Failed NCLEX 3X

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Hello, I am writing this article in hopes to find answers. I'm sure I am not the only one having problems with this exam but it sure is frustrating to know that everything I am doing isn't enough. I'm sure there are people like myself who has exerted and expended their efforts into studying and attending review courses but are still failing the exam. I have been studying (Saunders, LaCharity, uWorld) since January, Monday through Saturday, 4-8 hours a day. I have practiced easily over a thousand questions since then and I even attended a local review class last month in order to figure out what I was missing (I have also been using their book as another study guide). My first exam was on 4/20/16 the computer shut off at 75 questions. With my next exam I got up to 166 questions. When I took my exam last Wednesday I ran the whole test to 265. On this third exam I thought I had it because they were giving me the whole orificenal of questions that I didn't get on my first two exams. Failing by the skin of your teeth is truly disappointing. I have been trying to stay positive and grateful for such an opportunity but the mindset can only go so far. I'm at a loss for words and that is why I'm here writing to you all hoping to find a solution, some hope, an epiphany of some sort to help me stay motivated and focus. I hope to find some words of encouragement, advice, or maybe even a group that I can turn to because my life is at a standstill at the moment and I'm just trying to stay positive and look for answers anywhere I can.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post I truly appreciate it. Have a great day.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

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Sorry that you failed... What does your report say....yes it's frustrating to have failed again but you must keep pushing through after all you passed nursing school.

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Sorry that you failed... What does your report say....yes it's frustrating to have failed again but you must keep pushing through after all you passed nursing school.

I'm sorry I failed as well. I haven't received my report yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks I will know what exactly I need to focus on. But for now I'm going to have to try and stay positive and keep pushing forward.

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I can imagine how frustrating it is. Nevertheless, you should stay positive and move on!

What was your score on UWorld questions? Have you read given rationales? It's a great tool in getting ready for NCLEX

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I can imagine how frustrating it is. Nevertheless, you should stay positive and move on!

What was your score on UWorld questions? Have you read given rationales? It's a great tool in getting ready for NCLEX

I've been getting between 60% and 70%. I understand the rationales as well to why I chose the wrong answer but still unable to pass the NCLEX. I have the content down but it may be my critical thinking is to where I am having a problem.

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Sorry to hear that u failed.. Prayers for you.. May i know your overall score in uworld?

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

Those scores you posted sound normal. Most of the people in my class (everyone passed) scored around 60-70% on the standardized prep exam materials.

We had to do ATI, and I did some Kaplan questions. ATI actually had a comprehensive predictor test. Honestly, I don't think that grinding questions will help much. I think that you may just have test anxiety or second guess yourself a lot. I think they change the NCLEX in the last few years though, I have heard it's harder now after I took it.

Nursing school gives you a good basis for answering those questions. I would consider doing some meditation or something like soul searching.

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Those scores you posted sound normal. Most of the people in my class (everyone passed) scored around 60-70% on the standardized prep exam materials.

We had to do ATI, and I did some Kaplan questions. ATI actually had a comprehensive predictor test. Honestly, I don't think that grinding questions will help much. I think that you may just have test anxiety or second guess yourself a lot. I think they change the NCLEX in the last few years though, I have heard it's harder now after I took it.

Nursing school gives you a good basis for answering those questions. I would consider doing some meditation or something like soul searching.

Thanks for the input adammRN. Yeah they recently tweaked the NCLEX earlier this year so I'm pretty sure that is one of the factors but it's still no excuse for me not to be able to pass. I have the content all in my head. I understand how to analyze and breakdown the questions but I'm not quite sure what else I'm missing. I will definitely consider meditation and soul-searching.

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I'm sorry I failed as well. I haven't received my report yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks I will know what exactly I need to focus on. But for now I'm going to have to try and stay positive and keep pushing forward.

You failed 3x. what do the reports for attempts 1 & 2 say? It may be that you are lacking in content - you can study for x hrs of day, but if it goes in and then quickly out, it won't matter.

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What do your reports from the first 2 attempts say you're failing at?

Also, if you know the content, doing questions and reading the rational is more beneficial than just studying content all day. You said you read the rationales and understand why you are getting the questions wrong but are you understanding how to pick the right answer in the first place? I done the hurst review and it was very helpful with how to pick the right answer. Also, the NCSBN has study material and their questions were good practice too. If you can afford to do the hurst I would recommend it.

Its just as important to know how to pick the most correct answer as it is to know the content.

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Specializes in ER.

I used Hurst as my only program. It is content based not "question" based and honestly it saved my nursing life. I learned more from that program than I ever learned in nursing school. I loved it and I am a better nurse for it now. The lecture on Acid Base was like Boom MIND BLOWN!

I recommend it to every future RN I know. I passed in 75 questions and I knew I passed before even standing up because I understood the "why's" of the NCLEX.

This program is worth every penny. I did it exactly how they say to. They explain everything in ways that are easy to understand and I cannot tell you how many times I said "Why didn't they teach us like this in nursing school?!?"

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