5.2 Test-Taking Strategies
Key Takeaways
- The NEX scores correct answers only — there is no guessing penalty, so never leave an item blank
- Process of elimination raises a blind guess from 25% to 33% (one eliminated) or 50% (two eliminated)
- Budget roughly 1 min/Verbal item, 1.3 min/Math item, 1 min/Science item; cap any single item at 2 minutes
- Watch negative stems — NOT, EXCEPT, LEAST, INCORRECT — and circle them before answering
- For Math, estimate the answer first to catch decimal and multiply-vs-divide errors
- Read reading-comprehension questions before the passage; answer only from the passage, never outside knowledge
- A basic 4-function calculator is optional on the NEX; bring/enable one and verify your entries
- Flag hard items and return with the remaining time; do not submit a section early
Good technique can add several percentile points to your NEX score without learning any new content — it simply protects the knowledge you already have from clock pressure and careless errors.
The Golden Rule: No Penalty for Guessing
The NEX scores correct answers only; wrong answers are not subtracted. That changes the math of guessing:
- Never leave an item blank — a random guess still gives a 25% chance among four options
- Eliminate one wrong choice and your odds rise to ~33%
- Eliminate two and you are at 50%
With 163 items and 180 total minutes, even a handful of recovered guesses can move your composite percentile.
Process of Elimination (POE)
- Read the stem carefully — identify exactly what is asked
- Read all four choices before committing
- Cross off clearly wrong options — wrong body system, wrong sign, impossible magnitude
- Compare survivors — which is most precise, complete, and supported?
- Pick the BEST answer, not merely a true-sounding one
Time Management by Section
| Section | Items | Time | Pace | Tactic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | 58 | 60 min | ~1.0 min/item | Answer vocabulary fast; bank time for passages |
| Mathematics | 45 | 60 min | ~1.3 min/item | Estimate first; verify calculator entries |
| Science | 60 | 60 min | ~1.0 min/item | Eliminate wrong-system options quickly |
Clock rules: never exceed 2 minutes on one item; check pace at the 15- and 30-minute marks; save the final 5 minutes for flagged items; never submit a section early — re-read instead.
Strategies by Question Type
Multiple choice (single answer): cover the options, answer the stem in your head, then find your answer; if it is absent, use POE. With "All of the above," eliminating any one true statement kills it.
Reading comprehension: read the questions first so you read the passage with purpose; main-idea answers cover the WHOLE passage; detail answers are stated outright; inference answers are logically supported by the text. Use only the passage — never outside facts.
Mathematics: estimate before computing (150 lb ÷ 2.2 ≈ 68 kg, so a 330 result means you multiplied); check units; for word problems extract the numbers and set up the equation; for conversions use dimensional analysis so units cancel.
Science: absolute words ("always," "never," "all," "none") are usually wrong; prefer moderate, accurate statements; use prefix/suffix clues (hepat- = liver, -emia = blood condition); eliminate options from the wrong organ system.
Common Mistakes and How to Stop Them
| Mistake | Impact | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Misreading the stem | Answer a different question | Underline key words; re-read before selecting |
| Missing a negative stem | Pick the opposite of what is asked | Circle NOT, EXCEPT, LEAST, INCORRECT |
| Changing answers on a hunch | Override a correct first instinct | Change only with a specific, articulable reason |
| Stalling on hard items | Run out of time for easy points | Flag and move on after 2 minutes |
| Skipping choices C and D | Miss the BEST answer | Always read all four options |
| Rushing easy items | Careless errors on "gimme" points | Read fully even when confident |
Negative-stem items deserve special care. "Which of the following is NOT true of capillaries?" means three options are true and the correct answer is the false one — the reverse of your reflex.
Worked Time-Budget Example
In the 60-minute Math section (45 items), an even pace is one item every 80 seconds. If you reach item 23 at the 30-minute mark you are exactly on pace. If you are at item 18, you are roughly four items behind — flag the next slow problem and guess to recover the clock, then return at the end.
Managing Test Anxiety
Before the exam: practice box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4); visualize finishing calmly; get 7-9 hours of sleep two nights running; eat protein plus complex carbohydrates.
During the exam: if anxiety spikes, take three slow breaths; tell yourself "I prepared for this"; focus on one item at a time; flag a hard item and return with fresh eyes.
Positive self-talk: "One hard question does not decide my score." "There are easier points ahead." "I know more than I think."
Test-Day Checklist
| Item | When |
|---|---|
| Valid government photo ID matching your registration | Bring |
| Basic 4-function calculator — optional but allowed (charged/working) | Bring |
| Registration/scheduling confirmation | Bring |
| Quiet, private room with reliable webcam, mic, and internet (Proctor360 virtual) | Set up |
| 7-9 hours of sleep | Night before |
| Balanced breakfast | Morning of |
| Log in 15-30 minutes early; close all other apps | Before start |
| Phones and extra screens removed from the room | Before start |
| Box breathing practiced | Before start |
Proctor360 monitors virtual sessions live, so a cluttered desk or a second monitor can trigger a flag — clear the testing area completely before you launch.
On the NLN NEX, if you do not know the answer to a question, you should:
When encountering a reading-comprehension passage on the NEX, you should FIRST:
A Science stem reads "Which of the following is NOT true about capillaries?" The word NOT means you should:
Which of the following are effective time-management strategies during the NEX? (Select all that apply)
Select all that apply
For NEX mathematics items, what should you do BEFORE calculating?