CEN Study Pointers...EXAMS vs TESTS

Recently I have been receiving more frequent emails
asking how I would specifically recommend someone studying for their CEN exam. The answer is as individual as it is long and really no one methodology would be appropriate for everyone. Instead of laboriously typing the same email response to everyone with the similar background information and advice,
I figured I'd put this on a blog and have people refer here instead.

So when someone asks me the best way to begin prep for the CEN exam I like to find out their background and where they're coming from first. Also I try to get a feel for their previous experiences and knowledge level.

One of the first things I recommend to most everyone, is to take an ASSESSMENT EXAM.

Ideally this would be a 150-175 question exam that is identical to the actual CEN exam with regards to breadth of content as well as the same representative percentage of different content areas. This practice EXAM should be done just like the actual testing environment: 150-175 questions, a quiet desk w/o noise or distractions and a 3 hour stop watch.

The prospective examinee would take the practice exam (at one setting), then self grade it and correlate the right answers to the different content areas so they can see which areas they are strong in and weak in.

This information would then be used to do FOCUSED studying. Spending the most time on the weaker areas. I wouldn't recommend neglecting the areas they scored high in, I would still recommend some brief, rapid review of those too - but the point is to spend the MOST time on the WEAKEST areas.

ASSESSMENT EXAMS
As of right now there are a couple of options for this. The more economical (but probably not as quick as you have to order the book) way is to order the "CEN Review Manual" Third Ed. 2004. (The "white" book). In this book there are 5 full sample exams. Each contains the same content and subject distribution as the official exam. The answer key in the back allows you to self-grade your exam and then identify which questions relate to which of the specific content areas. This allows the student to see which areas they were strongest in and weakest. This book is currently available at the following:




ENA Website: $65 Non-ENA members, $50 for ENA members. S/H extra.
Amazon.com: New and Used from $87-$115.

The other option to take an assessment exam is to do it ONLINE. This is probably the quickest way because you can register for the online exam, take it right away, and get it graded for you right away.

The ENA is hosting a 150 "CEN-Like" online exam for $75. You get one "entry" to take the exam online, at home (timed) and experience the same exam like content in a realistic manner (computer/keyboard). The online exam can be found HERE: ENA Online Exam Info.

Pro's & Cons.
"The Book" method:
PROS: Each question complete with rationale, overall cost is very economical (if you don't get scalped), 5 different exams so you can go back and re-test to check your improvement.
CONS: You have to pay and wait for it to get shipped to you.

Online Exam:
PROS: Quick, immediate, nearly like the actual exam (computer/keyboard)
CONS: You get less "exam" for your money

Whichever route you take, the goal is the same; to identify the areas you are weak in so you can hit those hardest.

FOCUSED STUDYING
So now that you've taken at least one sample exam and you know your strengths and weaknesses, now you're ready to start your true test preparation.

Look back at your score results/printout and look at the percent achieved in each content area and rank them from 1 (highest score you got) to 13 (lowest score you got).
What you'll want to do is try to proportion your study time more on the areas you got the lowest score on, but not to completely ignore the other content areas.

You can use many different ways to divide up your focused review time to the necessary topics.

At this time, now the student should invest in a review book that breaks down into systems; preferably one that matches up with the official CEN blueprint and systems. Find a book/guide that also has specific questions at the end of that system content.

A good book for this is:
"Lippincott's Q&A Certification Review: Emergency Nursing".
I call this one the "Red book". Here is the description from Amazon.com:

Product Description

This comprehensive workbook is an indispensable aid for emergency room
nurses preparing for the CEN exam. The book contains over 1,400 questions and answers in an easy-to-use two-column format--questions in the left column, correct answers and rationales in the right. A bound-in CD-ROM contains over 300 additional questions. Coverage encompasses all subject areas in the CEN exam blueprint, and includes 5-tier triage, ECG strips, long-term complications of ED care, disaster management, and recognition and emergency management of chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction. The book includes sample tests with 175 questions, weighted according to the CEN exam blueprint.

You can go through here and work through the sample questions/answers or just test/quiz yourself over and over using that specific content area.

After you've spent at least 1/3 of your total pre-CEN exam study time, consider doing another sample exam to see how your scores compare.
You can get this book from:

Amazon.com : New and Used; $34-$30






Check back often as I'm going to be posting some "pointers" every week or so.!