Recent experiences

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 5, 2015

The best thing you can do is to use EC's free exam content guide as your syllabus, and let it direct your learning - those guides tell you what is on the exam. The EC practice exams are usually helpful as well. Good luck!

g8sushma, ASN, BSN, MSN · Jul 6, 2015

Hello,

I tested out of Repro recently. I felt like really reading and understanding the textbook is what helped me. I did study group but found it to be too many shortcuts and a bit unorganized. I know reading sounds like alot of work but you really learn what is going on with it. I am up to CPNE now. Good luck and I would say a month of really reading should do you fine.

bgriffin32 · Jul 6, 2015

Thank you I did pass reproductive health today. The test only matched some of SG101 notes. So pretty much I wanted to try to finish the LS series in 6 weeks taking one every two weeks. And good luck on the CPNE.

SnowballDVM · Jul 16, 2015

You won't be done with the entire program by December. If you finish all of the exams by the end of August, you still have to take the FCCAs, which will take at least eight weeks, assuming you take both courses at the same time and pass both of them. Then you will have to get your CPNE application in, and then wait for a test date. Currently the wait to get a CPNE date, unless you call for cancellations and get lucky, is about three months, with an actual test date several months after that. Don't underestimate the CPNE; the study guide itself is over 500 pages long and you will need to know it very well, plus probably do some outside workshops and a LOT of memorizing, before you are ready for the CPNE.

I wouldn't rush the LS exams either. They are probably the toughest exams EC has, apart from the CPNE. I'd recommend reading the textbooks and following the syllabus. Good luck.

JustNursn · Jul 16, 2015

Based on what I've seen on the excelsior boards it's almost a 6-8mth waiting list for CPNE. Some members advised me (based on a different question) that it would be about a year left once eligible for CPNE and it's looking like a pretty accurate estimate. Like the previous poster said do not under estimate the CPNE. I'm in the process of studying for it and its huge.

JustNursn · Jul 16, 2015

For all excelsior exams I used the practice exams..worth every penny. Studied about a month for each LS exam and used SG101 and passed all 3 first time.

Becklsm · Aug 18, 2015

Hello,

I'm also getting closer to FCCA'S. I recently passed LS1 with a "B." I've got 2 more life spans before FCCA. I noticed on LS1, there seemed to be a lot of material that I didn't encounter in my readings. I'm using textbooks and studygroup101 guides. I'm quite apprehensive now about LS2 and LS3. Any suggestions?

veggieLPN · Aug 19, 2015

I'm currently enrolled in LS 1. Taking the exam sometime in the next 2 weeks.

I failed LS1 before after studying for about 2 months.

My practice test exams were in the 50s and 60s and I got a D.

Definitely skip studyguide101 for LS1. The notes they give you are equal in length to a full textbook and there are many errors in the NCLEX questions they provide.

I used Khan Academy and my Saunders book primarily to study this time around. After a month of study, I got a 71 on both practice tests.

Please note cardiology was probably my least understood topic in LPN school, and I knew nothing at all about cancer until I enrolled in this class - it may be a lot easier for you.

Don't forget to study peds specific material too! That was another downfall of mine that I will be making up for in the next week!

**mya612, BSN, RN** · Aug 19, 2015

The LifeSpan exams are the hardest. I suggest taking the practice exams that accompany these and studying the rationales. I also suggest a really good NCLEX study guide with a CD so that you can make your own practice tests based on the material outlined in the Excelsior Study Guide for these exams. Regarding the CPNE - all of my paperwork was approved in February and I just got a test date the end of July for the end of September (7 months from application acceptance), and that was because I took a cancellation. If I had waited for them to assign me a date, I would've probably been testing in December (10 months from application acceptance). Good Luck!

Becklsm · Aug 21, 2015

Do you guys feel the practice exams for LS2 & LS3 are beneficial? I always feel like I encounter questions on the actual exam over material I don't recall in my textbook readings. I've been using required textbooks, EC practice exams, and studygroup101 guides. I usually take EC practice exams and then study material related to the questions asked, both "right" and "wrong" rationales. Any suggestions; I'm stressed over these last two theory exams.

Becklsm · Aug 21, 2015

The LifeSpan exams are the hardest. I suggest taking the practice exams that accompany these and studying the rationales. I also suggest a really good NCLEX study guide with a CD so that you can make your own practice tests based on the material outlined in the Excelsior Study Guide for these exams. Regarding the CPNE - all of my paperwork was approved in February and I just got a test date the end of July for the end of September (7 months from application acceptance), and that was because I took a cancellation. If I had waited for them to assign me a date, I would've probably been testing in December (10 months from application acceptance). Good Luck!

Hello,

Out of curiosity, are you testing at a Northern or Southern site? How often did you call EC looking for a cancelation date, and did you choose a first available location? I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I'd still like to have a plan.