frustrated, with nclex

nrselisa · Jul 18, 2003

You will be fine. My classmates & I had the same problem. We all scored in the 60s & 70s on the practice tests. We studied together, sharing our books. We freaked out until the end! Then we all passed! What you are feeling is normal. :)

Lisa :)

Angelica · Jul 18, 2003

Same here. It is frustrating especially when you're getting 70-75's approaching test time. I never got above a 75 on those tests, and I passed with 75 questions.

Good luck!

andi2634 · Jul 18, 2003

I'm going through the same thing- I keep doing practice tests and can't get above a 75%--- on some of them I'm even getting in the 50s-60%!! I'm taking boards on Wednesday and I'm so scared- but everyone I have talked to said they were scoring the same on the practice tests and they have all passed. I have to believe I will too. Good luck

fourbirds4me · Jul 18, 2003

I think those are decent scores. If your disc allows, see if your questions are broken down by difficulty. You should be getting at least 50% of the difficult ones right.

Remember when you take NCLEX.... everyone scores 50%. Those who pass get 50% of the difficult ones right.

"NCLEX examination decisions are not based solely on how many questions a candidate answers correctly, but also on the difficulty of the questions a candidate answers correctly. CAT administers questions with difficulty levels so that each candidate will answer about half correctly; these questions provide the most information. Thus, all candidates answer about 50 percent correctly: passing candidates answer 50 percent of more difficult questions correctly, and failing candidates answer 50 percent of easier questions correctly."

This page has some really good info on NCLEX http://www.ncsbn.org/public/testing/info_cat.htm

Hang in there!! You can do it!

itsnowbegun · Jul 18, 2003

thank you so much, for that link it really cleared up a lot. as well as everyone's elses experience with the review questions.

now i just have to figure out if i am getting at least 50% of the hard questions right...

i will keep you all updated..

GalaMar · Jul 18, 2003

Yes, what you are going through is definitely normal. I used 2 books to study from, scoring between 68-75% in Lippincott, and 72-85% in Saunders, and I passed on the first try with 120 questions. Just make sure you understand the theory behind the answers, & don't panic at the actual NCLEX if you don't immediately recognize the subject matter. The questions WILL be worded differently. Just read through the question & EACH answer, and follow your gut.

FYI, according to the pamphlet Pearson gave me, 84% of all first time takers who are educated in the U.S. pass on the first try. (That is a VERY high passing rate.) I'm not telling you that to add pressure on you but to let you know that this test is not as daunting as we tend to make it.

Just study enough so that when it's all over, you will be comfortable to say to yourself that you did your best. That's really all you can do. In the meantime, remember to let yourself have a LIFE outside of studying, and GOOD LUCK!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Just believe in yourself.

NicuNsg · Jul 19, 2003

I can feel your pain, believe me...... best advise I can give you is to continue to study by practicing questions and not getting hung up on the scores your making, that can be very stressful. PAMPER yourself, you don't want to work yourself into an illness prior to the test. And, I know it is hard but try to avoid the MB's till after your exam! Time management, practice, practice, practice! I want to wish you luck, I'll be praying for ya!!!

vaughanmk · Jul 22, 2003

I wouldn't worry. I scored similarly on practice tests. I just continued to study, study, study. And I passed with 75 questions. I would check to be sure that your scores are consistant across the different fields. check for any areas of weakness. I would concentrate more on consistency than a percentage.

Good luck, sending prayers your way.

A/A/OX3 · Jul 22, 2003

This should make you feel better. I have been a critical care nurse for 13 years... 9 of them CCRN certified. I graduated 2nd in my class at Indiana University and am a member or Sigma Theta Tau (International Nursing Honor Society). I work at the Texas Medical Center in Houston in CVICU.

My practice scores were no different. You'll do fine sweetheart. You are doing what is required, you are giving it your all. Two suggestions for the day of the test.... wear red and eat something salty.

No guts no glory.

bjt

vaughanmk · Jul 22, 2003

What's with the red and salty, might I ask?

EMTPTORN · Jul 22, 2003

I am in the same boat with scores. On the NCLEX 3000 review am scoring 60%'s on Saunders I am scoring 60-70%'s. Am graduating in