Failed again!!

leigh21 · Apr 17, 2006

Has anyone ever told you that you have test anxiety? I too failed the NCLEX a few times, I kept getting to 265 and I immediately knew. The last question had always been a below the average question. Do Kaplan and Kaplan ONLY. If you fail after the class, you can re-do the class. They bend over backwards to ensure you pass. Along with the class, you can review online at anytime. They have a library at their facility, each section is broken down and you can review all the materials on the sections you are struggling with. They have a CD with their course book with 7 tests, each one a LITTLE HARDER and more questions. You need to practice them as you would if you were actually taking the test. Quiet, no distractions, just you and the computer. This is not a test on your knowledge per se, they trick you, you cannot use anything you have seen because in NCLEX world it is all text book. You have to learn how to test in their world to pass. And finally, I have always struggles with testing and have been told numerously, especially in nursing school, that I have test anxiety. My DR. is a younger one and attends seminars and really stays current on "new" things. Well, there was a study on students with "test anxiety" they have discovered that most of them have a form of ADD, adult attention deficit disorder. This does not mean you zone out in class or cannot sit still long enough to watch a movie. This means you are easily distracted when there is nothing to keep your attention. Like in the NCLEX room, it is quiet, your mind is racing and eventually begins to "wander" you have let your nerves take over and you're useless, as far as testing goes. He gave me a low dose of Ritalin, 5 days worth. That way I could see how it would affect me. The first four pills I used with the CD from Kaplan and immediately noticed my score after I took the practice test was higher. I was not zoned out , out of my mind. It was like something was actually making me pay attention. I retested I got to 160's and it shut off, and of course I immediately panicked. I had always gone to 265, now what? 2 days later I got my results of the Pearson website and GUESS what???????????? PASS.. I did not fail because I was stupid, I gave up in my mind several times. The sane side of me NEVER let me actually do it. I do not take Ritalin now, I took it for that brief time. Now, when I go back to school and if ever another test like that arises..................well, I will pay a visit to my dr. for more help. Good luck.

tlhubbard · Apr 17, 2006

It wasn't my N-CLEX exam, but the community/psyche portions of my nursing school tests. I had the worst time answering those properly. When they would start with "What would you do...." I realized I needed to read them differently. I read them as "What would Julia (my instructor) want me to do..." Psyche & community was never my strong area, but this little change made a big difference. Most of my N-CLEX exam was psyche questions, and I stopped at 75 and was sure I failed. It took longer to drive to the exam than it did to take it. I passed...but I believe it was my different perspective on those questions that helped. Sounds crazy, but it worked.

Another thought, definitely take into consideration the areas you find are more troublesome with your N-CLEX prep programs. Spend the most time on these. I believe there are also brush-up courses for people who have had trouble with the N-CLEX. I don't know how long it's been since your graduation, but you may consider the brush-up. Best of luck!!!

MomenTs · Apr 19, 2006

eoesaeni,

sorry to hear that. remember, sometimes things dont' go the way u want it to go...imp. thing is not to let those dissapointments hold you back from living your dream. don't give up, show it you are more stronger. take care.

to leigh and other frens,

i think i have a test anxiety disorder as well....always, i have been really really nervous whenever i have had a big exam next day. i can't sleep the night before not only that, i keep waking up and freaking out. telling myself calm down calm down don't help either and than i am just extremely hyper. i dunno y it's like that...usually/normally i am a quiet person, but sometimes in large gatherings etc or exam, soemthing that's important to me, i get hyper.

i don't want to frreak out this time when i sit for my exams. i want to be as calm as possible and be able to have a good night sleep so taht i am rested to take my exam teh next day, but i dunno how.

anyone else have used any technique to overcome their anxities at a wrong time to face the situation more calmly and well? vbmenu_register("postmenu_1609240", true);

LoriAlabamaRN · Apr 20, 2006

Don't give up on your dream! Find an NCLEX review course in or around your area. They can do miracles.