Re: ANY suggestions to pass NCLEX?? I am working on my 3rd attempt!
I am no expert by any means, I am wife and mother of many busy kids who was able to pass boards on 1st attempt with 75 questions.
About 3.5 weeks before boards I took all of the ATI assessments( my school purchased these for us) It showed me the content areas I was weak in, I then began using my Saunders disk in those areas ex; neuro. In between using Saunders I used my Davis disk and some of Mosbys. Then after I had taken the Saunders content test on Nuero I would take ATI again and see if my score improved.
In the course of 3 weeks I probably did over 3000+ questions. I took a box of Nclex notecards with me where ever I went. I always kept a Mosby/Saunder/Davis text book in my car at all times. If I was at a kids dentist appointment I was sitting in the lobby reading questions.
When I was at home on the computer I would do 20 question test. I would read all 4 of the rationals, not just the one I chose. I would do 20 question test over and over and over. Once a day I would try and sit still to do a 265 question test. I was not always able to accomplish this, but I tried.
The last week when I felt as if my brain was going to implode on itself I would start my day with a 20 question test, if I scored 80 or above I would take a break that day. If I scored less than 80 I would take another till I got at least 80%
A few days before my big test, I relaxed. I rented mindless chick flicks, I prepared good meals for my family. I cleaned a few closets. I took the dog on long walks.
I knew driving up to take boards that I had done all I possibly could do to prepare and I was still a bit nervous. I remembered what my mental health teacher taught us that we work best in a state of mild anxiety, So I let that feeling work for me not against me.
I also did alot of visualizing before my exam, I almost would chant the #75. I would try and envision a black horizontal line with a red line sloping above it (this being my level of difficulty in the questions I was answering). During the test I took a few mini mental breaks. I would close my eyes and say a quick prayer. If I came across a question I simply had no idea on, I tried to narrow it down to 2 and then just guessed. I tried to logic with myself, if I dont know this question, it must be a hard one, if it is a hard one, it means I am doing well.
I chose not to second guess my self. I went with my 1st gut instinct. I picked an answer and popped it into the question just to make sure it made sense.
I believe the anxiety of Nclex is more challenging than the test itself. You have to believe that you know enough to pass. You made it through nursing school and graduated which in itself is something to be very proud of. The information is there in your head, you just have to relax enough to tap into it.
I truly wish you and everyone else in your shoes the best. Dont let one test stop you on what you want to be. Prepare for Nclex as if it is your full time job. Schedule your day around studying for Nclex.
PLease Help! I would like to hear any suggestions on what helped you pass your NCLEX. I just took the exam for the 2nd time last week... and I failed for the 2nd time
I have always been a good student and this really makes me feel like a failure! I read Saunders from cover to cover and did Kaplan for 1 week before the exam...If anyone has any other plans or suggestions please let me know. I do have test anxiety, and do not know if this plays a role in why I failed. ANY suggestions or words of encouragement would be GREATLY appreciated!
Search Tags
It was also my 2nd time to take the test. Never give up
Nursing News