I took the NCLEX for the second time on Nov 6th and I figured I would share my experience/ journey since I have not seen many people who had the same experience and hopefully give hope to people in a similar situation.
The first time I took the NCLEX was on Sept 17th, 2020. Leading up to the exam I used UWorld and Kaplan but I just answered a lot of questions thinking that would be enough. The day of my exam I was super nervous and anxious because I usually don't test well. I ended up answering all 130 questions (Covid test), and came out feeling horrible. I tried the Pearson vue trick and got the "bad pop up". A few days later, I found out I had failed. I was super discouraged and disappointed because I had a job lined up and had to tell them I did not pass. After a day of sulking, I picked myself back up, re-registered to take the exam, made a new study plan and waited the 45 days to retake the exam.
Leading up to the second exam, I used UWorld once again but this time I purchased the 60 day access with one self assessment. I focused on my weaker areas and studied the content before taking a 50 question quiz on UWorld. I aimed to score at least a 60% on each quiz and would keep taking quizzes until I reached that goal. It usually only took me one try which I think is because I studied the content before hand. I would also remediate the questions as I went. Before taking the second exam I had about 900 questions left on the UWorld Q Bank and was in the 86th percentile. I took the self assessment a week before the exam and got a 56% which told me I had a borderline chance of passing. However, I started to rush towards the end because I was running out of time and didn't realize questions that weren't answered would be omitted so that may have effected the results.
I sat for the NCLEX for the second time on Nov 6th 2020 and was super confident and not as nervous this time. I honestly thought I was going to pass at 75 questions but the test kept going. I ended up answering all 140 questions (COVID test) once again and my last question was a SATA question. Also, the last 10 questions were priority and what felt like harder level questions. After the exam, I honestly felt like I failed again and was super frustrated because it felt like a repeat of the first exam. I didn't have the heart to do the Pearson vue trick so I waited the 48 hrs to see the results. Once I saw that I could purchase the quick results it took me a good 30 minutes to look at them but when I finally did I found out I PASSED!! I couldn't believe it but it was the best feeling and a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
I have seen a lot of people say not to read too much into how many questions you answered or what types of questions you get and I would have to agree with them. However, I will say looking back, the first exam I didn't get as many SATA or priority questions as the second exam and for the first exam the last 10 questions were pretty easy so I assume they weren't all passing level questions. If your last question is a SATA question, I'm not saying you passed because not all SATA questions are passing level but I would be hopeful.
I hope this helps even one person because I scoured the internet trying to find someone who had a similar experience and couldn't find anyone. Just remember that everyone's experience is different so keep working hard and you will get there!!
Hi! I’m sorry to hear things didn’t go well your first go but don’t worry! The NCLEX is HARD!! Many people fail their first time. My advice would be to make a study plan and study your weaker areas FIRST!! I actually found it easier to study after I failed the first time because I knew what I needed to work on. If you’re not sure what your weaker areas are before you get your results in the mail, look on UWorld for that category breakdown and even reflect on your NCLEX. Did you get a lot of the same topic? If so it might be a weak area for you. For example, I remember getting a lot of Pharm and GI questions my first attempt. I also did not score well on these areas on UWorld either so I took these as two of my weaker areas and studied these FIRST!
Also, don’t be afraid to go back into your nursing school notes! If it’s an area you know you struggle on, study and understand the content first before using UWorld, this helped me A LOT! I think my biggest mistake the first attempt was only using UWorld to study. UWorld is wonderful don’t get me wrong, but I also think it shouldn’t be your main source of studying. It should be used to practice applying the content you already know and to practice using testing strategies. I would not worry about your UWorld scores however, remediating the questions whether their right or wrong is the most important part.
Sorry for the long answer but I hope this helps! Feel free to reach back out with any other questions!! And goodluck studying!
Hi! I’m sorry to hear things didn’t go well your first go but don’t worry! The NCLEX is HARD!! Many people fail their first time. My advice would be to make a study plan and study your weaker areas FIRST!! I actually found it easier to study after I failed the first time because I knew what I needed to work on. If you’re not sure what your weaker areas are before you get your results in the mail, look on UWorld for that category breakdown and even reflect on your NCLEX. Did you get a lot of the same topic? If so it might be a weak area for you. For example, I remember getting a lot of Pharm and GI questions my first attempt. I also did not score well on these areas on UWorld either so I took these as two of my weaker areas and studied these FIRST!
Also, don’t be afraid to go back into your nursing school notes! If it’s an area you know you struggle on, study and understand the content first before using UWorld, this helped me A LOT! I think my biggest mistake the first attempt was only using UWorld to study. UWorld is wonderful don’t get me wrong, but I also think it shouldn’t be your main source of studying. It should be used to practice applying the content you already know and to practice using testing strategies. I would not worry about your UWorld scores however, remediating the questions whether their right or wrong is the most important part.
Sorry for the long answer but I hope this helps! Feel free to reach back out with any other questions!! And goodluck studying!
Thank you for your comment.
I started going back to the content materials that I did not understand previously. Then, I will use UWorld to practice.
I'm so sorry, but when I read this and see that the max number of questions today is 140, all I can do is sit and laugh. What would the anxiety levels be if today's nurses had to take the NCLEX of yesterday that I had to. My NCLEX was a full 2 days, from 8-12, an hour break for lunch, and back again from 1-5. There were no computers, we had pencils, bubble sheets and sealed question packets that were numbered. We had to travel to the testing locations if there wasn't one close to us. Results- we got our results by US Mail in about 8-12 weeks. At 6 weeks we were driving our mailpersons crazy, and stalking the mailbox waiting for them to see if the results had come. Talk about torture.
I'm so sorry, but when I read this and see that the max number of questions today is 140, all I can do is sit and laugh. What would the anxiety levels be if today's nurses had to take the NCLEX of yesterday that I had to. My NCLEX was a full 2 days, from 8-12, an hour break for lunch, and back again from 1-5. There were no computers, we had pencils, bubble sheets and sealed question packets that were numbered. We had to travel to the testing locations if there wasn't one close to us. Results- we got our results by US Mail in about 8-12 weeks. At 6 weeks we were driving our mailpersons crazy, and stalking the mailbox waiting for them to see if the results had come. Talk about torture.
My LPN NCLEX was a full day of exactly what you described. We sat in an auditorium at tables that were lined on both sides with folding chairs from one end of the auditorium to the other. Proctors paced the aisles in between the rows. Those were the days...
I did my NCLEX RN yesterday. My exam was scheduled for 1 p.m. and I was done at about 5 p.m. I noticed I was the second to last person left in the room. I did 145 questions and I did not take any breaks. I tried the Pearson trick but it says my results are on hold. I started feeling really gloomy and defeated. I started doing research on what it meant by ‘results on hold’. I also reached out to Pearson online chat customer service. I was told nothing is required of me and I should wait 48 hours. The only thing I can think of was the situation where the lady who escorted me into the room, made a little error when signing me to take my exam. She clicked on my name but she thought it was someone else and force shut down the computer. She then move on to the other computer and it would not allow her to continue to check me in. She went back to the first computer but it was doing updates. I had to wait back outside. After checking in two people she escorted me back inside the exam room and was able to check me into the first computer. I tried to remain calm and proceed with the exam. When I saw that I had to do 146 questions I tried to remain calm. I took some deep breaths and continue with questions. Those questions were very challenging. I think I did OK but I am still so anxious and stressed. I am a spiritual person so I keep praying to God that I pass. I have two little ones and one on the way (my husband and I just found out). I have sacrificed so much and I just do not want that to go down the drain. I even have a job prospect. None of my class mates have had any experience as mine. So I am so stressed out.
Rose Smith, BSN, RN
8 Posts
Hi! I’m sorry to hear things didn’t go well your first go but don’t worry! The NCLEX is HARD!! Many people fail their first time. My advice would be to make a study plan and study your weaker areas FIRST!! I actually found it easier to study after I failed the first time because I knew what I needed to work on. If you’re not sure what your weaker areas are before you get your results in the mail, look on UWorld for that category breakdown and even reflect on your NCLEX. Did you get a lot of the same topic? If so it might be a weak area for you. For example, I remember getting a lot of Pharm and GI questions my first attempt. I also did not score well on these areas on UWorld either so I took these as two of my weaker areas and studied these FIRST!
Also, don’t be afraid to go back into your nursing school notes! If it’s an area you know you struggle on, study and understand the content first before using UWorld, this helped me A LOT! I think my biggest mistake the first attempt was only using UWorld to study. UWorld is wonderful don’t get me wrong, but I also think it shouldn’t be your main source of studying. It should be used to practice applying the content you already know and to practice using testing strategies. I would not worry about your UWorld scores however, remediating the questions whether their right or wrong is the most important part.
Sorry for the long answer but I hope this helps! Feel free to reach back out with any other questions!! And goodluck studying!