[AlwaysTired]

OK....just wondering....is there anyone out there who took the NCLEX without studying? Seems like I read so many comments that say things like "I got questions about things I hadn't ever seen before" or "even though I studied, I don't know if it helped". If anyone just went and took the test without reviewing I'd like to know how it turned out and if you regret your decision. This is just an informal poll, so please don't anyone jump on me for considering this!

[michelle126]

Well, this was 12 or so years ago. I just did the Kaplan review that everyone else did while in school and got a few books. Nothing hard core Just a few hrs here and there. Not sure how I really passed.

[EricEnfermero]

Moved to the NCLEX Discussion Forum for more responses. Good luck!

[prinzessdy]

My friend reviewed the day before for about an hour and she said that she couldnt even study for it and put the book down. She passed with 75 questions.

We had to take the NLN, ATI, and the Hesi for an exit exam and there was no way to study for them in my opinion. These were things that we should have retained during nursing school. I take my boards Tues. I have reviewed some of the systems that I am not so good at but thats it.

[NREMT-P/RN]

TRUTHFULLY - no, not really.

I did make an attempt to do the NCSBN on-line review, but I just wasn't too into it.

The other "thing" is - it really can really p*** off folks that want to think you did NOT work "as hard" or "suffer as much" for IT.

But, the key is - I have good recall skills - so .... that makes "testing" a lot less stressful.

And, yes, got 75 ? on the NCLEX - the last one was so bizarre - I FINALLY found out what it was in a RARE DISEASE section in a reference book printed in 1982! No kidding. So if you want helpful advice - review the Kaplan "rules" and that may help.

But - to be HONEST. I didn't study too much for the entire Excelsior RN degree - the CEN - or the CCRN (my husband estimates about 2 hours!) but I generally leave that detail out! I just TEST well! Lucky me -

Lots of other parts of my existence are difficult - so maybe it all just balances out!

[traumaRUs]

Well, I gotta admit that I didn't study for the NCLEX-RN. I was in the first group that did computerized testing in 1994. Sorry, but I thought the 75 questions, 20 minutes was a waste of my time. I don't think it tested much at all.

My caveat to this is that I had taken the NCLEX-PN in 1992 and passed it without studying either. Like another poster, I had good recall.

[GoLytely]

I didn't study and passed with 75 questions. I don't really believe there is any way to study for the test, the questions are more critical thinking than cut and dry answers.

[zozzy777]

It's been 11 years, but no, I did not study. Looking back, maybe I should have, but I didn't feel I needed to. I took 75 questions and passed. There were a lot of us who didn't study and passed.

[Born2bRN]

Hi,

I can say that I know people who didn't study. My Nurse Manager didn't study for three weeks before the test, and for the final week, she went on a cruise, came back and took the test the next day. There is also a Nurse I know who was a Lawyer. He went and took the test without studying and Passed.

It just all depends. For me, I didn't pass the NCLEX twice and I studied day and night. Then I went to take the NCLEX-PN exam, so I could at least start working and gaining experience, and I passed. All I did was read the NCLEX-PN strategies book by Saunders. I will be doing the same thing for my third attempt, but I will be doing Suzanne's plan.

It's not about studying so much, and not seeing anything that you studied on the NCLEX, but it's about familiarizing yourself with the material. For example knowing all about Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, or Addison's Disease. Anything can be on that test, but you just have to know what the question is asking. Sorry for rambling on and on.

K

[myscottyslpn]

Originally Posted by AlwaysTired

OK....just wondering....is there anyone out there who took the NCLEX without studying? Seems like I read so many comments that say things like "I got questions about things I hadn't ever seen before" or "even though I studied, I don't know if it helped". If anyone just went and took the test without reviewing I'd like to know how it turned out and if you regret your decision. This is just an informal poll, so please don't anyone jump on me for considering this!

hi,
i didn't study
and after taking it (june 5th)
i'm glad i didn't waste my time
it was all pharmacology
the "select all that apply" format
so educated guesses were impossible
there were several meds that i had not heard of
the only other questions i had were obstetrics
and i definately wouldn't have studied that
since i can't stand it

my test took slightly less than thirty minutes
it cut off at 85
and i did pass

i think it's the luck of the draw
so if you study you have to know everything
i still tend to think that you either know it or you don't