How do you deal with mental fatigue during the NCLEX?

[SillyInScrubs]

This is not a thread about advice for dealing with ADD in general, although yes, that is my main issue. Rather, I was wondering if anyone who has already taken the NCLEX has any specific tips on dealing with the "75th question crash" that I always get. Without fail, I can always feel it coming. I start missing words, fidgeting, looking around, my eyes start to blur and I'm fighting myself not to just pick C for every question so I can get OUT OF THERE.

Did you get up and walk around? Sit and relax with your eyes closed? I suppose the ideal thing for me would be to pass in 75 questions before the fatigue sets in, but I'd like to have a backup plan of some kind. :)

I heard they have ear plugs, so I definitely plan to get in on that. Does anyone else have any comments?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I recently took NCLEX-RN and, while I was taking the test, I was wearing ear muffs the entire time to block out the transient sounds and ambient noise inside the testing room. This greatly helped to keep my mind from wandering. While I do not have ADD/ADHD, I am admittedly a daydreamer with a vivid imagination, and my mind tends to wander when I am confronted with material that I have deemed boring. I am also easily distracted.

Perhaps you should take a mock NCLEX every night at home in front of your own computer to prepare yourself and build the mental stamina that is required to answer many questions. If you get accustomed to answering 150+ questions daily while in one sitting, it should be no problem when you do it at the testing center when you are taking the real NCLEX. Also take advantage of the breaks to free your mind. Perhaps see a doctor about your ADD. Good luck!

[caliotter3]

When I find myself dozing off or daydreaming, I know it is time to take a break, walk around, and get a long drink of water.