Failed? This is how you Pass

9 Posts

I notice a lot of people always wondering, how do I pass? What should I study? Is this okay? Is that okay? I figured I would write something out for those who need help passing or wish to pass.

1. You need 8-12 Weeks to study, 3-6hours a day. A Week before NCLEX you need to be studying 8-12hrs a day, everyday.

2. You need 1-2 sources and STICK to them.

3. You NEED ATI Green Light Program and Kaplan Q-Bank (save this for last)

4. You need to read EACH section before you begin doing questions on them. Ex. ATI you start with Fundamentals and tests. So first read the fundamental section in your ATI book or Kaplan book. THEN, do the reviews on ATI. Next ATI has a wonderful program called RN Review Tutor where you basically feel like you are in a class while a lady reviews (audio) all the important aspects of that section. Might sound boring, BUT VERY HELPFUL. Finally once you are done with that, take you ATI Funds test. Anything about >60% is good, 70% is great, and 80% is GODLY. If you get in the 50s dont stress, review what you missed in the ATI E-Book. I suggest you open a word program and type it out that way you can refer back to it later.

5. After you do this and submit you score to your teacher you basically wait for them to respond and send you feedback on what you need to study. They will also probably give you additional tests to take. Also, make sure you click each tab to read the rational for the answer you got correct and even the ones that are wrong. Put all that info into your head, it will be there even if you think you forgot or have a bad memory.

6. So at this point you are basically waiting around for the teacher to send you feedback and you feel like you should be studying, this is what you do. Take the additional practice tests at the ati website. They have plenty of older focused review tests to take. Take them.

7. So it's been about 6 weeks and you have finished Funds, Med Surg, Pharm, and OB in ATI, you have Peds and Leadership/Management left to go. Now its time to start doing Q-Bank questions from Kaplan. Yes, they are hard, Yes they make you think, Yes they help. Getting scores in 50s seems to be OKAY, you WANT 60's. 70's (Godly). I suggest taking these test with only 30-50 questions, between ATI and Kaplan you dont want to burn yourself out. AND YES, IT WILL HAPPEN.

8. Continue doing 4-7 until you finish the ATI program. You probably wont be done with Kaplan at this point so that is okay. If you are, you are an ANIMAL and you are probably doing 300+ questions a day. But, remember, JUST BECAUSE YOU DO XXX AMOUNT OF QUESTIONS EVERYDAY, DOES NOT MEAN YOU UNDERSTAND OR EVEN KNOW THE CONTENT. READING the same book over and over is the real key, along with doing questions.

9. Google. You dont understand a word, google it. You cant find the enough info on a subject, google it. Getting lazy and dont feel like looking in the book for it, Google it! Also, make sure to visit the CDC website for the most up to day precautions list, immunizations, and reportable diseases.

10. So after you finish ATI and get the GreenLight what do I do now? Finish Kaplan Q-Bank, read and go through your disorganized stacks of notes and papers and take the test ASAP. Some people say be calm day/night before and not to study. I say, study till the very end. But before you go take your test, eat a good breakfast, a little coffee so you dont give yourself more anxiety than you already have, and go into the bathroom and shake out those nerves, breath, and give yourself a slap in the face. Sit down in that room and pretend its just like every other test you have taken before, read the question, read the answer, and read the question again. Take your time, stay focused, and FIGHT for EVERY Question, dont just say, "i dunno, guess this one". After all that. You'll pass. Go home, take a shot, and throw all your crap into the fire.