How I Passed NCLEX-RN 1/31/2014

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I'd be lying if I said lurking these forum boards didn't help me as I prepared for the NCLEX-RN.

I appreciated the "How I Passed" threads the most because they were the most helpful to me. I'd like to return the favor as I know how stressful preparing for the NCLEX can be.

So, without further adieu, how I passed the NCLEX-RN on 1/31/2014:

  • KAPLAN Live w/ QBank and QTrainers - after sitting for the exam this morning, I can tell you that Kaplan is VERY similar to NCLEX in format. Don't worry if your scores on Kaplan aren't so hot - I averaged about ~%55 on QTrainers and %54 on QBank and I passed in 76 questions.
  • ATI RN Mentor app for iphone/android - I preferred the set up because after every question you were provided the correct answers with in-depth rationales.
  • This study guide that floats around allnurses.com (i only read through it once though so I can't say whether it helped all that much. There were helpful mnemonics - be forewarned as a few are a bit vulgar.)
  • "cram sheet" from the makers of EXAM CRAM
  • This study guide:

    • DISCLAIMER: It's 97 pages long and almost TOO in depth. Also, the maker of the study guide must have had a bad day while writing the OB section because women/expectant mothers are referred to as "pregnant *******" in almost every sentence. It got to be too much and I just had to skip that section. Also, the maker of the study guide quite literally starts out EVERY SENTENCE with "Realize that.." - if you can get used to it and adapt then you'll be okay. Also, I'm not even sure how legal this study guide is as it's quite literally just the rationales from Kaplan and Saunders organized into content sections. Anyway, it costs $50 via paypal if you're interested.

    [*]LaCharity's Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment - I did all the questions and although they were tough, I think they definitely helped prepare me for all the priority questions thrown at me.

    [*]NCLEX Mastery android/iphone app (free version)

    [*]Quizlet's NCLEX section - it's a flashcard website and you can add sets to a folder and make your own and it's INCREDIBLY helpful for on-the-go studying and for when you just can get yourself to read from a book/study guide or answer questions. App available for android/iphone!

Well, that's it! I by no means used all of these resources extensively. I crammed for about 2 weeks before my exam and I honestly think that I would have done the same if I hadn't studied at all. Good luck to you as you prepare for the NCLEX-RN!

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Ahh! Awesome! :))) Congratulations and thank you for posting what helped you. If you don't mind me asking.. what were you averaging on PDA?

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Ahh! Awesome! :))) Congratulations and thank you for posting what helped you. If you don't mind me asking.. what were you averaging on PDA?

I didn't average out my scores but it was laughable how poorly I did on some chapters. Just remember that as long as you're reviewing rationales, you're learning how to answer those questions correctly the next time around. Also, you're more likely to remember something if you got the question wrong anyway!

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I brought the 97 pages study Guide 3 months ago and "REALIZE THAT" in every sentence I put the study guide away. I thought I had wasted my money, but I am back looking over the study quide because I heard a lot of positive results. I am also using the PDA. Thank you for sharing.

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I brought the 97 pages study Guide 3 months ago and "REALIZE THAT" in every sentence I put the study guide away. I thought I had wasted my money but I am back looking over the study quide because I heard a lot of positive results. I am also using the PDA. Thank you for sharing.[/quote']

Haha I know, it really is worth it though if you have the time to dedicate to reviewing it in its entirety. I mean, that and questions are what i used for the past few days and I passed so I suppose it helped. :) The pharm section was pretty disorganized so I'd recommend retyping it in your own words to make better sense of everything! When are you taking your exam?

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I took the exam Jan 9 and failed, so I plan to take the exam at the end of March. I want to go over the 97 page study guide 3x before I take the exam.

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I took the exam Jan 9 and failed so I plan to take the exam at the end of March. I want to go over the 97 page study guide 3x before I take the exam.[/quote']

I think you'll be golden! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

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Specializes in Psychiatri.

Congrats!

PDA by LaCharity is definitely a life saver!

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I am feeling very anxious.. I have not passed the nclex three times now I plan to retest at end of feb early march. I took hurst review and on the q review I have been scoring in the mid 60's :( Not sure if thats good enough I don't know what else to do. I am also hiring a tutor.

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Thanks for the info and CONGRATS! I just tried printing the Cram Sheet, and it's password protected. Was there a password you used to print it?? Thanks :)

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Oh no! I didn't even know that it was password protected since I didn't try printing it.

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I am feeling very anxious.. I have not passed the nclex three times now I plan to retest at end of feb early march. I took hurst review and on the q review I have been scoring in the mid 60's :( Not sure if thats good enough I don't know what else to do. I am also hiring a tutor.

I think mid 60's sounds great for Hurst! I personally didn't use it but I have a few friends who passed with Hurst the first time. It seems like you know your content so just keep plugging away at doing questions. Practice your alternate format items - I think I had over 30 SATA on my exam so I thought I'd failed for sure until I got home and saw the 'good pop up'. Good luck to you!

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