Description and comparison of exam wrapper learning strategy use in baccalaureate and associate degree nursing students: A descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Exam wrapper, a structured self-regulated learning strategy, assists students to review study habits and performance on an exam with the goal of improving future study habits. Little is known about the use of this strategy in nursing students, particularly associate degree students.

Objectives: To describe and compare demographic characteristics, study habits, reasons for getting content wrong on an exam and future study plans between associate degree and baccalaureate nursing students.

Design: A cross sectional, descriptive comparative study of exam wrapper use in associate degree and baccalaureate nursing students.

Settings: A medium-sized public university and small private college in the northeastern United States.

Participants: A convenience sample 102 prelicensure baccalaureate (n = 63) and associate degree (n = 39) nursing students. Mean age of 21.9 ± 5.6, GPA of 3.46 ± 0.38, 7% male, 57% commuter students, 75% employed an average of 14 ± 11.4 h per week.

Methods: Data were collected by course faculty during an in-class exam review following a multiple-choice examination. Students completed a demographic form and exam wrapper that assessed pre-exam study habits, reasons for getting items wrong on an exam and future study habits.

Results: Associate degree students had lower GPAs (3.19 vs 3.57, p = .000), were older (27 vs 19.2, p = .000), more often commuted (100% vs 31%, p = .000), were employed (95% vs 65%, p < .001), were more likely to study at home (39.5% vs 13.1%, p = .000) and spent significantly longer on each study activity (p = .000) than baccalaureate students. When comparing reasons for getting a question wrong and intended study habits, baccalaureate and associate degree students did not differ.

Conclusions: Use of the exam wrapper strategy allows nursing students at all levels of prelicensure education to actively reflect upon their learning with the goal of improving future learning.

Keywords: Associate degree; Baccalaureate degree; Exam wrapper; Learning; Metacognition; Nursing students; Self-regulation.