To those second time NCLEX-RN test takers who were successful...

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hey there RN's. Hoping all is going great with job searching or work if you are already employed. I'm writing to get some advice and feedback regarding preparation for taking NCLEX-RN for the second time. I initially tested on July 22 of this year but was not successful. I started to study again at the end of July and have been studying since 5 days a week doing 100-200 questions per day as well as reading 3 chapters of Saunders Comprehensive Review book. I am using Kaplan Qbank and Qtrainers and also LaCharity book. I scheduled my retake for September 11. I have done the qtrainers and my scores have improved much (Readiness 60%, Q1 60%, Q2 55%, Q3 49% yikes, Q4 82%, Q5 63% and Q6 64%. I will be doing Qtainer 7 in a few days. My Qbank average is 61%. I am not sure how to know when I am ready and if I need to push back my test date. I definitely feel more comfortable and confident with material. How did you know when you were ready? Should I be scoring higher on Qtrainers? Thanks so much in advance. You are all a great encouragement and blessing.

@GoingtobeanRN: So embarrassing!! lol I just realized you asked me if I had La Charity PDA and I said no I have the paperback haha. Yes I do have that book and I'm using it. PDA stands for priority, delegation and assessment. I just figured that out wow. I apologize.

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HI guys,I am on same boat as ya'll. I failed june 2013 and plan to retake it second time on november...

I did self review and I think it wasnt sufficient. for those who did take online review and failed, but think that the online review still did help you, are u going to do online review again? and which review u taking and why? thanks

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Hey! Keep your head up, you are on the right track!! I took my first test at the end of may and just retested yesterday. I did the Pearson trick and looks like I passed (phew). My advice is to learn the disorders/diseases by body system. Go at it thinking broad. Find the things the stick out! Also know meds!!! Just don't change the test date, you're doing plenty!!! Good luck you can do it!!!

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Did your school use ATI? If so I highly recommend redoing all the tests. Use the learning systems tutorials!!!

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Did your school use ATI? If so I highly recommend redoing all the tests. Use the learning systems tutorials!!!

HI there thanks for your posts :) I am an international student and we didnt have ATI, only books. I plan to get an online review because I think we international students are way behind when it comes to test strategies, I am looking for a Lacharity boook because it sounds very helpful from posts i read here. I heard KAPLAN was helpful but a bit pricey.. is it worth it? any suggested reviews esp on strategies?

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I just took my exam this week and I did the pearson trick and I am devasted because it asked me to register. I did the Kaplan review and for the last 2 weeks before taking my test I was scoring above 60%. I don't how to prepare to retake the exam, because I felt ready for the 1st time :(. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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I just took my exam this week and I did the pearson trick and I am devasted because it asked me to register. I did the Kaplan review and for the last 2 weeks before taking my test I was scoring above 60%. I don't how to prepare to retake the exam, because I felt ready for the 1st time :(. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I will retake my exam too. can I ask what package of kaplan did you avail? are you taking kaplan again?

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Hi,

First time I didn't pass I had Kaplan prep integrated into my school program..I did everything they said and was meeting their scores and didn't pass the first time 265 questions in 5.5 hours. It was the worst feeling ever. I was then super motivated and I made sure I would pass the second time and I did with 75 questions in 2 hours in 15 min. This is what I did to study:

1. Kaplan for time management all qbanks, question trainers, sample q banks. Also used their review of questions videos on how to attack questions (not the review of content videos-did that first time around and didnt help me)

2. Used Saunders Comprehensive for a content review of my weak areas and did some questions at the end of the chapters if I was weak in those areas

3. Exam Cram (5 tests) found it online for know it or you don't questions aka content -easy questions

4. Saunders Q and A review- goof for content, practacing SATA, and how to order questions

5. PDA by la Charity for priority questions

In general, I went over wrong and right answers for all tests. I made a document broken up by content sections with notes of what I didn't get right and I looked them up in Saunders Comprehensive and added some details to my notes.

I broke up each week by content area going from largest percentage. ..management of care to psych. I did about 150 questions a day or more when I did tests. I did a total of about 6500 questions and focused on my weak areas. I also had my bf change my FB password until after the exam-seeing my classmates pass and getting jobs didn't help my self-esteem and help me focus.

No matter how much you review, you will never know everything-you just have to use your common sense and judgement when attacking the exam and make sure you take YOUR TIME. I shut off my timer and counter so I could be less anxious and I took breaks (unscheduled and scheduled) when I was getting restless...I went to the bathroom and washed my face w/cold water. I also kept repeating "my name, RN" to myself the day before the test, before I went to bed, and during the test. When I got anxious during the test, I closed my eyes and pictured seeing my name on the BRN website.

I hope this helps. You can do it!!!

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Hi,

First time I didn't pass I had Kaplan prep integrated into my school program..I did everything they said and was meeting their scores and didn't pass the first time 265 questions in 5.5 hours. It was the worst feeling ever. I was then super motivated and I made sure I would pass the second time and I did with 75 questions in 2 hours in 15 min. This is what I did to study:

1. Kaplan for time management all qbanks, question trainers, sample q banks. Also used their review of questions videos on how to attack questions (not the review of content videos-did that first time around and didnt help me)

2. Used Saunders Comprehensive for a content review of my weak areas and did some questions at the end of the chapters if I was weak in those areas

3. Exam Cram (5 tests) found it online for know it or you don't questions aka content -easy questions

4. Saunders Q and A review- goof for content, practacing SATA, and how to order questions

5. PDA by la Charity for priority questions

In general, I went over wrong and right answers for all tests. I made a document broken up by content sections with notes of what I didn't get right and I looked them up in Saunders Comprehensive and added some details to my notes.

I broke up each week by content area going from largest percentage. ..management of care to psych. I did about 150 questions a day or more when I did tests. I did a total of about 6500 questions and focused on my weak areas. I also had my bf change my FB password until after the exam-seeing my classmates pass and getting jobs didn't help my self-esteem and help me focus.

No matter how much you review, you will never know everything-you just have to use your common sense and judgement when attacking the exam and make sure you take YOUR TIME. I shut off my timer and counter so I could be less anxious and I took breaks (unscheduled and scheduled) when I was getting restless...I went to the bathroom and washed my face w/cold water. I also kept repeating "my name, RN" to myself the day before the test, before I went to bed, and during the test. When I got anxious during the test, I closed my eyes and pictured seeing my name on the BRN website.

I hope this helps. You can do it!!!

thanks for your input! and congratulations :) i will be taking mine in december. hope i will pass this time :)

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