How I passed the NCLEX the 2nd time around

[chelley2010]

I took the NCLEX for the first time in September 2011, after a move from NY to ATL. Needless to say, I didnt study much and winged it.

I failed.

After seeing that I failed, I cried for two days straight. Then I was determined to pass.

I signed up for the Kaplan course. I took it online and would highly recommend it. Before my online class started, I did the Diagnostic test, QT1, QT2, QT3 and REVIEWED my weak areas! I listened to the lectures and took notes in my book. I listened to the decision tree one about 4 times. Made a post it note that read:

TOPIC

A vs I

MASLOW

ABC

EVALUATE

And put it on my laptop. I also put a post it note that said:

"If I can do one thing and go home, which would I do?"

This helped me FOCUS.

When I took the class, I paid attention. Yes, it could get boring at times, but I trudged on.

For the last day, I had to do the readiness test. I've seen many people here post that they rushed thru it, and got low scores. DON'T RUSH THRU IT. Set aside the time to take it. I made sure I set aside the time in a quiet room and took it.

After we went thru it in class, I sat there and went thru each question. I then took QT6 the week after, and QT7 a week after that. Using the day after the tests to review. Each time I took note of where my weak areas were, and reviewed lectures. All of my overall scores were between 60-68%.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas, I did slack off a bit with studying. But after each holiday I hopped back on the bandwagon.

I did 25-50Q a day, reviewing the ENTIRE quiz before moving on. Each time I took the quiz, I had paper and a pen. Once my time started on the quiz, I wrote the decision tree at the top of my paper (TOPIC, A vs I, MASLOW, ABC, EVALUATE), and "If I can do one thing...". I also wrote down the topic of the question in 2-3 words and jotted notes about each answer as needed. It helped me slow down and focus on the question at hand. I believe this helped me TREMENDOUSLY.

The week leading up to the NCLEX, I had already finished all the QT's so I reviewed them, focusing on my weak areas. And I rewatched the decision tree lecture to drill it home. I tried doing 50Q a day and reviewed them. But what I found worked better for me, was doing 50Q one day, then reviewing them the following day. I also focused on SATA and priority questions since those were always my weak areas on the QTs. That week before the NCLEX I averaged between 72-78% on the Qbank questions.

I did take the day off before the test. I made sure I was in bed by 10pm (my test was at 8am the following day), drinking some chamomile tea to help calm me down.

I also put post it notes all over my dashboard in my car, in my day planner, on my fridge and the door to my apartment. All with motivational quotes. When I got in my car the morning of my test I took a deep breath and smiled.

I gave myself an hour to get to the testing center, just incase of traffic. I got there in 20 minutes, went in and was able to check in a little early. When the called me back, I paid careful attention to the instructions, got to my seat, put the headphones on and took a deep breath.

After my exam started and I was able to write on my dry erase board, I filled it out like I did for my 50Q: the decision tree (TOPIC, A vs I, MASLOW, ABC, EVALUATE), and "If I can do one thing...". I also put a big smilie face for good measure.

As I took the test, I wrote down the topics and the notes on the answers. I got some SATAs but didn't lose focus. When I got to around question 60, I felt myself losing focus. So I closed my eyes, took 2 deep breaths and went back to work. As I neared 75, my heart pounded, and as I passed 75 onto question 76 I lost focus again. I took another deep breath and refocused. My test stopped on 86.

I left there unsure of how I did. Once I saw 'delivery successful' on Pearson Vue, I did the PVT and got the good pop up. Thursday evening I got an email from the State of Georgia notifying me that I had passed and was issued a license number!

[frankie,RN]

Congratulations.:)

[2bnurseforce1]

Congrats, I take mine for the second time on Feb. 16th and I am so nervous. I am using LaCharity, NCSBN 3 week, Saunders, and Kaplan strategies. I tell myself everyday that I WILL PASS THE NCLEX. Lord help me

[jaividal]

congratulations doll! =)

[purplechicxiii, BSN, RN]

CONGRATULATIONS!:yeah:Hoping to pass my 2nd attempt too on Mar 9. Good luck to everyone testing!

[christinedimopoulos]

I like your story! May I ask approximately how many questions did you do before taking the boards? Christine

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Congrats!!!

[ships]

congrats dear....

[hbrak]

I took the NCLEX and unfortunately failed the first time this past January. I did the Kaplan course for the second time and took my time going through all of the question trainers and Qbanks. I probably studied for 4 weeks before the test. At least 50 - 100 questions/day. I ended up doing all of the questions available and I passed the second time in 75 questions this March. I thought the test was easy compared to Kaplan. Kaplan completely prepares you for what you need to know. I wouldn't even waste your time looking at any other course books or classes. Don't practice doing Select All Questions either. You might not even get any on the test and even if you do, you can't prepare for those. Take my advice, don't waste your time and just do Kaplan and you'll easily pass!

[Boopsie3]

I took the NCLEX and unfortunately failed the first time this past January. I did the Kaplan course for the second time and took my time going through all of the question trainers and Qbanks. I probably studied for 4 weeks before the test. At least 50 - 100 questions/day. I ended up doing all of the questions available and I passed the second time in 75 questions this March. I thought the test was easy compared to Kaplan. Kaplan completely prepares you for what you need to know. I wouldn't even waste your time looking at any other course books or classes. Don't practice doing Select All Questions either. You might not even get any on the test and even if you do you can't prepare for those. Take my advice, don't waste your time and just do Kaplan and you'll easily pass![/quote']

I took Kaplan. I completed all the questions in the program . It wast a good idea for me because I failed. Everyone is different however. Some people loved Kaplan, but for me they should included more content in their plan of study.