Can’t pass the NCLEX

carti, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2019

OP, it sounds like you aren't strong in content review. It's not that you aren't a good test taker, it sounds like you just don't know the material.

Forget ATI. Did you learn anything in actual nursing school? How did you do in your Fundamentals class? Medsurge? Pathopharm? Those classes will be the bulk of your "nursing knowledge" when it comes to NCLEX.

Also, what type of nursing school did you go to? ADN or BSN? What are the pass rates for your school? I think you are better off reviewing Medsurge topics than doing ATI/Uworld questions.

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 23, 2019

2 hours ago, carti said:
OP, it sounds like you aren't strong in content review. It's not that you aren't a good test taker, it sounds like you just don't know the material.
Forget ATI. Did you learn anything in actual nursing school? How did you do in your Fundamentals class? Medsurge? Pathopharm? Those classes will be the bulk of your "nursing knowledge" when it comes to NCLEX.
Also, what type of nursing school did you go to? ADN or BSN? What are the pass rates for your school? I think you are better off reviewing Medsurge topics than doing ATI/Uworld questions.

Are you serious with that question?

labordude, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2019

4 hours ago, Snatchedwig said:
Are you serious with that question?

I think we should assume a positive intent and let the poster clarify. If they didn't come across as intended, they can say so. Without trying to assume the poster's intent, I can see what they may be alluding to. I graduated nursing school a couple years ago (13 to be exact) and I have seen an increase in those who are trying to skate through without realizing the difficulty of the courses, NCLEX, job, etc. Passing nursing school and even getting good grades does not mean someone knows the material. Sometimes the nursing schools are doing the bare minimum and collecting their tuition because let's be honest there are way more applicants than there are spots for nursing students right now.

For this OP and other's like them, I'm always happy to help them understand where their weak points are and help them succeed, that's why I asked them about their study methods and I'd be curious to see their ATI or uWorld or other predictors and I can help them make a plan.

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 23, 2019

29 minutes ago, labordude said:
I think we should assume a positive intent and let the poster clarify. If they didn't come across as intended, they can say so. Without trying to assume the poster's intent, I can see what they may be alluding to. I graduated nursing school a couple years ago (13 to be exact) and I have seen an increase in those who are trying to skate through without realizing the difficulty of the courses, NCLEX, job, etc. Passing nursing school and even getting good grades does not mean someone knows the material. Sometimes the nursing schools are doing the bare minimum and collecting their tuition because let's be honest there are way more applicants than there are spots for nursing students right now.
For this OP and other's like them, I'm always happy to help them understand where their weak points are and help them succeed, that's why I asked them about their study methods and I'd be curious to see their ATI or uWorld or other predictors and I can help them make a plan.

Let's wait for a clarification.

Waiting for Retirement · Aug 27, 2019

On 8/18/2019 at 5:57 PM, Kmmamea said:
Hey y’all!
I recent graduated nursing school In January and I have taken the NCLEX once in February and again in April. I failed both at 75 questions. I studied with ATI that my school swore by.
I have a nursing job waiting for me to get my license but ever since I failed in April.... I haven’t studied consistently and have lost all motivation.
I do want to be a nurse but XX this is hard! Idk what I’m doing wrong with the NCLEX or even how to build up the courage to take the NCLEX again. Any advice?

Regarding the part I highlighted in bold text, it seems to me that failing with the minimum number of questions is your biggest "tell". The foundation of the test is to determine if you have enough knowledge from your nursing education to be able to answer the tougher questions that require you to stretch your critical thinking abilities. Application of knowledge is a higher level of question than basic knowledge itself. Failing with the minimum number of questions tells me that there is a deficit in your knowledge foundation.

I don't have recommendations regarding specific review programs, I'm sure others here can help with that, but I would strongly suggest you review all the basics, go back to the ground level and make sure you gain a better understanding of the nuts and bolts of nursing knowledge. Only after you have a good grasp of that can you work on strategies for answering questions.

carti, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2019

On 8/23/2019 at 2:08 AM, Snatchedwig said:
Are you serious with that question?

Failing both times at 75 questions, is a strong sign of lack of content knowledge, not test taking skills or tricks. Who are we kidding? OP needs to re-"learn" alot of first/second semester topics before she can pick up UWORLD questions.

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 28, 2019

1 hour ago, carti said:
Failing both times at 75 questions, is a strong sign of lack of content knowledge, not test taking skills or tricks. Who are we kidding? OP needs to re-"learn" alot of first/second semester topics before she can pick up UWORLD questions.

Where in my post did I say different?

Queen Tiye, RN · Sep 4, 2019

I’m sorry you are having a difficult time — we all want to get through NCLEX and begin our careers. ATI is a great predictor when it comes to figuring out who will likely pass the NCLEX, but I didn’t use it for studying NCLEX .

I used UWORLD and Saunders throughout nursing school religiously, everyday — no less than 30 questions a day first semester. By last semester I was doing 150 questions per day. I suggest investing in UWORLD and doing the entire question bank. Read all the rationales to the questions you get wrong — don’t waste time and energy studying what you already know.

Saunders is a less expensive option with hundreds of questions if you buy a new book. Take an assessment in either program and learn where you need to strengthen yourself. I also recommend attending the Hurst Review, they make the content clear cut. Best wishes.

SqrB3ar, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2019

Not sure why people keep suggesting UWorld when you can fail with any review... nothing is a guarantee.

If you are failing at 75 two times, you should really look into why you think you are, study differently, check out those evaluations and go back to reviewing content AND questions/rationales, review content you keep scoring low on. I know people say the amount of questions you get doesn't matter, but if you understand how the CAT is, you'll see you kept going further down away from the passing mark to being a safe nurse. Understand how the test works, its areas, refresh on content, eliminate distraction, positive affirmations, and study your butt off. YOU CAN DO THIS.

SparklyKate, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2019

PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO READ ?

Hi guys! Took my NCLEX exam this month and I felt the disappointment like every test takers that was writing in this site. I would say that I felt 50-50 after taking the exam at 75 questions, I was quite happy I finished at 75 but unsure if I PASSED or not.

I had 16 SATA's, 3 drag and drop, lot of prioritization's and 1 image. The contents of my exam are about infection control, OB, PAEDS, community health, med surg, delegation and research. I was waiting for any computations and simple questions but literally I have not answered any easy questions (like side effects, positioning). I only used Saunders Comprehensive Review book 5th edition and uploaded the pdf in google, downloaded it on my phone to review. I also used the Saunders Exam app in Apple store to use as my review questions and THAT'S IT. I haven't use Uworld, Kaplan etc. just SAUNDERS.

On the day of the exam, I did not bring any food or drinks because I was assuming to finish at 75 and thought I can go outside to buy some but they said that was not allowed, they are strict on their rules. So the stress and anxiety was added because I need to finish fast and if not I will be hungry on the next 265 questions. I answered the questions word by word so I took my time for 2hours and 10 minutes to be exact and answered the survey/research for 20 minutes. I can say that if I go along with 265 questions, 6 hours was not enough for me.

I went home wondering if I will pass or not, I even told my mom I might fail but she said it's fine as long as you gave your best. I must say I am quite confident that I will since I googled some of my questions and my answer was mostly correct, I literally memorized the questions. I want to RECOMMEND to use Uworld because it will help you to answer difficult question and will train you on how to attack this unusual questions which I find hard to answer because I only used Saunders which only asks simple and based on the book type of questions. I would say that NCLEX asks common sense/brain draining type of questions because it consists of prioritization's, I don't know but that is what I felt. Working in a hospital based setting will help you to answer easily and understand the questions.

Saunders will help you to gain base knowledge and I thank that book for helping me reach the ladder for my future career. ❤️

I can say to know if you likely pass at 75 questions are:

- you are answering lot of sata's, prioritization's

- answering moderate-easy questions on the very last part of your exam - if you compare on the middle part of part of the exam it is really different ( it means that the computer have decided you passed their mark/standard.)

- answering straight correct answers on the last part but the question was all the same level of difficulty.

- noticed that if you answer two right questions they will give you the hard question right away

After onerous 62 hours of waiting, I received my result yesterday via email (quick result) and I passed. ???

THANK YOU for reading. God bless!

Waiting for Retirement · Sep 9, 2019

On 9/7/2019 at 3:40 PM, SparklyKate said:
PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO READ ?
Hi guys! Took my NCLEX exam this month and I felt the disappointment like every test takers that was writing in this site. I would say that I felt 50-50 after taking the exam at 75 questions, I was quite happy I finished at 75 but unsure if I PASSED or not.
I had 16 SATA's, 3 drag and drop, lot of prioritization's and 1 image. The contents of my exam are about infection control, OB, PAEDS, community health, med surg, delegation and research. I was waiting for any computations and simple questions but literally I have not answered any easy questions (like side effects, positioning). I only used Saunders Comprehensive Review book 5th edition and uploaded the pdf in google, downloaded it on my phone to review. I also used the Saunders Exam app in Apple store to use as my review questions and THAT'S IT. I haven't use Uworld, Kaplan etc. just SAUNDERS.
On the day of the exam, I did not bring any food or drinks because I was assuming to finish at 75 and thought I can go outside to buy some but they said that was not allowed, they are strict on their rules. So the stress and anxiety was added because I need to finish fast and if not I will be hungry on the next 265 questions. I answered the questions word by word so I took my time for 2hours and 10 minutes to be exact and answered the survey/research for 20 minutes. I can say that if I go along with 265 questions, 6 hours was not enough for me.
I went home wondering if I will pass or not, I even told my mom I might fail but she said it's fine as long as you gave your best. I must say I am quite confident that I will since I googled some of my questions and my answer was mostly correct, I literally memorized the questions. I want to RECOMMEND to use Uworld because it will help you to answer difficult question and will train you on how to attack this unusual questions which I find hard to answer because I only used Saunders which only asks simple and based on the book type of questions. I would say that NCLEX asks common sense/brain draining type of questions because it consists of prioritization's, I don't know but that is what I felt. Working in a hospital based setting will help you to answer easily and understand the questions.
Saunders will help you to gain base knowledge and I thank that book for helping me reach the ladder for my future career. ❤️
I can say to know if you likely pass at 75 questions are:
- you are answering lot of sata's, prioritization's
- answering moderate-easy questions on the very last part of your exam - if you compare on the middle part of part of the exam it is really different ( it means that the computer have decided you passed their mark/standard.)
- answering straight correct answers on the last part but the question was all the same level of difficulty.
- noticed that if you answer two right questions they will give you the hard question right away
After onerous 62 hours of waiting, I received my result yesterday via email (quick result) and I passed. ???
THANK YOU for reading. God bless!

ok I took some time to read. While it's great for you that you passed, how does this help the person who started this thread, asking for help?

kristinalynn97, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2019

I just graduated in August and was told by my professor to use UWorld, look over lab values, and look over and drugs (I found some decent ones on Quizlet to review). I review some Saunders here and there as well. I am about 5 weeks into studying and still have not received my ATT yet (ugh), but I would also recommend UWorld like everyone else has. My scores have improved from getting below the average on the exams to getting about 9-15% above the average now, with doing about 75 questions 5 days per week and reading all of the rationale thoroughly. My school used ATI and I honestly hated it. My professor said to use it as a tool for extra questions and studying if we wanted, but to use UWorld if you could afford the cost. By far the best financial decision I have made and I feel a little more confident now than I did when I first graduated.

Good luck and don't give up! You've got this!