the chapter tests but did not pass the test. I scored 60-70% on average in Rita's book and did pass, so go figure.

I took a quick look also at Oliver Lehman's free practice tests, though somehow they seemed more difficult than Rita's as the questions seemed to focus on the finer details of PM ("by the book" vs. real-life scenarios). I had time only to do a few questions, but will include the links here in case you find them helpful:

http://www.oliverlehmann.com/pmp-self-test/75-free-questions.htm

http://www.oliverlehmann.com/contents/free-downloads/175_PMP_Sample_Questions.pdf

Finally, I located a free PMP cheat sheet through www.vbpm.org. I had been looking for some time for a decent summary of key concepts which I'd hoped would help me feel less overwhelmed; this document really fits the bill. The main thing it lacks is a summary of inputs and outputs for each process, though it would have been much longer in that case.

As a PMI member, I have had access to the PMBOK, 4th edition, though I just couldn't make myself read such dry material. I've included a link/image below, in case you want to investigate it further.
I have to say that my previous real-life experience in PM was a big advantage in understanding the flow of project management and, frankly, just keeping me interested in the topic since I could relate my studies to real-world experiences.
Beyond my work experience, I figure I studied a total of 50 hours total, off and on over six months time. My chapter test scores didn't really improve from Crowe's manual to Rita's manual so I wasn't terribly confident I'd pass, though I do feel I have a better understanding of how I'd handle specific situations which, on top of those three letters I get to place after my name (if I choose to do so), is a great bonus.

You may ask: What is the passing score for the PMP? You will not receive a numerical score upon completion of your exam. Rather, you are given a qualitative score of P (Proficient), MP (Moderately Proficient), or BP (Below Proficient) for each domain. The key domains (those apparently given higher weights in calculating the exam score) are Planning, Executing, and Monitoring & Controlling.

For details on how an exam pass may be determined, see: http://www.deepfriedbrainpmp.com/2010/04/best-kept-secret-of-pmp-certification.html#more

From my readings on the subject, the passing percentage appears to remain at approximately 61% for scored items. (25 of the 200 test questions are not figured in scoring.)

Although I am unable to divulge specific questions from the exam, I would be glad to give you general guidance in preparing for the exam. Be aware that the content for the PMP exam will be updated on August 31, 2011.

By the way, here's a free PMP practice exam (probably does not reflect latest post-Aug 2011 content): http://headfirstlabs.com/PMP/free_exam/

I hope the information I've provided helps you find the right materials and the best approach for effective and efficient studying.

Hey, Good Luck on the PMP exam! Feel free to weigh in on your experiences with prep and/or outcomes.

Having trouble scoring high on GRE Verbal?

The key to scoring high on the GRE Verbal portion is to give yourself plenty of time to study lots of vocab, including definitions, word roots, synonyms, and word in context.
Remember, the GRE exam format is changing August 1, 2011. Your study materials will need to reflect this change, as much will be different about the revised exam.

What to expect with the New GRE exam

Some helpful study prep resources I recommend are displayed below:

Tutor-Tested Worksheets - Links Now Updated

The very popular STAR Tutoring Worksheets webpages have now been updated with new links in Reading, Math, Handwriting, ESL, and Standardized Test Prep --

Worksheets, Games, and Extras:  http://www.startutoring.com/worksheets.html
Standardized Test Prep (ACT, SAT, GRE, GED, ASVAB, etc) Materials and Worksheets:  http://www.startutoring.com/testprepstuff.html

Links are added on a regular basis. Check out and bookmark these great webpages now!

It dawned on me recently ...

... in comparing the students I've tutored who have scored high on previous attempts at standardized tests and those who have achieved an average to low score. I had been offering each set of students the same basic lesson plan, namely timed practice sets, error review, and strategy discussion and implementation.

When the lower-scoring students weren't responding as well as the high-scoring students, I began mulling over the reasons. Typically, they don't achieve high grades in school, either, so I reasoned they lack interest, motivation, aptitude, or even personality factors, such as fortitude and a drive for success. (By the way, both types of students usually are extremely busy in their personal/academic/social lives which seems to be the #1 reason they see a tutor, to help with time management.)

However, I'm coming to believe that one of the primary reasons low-scoring students, in particular, see a tutor is for the personal engagement, and that this is the key to their success. Once I figured this out, I altered sessions for lower-scoring students to include brief tutorials on a specific subject, inviting back-and-forth interaction on use of and success with strategies, and discussion regarding available and efficient use of study time to meet individual goals.

The varied lesson plan that includes ample "face" time keeps lower-scoring students engaged and on task. The comments I receive after these modified sessions have been overwhelmingly and sincerely positive in contrast to the requisite "Thanks, it helped a lot".

While higher-scoring students may or may not appreciate extra "talk time", I find that the systematic, goal-driven focus prevalent in high-achieving group goes a long way towards helping them achieve their objectives.

Think you've tried everything with your low-scoring student? "Try a little tenderness", as they say, as the extra attention may make all the difference in helping this student to excel.

A comparison of high achievers' and low achievers' attitudes, perceptions, and motivations.(Statistical Data Included): An article from: Academic Exchange Quarterly

ASVAB Scaled Scoring

As a tutor for the ASVAB,  I am often asked how to obtain an AFQT scaled score for practice exams. Although I have found methods online for doing so, the results have not been useful. The formula I most often see is:
AFQT Scaled Score = 2VE + AR + MK, where VE is obtained from a WK+PC conversion chart.

In addition, AR and MK apparently are weighted scores that only the Department of Defense can calculate, and that depend on the difficulty of questions answered correctly.

Have you found an AFQT calculation method that gives meaningful results? If so, please post here ... I'd welcome this information, as would other ASVAB tutors and test-takers, I imagine.

By the way, I've used both Master the ASVAB (link at left) and ASVAB: Your Total Solution by REA, and have found Master the ASVAB to be more thorough in its coverage of most subjects, particularly the Word Knowledge section, which is pretty sparse in REA's Your Total Solution.

I recommend finding flashcards for vocab study to speed up the process. Here are 533 terms and definitions for practice:
http://quizlet.com/4536961/asvab-word-knowledge-flash-cards/

Other materials I've used with decent success can be linked to through the images below. Happy Studying!

Want to study more effectively? Mix it up.

How about a fresh take on effective study methods? This one is worth a look!

Want to study more effectively? Mix it up.

GRE Tips: Overall and by subject

Working with my GRE student over the past couple of weeks, we've tested and implemented highly effective strategies for scoring high on practice problems.
I've located a link that sums up these strategies quite nicely. Take a look at: http://www.testinfo.net/gre/gre-tips.htm#overall

As Kaplan is one of my favorite publishers for standardized test prep, I've included a image link (left) to one of the resources I currently use. I will continue to post materials for the current GRE exam until August 1, 2011, when the format and content of the exam will change.

Questions about the current GRE exam or study methods and strategies that really work? Just ask!

Good Grades, Poor Standardized Exam Scores ... Why??

Parents are often perplexed when their child gets top grades in school, but can't seem to crack an average score on the standardized exams. Unfortunately, performing well in high school classes and achieving high scores on the standardized exams are outcomes that do not necessarily go hand in hand for a number of reasons.

First, while working through a prep manual, and perhaps using flashcards, are the typical methods for improving the standardized exam scores, a student can learn the required material for high school classes by taking and reviewing lecture notes, studying from the text, discussing topics as a small group, and preparing for exams that focus on narrowly-defined topics. The student can use diverse study methods to fine-tune and enhance the prep work.

On the contrary, the student does not know the specific content of a standardized exam. Given the time constraints many students have due to academic, athletic, or social commitments, the exam prep study plan usually consists of a general review of many topics.

In addition, many students simply panic in the testing environment and, consequently, may submit a sub-standard result. Consistent practice in a simulated test environment and careful review of errors are essential habits for any exam prep student to develop, but this is especially true for the average and below-average student.

Finally, an unspoken, but most effective trait of the high-scoring standardized exam taker is confidence. Many students score low on standardized exams because they mistakenly think they can get by on the bare minimum of study time: a practice exam here or there, or a half-hearted review of select portions of the 2-inch-thick study manual. But this is what high-scoring test-takers know: Make a study plan and keep it; allow plenty of time for practice; test and implement strategies for responding to questions quickly and accurately; and chart progress to pinpoint weak areas and keep motivation high.

The average student or weak test-taker can do well on standardized exams by considering a new approach to test-taking that includes using several methods of study, prioritizing exam prep among competing commitments, consistently reviewing and practicing of concepts, and building confidence by preparing well in advance of test day. The outcome of a standardized exam often sets the stage for opportunities in higher education or a career, so it pays to make the most of your exam prep.

How to Get Great Grades Without Really Trying (too hard)

Do you study for endless hours and still get average grades, or just pass by the skin of your teeth? Or, do you just plain hate to study and can't get motivated no matter how hard you (or your parents) try?
Let me tell you, I've been there and I know how disheartening it can be. I routinely received C's, D's, even some F's in my bachelor's program; I hardly dared to plan or even hope for a bountiful future when my grades reflected less than my actual abilities.

Now, it's so different. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA in my master's program and I just plain love to learn and love school ... now more than ever! I finally learned how to be successful in school, and the steps are really very simple.

You too can be on your way to TOP GRADES, so if that's what you're after, just follow these straightforward steps:

1. Record all assignments in your planner, as far in advance as possible. Diligently record all upcoming assignments, tests, and projects in your planner -- you should have your planner sitting on your desk along with other relevant materials for the class.
2. Secure a syllabus from the teacher for each class. If you were not given a calendar by each teacher for the entire term's assignments, ask each teacher for one, or see if calendars are posted online, so you can record and prepare for assignments well in advance. You can also track your grades, online or in your notebook, to monitor your own performance.
3. Read assigned pages in text and materials before class, ideally as soon as they are assigned. For classes in which you use a textbook, read pages as soon as they are assigned, then bring your text and handouts to each class -- very likely the teacher's lecture will closely follow these materials.
4. Bring text and materials to each class, and highlight lecture points. Read along in the text or handouts as the teacher lectures, highlighting points that are mentioned and recording notes (as needed) directly on the handouts and in the text (if allowed). The teacher will lecture on points s/he wants to emphasize. Since you will have read the assigned material beforehand, the lecture will serve as a review. Depending solely on notes taken from the teacher's lecture is unwise, since even a minor distraction or a little daydreaming may result in a loss of important information. Taking this proactive approach to studying will help you become a self-sufficient learner. Your grades then will not suffer if you are out sick or your teacher's teaching style is less than adequate.
5. Review highlighted areas and any notes every couple days. Every couple of days, look over your text/handouts, paying close attention to the highlighted sections. You should have little need to put in more than your average study time before tests, as you will already have learned what you need to know with regular review of the material. If you're lucky enough to get extra credit assignments, do them! That one or two point bonus just might be the difference between a B and an A.

Before long, you will start receiving and expecting top scores since you will have studied all you need to achieve them. And experiencing success in school is a great motivator for excelling in all areas of life.
Other tips to keep in mind ...

• Be consistent -- study at the same time each day in a distraction-free study zone; take a short break each hour to check in with family or have a snack.
• Take a day off from studying every now and then as a reward, when no deadlines loom.
• And, an important lesson I learned, personally and through tutoring ... if you truly want top grades, you need to prioritize your homework. Balance your social/sports activities with your schoolwork to keep your stress level to a minimum and stay on top of your game, in both your activities and your academics.

You will be amazed to find you can actually trim study time using this plan. Good luck ... but you won't need it, because now you've got the skills to succeed!

How to Make the Most of Your ACT Prep Sessions

You've reserved the exam date, you've made room in your schedule for ACT Test Prep tutoring and focused study, and you've arranged your first tutoring session. So that you make the most of your time with the tutor, here are a few tips for a productive experience.

Bring all the recommended materials to each session, including the Real ACT Prep manual, a permitted calculator, and a completed (timed) practice exam (from the manual), as well as a completed (timed) essay. If you have previous exam scores, either from a school practice exam or from an actual ACT exam, by all means, bring them along to document a start point and gauge your progress throughout the program.

Following each session, review recommended ACT content, take online practice sets, complete another practice exam and essay, and review exam errors carefully, which is key to improving your scores.

Your tutor is your guide in effective time management and study planning, and will help you implement study strategies, improve your pacing, and address weak areas in ACT content. The rest is entirely up to you. The tutor has no control over whether or not you follow through with the study plan, implement suggestions for improvement, or stay out late the night before the exam. In other words, your success on the exam rests in your hands.

No matter if a student has scored high or low on a previous exam, or has come to the program with a high or low GPA -- each student has the potential to significantly improve an ACT score. It really boils down to the level of dedication each student brings to, or develops for, the task.

In my 15 years as a tutor, 9 of which have been in ACT Test Prep, I have been privileged to have met so many dedicated students, and am especially in awe of students who have dug deep inside themselves to find the courage and discipline they didn't know was there to make a difference in their futures.
And make no mistake about it -- how you do on the ACT can set the tone for your life for many years to come. I encourage you to make the most of this experience. Whether you have a few months or a few weeks to prepare, make ACT Test Prep a part of your plan!

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GRE Prep Tutoring

As you know if you are tutoring or taking the GRE soon, the format on this exam will be changing on August 1st. I'll be starting a new student this week who plans to take the "old" exam in mid-July. (The later-July exam dates have all filled as students scramble to take this exam version.)

I use the Kaplan GRE Math and Verbal workbooks (image links below) because, as I mentioned previously, students seem to do better with learning content when it's presented in workbook form. These books give lots of practice both by knowledge area (general, algebra, geometry) and also by question type (quantitative comparisons, word problems, and data representation).

I simply take the number of tests in each manual and divide it among the number of weeks I'll be meeting with the student. This way we'll know how much ground we'll need to cover each week in both in-session and home study.

Links to workbooks for the current GRE are found below; workbooks for the New GRE are available as well.

Calculator Dependency Syndrome

Have you noticed students these days have trouble performing simple computations without the use of calculator? Without this basic knowledge, they are handicapped in their performance on standardized tests that require quick computations in a timed environment. Relying on calculators too much, particularly for times-table- or PEMDAS-type problems can result in careless errors.

Sure, a student may be annoyed at having to perform drills to improve math foundational skills. However, specifying a number of sets for the student to complete by the next session and charting progress is a good way to keep the student engaged and positive about the process.

Try this game to make the process a little more fun! http://www.coolmath4kids.com/times-tables/Timernator-multiplication.html
For practice and a better understanding of long division, Snork will help you! http://www.kidsnumbers.com/long-division.php

Even the older kids appreciate a math game to liven up their study time.
For the more traditional drill approach to learning, I also use www.dadsworksheets.com which offers an extensive selection of materials to practice computational knowledge and speed.

1-month ASVAB Tutoring Plan

I'm starting with a new ASVAB student this weekend and have been looking for a chart that shows the conversion of raw scores to scaled scores. The student would like to see how close he is to the score he needs to qualify for the Coast Guard.

We're using the ASVAB Top 50 Skills (image link below). My ACT and SAT students seem to do well with workbook-style learning, particularly those whose reading and math foundational skills are lacking. For the first time, I'm also trying McGraw-Hill's Basic Training for the ASVAB AFQT (image link below) for homework assignments. I have found that most practice exam manuals contain subject content that is too general for most students' needs.

Since this student only has a month to prepare (and 5 hours per week study time), I've opted not to use CliffsNotes Cram Plan (image link below), which has proved successful for my previous students, particularly for a homework plan, which recommends about 12 hours per week of study time (hence, the "cram").

Discussion questions:
1) Have you tutored the entire ASVAB or just the AFQT portion? Any specific challenges with tutoring the non-AFQT portions?
2) As a student, what prep materials have you found most useful, and why?
2) Where have you found a score conversion chart for the ASVAB?
3) What materials have you found to be most useful or, if you've used any of the above, what is your take on it/them?
4) Other?

Would be interested in hearing your experiences with this exam prep, the tutoring of which has certainly gained in popularity for me in recent months.

Tutoring for Business Correspondence

I've just started tutoring a young woman in Business Correspondence. As a non-native English speaker, her main concerns are presenting messages to her colleagues via e-mail, reports, and presentations that are grammatically correct, concise, well-organized, and effective.

Each session begins with a lesson on Business Writing, i.e. how to write concisely, or knowing your audience, or setting the tone, etc. SkillSoft offers two modules on the subject of business writing. Then the student completes exercises from a grammar workbooks to practice targeted skills. Finally, she applies her skills to business correspondence she intends to transmit and/or evaluates correspondence she has already prepared or transmitted.

Questions for discussion:
1) What other learning materials have you used to support the goal of improving business correspondence?
2) How to measure your student's success?
3) What challenges may be unique to ESL students? (Business idioms? We sure use these a lot in my regular job!)
4) Other?

I welcome your comments, questions, and thoughts!

Hey, Tutors & Tutees!

I invite Students, Parents, Teachers, Professional Tutors, Volunteer Tutors, Tutoring Business Owners, and all those interested in making the most of your potential in any of these roles to take a few moments to read through a blog post (or two or three or ...), and leave your questions or comments, if you like.

As a tutoring business owner since 2003 and a professional tutor since 1997, I've learned lots of lessons along the way, not to mention developed strengths that have helped in other life matters.

Stay Tuned and remember to Bookmark this blog for lots of good info on any and all aspects of tutoring. Much more is to come!