How i passed nclex on the 4th try!!!

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Hello all,

I am writing my story in hopes of helping somebody who may be struggling with this exam like I have in the past. So I graduated in May 2014. I have taken nclex 4 times. I failed at "75" my first time. Failed at "83" my second time" and failed at "265" my third time. The first two time I took nclex I did not have a good understanding of the test taking strategies or my content and was EXTEREMELY nervous so obviously there was no way I could pass. I also could not meet the bench mark of 60% on Kaplan and barely made the bench mark on ATI which was also 60%. The second time I used Saunders and Hurst. I felt like I had a good content background I was meeting the bench mark and scored above 60s or low 70s. At this point I felt like I was ready I was eager to get it done. When I sat down to take the NCLEX exam I found it to be so hard. When I got to question "50" I went to the bathroom and cried my heart out. When the screen shut off I knew I had failed I again. At this point I felt broken and did nothing for about two weeks. I was so shattered and I cried to god and asked "WHY" I prayed that he will show me or tell me what he wanted to me do. about a month later I started studying again and this time did NCSBN, Kaplan strategy book, and Saunders. I read every rationale. I did 265 questions two days before the test and got a 72%. I finished all the NCSBN questions and scored between 60s and 70s. I also had 3 sessions with a tutor who told me that I was ready. When I went in to take the test for the third time I prayed ate breakfast and felt confident. I took a break every 50 questions and I knew I was doing well when I made it pass 83. I made it to 265 questions and two days later I found out I failed. This time I was not sad nor did I cry. I was actually happy because this showed improvement

Iwent from doing horribly to being very close to passing. After this I waited until the holidays were over (Christmas/new years) and began studying again. This time I used LIPPINCOTT Q&A book, Saunders, some NCSBN, and NCLEX mastery app. Before I started studying I watched a judy miller video called, "test taking strategies" (THIS IS REALLY A GREAT VIDEO) it is very expensive but I was able to watch it with a friend who has the complete NCLEX DVD set. This video taught me some many things that I did not know about the nclex exam. It taught to me to look for similarities, opposites, and how to break down the question. I felt like I had an online tutor after watching this video. After taking notes on the video I did the med/surg portion of LIppinocott and scored the same between 60s and 70s. I read every rationale whether I got the question right or wrong. I did maternity/newborn/mental health from the CD andscored 60s, and high 70s. I also did saunders because the saunder CD gives you the option to try new questions only and I scored high 70s and 80s. The best thing I could of did was buy the nclex mastery app for $30. I did questions everywhere lunch break, dr. apt, waiting for someone, in my bed when I could not sleep for hours at a time. Using different sources helped me see similarities and I was able to build my confidence because, I knew I was understanding the question. I was able to break down the question even when I did not know the answer and eliminate those that were incorrect (I struggled with this). When I took NCLEX for the 4th time I just knew that I was getting the questions right. I had so many high level questions which I thought were easy because, they were familiar to me. I even stopped in the middle of my test because, I could not believe that this test was so easy. I knew about 80% of the content and was able to figure out what I did not know. My test shut off at "90" and I knew I had passed. I went home and did the trick in my car and it worked I got the "good pop". My friend called, me the day after before she went to work and told me I had passed!!!! When I checked my email there it was "Congratulations on passing the NCLEX RN/LPN Examination. Although, I studied hard to pass this exam I also gave my life to god and prayed everyday. I am not saying that everyone should do the same to pass this exam but, this is what I needed to help me believe in myself. It was my faith that kept me going when I thought I could not do it. For those who are struggling with this exam please do not give up! You can do it! Find something or someone who motivates you and keeps you going through the dark times. This can be god, your family, your children or who ever you praise. Study hard and most of all believe in yourself. GOD BLESS!

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Congrads! Thanks for your story!

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Thank you and no problem! Hope it helps someone.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

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Congrats!!

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Congratulations Zion on a job well done. How long was the first test strategies cd/dvd? I am planning to buy only the Test Strategies cd by Judy Miller because I can't afford the package. Congrats again.

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My friend gave me a copy of her judith miller CD package, but it is missing the test taking strategies CD. Do you know anything or feel that the other material in the CD is good to use to pass NClex. I planning on going through all the content with this CD and use lacharity and practice some questions on saunders.

I have used kaplan and the nclex mastery app and kaplan test taking book and did not pass. So hopefully this judith miller CD package is worth it.

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I failed three times... Last time got 235 I felt happy because I felt same way I improved... I am going to study again in a month I need a break going for vacation with family.. What would be best advise!? I have nclex mastery and Davis app mobile for priority and SATA.. I will do Remar review hope it can helps me.. I have done Kaplan, NCBSN and hurst.... Congrats again í ½í±

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Hadassah16 I am so sorry for the late response allnurses.com never sent me an email to let me know someone commented. I happened to log in out of curiosity. The test strategies was about 1hr long but, it is very interactive and worth the watch. Good Luck! I will be checking in periodically if you have more questions.
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leonard_huh Hi there, Sorry for the late response. Since you do not have the test taking strategy CD I will suggest the Kaplan testing and strategy book. I used this when I took the test for the 3rd time and I made it to 265 questions which was much better than failing with 75. I think what made a difference for me was watching somebody break down the testing taking strategies (since I am a visual learner) however, I would say that the information is relatively the same. For example;

1. If you see two opposite answers (one of them is probably the answer)

e.g. high blood BP, Low blood BP

2. Look for similarities. If the answers are similar then you can eliminate those two since there is no way to really tell which one it is

3. Look for words that are in the stem and in the answer to help you break down a difficult question. Many of us believe that seeing the same word in the answer is to easy so we overlook it but, this can sometimes be the answer.

These strategies really helped me when I had no clue how to answer the questions hope this helps. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

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hmahdoui, BSN My advise will be "DONT GIVE UP"...Think positive you can do it! You made it to 235 meaning you were doing something right. I understand how you feel I have been there but, if I can do it! anyone can do it! I would suggest trying out the Lippincott Q & A 2014 book. In my opinion the questions in Lippincott are a little bit challenging and it comes with great rationales. I did the entire med-surg portion of the book and read/wrote down every rationale even if I got the questions right. Also, after doing a section in the Lippincott book and reviewing rationales. I did questions on NCLEX mastery App to reinforce what I learned and I actually scored well when I did this. This showed me that I was learning a lot from Lippincott. Also, the day of my test I sat in my car and prayed. I also bought a stress relief lotion from bath and body works (aromatherapy) and I know it might sound crazy but it worked. I felt relaxed and I said to myself "It is just a test. I got through nursing school, I can get through this". I passed with 90 questions and was sure I passed when I left the testing center. I even slowed down in the middle of the test because, everything that I had studied was on my test god is good! You can do it! The sun will shine soon! Just relax take a deep breathe! You know this and you can do it! Hope this helps let me know if you have anymore questions.
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I need to take remediacation course I am thinking to do Hurst and buy qBanks kaplan I have lippinicott for SATA plus I want read the kaplan content book hope it will helps.. That's what I said to myself I was doing something right I was very close to pass.. I will see the lippinicott med surg too.. Thank you :)

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