Failed...

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I took the Nclex Wednesday morning for the first time and had 262 questions. I left feeling pretty sure I failed, but allowed myself to stay hopeful on the belief that everyone who takes it thinks they failed. So my fears were confirmed this morning when I saw that ugly word on the pearson website. There is noone else to blame but myself because I could have been more prepared but I don't think anyone is ever really not stunned to be hit with this. It's so hard feeling like you let everyone down. My parents, friends, my school and instructors. And what's worse is that I heard that repeat testers only stand like a 5% chance of passing. Is that true?? Nothing to do at this point but reschedule and work harder. I have neither the Kaplan nor the Saunders book. Is one "better" than the other? At this point, I have an idea what to expect from the exam and the closer the questions are the exam itself, the better off I think I'll be. Sorry if this is a bit scattered. My thoughts aren't exactly the clearest right now....

A second questions for those that unfortunately had to retest: When reapplying, you must pay the 200 to pearson, the 30-40 to your state board. But is it necessary to have a 2nd background and a 2nd i.d. check?

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update::::

I just wanted to let you all know that I found out this morning that I passed. It feels like 200 pounds have been lifted from my shoulders. I called both my parents and they both cried. I had 262 questions the first time when I failed. So I rescheduled, took the Kaplan course and passed with 113 questions the second go round. I do want to encourage anyone who has failed, particularly once, that it can be passed after a failure. I have heard so many times about retesting statistics and how, if you fail once, you're doomed. I am living proof that the 2nd time can be a charm..or the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th.

I also want to take this time to recommend to anyone that has the means, that Kaplan is a godsend. They teach you how to pass the exam. They tell you that the first day. "We're not here to teach you nursing. You should have learned that in school. We're going to teach you what you need to know to pass the NCLEX, nothing more".

Anyway, thanks for listening. To all still in limbo, God bless you and good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm sorry to here that. Don't trust that stat about 5%, I don't have any stats but I seriously doubt it's that low. Good luck.

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Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

http://www.ncsbn.org/pdfs/NCLEX_Stats_Fact_Sheet.pdf

As you can see, the pass rate for repeat testers is low (~40%) but it's a heck of a lot higher than 5%. Best of luck to you as you prepare for round #2.

Although each state board may work differently, I can't see them requiring a new background check if the first one is still somewhat recent.

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Oh, I'm SO sorry!!! Nothing I can say will make it better, I know that, but at least know that there's GREAT support on this board for whatever you need emotionally (and for studying, too!!).

As far as studying goes, the Saunders book/CD is probably best for content review. The questions posed are much simpler (IMO) than the NCLEX itself, but you need a good handle on the content to deal with the questions anyway.

For strategy, critical thinking, complicated questions requiring more in-depth decisions (the higher questioning for NCLEX), I really recommend Kaplan. I cursed Kaplan from time to time because I found their rationales sometimes so bizarre, but hey: it makes you think like the NCLEX. I found the questions on my exam to be very similar, could've been written by the same people. Maybe some of them are, who knows.

If you want to run some ideas about content, or strategy, or whatever, you can always do that on this forum. It's a great bunch.

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im so sorry to hear that:o everything happens for a reason i guess..

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Frocker 13-

Don't get discouraged; you are not the only one and you will pass.

Have you heard of the Hurst Review? It's a 4 day review for the NCLEX given by a lady named Marlene Hurst. She's excellent! I took it 7 yrs ago and learned a lot. She garantees you to pass. Everyone I know that took the class passed the NCLEX. If you fail, she gives you a free one on one lesson. You can also do her class online now. Check out her website for more info. www.hurstreview.com

Hope this helps. Best of Luck! You will pass.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

I agree...Saunders for content, Kaplan for critical thinking.

But DO use the CDs and onlines....I think a huge part of preparing for the NCLEX is practicing in a format identical to the test meaning on a computer.

I'm very sorry to hear you failed, but refuse to give up hope that you'll pass with flying colors next time :)

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Specializes in none, still looking.

Saunders is basically the NCLEX, try the http://www.hurstreview.com

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I know exactly how you feel. Yesterday, I also saw that ugly word "fail" on my screen. I had 178 questions. I've been using the Saunders, but the questions are so similar to Kaplan. There's traps or what they call distracters in every question. I'll probably be taking the Kaplan course. We can do this. I've seen people determined to pass that brutal thing. Some people on this board have said it has taken them 4 or 5 times until they finally pass.

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I know exactly how you feel. Yesterday, I also saw that ugly word "fail" on my screen. I had 178 questions. I've been using the Saunders, but the questions are so similar to Kaplan. There's traps or what they call distracters in every question. I'll probably be taking the Kaplan course. We can do this. I've seen people determined to pass that brutal thing. Some people on this board have said it has taken them 4 or 5 times until they finally pass.

I think you'll see better success after kaplan.....the saunders questions just didn't require you to delve too far into the question. All too often the correct answer was too easy to figure out from the other choices. Kaplan would most often have two or even three perfectly good answers, you just had to learn how to choose the BEST correct answer ;) And I know what you mean about distracters in the stem! After taking the kaplan course, I felt that the nclex was just another kaplan test to pass :)

Hang tight, both of you....you can do this!

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i am sorry to hear that from you focker13 and paleobug, it is disheartening to get this far and still your goal is just a little bit in front of you instead of behind you like you'd hoped for at this point.

ditto. like the other posters here i fully believe saunders & kaplan and the on line practice test really helped prepare me. of course i feel i graduated from a wonderful college that really prepared me (maybe even over prepared) as well but once i graduated from college i really needed the very focused test prep that i got from these two sources.

you will be so ready the next time it comes your way as you now know what to expect! i am confident in you both!

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Thanks RNs2BRwe and Daye.

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