How do you determine that you passed the NCLEX?

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Dec 25, 2010

Near passing is not passing. You have to pass to pass. But you were close, so keep studying. Focus on the one area you were below passing but still study on the things you were near passing so that you can really pass them next time. Have you tried HURST Review?

IVqueen23 · Dec 25, 2010

I looked up the HURST review and its not offered in NY state apparently? I work 9-5, mon-fri and I tried looking into Kaplan but their evening classes were canceled because not enough people joined them. The next possible time I can take the NCLEX is after Jan 21st. Do you have any study tips for me? I have soo many NCLEX review books, I read the kaplan, ATI, I have the orange saunders book and I answered every question in that book, I did flash cards, im doing flashcards now for pharm to study that seems to help quite a bit. I ordered another saunders book which has amazing reviews on amazon. I really am reaching out because im starting to realize that I must be doing something wrong ! My program was an accelerated RN program and they rushed us through a lot of things, not that I blame them but I wish that i was better prepared! I feel like I have no guidance

THank you for letting me rant! lol and thank you for replying so quickly

hope you are having a happy holiday!

mentalhealthRN · Dec 25, 2010

In NY we have have KAPLAN review classes. Try that. My University had them come to the campus for us back when I was in school. Also get your hands on as many NCLEX question review books. Do the questions and read all the rationale for whats right and whats wrong. As many many many questions as possible. It really helps. Part of it is just getting used to the way they ask questions. And always remembering..... remember your ABCs. Airway-breathing-circulation. and remember your nursing process and its order. (not that you'll ever use it! lol)

Good luck.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2010

Hi Everbody!
I am very new to this site but I was doing some research one day and I came across some posts made here about failing the NCLEX. I have taken it twice and failed both times! although i was so upset the second time, I have picked myself up and I am trying to study really hard.
BUT
I was trying to determine what I did wrong the first two times and I have questions perhaps you can help me with?
When you fail your nclex you recieve a letter in the mail and it has on the back either 3 things to describe how you did in certain areas of the test, below average, near the passing, and above passing.
It says on all of them i was near the passing, and one of them i was below the passing standard.
If I get near the passing standard for everything, does that allow me to pass? because if so, I was so close both times!
if not, i have a lottt of work to do!!! lol (ouchh):crying2:
some one please explain this to me? THank you! and happy holidays!

Near or below passing are the same thing=not passing. Just like in nursing school you don't get a certain grade without a certain %, if you don't meet passing standards you don't pass the NCLEX.

Good luck on your 3rd go around. Have you taken an NCLEX review course to assist with test taking, etc?

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2010

Also get your hands on as many NCLEX question review books.

Granted, different things work for different people... I started out studying this way for the NCLEX, but then I read a suggestion to just stick with one comprehensive study guide (and the most recent version too!!). That way, you don't get overwhelmed, and cover all the topics. This is the advice I took and it worked for me (I passed on my first try).

I do wholeheartedly agree with the rest of mentalhealthRN's advice - doing lots of questions, reading the rationale and always remembering the ABC's. I too feel that a big part of passing NCLEX is understanding how to answer the questions. Good luck:)

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 25, 2010

I had replied, but didnt post, weird!! 1 can take kaplan online. I attended classes for kaplan, they were ok, but what i found most useful was the textbook they provide and the question bank. Kaplans big thing to correctly answering questions ---is the Decision Tree. It works for some types of questions, not all. In class all we did was go over queston after question and the rationale behind it and using the decison tree. I think the online class would be just as good. I read the textbook from front to back a few times, did ALL the question bank questions as well their is videos, and I watched most of them. Each has thier own way of learning, but 1 instructor stated 1 should be doing around 5000 questions before they sit for Nclex!! I have seen the kaplan text book on ebay for cheap, around $15 You CAN"T get this textbook at the book store, its different than what they sell at the stores. I see it now on ebay for $15.00 search Kaplan NCLEX and scroll down. on the front cover of this book is u see the shoulders down of a gal with a stethoscope around her neck, and her hands are grasping the stethoscope (cover is purple) and says Eleventh edition. Their is probably a newer edition as this was the edition I used back in May 2009. best of luck

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2010

The difficult thing about the NCLEX (as you well know) is that there are usually two questions that would be appropriate. You just have to determine which one is the best.

This is the advice my dean gave me before I took it: read the question and see if you can see a mirror in the answer options. The correct answer is usually the longest answer. Go with your FIRST gut instinct. Don't dwell too long on one question, skip it and go back. You may find a clue in subsequent questions that will help you answer the one you skipped. Always remember your ABCs, as a previous poster mentioned.

You probably know all of this already. Also, you need to have at least 2 good nights of adequate sleep prior to the test. If you can request the two days off prior to the test, do it. Make sure in those two days that you are eating lean protein, lots of veggies and are hydrating well. My fave snack is canned salmon (Chicken of the Sea is best) with crushed walnuts. It sounds gross, but it is TOTAL brain food. If you like eggs, have a couple of hard boiled eggs for breakfast before your test and have some toast with jelly for your carbs/sugar. I would advise against coffee unless your body is used to it. Slam a gatorade so you are hydrated, but do it a couple of hours before the test so you won't be getting up to pee every 30 minutes.

The reason I am focusing so much on nutrition is because the old adage is true: junk in, junk out. If you have a basis of good nutrition right before a marathon, you will finish the race, right? And just like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, our basis for growth is safety. Our bodies are the same. I wish I could say that I do this everyday, but I don't. However, before really big exams and board tests, I always prepare in this way. I haven't failed yet...and I know it is because my body is prepared. My mind is still questionable

Hope this helps. Remember to keep a positive attitude. If you think you are going to fail going into the test, you probably will. If you go into the test KNOWING you will pass, you will have that positive energy on your side. Go to a quiet place in your house where you will not be disturbed. Imagine yourself holding your license in your hands. Imagine yourself with your institution's badge with your name and RN behind it. Now imagine yourself celebrating with your friends who are honoring you for passing the NCLEX. Really feel your heart racing and hear your friends shouting, "Good JOB!!" Positive thinking is VERY powerful, and this exercise is a great way to prepare. It works, trust me on that.

All the best to you! I am crossing my fingers for you!

proudnurseRN · Dec 26, 2010

I know what works for me won't work for everyone else, and I'll probably be slammed for "bragging" but I passed NCLEX in 75 questions/30 minutes. My prep was questions, questions, questions. I probably did 10,000 practice questions. I started studying months beforehand, doing at least 100 questions a day for many days. I also reviewed 5 meds.

I read the Kaplan book about test taking, but I did not take any NCLEX courses (except the required ATI).

I don't want to even think about how many hours I put in preparing (over 200+). Truthfully, I probably didn't need all that preparation, but for me failing was not an option I would consider. I told myself that everytime I was exhausted, needed to clean house, wanted to play facebook, etc.

Best of Luck.

PraiseMariahCarey · Dec 26, 2010

I know what works for me won't work for everyone else, and I'll probably be slammed for "bragging" but I passed NCLEX in 75 questions/30 minutes. My prep was questions, questions, questions. I probably did 10,000 practice questions. I started studying months beforehand, doing at least 100 questions a day for many days. I also reviewed 5 meds.
I read the Kaplan book about test taking, but I did not take any NCLEX courses (except the required ATI).
I don't want to even think about how many hours I put in preparing (over 200+). Truthfully, I probably didn't need all that preparation, but for me failing was not an option I would consider. I told myself that everytime I was exhausted, needed to clean house, wanted to play facebook, etc.
Best of Luck.

Good for you but unfortunately in this post your statement is considered bragging.

ocean waves · Dec 26, 2010

Hello. Sorry you had difficulty with passing your first round of the test for RN licensure, however some smart student nurses just need some help with test taking skills. Since you say "cramming" with review books did not fully help you meet your goal, I agree with the writers who suggest you take any available professional review class intended to prepare nursing students to take the exam. Some universities also offer helpful counseling for test taking skills in the psychology departments. Best wishes!

sheila0313 · Dec 26, 2010

I have questions for you. First off when you study do you focus on content or just questions or both? Do you understand the diseases and disorders? Do you know all the signs and symptoms of the diseases or disorders? Do you know what medications go with which and what disease or disorders? How many nclex questions have you practices? How much time do you spend studying? You work Monday thru Friday, do you feel tired when you get off of work? Do you study when you are tired or sleepy? Do you feel like you are retaining the information? Do you learn the material or are you memorizing most of it? You are always so close to passing the nclex do you think you have test anxiety? :confused: Do you pray to God and fast? These are the questions I would ask myself.