My Nclex experience (on a Friday, in MN) and answers to some questions...

First off, I would like to thank everyone who contributes to this thread. Although I don't contribute much to it, I do read it a lot and am thankful for all the advice I got from it.

However, since I could never really find answers to a few of my questions, here is some of the information I wanted to know before/after taking my test:

1) When you get your ATT, schedule a date (they fill up fast!). You are not locked in stone to that day/time - you can reschedule (as long as it's more than 24 hours) - dates/times seem to appear (and disappear) randomly, so check back often.

2) Even though it says to get to your appointment at least 30 minutes early, if your scheduled time is at 8am (which mine was, at Brooklyn Park), no need to get there too early as the doors did not even open until 7:30am (which just meant time sitting in the hallway getting nervous)

3) If your appointment time is later in the day and you want to go earlier, call the testing center. I had a friend who was scheduled for 2pm and she called in the late morning and they told her to "come in whenever", so she was actually able to take it 12:30pm.

4) There is a small locker at the testing center (about 1x1x2) that you can fit a purse or whatever in to. You are not allowed to bring gum, lip balm, food, drink or even a watch in to the testing area (need to leave it all in your locker).

5) Results: I don't know how much I really believe in the "Pearson Vue Trick" that others refer to - but it did prove true for me. I tried it Saturday afternoon and was blocked from entering my credit card info.

6) If you take your test on a Friday, you can pay to find out your "unofficial" results on Sunday after the same time your test was scheduled for (so for me, I could find out after 8am on Sunday). Cost is $8 via the web through Pearson Vue. Just sign in to your Pearson account and it will tell you the "unofficial results are available for purchase". Here in MN we can find out our results for free through the BON website, but they didn't update the official results online until this (Monday) morning (my friend who took it Friday afternoon got her official results first thing this AM too). So that $8 was the best money I ever spent, as it gave me my results a full day early! (and trust me - the waiting is a killer)

And all the results (unofficial and official) were THAT I PASSED!!!!!!*wine

Hope this info helps give a few of you some answers to help make your experience a little smoother. The best advice I can give is to get a good night's rest before you take your test, and take your time answering the questions. Best of luck to all!