December Test Takers Support Group

ergito2 · Oct 26, 2007

Way to go, Wizard. I am in the same boat with you, took the test in July and failed at 265 Qs. Now I am ready to take it on Nov 19. I did Suzanne's first step and doing Saunder's Q&A for practice as well as Kaplan Q trainer. God bless we all pass.

wizard100 · Oct 27, 2007

my instructor who has 20+ yrs of teaching nursing student has given me great tips and lately she has encouraged me so much. here are here advises to me. hope it helps esp. for retakers.

1) buy review book either lippincott or saunders (w/ cd). use only one for consistency.

2) practice doing questions read rationales for all questions you practice:nono: dont skip rationales, doesn't matter if using book or cd. if using cd, use study mode. 250 question max/day while reviewing.

3) review each system at a time

4) if you make too many mistakes in a particular system while doing the questions from cd, immediately review the area you are weak from the review book. do not jump to next system before reviewing from the book.

5) after finishing all the system following the above steps........buy prioritization, delegattion and assignment book (mosby's) and start doing questions from the very first to the last chapter. it does not have cd.6) then, go back to the lippincott or saunders cd (whichever you have bought in the beginning) and practice at least 10 days x 100 questions in comprehensive content exam mode that randomly selects questions from each system. do only 100 question every single day for 10 days in one sitting.......making it a mock rn test.

7) out of 10 days, if you get 75% at least 9 times out of 10 you are ready. if not you are not ready. yes consider 74% as a fail.

8) in case if you dont get 75% 9/10 times, invest 10 more days. dont panic.......do again 100 questions x10 days in study mode with comprehensive content reading all rationales while practicing.

9) test yourself again in exam mode at least 3 times with 100 questions x 3 days. it is important to do all 100 questions in one sitting

10) you should get 75% 3 out of 3 times. in case, if still you dont get 75% 3 out of 3 times........repeat step 8, 9, and 10 again.

11) a week before test focus your energy especially on pharm/labs/diagnostic test. know drug class....saunders strategies for success has very good drug classification. buy it, if you have trouble with pharm.

12) day before test.........no studying.......just relax (whatever relaxes you). good 7-8 hrs sleep the night before. seriously, reserve a motel if you have more than 45 mins of driving time to the test center. anxiety peaks while you have to drive long thinking about the test and brain cant function properly while testing.

all you need is

1) lippincott or saunders book with cd ($44)

2) saunders strategies for success (if difficulty with pharm + it has great tips on overall strategies) ($35)

3) prioritization, delegattion and assignment book by mosby's ($24)

4) 1-3 months depending on your time availablity. you do not a review course if you work diligently and honestly. no cheating to self ( priceless)

wizard100 · Oct 27, 2007

Also, please tell us what your instructor has advised you for preparing for NCLEX. May be we can take some idea that works and throw some that doen't work.

nurdarby · Oct 27, 2007

I thought that I was the only one who wasn't able to get into studying after failing. I also plan to take my test in December. I have completed the first step of suzannes plan and just waiting for a reply.

Good luck to every one.

wizard100 · Oct 27, 2007

As part of preparing for NCLEX, how many hours are you guys studying per day........

Right now, I am so busy with school, work and nclex prep andi am studying only 2hrs/day.

Born-In-The-USA · Oct 27, 2007

I am studying 4-6hrs/day.....for upcoming december nclex test

labrador4122, RN · Oct 28, 2007

So, I finally feel I should not give up......I will be a retaker for 2nd time in December. I felt so low when I failed the test in July'07. I was thinking to take in october but just couldnt get motivated to study. In the meantime, I joined RN-BSN program. So, currently I am in school taking 15 credits of classes. I need to have my RN license before winter so I can do practical in communnity health, a required class for BSN.
After visiting this site almost everyday, reading success stories and encouragement given by one of my wonderful instructor from my ASN program, I am motivated to do it.
So, newcomers as well as retakers, Lets get together, support each other and lets pass the RN test. WE CAN DO IT.
For now, I have started practicing Q&A at least 2 hrs/day from Saunders CD. I will keep you updating and hope you all will share the tips as well.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US. :welcome: TO THE SUPPORT GROUP .

what happened to OCTOBER?

in a previous post you said you were going then

wizard100 · Oct 28, 2007

Ya, I was going but I am not prepared. I didn't study as I should have. My teacher always reminds me "its better to be safe than sorry".........I dont want to fail again so I postponed to December. I dont feel prepared and confident now at all. But, I have studying so hopefully it will be better.

wizard100 · Oct 28, 2007

cash, how was your oct 23rd test??

Born-In-The-USA · Oct 28, 2007

I am confused too. Should I take it in December or January. So confused!!!

labrador4122, RN · Oct 28, 2007

I am confused too. Should I take it in December or January. So confused!!!

You should test whenever you feel most comfortable. Whenever you feel in your heart that you have done EVERYTHING possible to study for this exam.

Personally I chose to test in November because i know that the date I picked, I will have done EVERYTHING possible to study.

I am listening right now for the feuer cd's for the second time

I am doing my kaplan questions for the second time

I am reading my kaplan course book for the second time (ok 3rd)

and this week, I am gonna do the feuer questions. (I got the whole package)

and to me, that is how I feel I am gonna be prepared!