Nursing Board Exam Tips 06: On Pencil…
Pencil is one of the most important thing you need to consider in passing the Nursing Board Exam with that, I give you these tips:
Number 2 pencil doesn’t necessarily mean its MONGOL. I mean, Mongol is pretty much overrated already. Choose any #2 pencil that you are comfortable with. I personally used #2 green Faber Castel pencil during the actual board exam and #2 black Stabilo during our Nursing Audit.
Never use a new pencil during the actual board. Use a pencil in which you are used to using already. Any brand of pencil will do as long as it is #2. New pencil can affect your shading. Jut sharpen the pencil you have practiced your shading skills with during the board exam. Shading/Technicalities are some of the controversial issues in the board exam.
Use an eraser with the same brand as your pencil. If you are using Faber Castel, use a Faber Castel eraser, Stabilo pencil and Stabilo eraser, Mongol pencil and WHAT??? Well, that is the problem with Mongol. They have no separate eraser, yeah it has an eraser at the tip but it leaves an orange/rd mark to your answer sheet. Plus, it doesn’t erase the pencil mark completely. Don’t be thrifty with the things you use for the Nursing Licensure Exam because its much better to spend than to repeat.
Beware of fake pencils. Make sure you buy your things in a bookstore not just in any vendors. I am pretty much sure that Mongol pencils have imitations an I’ve bought 1. When I used it without even doing any erasures, 7 points have deducted in my score during the review. It’s quite big right? So don’t risk it.
Take care of your answer sheet. Don’t leave any marks on the answer sheet and as much as possible, don’t make any erasures. Answer 1st in your questionnaires. It is not prohibited. When you shade, make sure you are in the right number. Many have troubles when transferring their answers when they have overlooked one number.
Bonus tip: They say bring extra pencil, I say, Bring an extra but use only 1 pencil throughout the whole board exam, just sharpen every time so that your way of shading would still be the same.
Disclaimer: I am not against Mongol. I just had the luxury to experiment with the pencil that I am going to use for the Nursing Licensure Exam because we had multiple exams in our review center provided with pseudo-Nursing Licensure Exam answer sheets that is why I know the difference.
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
thanks for sharing, nice article and good luck on the board exam. always stay fit and healthy
October 25th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Hi. This blog is now one of the nominees for the Filipino Blog of the Week award (week 184). YOu may visit the site and vote. Poll is on the sidebar.
October 25th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
@talksmart- really? thank you so much for the recognition.
October 26th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I say make sure to buy your Mongol pencil from National Bookstore. Ha. I agree with the ‘use only one pencil’ rule. I have grown a certain fondness over the pencil I used during audit and the actual nursing exam. It is now the size of my pinky. But am now a fan of Stabilo’s pencil and eraser set for my IELTS. Lol.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:33 am
@clarisse- haha true for the size of my Stabilo pencil.
I just dont want to plug national bookstore but since you’ve said it. yeah, people should buy there. haha! 
goodluck on your IELTS..:))
November 4th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Marami na pong cases ng Mongol na fake. It’s about time we try new things. Faber-Castell Exam Pencil is the best for me, me sarili siyang eraser and sharpener. 2B ang lead niya and ginawa daw siya for computer use only. Better be sure than sorry.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
try nyo po Faber Castell Exam Pencil w/ eraser and sharpener, #2b dark color maganda sya pangshade lalo n sa exam..
November 5th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
faber exam pncil ang gmit q mind u..it helps..dont forget mag aral nd more on review and pray 2 god……..!!!i hve to congratulate my self nakapasa ko..im certified nurse he he he thnx god!!!!!!!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
talga lng faber castel gmit mo ano numbr ng lead nya?ok ba sya?mag eexam n k dis 28!!kinkbhan nga k eh!!!!!!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
no.2b !relax brod kaya mo yan!!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
thnxs ha!!ano skul mo!?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
tga FEU q, tnxs sa tip mo brod!!!!!
November 8th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
@earn- Yup. No. 2 color green.
Relax and Focus! Good Luck and God Bless!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:30 am
hi dianne tnxz, pero yung nakita sa national bok s2re may nakalagay na for computer- 2b din sya, baka yung sinasabi mo green yung isang klase yun?
November 11th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
@Earn- Hi, i’ve never tried that pero according sa mga nag-comment dito sa blog post na to e maganda din siya so why not try it since it is made for a computer checker:)
November 12th, 2009 at 8:55 am
hi! good day, thanks i will try that….
November 21st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
bumili kc aq ng mongol pencil, one dozen, ung nakabox. pro madaling maputol ung lead, binili ko naman sa bookstore. same siya sa nasa picture na mongol cedarwood sa taas. yan bang mongol pencil picture sa taas ung sinasabi mong fake? i’ll take the NLE dis coming sunday, nov. 28.
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
@john- no, the picture of mongol is not the fake one. Good luck on your board exam.