How to Answer Nursing Exam Questions in Nigeria: Tips and Tricks

Professional nursing exams are a critical part of your journey to becoming registered in the nursing field. Whether you’re a nursing student preparing for your Nursing Council exam or a registered nurse advancing your career, answering nursing exam questions effectively is very important.

This article will provide you with some key strategies to approach these exams and answer the questions effectively, including understanding the question, prioritising your time, and critically analysing the situation.

Understand the Question

The first and most crucial step in answering nursing exam questions is to fully comprehend what the question is asking. Read the question carefully, paying attention to any keywords or phrases that may provide clues about what the question is testing. 

Is it asking for a diagnosis, a nursing intervention, or a priority action? Understanding the question’s intent is key to providing the correct answer. However, some questions are not quite direct and so you have to properly understand the intent of the question.

Break Down Complex Questions

Some nursing exam questions may be lengthy and complex, filled with irrelevant information to test your ability to sift through data. To tackle these questions effectively, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. Identify the essential information and what the question is truly asking. 

This method will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and make it easier to arrive at the correct answer. For example, when you come across a question like:

Mr Okon, a thirty year old motorcyclist, was involved in a road traffic accident (RTA) and sustained a fracture of the right tibia.

(a) With the aid of a clearly well-labeled diagram, describe the haversian system of the bone.

There is quite a bit of data in the question above that isn’t really necessary in answering the question, like the age of the subject and the nature of the fracture. The main question is to describe the haversian system of the bone using a well-labeled diagram. 

Other information is only there to create a stage on which the main question is deployed. This method of questioning is common in nursing, so do not be overwhelmed by voluminous questions.

Use Critical Thinking Skills

Nursing exams are designed to assess your critical thinking abilities. Don’t just rely on rote memorization; instead, engage your critical thinking skills. Analyze the situation presented in the question, consider the possible outcomes of each choice, and choose the most appropriate response based on your nursing knowledge and experience. 

One of the best ways of applying critical thinking to your write-up is to always include valid examples. Examples that further analyze the concept, applying it clinically. It also creates an avenue to express your understanding of the concept and its application, thereby impressing your examiner(s).

Read Also: What to Do When You Fail a Nursing Exam

Prioritise Questions By Allotted Marks

Most, if not all nursing questions, are usually allotted marks to be earned if answered correctly, these marks are indicated by the side of each question. When confronted with questions with different marks, the best practice is to spend more time on questions with more reward in marks. 

This should be considered in your time management strategy, which will be discussed soon. One of the most costly mistakes I ever made in my early years as a nursing student was to spend enormous time on questions I knew very well even when they had little marks, which then led to very little time left for questions that actually had huge marks. 

Eventually leading to low scores. So if a question has little marks, say 1 to 3 marks, you shouldn’t spend too much time on such questions like you would on questions with 4 to 6 marks. Certainly, more time should be spent on questions with rewards beyond 8 marks.

Eliminate Incorrect Choices

In multiple-choice questions, use the process of elimination to your advantage. Start by eliminating any obviously incorrect choices. This narrows down your options and increases your chances of selecting the correct answer. Remember, some questions may have multiple correct answers, so choose the best one among the remaining options.

Time Management

Time management is crucial during nursing exams. Allocate a specific amount of time to each question, and stick to your schedule. If you’re unsure about a question, make an educated guess and move on. You can always come back to it later if time allows. 

From my experience personally most theoretical nursing exams are usually in parts; the Multiple choice question and the Theory section. The Multiple choice questions are usually between 60 and 100 questions, while the Theory session usually consists of two or three subsections. All to be answered within a three-hour mark.

The best practice is to divide the time for each session depending on how fast you are able to finish each. For me, I’d allot one hour for the MCQs and one hour each for two theory questions, completing the three-hour allotted time.

Read Also: Success Tips for Nursing Council Exams in Nigeria

Review and Reflect

After completing your nursing exam, take some time to review your answers. Reflect on any questions you found challenging and why you chose a particular answer. This self-assessment can help you identify areas for improvement in your nursing knowledge and test-taking strategies.

Final Thoughts

Succeeding in your nursing exams is all about applying your knowledge strategically. Don’t be afraid to break down complex questions, prioritise based on allotted marks, and use critical thinking to eliminate wrong answers. By following these tips and practising effective test-taking strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to answer any question thrown your way.

Every exam is a learning experience. Follow this approach to set yourself up for success in your nursing career.