As graduate school applications come due, seniors hit the books studying for post-grad exams
By Melissa Nip
UP seniors are up to their noses in books and papers, studying for one of the biggest tests of their academic careers.
Whether they are applying to grad school or getting a licensure for a profession, they are sharpening their number two pencils and spending big bucks for the NCLEX, LSAT, MCATS and more. Students have different techniques for studying, some signing up for prep courses while others choosing to study independently.
Education, engineering and nursing students have to take licensure exams in order to practice their professions.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. administers the NCLEX examination, which measures competencies needed to perform as a licensed, entry-level nurse. Nursing students at UP prepare for the NCLEX their senior year and take it just before graduation or soon after.
Many nursing students find that the most helpful resource to study for the exam are the ATI comprehensive tests that they are required to take for various nursing courses. ATI, which stands for Assessment Technologies Institute, is a company that provides tools for nurses to prepare for the exam.
The NCLEX is a five hour multiple choice exam that is taken on the computer using a system called the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). RN candidates are required to answer a minimum of 75 questions, and from this the computer will assess their level of competency. A few areas that the NCLEX covers includes: health promotion and maintenance, safe care environment, psychosocial integrity and physiological integrity.
"The ATI tests are supposed to prepare you," Jamie Sharp, a senior nursing student, said. "They have a similar style and format as the NCLEX."
The ATI company provides a variety of resources for nursing students to prepare for the NCLEX: personalized online review, comprehensive assessments and books with practice test questions. Although the ATI tests are a helpful component to reviewing for the exam, nursing students find that their classes and clinical experiences are also beneficial.
"Once we go through all of our courses, we will have a better foundation," Sharp said.
There are many other resources to study for the NCLEX, such as online assessments or study guide books sold in stores.
"I'll probably get some NCLEX study books," Molly Kahn, a senior nursing student, said.
Engineering and education students also have to take tests post graduation in order to obtain their licensure. Mechanical, civil and electrical engineering majors are required to take a licensure exam known as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. This exam has two four-hour sections: the first section tests general mathematics and physics knowledge, while the second is more specialized and focuses on the student's area of study.
The teaching licensure procedures vary among states. For Oregon, students have to take Praxis I, which measures basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Praxis II, which measures knowledge of specific subjects is required for teaching high school.
Seniors that have a major in the College of Arts and Sciences may plan on applying to graduate school. Seniors such as Kyle Irwin and Chris Housen are biology majors and have recently taken their MCAT exams.
Irwin took a Kaplan test prep course with three other UP students at the downtown Portland Galleria building. They carpooled downtown together.
"I enjoyed the personal interaction," Irwin said.
There were two class that lasted three hours every week for 12 weeks with 12 students. Irwin thinks the value of a prep course depends on what kind of student you are.
"It was nice and had guidance and structure," Irwin said. "But it's not like you can't do it on your own."
Irwin took the test in June and received his results one and a half weeks later. He's satisfied with his results and is applying to medical schools.
Irwin believes the prep course was beneficial because his MCAT score was higher than his score from his initial diagnostic test. He took about eight practice tests throughout the course that were similar to the format and style of the MCAT.
For some students, the cost of the prep courses discourages them from signing up.
According to Irwin, the cost of the prep course was not significantly higher than a three-credit class at UP.
Although he thought the course was beneficial and enjoyed the connections he made with other students, he still had to do a lot of studying on his own.
For other students, such as Chris Housen, a senior biology major, independent studying is preferred.
Housen used study books such as "Exam Crackers" and took full length practice tests to prepare for the MCAT.
He studied on and off for five months and then did a month of hard-core studying before taking the test in July.
He said that the knowledge that he acquired from his biology courses also helped him prepare for the MCAT.
"You should take the test right after you have completed your courses, so that the information is still fresh in your mind," Housen said.
The test has three different components: physical science, which consists of physics and chemistry subjects, English comprehension and natural sciences such as biology and organic chemistry.
Housen said that he wasn't as prepared for the English component as he could have been.
"Science majors don't pay attention to the English component," Housen said. "It was definitely the hardest part for me."
Although intelligence plays a great role in test taking, knowing the format and style of the test is essential.
"Strategy is involved as well as intelligence," Housen said.
Amanda Bolint, a senior organizational communication major, studied for the LSAT by buying the 2008 Kaplan study books that provided an endurance set and sample test questions.
She also thought her writing intensive courses at UP helped improve her vocabulary and argumentative writing skills. In addition, her Philosophy 101 class helped her prepare for the logic component of the test.
"My Philosophy 101 class focused a lot on logical fallacies which was really beneficial," Bolint said.
Riley Bushue, a senior history major, also did a lot of independent studying with LSAT prep tests.
He took the test in September and felt like he was prepared. Bushue's advice to other students about to take exams is to learn how to relax. Getting flustered and stressed over tests doesn't do the person any good and is counterproductive, he said.
"I am a firm believer in not overstressing yourself," Bushue said. "It will only hurt you in the long run."
