ENGLISH EXAM HELPFUL TIPS
Passing our NCLEX sure made our career life much easier. Here comes the easy part (easy huh?! let's see...) Some nurses prefer to take their english exam prior to NCLEX while most of them do the other way around. Anyway, I took my test a month after passing my NCLEX. I even went to a review center because my english skills was quite rusty, I suppose. Its really an advantage to attend in an english lecture because there are strategies that we should know about in listening, reading, writing and speaking modules. If you are an above-average on your skills and believe you can pull it off, think again. It might also be a good idea to know more pointers.. Reality speaking, there are cases that nurses have some trouble in this type of test. Unlike NCLEX, there are no subjects/topics that we should memorize or study. Instead, just our basic skills of communication on these four modules.
Listening
This is the first task. Examinees will listen to a certain conversation over the speaker with their question booklet on hand. Before it begins, you will be given time to scan these items to give you some ideas or details of the conversation. Here are some tips:
a) Prior to your exam date, immerse yourself to some english movies, radios or even an international news channel (preferably British-made). It will familiarize you the way they talk and pronouns certain words because of their accent, moreover, their use of words that were not commonly heard in our country.
b) Increase your knowledge on both synonyms and antonyms (a pocket Thesaurus will do) because there are certain words that you need to know based on the content of the conversation.
c) After you scan the questions on the booklet, try to listen attentively to the conversation. Always follow the instructions. The words that you are expecting may not be the obvious answer, so watch out. However,understand what they are trying to say.
d) The conversation doesnt skip on other items that needs to be answered, just make sure you follow their lead. It is likely to be in a chronological order. If you miss it, answer the next item (who knows, it may give you an idea of what the 1st item was).
e) If a map was showed, analyze their direction, their starting point and their destination. You can mark the streets, bulidings, rooms or even sections for a better visualization of the map showed - as long as you follow what they are saying. But be aware its a bit tricky.
f) Be cautious on symbols and monetary signs. Never combine the written word with the same symbol (like $20 of 20 dollars, but not $20 dollars). Same with calendar dates, for instance 12th September, is better.
g) With regards to a lecture conversation, understand each question on the booklet, don't bother to read the choices, just listen and concentrate on the written questions.
h) During the test, you can write your answers on your booklet to refrain from erasures. You will be given the time to transfer them to your answer sheet.
i) Try to practice on both loud and not-so-loud sounds of your TV, radio, or mp3 player. This will enhance your attentiveness.
j) Lastly, check your ears. Do an assestment and always make sure that its clean and clear from any obstruction (catch my drift?hehehe).
Reading
The second task. Basically, its almost the same with listening. However, the only difference is that if you can't understand the question or have to look for the answer, you can always go back to the article, unlike listening. Mind you, its time limited. Here are some strategies to add to your reading skills:
a) Practice reading a lot. It will increase you speed reading and you capacity to understand the content. It also boost you vocabulary, as a matter of fact. Books, magazines, newspapers, clips and articles are very helpful.
b) During the exam, in the given article, always look for the main idea or flagship of each paragraph. You can mark the significant sentence which describes the whole paragraph.
c) Another style is, look first at the questions and dont waste your time reading the whole article since its time consuming. For instance, the 1st question item is likely to be found on the 1st or 2nd paragraph, while the 2nd one is likely on the 3rd or 4th ones, and so on...Although it depends on what the information is, to know the right answer.
d) Make note of the number of words that you use on the answer sheet. If it says - Maximum of 2 words, follow it. Follow instructions very carefully.
e) In TRUE-FALSE-NOT GIVEN. Understand what is the meaning of that certain question and confirm it by reading the information on the article. Remember - FALSE means that it is the inverted truth. It has the same logic but not in contrast with the article. NOT GIVEN means that the information given was not found in the article or its like modifying the content but when you analyze it, its not IN there. Hey! look out if it should be answered by YES-NO-NOT GIVEN too.
f) Always follow instructions on what to answer.. Is it to be answered by a letter, words, symbols or number?
g) The answers are in the article given. You just have to know where to find it.
Writing
Sadly, some of us have a difficult way of constructing a simple sentence, using the right punctuation marks, proper tenses, and the idea of what we want to write. A classic example is the patient's chart. Nursing process, yes, its true we can do our ADPIE, but how about our Nurses notes, incident report, and even our letter of application for our target employers?
This module has two tasks on a limited time of 60 minutes. Task 1 compose of diagrams like pie chart, bar and line graph, maps, statistics or survey results. Minimum words- 150. In task 2, usually opinions on a certain topic, controversial aspects, agree or disagree, or moral beliefs. Minimum words - 250.
a) Practice writing legibly, should be clean and smooth. Sometimes as we use our pencils, it tends to lose its sharpness. So make sure that your loops and markings are still the same from the moment you start writing.
b) In order to know your number of words used, try counting the lines that you occupied in the answer sheet and multiply it by 10. That's a rough estimate which is more effective than counting each words because its time wasting.
c) When constructing a paragraph, you should leave one line between them before starting a new one. In addition, use appropriate marks too but don't use parenthesis.
d) Check your spelling and avoid erasures if possible.
e) In task 1, always make an introduction to your writing. Like- "The diagram presents the amount of..." You may use some of the title question.
f) Do not use words twice when describing. A vast knowledge of synonyms and antonyms are an advantage (Thesaurus again). Explain the details in a chronological order and choose the items that are significant to discuss, i.e. "among the survey, group A has the most... while on the other hand, group E has the least..."
g) Before closing your piece, you can summarize based on the facts given and never write your opinions.
h) In task 2, formulate your ideas on how to explain and elaborate. You may use your question booklet for a draft, but still, be aware of the time.
i) Make it simple and direct to the point. If it needs some enlightenment or adjustment, do it. But dont try to go in circles and redundancy.
j) You may use suggestions or future actions depending on which topic you were asked. As long as it is realistic and balanced.
k) When its about pros and cons, you may discuss both sides first, then which one you favor most is the next.
l) In elaborating, make sure that it is connected and does not skip to a new topic.
m) Be aware of the time, neatness and content.
Speaking
Truthfully, we don't always use our english-speaking abilities in our country unless we have a foreign patient. There may be times that we get tongue-tied because we can't say what we want especially if its in another language. Most nurses prefer to your abroad for greener pastures but there's a catch, though. We should have the ability to communicate with our clients. Well, it may take awhile before we can muster it.
Speaking module has three tasks. First, the proctor may ask you about your background, culture, and goals (but never religion, since its a bit controversial). Second, you'll be choosing a task card from where the questions wil be based (sometimes they actually give you the card that they have chosen already, hehehe). You have two minutes to discuss it. Third, a follow-up question related from task card. It really depends on the proctor what they want to ask about (just be ready not get a "nosebleed" huh)
a) Always pratice speaking. You can talk to your friends, relatives, foreign acquaintances, and even to your pet (although they cant answer back, hehehe), or you may try talking in front of a mirror.
b) Use appropirate words and refrain from repeating the same type of words. This module will test your vocabulary skills (help me, Thesaurus!).
c) Exposed yourself to an english-speaking environment such as international talk shows, news and movies.
d) Wear the proper dress code, just like in a job interview. First impression also counts. Don't wear any kinky or "overkill" seductive outfit. For men, cut some unwanted hair and shave those "rebel-look" moustache and chin hairs. Avoid the "outlook" of showing your ghetto, the fad, in-stuff, or any other image-famous get ups that will somehow look ridiculous in an interview like this. No heavy make-ups and strong perfume too. Be simple and professional.
e) Check your breath. Its annoying if your proctor would smell what you ate last night.
f) Respond to what is asked and elaborate if needed, don't make it a hanging answer. Never answer in phrases but in a sentence.
g) Eye contact is important. Avoid looking around the room while talking or even staring from the proctor's lips downward to their chest. No candies or gums either. Don't fidget your hands, just relax and try not to get distracted. Focus on the person in front.
h) If you can't understand what was asked, you may politely request to repeat it (but not all the time, they might think you have a hearing problem, heheheh).
i) Its alright to call your proctor their first name.
j) In task 2, concnetrate on the main question and try to answer the 4 W's (what, when, where, why) in your head as you start.
k) Be spontaneous when talking. Don't fabricate your answers.
l) Prior to your speaking schedule, read some topics about your favorite things (names, pets, gadgets, persons), current news (disasters, nature, war, politics), your city (history, population, local community, important places), and famous people ( presidents, heroes, olympiads, inventors). You should have an opinion and views about almost everything.
m) Lastly, even if anxiety bothers you, show your self-confidence.
I dont believe in the saying that "Practice makes perfect" because nobody's perfect, hehehehe. Instead, I believe that practice makes improvement. The 4 modules in the english exam needs a lot of practice from you. Torture yourself to these practice tests and definitely you'll improve, with or without a review center. Goodluck to you, fellow nurse, break a leg!
Note: This is a story of “someone” who with all humility requested not to post his name as author of this article. The author wants this article be posted to serve as an inspiration to everyone. To the author: We congratulate you for passing the IELTS and more than that, we congratulate you for the Inspiration and for the heart of service. You really are Making a Difference.
