Do most repeat test takers pass the nclex the 2nd time?

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I would like to know from those who are repeat takers of the nclex did you guys pass the second time? ... and How many questions did you get the first time when you took the NCLEX and how many questions did you get the second time? and did most of you pass your second time?... Im getting really anxious... my first time taking the nclex i had only 76 questions... and failed it.. now i have to re take it.. and i want to pass... i am trying my best..but am getting very nervous...

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

A lot do pass second time but also people do fail second time. I passed on third attempt but this time I had found Saunders and NCSBN which for me I found the best for study. A lot fail again because they rush into resitting the exam, for what ever reason, and do not study properly (not all but a lot). I would recommend that you sit the exam when you feel a bit more prepared and not rush to take it as soon as your state allows resit. Do plenty of questions and read the rationales, even if right. Do not study all day but just for a few hours, have protected study time and keep to it.

Best of luck

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NCLEX Round 1: 265 questions, lots of math, meds, SATA and almost no priority qustions. Failed.

NCLEX Round 2: 75 questions, no math, lots of meds/SATA/priority. Almost every other question was priority or a med question. Passed.

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PA_CoffeeFreak any words of advice for us 2nd time test takers?? i saw your post about staying motivated. what did you do differently the 2nd time around to help you study? did you test 45 days after or wait longer? any words of advice would be much appreciated :)

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To answer the thread title, statistically, less repeat test takers make it the second time. From NCSBN, the passing rate is around 90% for 2009 (so far), while for repeat takers the passing rate is about 53%. That's for US educated nurses. It's much lower for internationally educated. But hey, a lot of people on here passed their second, third, fourth, etc. time so don't lose hope. I agree with Sliverdragon102, take your time. Don't rush to resit if you don't feel fully prepared.

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... thanks for where the stats can be found.. i found it and saw for myself... really hope to pass this time.. please wish me luck! :)

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A lot do pass second time but also people do fail second time. I passed on third attempt but this time I had found Saunders and NCSBN which for me I found the best for study. A lot fail again because they rush into resitting the exam, for what ever reason, and do not study properly (not all but a lot). I would recommend that you sit the exam when you feel a bit more prepared and not rush to take it as soon as your state allows resit. Do plenty of questions and read the rationales, even if right. Do not study all day but just for a few hours, have protected study time and keep to it.

Best of luck

Thank you for your advice. I am doing NCSBN and Kaplan... hoping that two of the best sources put together can make the difference for me.. i am also reviewing saunders occasionally...and am doing lots of questions per day....i will keep you posted on my progress .. :wink2:

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PA_CoffeeFreak any words of advice for us 2nd time test takers?? i saw your post about staying motivated. what did you do differently the 2nd time around to help you study? did you test 45 days after or wait longer? any words of advice would be much appreciated :)

I waited longer to pass my test not because I wanted to but because I had to work. There's a lot that I did differently the second time around. The first time I studied the NCLEX I didn't have a steady study schedule. Sure I studied more as the test got closer but it would have helped had I been studying 4 - 6 hours per day everyday for 4 - 5 months rather than just the month before. I used Saunders to review content. Kaplan for test taking strategies, harder questions and to assess my progress as the months went on. Other question resources that I used were Exam Cram, NCLEX Questions and Answers Made Easy (I did a chapter in this book after reviewing the same content in Saunders) and PD&A by LaCharity.

My post on how I passed is a bit long but if you're curious here it is:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/passed-nclex-2nd-410134.html#post3761189

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I waited longer to pass my test not because I wanted to but because I had to work. There's a lot that I did differently the second time around. The first time I studied the NCLEX I didn't have a steady study schedule. Sure I studied more as the test got closer but it would have helped had I been studying 4 - 6 hours per day everyday for 4 - 5 months rather than just the month before. I used Saunders to review content. Kaplan for test taking strategies, harder questions and to assess my progress as the months went on. Other question resources that I used were Exam Cram, NCLEX Questions and Answers Made Easy (I did a chapter in this book after reviewing the same content in Saunders) and PD&A by LaCharity.

My post on how I passed is a bit long but if you're curious here it is:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/passed-nclex-2nd-410134.html#post3761189

Thank you so much for providing information to us on how you passed. You are very kind. I am very happy that you passed. You deserved every bit of it...!! I have read your post and I try to read many other posts on success stories and test taking tips/advice .. i really appreciate the time you spent on writing back to me , and letting us all re takers know that there is a chance, and it is possible for us all to pass the NCLEX! :)

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What did you use to study and pass on your second round? I also got 265 on my first and I used Kaplan online course to study for the NCLEX. I did everything it told me to do i don't know what happened. Please, any advice is good.

Okay nevermind...I see you have posted your advice. Thank you!

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Specializes in ED.

First time: Saunders 265 questions. Failed

Second time: Kaplan 83 questions. Passed

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HOPEFLOATS09--i too failed my first time with 265 questions. i too only used kaplan the first time around. here is a link of what i wrote on my study plan the second time around! it's lengthy and long but so true and talks about the emotions that i went through during this time. i hope it helps! but i highly recommend lacharity book! goodluck! you can do it!! hang in there! i know it's tough and it feels like your world has shut down, but you can do it and soon you will be a registered nurse!!

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/2-attempts-later-421295.html

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