How do you slow down?

Ill be taking the NREMT in a few weeks. I have been working through a number of test prep materials and am consistently scoring in the 90-92% range of questions answered correctly. When I go back and review what I got wrong it is almost exclusively errors of me reading the questions too quickly. I know the materials inside and out, for almost all areas. I'm going to keep studying the stuff I don't feel comfortable being able to answer in my sleep but I could really use some test taking guidance. I know there are all sorts of tips and tricks online, but what I really need is for others who are fast readers, especially when confident with the materials, to share with me how they became more effective at slowing down.

I KNOW in my head to read slower, re-read, etc. Just wondering if there are any other ways to approach it.

Sometimes I feel like my eyes see what they want to see, no matter how many times I read the question. I realize the test measures minimal competency and I should likely be fine even misreading some but if I happen to be lucky enough to get *all* the questions that I am prone to misreading then I could very well fail for poor test taking, rather than poor knowledge base. Any help appreciated

I don't. I'm a very fast reader and test taker. If I slow down, I start questioning myself and am more likely to convince myself out of a right answer. If you know the material as well as you say you do (I'm not questioning this), then you should be fine.

STXmedic said:

If I slow down, I start questioning myself and am more likely to convince myself out of a right answer..

Click to expand...

And that is my biggest fear. Thanks for your input, maybe I am concerned about it for nothing.

I'm in the opposite camp from STXmedic. It depends a lot on the test, but I prefer to read carefully and meticulously when possible. I don't think you should consciously try to slow yourself down... Just try to be more careful. Re-read and make sure you're understanding everything, and not making any stupid mistakes.

If you are consistently scoring >90% I really wouldn't worry about it. No one will care if you get 100% on the NREMT. It's more important that you understand the material, and if you understand why you chose the wrong answer, and why the right answer was correct, then don't worry about your score. I have the same problem that sometimes I read the question wrong, but if I understand the error upon reviewing, and I am confident that if I had read the question correctly I would have known the right answer, then I move on.

What I do to slow down actually pretty simple. I read the question and ask myself what the question is really asking. Then I read the answers. Then keeping in mind the answers, I re-read the question specifically looking for any key words or phrases that might point out the answer/make the answer obvious. Then I answer the question and move on. Unless I'm hugely convinced that my answer is wrong, I do NOT change the answer that I selected.

I'm usually a VERY fast test taker and like many speedy people, I've been known to misread a few questions. This slows me down to about 75% of my normal speed and ensures that I'm looking at the question to be certain that I didn't misread it. I've caught a few misreads using this method.

Having a good & solid understanding of the material makes the testing process much easier because you're answering questions from your knowledge base instead of guessing. That also means that you should do just fine no matter what style question the computer throws at you.

I usually read the question and than think what the answer is before I actually look at the answers. Than look at what my options are for answers. If I see the answer I pick that, but if I see two answers that the answer could be, I re read the question and than pick the best answer. Now Remember the NREMT loves BSI-Scene Safety-Airway-Breathing-Ciculation-BLS Care-ALS Care in that order. So if there is an answer regarding scene safety that is 99.999% your correct answer. Of if there is 3 ALS answers and 1 answer says Apply Oxygen, once again 9/10 it is the apply oxygen is the correct answer. The three times I have taken the NREMT test between Basic, the new EMT, and my Paramedic, I answered questions in that order, I passed first time, all with a low total number of questions.

Just remember that your first answer is normally the correct one, dont try and second guess yourself.

If it's truly an issue where you are reading to fast an then clicking the wrong answer or missing a not, you might go back through the test at the end again. I read the questions backwards as in I look at what my answer is and think "this is the answer to what sort of question?" If it makes sense, I move on. This keeps me from changing my answer because I am doubting myself (which is something you should ideally not be doing).