I've been reading this thread for a few months and am overwhelmed by the number of resources people have been using to pass nclex.
Unfortunately I don't have the funds to pay for Hurst or Kaplan review (not included in our school and theyre each like 400-500$).
So far I only have Saunders comprehensive review, was thinking of buying the mastery app, and one more question style book (possible the saunders q&a, or kaplan has a q&a book).
For those who used less than 3 resources which were they and did you pass?
I passed the NCLEX in 75 questions using NCSBN learning extension's 15 wk program ($160) and ATI (paid through school tuition). Couldn't afford Hurst or Kaplan and so glad I didn't spend the additional money on those reviews! Hope this helps😊
I attended a 5 day KAPLAN course and did ALL the Q-banks. Re-read SAUNDERS (I had used it a lot as a reference throughtout school to help before exams), although I felt Saunders was too 'rudementary' and the practice NCLEX-like exam in the back of the book seemed much easier than Kaplan, but nevertheless it was good content review. Also, I listened to HURST Audios that a classmate forwarded to me.
Graduated end of Dec. 2014, scheduled for NCLEX Jan. 26, 2015. I studied EVERY day for 4 weeks. I really didn't want to wait too long because I didn't want to be studying endlessly AND I was concerned that I'd have to review things I studied weeks before, so unlike most of my classmates, I decided to prepare myself as best as possible and JUST DO IT!
To prevent getting that bogged-down feeling, I rotated reading, listening & taking the practice tests. I made sure to change the routine of studying too. I'd go for long walks with our dog while listening to Hurst. Come home, take a break and do something else for awhile. I'd have the Saunder's book in the living room so when I was in that room it was on my lap and I could actively read it or just hope it would somehow 'seep' into my psyche ;o) I had Kaplan in the dining room & would make practice tests for myself and scrutinize the rationales on the one's I missed (mind you, I often didn't agree with their rationales!). Also, I would take & re-take & re-take the questions that I missed. I would make practice tests of ONLY the quesitons I missed....that was tortuous.
I didn't study the day before exam. My appointment was for 8 a.m., about a 45 minute drive from home. In order to make certain I was on time & early, I got up about 5 a.m. and left home at 6. I was the second person in line, signed in and went for it. One VERY important thing I think everyone should do is to KEEP it PRIVATE---don't tell a soul! You'll have enough pressure that day and it's really a much more free & relaxing feeling than to think everyone knows and they're all waiting to call or text you. Believe me you won't want to talk to anyone that day especially if they're asking you "did you pass?" or "What was it like?--do you think you Passed?"
I felt like the first 75 questions were easy and I was kinda' even laughing to myself imaging telling friends that it was 'easy'. It was only when the test didn't stop and kept spewing out question after question that I realized...hmmmm, maybe I've been too cocky here. Guess I oughta' slow down and be more serious. So, to make a long story short here, I ended up with 259 questions and left the testing sight wondering "what the heck just happened?"----why didn't it make me go to 265? Well, I'll never find out because within 48 hours I was licensed on the BRN site. And, yes! I did do the Pearson Vue Trick after 24 hours because from what I understood (from painstakingly researching the topic on this site ALL NURSES) it takes that long for the test to be processed by the BRN.
Explain to me how we are graded for the NCLEX. If someone passed the exam with 87 questions, does that mean we are graded based on the number of questions answered? Please help me!
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Explain to me how we are graded for the NCLEX. If someone passed the exam with 87 questions, does that mean we are graded based on the number of questions answered? Please help me!
No. It's based upon being above, near or below the passing line with a statistical significance and 95% confidence interval. Getting 87 questions means that it took that long to prove to the system that the candidate does (or does not) meet the minimum standards and is above the passing standard in all domains with a statistical certainty. (Or near/below in at least one area with a statistical confidence and fails)
Specializes in ICU, Neuroscience, Telemetry, Med/Surg.
Hello, when I reviewed for the NCLEX PN, I had about 3 or 4 resources available to me (most of which were borrowed, not bought), but I focused on 2. In school we had ATI, and and I think that helped greatly. But as far as when when I was reviewing on my own for the NCLEX, I mainly used Saunders and NCSBN (the latter being provided by my school also, so I really only bought Saunders on my own). I passed the NCLEX with the minimum number of questions and under an hour of testing. Will be praying for your NCLEX journey! Best of luck to you!
Right now I am using Saunders and Saunders Q&A. I wanted to finish the textbook before I started on qs. Did people alternate between looking at content and doing qs? This book is huge im bervous by the end I wont have time to do any qs!!!
I'm also getting qbank? Which btw is that the same as the q trainers I keep hearing about?? Anyone know the differences
find a highly rated CONTENT book or review... get the lacharity book and do the questions. that is all you need. i'm not the brightest person in the world or a great test taker. i passed the NCLEX in 75 questions and thought it was fairly simple. only took it once, also. you do not need a strategy based book/review. the lacharity questions are enough practice. i never did any questions in nursing school or preparing for the nclex.
letmebeanurseee
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OH! I do have to recommend that 35 page study guide in regards to infection control. I got so many infection control questions, aha.