are you taking practice NCLEX tests right now?

ZanatuBelmont · Apr 19, 2009

I graduate in less than 2mo, and just pulled out my Saunders practice book/CD and I'm really, really discouraged about how badly I'm doing on them. I have some of the best grades in my class, but I'm getting about 55-65% on these tests We're behind schedule on our ATI tests, but I did pass the first one we took and I feel like I have a good grasp on the material, but OMG how am I ever going to pass the NCLEX??? All we have left to cover material wise is our specialties, so I would think that I'd be doing better than this. How are you guys preparing yourselves for the NCLEX? I have to pass on the first attempt because I supposed to start RN school just a month after graduation

Don't freak out, some former students have suggested reviewing 10-20 questions per day, then right after graduation, identify your weaknesses and spend an entire week, at least six hours per day, going over those. Then devote two days to your strengths, and take the test. I've also been told a lot of the board questions are common sense if you just think about it using the nursing process: priority, priority, priority.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2009

I feel the same. I've been out of school for a couple of months now and I've been reviewing and I've been scoring the same....Maybe people who've already taken the NCLEX-PN can give us some insight...I don't have 6 hours a day to spare on this....I have family and work also to think about...I know going to nursing school was hard and also studying was hard...but now that I'm out it seems like I have more responsibility and family keeps putting more stuff on me to do since I'm out of school...it's hard, but I've been studying a couple of hours a day....Good Luck to all!

picurn10 · Apr 20, 2009

well, see, that's the problem: after graduation I have 120 "leadership" clinical hours to complete, a nursing transitions course, either test out or take "dosage calc. for nurses" and somehow squeeze in a nutrition class in order to be ready to start RN. I really don't have 6hr/day any day to work on it.

I do think I'm going to just keep working with the cd and my practice ATI's to "master it" as much as possible, but I just don't know if I'm going to get to where I need to be. The really frustrating part is that many of the questions are on systems we've covered, but we never discussed whole topics! It will be a surgery I've never heard of, or a med I've never seen, so then I can't use critical thinking to narrow it down. Yikes!

cna2lpn80 · Apr 20, 2009

at school we are required to do practice nclex test every class, and turn them in for a grade, and get at least an 80% on them.

and before our last class which is our preceptorship, we have to do an nclex comprehensive exam, and get at least an 80% before starting our preceptorship.

and we also have to do eri testing and pass that every class also, so i think that will prepare students well to do good on actual nclex exam.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Apr 20, 2009

I've been doing practice nclex questions since before starting nursing school ! My goal is to be able to take my NCLEX within 2 weeks of pinning. Love my nclex questions

KIMYNURSE2B · Apr 22, 2009

I do questions all the time

Dani3176 · Apr 25, 2009

We have the NCLEX practice book and cd, probably the same one you have. Our school makes it a requirement to take these tests to prepare us. Every single monday we have to turn in a set amount of questions we answered with our score for homework. 1st semester it was 100 a week with a score of 65 per week. This semester it has been 250 a week with a score of 75 or better. Our final semester we have to turn in 350 a week with a score of 85 or better!! It stinks...very much. It's very time consuming. I hate it with a passion...but it does help tremendously. But don't just answer them...read the rationale behind each and every one of them...know why that is the best answer and what they based it on. I'm not saying do this many like we do or else...but I am saying it makes a world of difference.

picurn10 · Apr 26, 2009

See, they just sprung on us that we have to turn in 10 practice tests at 90% by graduation in order for them to release our transcripts :angryfire It's one thing if they are going to have that requirement, but this is in addition to the 8 ATI's we're taking, and they JUST told us. We're about 8wks from graduation, and had I known we had to get 90% on them, I would have started these months ago. The director knew she was requiring this since last year, because by her own admission this is the reason that so many people from last years class still haven't taken boards :uhoh3: I am just annoyed because if they were trying to help us pass they would have let us know sooner, but it just appears they are trying to CYA's because if you can get 90% on the practices I'm sure you can pass, but I think that 90% is going to prevent quite a few of my classmates from even being able to sit for boards :madface: That or everyone will just cheat since they are done at home, kwim? :icon_roll

So now that you've been practicing for awhile, what are the scores you're getting if you don't mind my asking? I'm just wondering if it's doable to go from 50-60% up to 90% in the next 6 wks :bugeyes:

Dani3176 · Apr 27, 2009

Depends on if it's something we've gone over in class yet. If we have then yeah 90% plus...if not then around 76% give or take. I agree though they should have started sooner! Our school likes springing off the wall bull at us at the last minute too. Just look at it as you've made it this far and this is one last hurdle! It is kind of time consuming that's my main gripe..but I do think it helps especially if you read the rationales. Yeah, I'm sure too a lot of people will cheat. I don't know how I feel about that but kids in my class do it too and sometimes they almost force you into it when you know you have to get stuff done but don't know how in the world it will happen. But, I promise you will learn better if you answer them and look over rationales. I hope this helps some...I definetly understand.

AHinch1988 · Apr 28, 2009

Before school starts for me on July 27th, I plan on buying NCLEX-PN Made Incredibly Easy with Questions & Answers. The practice tests should work well for me. A few days ago, I was going through NCLEX-RN Made Incredibly Easy with Questions & Answers, and surprisingly, I got most of the answers from the practice tests right, lol. So I will give NCLEX-PN a try, at least until I get my other NCLEX book in July. It may not be for everyone, but it works for me, so try it.

dblpn · Apr 30, 2009

i've done only the questions from the back of a chapter after i've read it. i'm waiting on my nclex pn and hesi books to come so i can start doing those. it was recommended by the faculty at my school.