Encouragement please!!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 1, 2014

Wait for the Candidate Performance Report (CPR) to arrive. That will give you a very good idea where you have trouble. As far as content goes, you should then study those specific content areas that the CPR identifies, but don't neglect the other areas either. Also, the NCLEX can be nerve-wracking, and as we all know, it's adaptive. Also I suggest looking at specifically how to do NCLEX questions. Standard test-taking skills won't be as useful as they are on normal exams. What I normally suggest is pretty much the following:

1) The only question that matters is the one in front of you.

2) Read the question and answer it only in your mind first.

3) Read the answers and compare them to the answer you came up with on your own.

4) Do not actually answer the question right now...

5) Re-read the question looking for any key words and phrases that tell you what the question is actually looking for.

6) Re-read the answers and choose the one that is most correct for what the question is asking you.

7) Choose the answer and click "submit"

8) Let that question go... you can't change it. The only question that matters is the one in front of you...

TheLorax · Sep 1, 2014

I used the Saunders book, 6th edition I believe. I read almost the whole thing, I focused on subjects I knew were my weak points, as well as things like test taking strategies and prioritization questions. I took my test August 28th, and passed in 110. I got mostly prioritization question and select all that apply. I left the test thinking I did okay, but was very worried because of the amount of SATA questions I had. The Saunders book comes with an online code, where I did questions. It was a bit hard to get used to the format of the website at first, but once I did a few quizzes it was fine. It was nice because after you answer a question, there is a rationale part as well as a strategy part, where it talks about different ways to see the questions and the answers. I would definitely recommend Saunders. Good luck and keep your spirits high! Go into the test stress free. I cleaned my entire room and car the day before the exam as well as treated myself to a massage and did not study the day before. I just reviewed some lab values (which I only saw twice on the exam) the day before. You're in my thoughts!! Best of luck!

AbisolaRN2b · Sep 2, 2014

Thanks everyone for the wonderful tips!!! You guys are such a blessing. I just ordered my lacharity pda 3rd edition rental in which i heard was the bible of nclex. I will continue to use Kaplan because its similar to the nclex in terms of the critical thinking. I will be apply to reschedule later on this mnth. I have 6 weeks now i need to develop a study plan whether its before or after work. I am also afraid of using saunders because i find that very easy and so unlike the nclex from my previous experience. Everyone please add me to your prayer list as i tackle this exam for my last attempt.

AbisolaRN2b · Sep 2, 2014

Yes i need to get that registered in my brain. I find myself doing sometimes smh but i guess i need to do it for alll questions. I received my report its say all near passing. That was very helpful thanks alot hunnie.

AbisolaRN2b · Sep 2, 2014

Thanks!! I will definitely keep using the kaplan review and the lacharity pda 3rd edition book. Hopefully this work. Are you in the NY area so i can make use of that tutor? That will be very helpful.

AbisolaRN2b · Sep 2, 2014

Thank you so much. yes i just ordered my lacharity pda 3rd edition book for almostt everyone says its the bible for the nclex.

deimysvigilRN · Sep 11, 2014

Hello, just thought i would update what i have been doing , so far i have finished most of hurst i only have maternity and peds left. I have loved their review, it has helped me alot in content which i needed. I just took the first Question trainer in Kaplan which i had gotten a 58% last back in July and today after 75 questions and a break at 50 question, i got a 69.3%. The only one below 60% was Safety and infection control. The rest were all above 60 and high.

I am so impressed on how much i have improved. I still have 2 q/2 more weeks so i am finishing all the Qbank for Kaplan and all 7 question trainers along with SATA questions.

What do you all think?

deimysvigilRN · Sep 14, 2014

Hello everyone again, I just took Question Trainer 2 from Kaplan - found it a bit more challenging i had frgotten somethings apparently, but i was able to come out with a 65.3%, what do you all think? I know its not all about the scores but i didnt care about scores last tme and was fine with getting 50s in all the qtrainers and i failed, so this time i am actually caring for the grade because that obviously reflects how confident and knowledgeable i am of this darn NCLEX, also in the Application part of it, it says i got a 75% which counted for 8/9 Application questions they asked me, not that many but its a good start right?

So what do you all think? I need some encouragement and confidence, I am feeling good knowing already that last time I took Qtrainer2 i got a 52% and now i got a 65%.

Thank you friends.

deimysvigilRN · Sep 16, 2014

Hello again Allnurses very amazingly supporting friends:

I wanted to keep yall updated and tell you that today i took Qtrainer 3 and this is whats reflected:

APPLICATION - 60% ANALYSIS -76.9%

[TABLE=class: cms_table_gdtable, width: 0]

[TR]

[TD][TABLE=class: cms_table, width: 0]

[TR]

[TD]Management of care[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]69.2%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]9[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]13[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Safety and infection control[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]77.8%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]7[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]9[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Health promotion and maintenance[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]100.0%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]13[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]13[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Psychosocial integrity[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

[/TR]

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[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]53.8%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]7[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]13[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[TD][TABLE=class: cms_table, width: 0]

[TR]

[TD]Basic care and comfort[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

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[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]63.6%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]7[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]11[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Pharmacological/parenteral therapies[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

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[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]64.3%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]9[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]14[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Reduction of risk potential[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

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[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]71.4%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]10[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]14[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Physiological adaptation[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status4, align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status2, align: center]n=[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #99CCFF][/TD]

[TD=align: center]84.6%[/TD]

[TD=align: center][/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status3, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]11[/TD]

[TD=class: cms_table_status1, bgcolor: #F5F5F5, align: center]13[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

with a total grade of 73%.

I have to say, i am feeling very proud, some may say God doesnt work wonders, but my prayers are working, he has allowed me to stay calm and to recall when im troubled and i pretend to do the same when im taking the test.

What do you all think about this?

I know i scored befollow 60% oh Psych but weird, it was my first time bellow 60 on Psych never been, so i hope i can buff up on those and get a much better grade on qtrainer 4!

FunkyRN2b · Sep 16, 2014

Great scores!!! What are you doing differently this time around for your scores to be higher? I am so overwhelmed

deimysvigilRN · Sep 17, 2014

Great scores!!! What are you doing differently this time around for your scores to be higher? I am so overwhelmed

Hi,

I actually did hurst review this time which I didn't do last time I just thought it was a waste of time and it really wasn't!

I took notes and recorded myself after and listened to those everytime , in the shower, in the car whenever I can.

Also, this time around I have been focusing on the actual questions, not finishing on time before my 2 hours expire. You have 6 hours total which means you have more than enough time to focus on each question very well.

So in each qtrainer I have taken notes before answering the question with the following-

Topic and what I should do as a nurse or what s/a relate to this and that then I look at the answer choices and try to relate it to my answer. I am not allowing the answer choices trick my brain this time. I am in control of the test! Not the other way around.o hope this works for you too.

Good luck an take a deep breath, I know how much it sucks but we have come too far !

FunkyRN2b · Sep 17, 2014

Okay that seem reat for you. Hurst is too much since i already have kaplan so i will use saunders for my content brush-up but i'm happy you are doing well