I need Help ??

BostonsBaby24

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I have taken the State written test 2x and failed it. i am schedule to retest in sept. but i am so not a book reader.. and having to study is so hard for me with my ADD and with having 3 young kids...

any suggustion on how to pass the test..
 
ABC's
You put your seatbelt on before responding.
Pt assessment.
And you call water rescue instead of jumping in a pool.
MOI/NOI
Scene Safety
BSI

Study your practical skills, because they can be just as easily a written question.
 
1) Find your old quizzes / tests from class. Practice answering those questions. The written exam is less about knowledge and more about test-taking skills. Understand why the answer for each question was the answer.

2) Get a practice question book. I personally prefer the Brady ones, but there are good ones out there. Again, what you're trying to do is practice taking the questions, not gaining additional knowledge (you should already have that).

3) When looking at a multiple-guess question, two answers will always be wrong. Immediately take them out of the equation. From the two remaining, both will probably seem correct. Which one of them is BETTER? Pick that one, and don't overthink the question.

4) Once you've made a decision, DON'T CHANGE IT. Your initial choice is typically the right one.

5) If you see a key word like "not", "except", etc, hold up the index finger of your non-dominant hand and keep it there while answering the question. This will remind you that there was a modifier word in the question. I typically tell my students to circle those words on an exam; that's not going to be an option for a computer-based test.

6) Flash cards. Write 'em out yourself. Find areas you were weak on (it's usually either OB/GYN or Ambulance Operations) and make flash cards. Carry them around. Even with ADD you should be able to look at one or two as you go about your daily business.

7) Seek pharmacological help. Talk to a physician about what's going on - it may be less ADD and more test anxiety. Sometimes a single low-dose (non-refill) scrip of a benzo can be helpful in overcoming this type of acute anxiety. Make sure to try them out ahead of time to make sure you don't fall asleep on the exam computer.
 
1) The written exam is less about knowledge and more about test-taking skills. Understand why the answer for each question was the answer.

Everything lawndartcatcher said is spot on. I can't stress enough the point about test taking skills.

There are a couple of things I would add. If possible get into a study group. Often your members can help fill in the holes. Work at trying to justify or explain your answer to your study group. Don't study more than an hour a day. Relax. Breath. The day before don't touch or think anything EMT related (I know this is hard) rather relax. No alcohol the night before, eat a healthy dinner, get a good nights sleep. The day of the test eat a healthy breakfast and watch the caffeine intake, don't over do the caffeine. Make sure to arrive plenty early to help keep your stress level down. Relax. Right before the test starts take two slow deep breaths. Once you know what the question is asking you can often eliminate two answers.

Good Luck.
 
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