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!
hey thanks for the advice, I started watching the judith miller nclex review and so far I like it, it goes over the content review good, most CDS are only 2 hours long which isn't to tiring and allows me time to do some questions after. Overall I'm feeling better now and more comfortable with some of my weak areas on content. She has gone over in the questions about what you said look for the opposite and the stem. So far so good and I think I should be ready soon. thanks
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!
Hi! I just tested for my 4th time this week, graduated in 5/2014 and I felt much like you. My first time I didn't study, went in because I thought "I finished school and my peers are passing" My first time failed with 75. It was an eye opener. the 2nd and 3rd failed with approx 130, after doing Kaplan...all of their content videos, their entire q-bank, and 1-3 trainer...when I started 4 and 5 I saw repeat questions from the q-bank, so went in and tested. This 4th time, I took 3-4 hours after work for 2 months and completed the yellow Saunders, which I thought was awesome. I also had 2 extra weeks til test day and started lippincott Q&A and got through about 1/3. This past test on Tuesday, my 4th attempt, At question 42 I saw my first question that looked like a priority question, I had felt good with many SATA and material that I had remembered studying. So I took a break, went to the bathroom and cooled off, and told myself I could get through this. I noticed you said you had lots of high level questions. I am curious, what that meant for you, since you passed. Like I said in the 40's I started having some delegation and priority patient questions. I remember going over "stable vs unstable" "actual vs potential problems" in my head....I felt amazing actually 85% of the test, lol at 74 i knew it was getting close to when it may shut off at any number, so I payed attention and I had a UAP delegation SATA at 74 and 75, was a priority patient question....I am 99.5 % sure I got the last question right and it shut off. I told myself "I just did it" I went 48 hours with no sign on the BON. So I caved and did the PVT. It took my payment. I am so lost!
I don't think I was "bombing" it like I have before. I felt comfortable with topics and worked through the questions I didn't know, which I didn't feel like was much. Then I got priority and delegation, and quite a few SATA!!!! I'm confused. Still hopeful but confused. What do you think?
@guysgirl1512... Im sorry that you are having a difficult time passing this test I truly understand how you feel right now. When I said I got a lot of select all that apply questions I was referring to
1. Select all that apply
2. who would you see first (I had a tone of these)
3. 2 EKG strips
4. questions that say "MOST IMPORTANT" etc...
Did you get these kinds of questions from the beginning or did it start at 42?
I started getting high level questions after question 3 and it went on from there. I also knew when I was getting things wrong because, I will get the same question again just written in a different form. Furthermore I felt very much like you when I tested the first 3 times. I think you may benefit from the Judy miller CD regarding test taking strategies. This CD really helped me digest the question and eliminate the distracters. It seems like you have been studying properly and content does not seem to be the issue for you. You may need a little reinforcement when it comes to test taking skills and elimination. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
@guysgirl1512... Im sorry that you are having a difficult time passing this test I truly understand how you feel right now. When I said I got a lot of select all that apply questions I was referring to
1. Select all that apply
2. who would you see first (I had a tone of these)
3. 2 EKG strips
4. questions that say "MOST IMPORTANT" etc...
Did you get these kinds of questions from the beginning or did it start at 42?
I started getting high level questions after question 3 and it went on from there. I also knew when I was getting things wrong because, I will get the same question again just written in a different form. Furthermore I felt very much like you when I tested the first 3 times. I think you may benefit from the Judy miller CD regarding test taking strategies. This CD really helped me digest the question and eliminate the distracters. It seems like you have been studying properly and content does not seem to be the issue for you. You may need a little reinforcement when it comes to test taking skills and elimination. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I remember my first question being multiple choice, and my second being SATA....I also remember feeling myself "ugh I hate SATA, but to keep calm and answer them calmly" (so I knew I was having a lot of those throughout.) Multiple choice and SATA continued back and forth until I got to 42 which was the first question I saw that had "priority" in it...then from 42-75 I had a mix of SATA, delegation, priority and multiple choice. But ended on 74 with a delegation UAP and 75 with a patient priority.
Where you getting delegation and priority from the beginning? Or just SATA's until later getting priority and delegation?
leonard_huh, BSN, MSN, RN, APN
141 Posts
hey thanks for the advice, I started watching the judith miller nclex review and so far I like it, it goes over the content review good, most CDS are only 2 hours long which isn't to tiring and allows me time to do some questions after. Overall I'm feeling better now and more comfortable with some of my weak areas on content. She has gone over in the questions about what you said look for the opposite and the stem. So far so good and I think I should be ready soon. thanks