Exam Tips

Click here for WOCNCB's test-taking tips.

There are 120 questions on each specialty exam. One hundred twenty minutes are allowed to complete each specialty exam. You may skip questions and go back and answer them later or change answers. You will be notified about your results before you leave the assessment center. Use time wisely and thoroughly read each question.

1. Schedule and take your exam within 6 months of application approval.
2. Carefully review the content outline in the handbook for each exam you wish to take. This provides the foundation for content that will be presented on the exam.
3. To help build confidence and reduce anxiety, attend a review course, or purchase a Study Pack or Practice Exam.
4. All questions are multiple choice with only one correct answer. There are no questions for which there may be multiple answers and no true-false questions. 
5. In reviewing each question learn how to analyze the question. Each question contains parts:
   • The case (sometimes called the scenario) - the description of the patient and what is happening to him/her.
   • The stem - the part of the question that asks the question.
   • The correct response or best answer
   • Distracters - incorrect but feasible or not the best answers.
6. Each question has key words that relate to the patient, to the problem and to specific aspects of the problem.
7. As you read the answers to the question start eliminating choices. Remember if you make a wild guess you have a 25% chance of getting the answer correct. If you narrow the choices to two you have a 50% chance!
8. If more than one answer seems correct, go back and read the stem again CAREFULLY! Look for key words to tell you the answer.
9. Factors about the patient are very important. Such factors include: age, sex, and health care setting.
10. Whenever a specific time frame is indicated it is very important. Words such as early, late or pre-operative or post-operative influence nursing interventions.
11. Relaxation techniques help to relieve anxiety during the exam. Practice relaxation exercises daily prior to the exam so that they can be applied during the exam if feeling severe anxiety or panic.
12. In final preparation:
    • Bring proper identification to the test center.
    • No alcohol, sedative, etc., the day of the exam or the night before.
    • Relax the night before the exam.
    • Eat breakfast.
    • Leave books at home on the day of the exam.
    • Dress in comfortable layers. The test center may be too hot or too cool.
    • Use relaxation techniques during the exam if necessary.