Anyone passed the 2nd time?

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I am preparing for my second attempt and I would like to know how you studied? Please share your thoughts and suggestions to pass the 2nd time around.

I already have the Saunders 4th edition and planning on buying more books to help me prepare. I used Kaplan but it didn't really help me.

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Hello, i myself am a 2nd time test taker. My first attempt i only had 75 quest and did not pass. Second time i ran out of time and stopped at 245 quest and passed. So believe me you can pass 2nd time no matter what. What i used to study was the hurst review. It is a live lecture or if they do not come to your state you can take it on-line. It was extremely helpful. What she does is go over almost everything you need and should know, but in a very informative, creative way. About 90% of my nclex exam was material i studied while doing the hurst review. Of course i did not remember every single bit of it, but i studied my butt off and took the time to learn the material instead of memorizing it. Now others may think differently b/c different strokes for different folks but the hurst review absolutely worked for me. But like i said you HAVE to learn the material and not just memorize it. I think that was my problem the 1st time i took nclex, i did not learn it like i should have. So instead of giving up on hurst i studied 10X harder and learned the material. You can go to hurstreview.com for more info if you don't know about it and are interested. Also in my opinion i think it's best to try and stick with 1 or maybe 2 different kinds of books. What i mean is trying to do quest out of saunders, kaplan, ect.... may get you confused using too many diff books is just too much for the brain to handle. I would just use one if you can find one you really like. However, the #1 thing that got me a passing score was FAITH and PRAYER!!! I told my self with FAITH I could absolutely pass this test and I DID!!! Good luck, if i can help you anymore let me know

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I know how you feel. I failed my first time too and all I did was use Kaplan as the resource. I focused on the q-bank questions. When I found out that I had failed I went into a great depression and after a week or so I had to pull myself out of that slump and get back to it. While I had sent it my registration papers on the BRN I read my Kaplan course book. I went over the topics that I was sketchy on and briefly reviewed the subjects that I already new. By the time I was done with book I had a test date ready. At that point I focused on doing questions. I did all of the q-trainers and did a mix of q-bank questions. I took my time on each question and read the rationales regardless of whether I got the questions right or wrong. A couple days before the test I did the q-trainer 7. The day that I went it I made sure to listen to music that was motivational, ("I'm number one" and "I'm gonna kick your butt" type of music). Trust me if I passed I know everyone else can. It's such a trying and demanding test that you will always leave there feeling defeated (well at least for me), but all you can do is know that you did your best. AND most importantly we got the hardest part out of our way which was get our degrees, and you know what...NO one can EVER take that achievement away.

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Failed the first time at 265... Passed the second time at 75. I highly recommend Saunders and Suzanne's plan.

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Thank you so much sophisticated49 and USF graudate for this information this really helps me a lot in figuring out my next move. I too did memorize the 1st time and now I really need to learn it.

I would like to know how long did you study for the 2nd test? I was planning on studying for 5 weeks monday-friday for at least 5-6 hours a day and weekends off. I also picked out LippinCott and still deciding if I should sign up for the Learning Extension (NCSBN) I heard good reviews about this online questions and review of contents. My main book will be the Saunders.

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I took about a month from when I found out I failed to when I took the test again. Like you said, I read for 5 hours a day, which included doing 150 questions from the Saunder's cd. I read all the rationales and wrote down why I got the wrong ones wrong on a separate notebook (that i reviewed every night before i slept). As long as you stick to your plan and complete a goal every day, you will feel much more confident going in it for a second time.

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Specializes in 2.

Hi - I also failed the first time. I took it in July of 2008 and used a variety of books (lippincott, saunders, mosby, fryes). For the second time, I am using Kaplan and its like night and day. I am getting to know the material a lot better and someone told me that the Kaplan questions are just like the questions on the actual exam so I should pass. At least Kaplan boosts the confidence. My anxiety level is low and I am going over every single question and their rationales. It just makes a lot of sense!!! Still have Question trainers to do though.

Thanks, maverickemt

I know how you feel. I failed my first time too and all I did was use Kaplan as the resource. I focused on the q-bank questions. When I found out that I had failed I went into a great depression and after a week or so I had to pull myself out of that slump and get back to it. While I had sent it my registration papers on the BRN I read my Kaplan course book. I went over the topics that I was sketchy on and briefly reviewed the subjects that I already new. By the time I was done with book I had a test date ready. At that point I focused on doing questions. I did all of the q-trainers and did a mix of q-bank questions. I took my time on each question and read the rationales regardless of whether I got the questions right or wrong. A couple days before the test I did the q-trainer 7. The day that I went it I made sure to listen to music that was motivational, ("I'm number one" and "I'm gonna kick your butt" type of music). Trust me if I passed I know everyone else can. It's such a trying and demanding test that you will always leave there feeling defeated (well at least for me), but all you can do is know that you did your best. AND most importantly we got the hardest part out of our way which was get our degrees, and you know what...NO one can EVER take that achievement away.
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Hi! i also failed for the 1st time. I took the test last may 2008. i did kaplan, answered qbank, watched the videos. but i didn't finish Qtrainer 5, 6 & 7 w/c they say is the most impt. i think that's a good material coz many of my friends passed for the 1st time.

I'm planning to take the test again in october. i'm doin' kaplan again, qbank, qtrainer, videos. But now i'm planning to answer Qs from saunders CD. maybe i also lack review of content.

good luck to those who will take it again for the 2nd time.

congratz to those who passed already.

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i didn't pass the 1st time. ill be taking it again on December.i already know what my faults are and ill be working on it. goodluck to 2nd time takers!

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i forgot to mention i am also using prioritization, delegation & assignment by linda lacharity. it a good book.

has anybody used the NCLEX-RN 250 new format questions 2nd ed. by lippincott? any comments/ suggestions? thanks!

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Did you mean NCLEX 3500? if so, I've heard good reviews and I'm actually going to use the questions and I also have the P&D too. There's a free online access to the NCLEX 3500 but it doesn't work. I hope someone out there can give out the correct website.

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