Did Anyone NOT Study for the NCLEX and Do Well?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I see all of y'all going through so much studying and preparing for this test. I'm wondering if there is anyone that threw caution to the wind and went in cold? I ask this because from our very first exam to our last, they've arranged the questions and time limits to mirror NCLEX, so I've had extensive practice in that respect. Also, after every clinical class we have taken specialty HESIs, as well as the comprehensive HESI at the end of the program. I've done between 916- >1000 on the HESIs.. I really didn't study a lot for the HESIs, just practiced some of the Saunders questions.

My mind kind of tells me that after two years in an intensive and renowned program I should know this stuff. It's kind of impossibly to know what is going to be asked on the exam, so how do I focus on what to study?

Letting my instincts take over helped with HESI- shouldn't I do what works?

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I answered your other thread, but yes I agreed with you.

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Yes, you can do that. But if you fail, 45 days is along time to wait to retake. Especially if you have a job on the line. I would not risk it personally. Not to mention $200 fee.

At a minimum I would make sure to answer NCLEX questions daily leading up to the test.

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Specializes in Orthopedics and Rehab.

mmmm, I do not think so....

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Sorry about the double post, I didn't mean to do that. I'll probably practice my Saunders questions leading up to the exam (I haven't been given the okay to schedule yet).. just because I feel the rationales and test taking stradegy hints are helpful for me. Thanks for the thoughts... not wanting to plop down $200 to take again is a good motivator. lol

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That's what I did.

I took the test 3 or 4 weeks after my ATT.

I studied just a little bit (maybe an hour a day, 3 times per week) by reviewing my pharmacology cards and normal lab values but mostly just chilled.

I figured that if I failed, I'd pull out all the stops but otherwise trust my education, wits, and test-taking skills.

75 questions, 55 minutes to a nursing license...

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I didn't study at all (and passed at 75 questions), but I took my NCLEX less than 2 weeks after I graduated, got a high 90 (maybe 96ish?) on my exit exam, and had a 3.97 average. So I think it really depends on your situation.

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Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.

I didn't really study much at all. I took the test 4 weeks after I graduated. Passed with 95Q

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I had the same type of program with NCLEX style exams and HESIs after each semester. I didn't study at all for NCLEX because I couldn't find the motivation after graduation. I found it very easy and passed with 75 questions in less than an hour. BUT I've watched others I graduated with fail so it all depends because I never saw these people failing. In fact one got a 99 on one of the HESIs but still failed NCLEX.

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I took the test one month after graduation in 2009. I didnt take an extra review course or study after graduation and passed with the minimal amount of questions 75. My school did have us work extensively on ATI though.

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Specializes in N/A.

I graduated in August, took the NCLEX in October and passed in 75. We also had exams throughout school that "mirrored" NCLEX and had HESI exams at the end of every class and a HESI Exit. Passed all HESI's except one.

I studied for it.... maybe more than necessary but was not doing that exam more than once. It was absolutely nothing like HESI. My biggest piece of advice is to know your content.

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