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!
@guysgirl1512 I remember getting a priority question at about question 4 and then every other question from there was either select all that apply or priority. Sometimes I got SATA 5 times in a row then it will go back to priority.
Hi, i took nclex twice already and i am from abu dhabi. i applied via vermont, i just want to know how to apply for the third time, any links or please point me in the right direction, thank you. Ed
@Mr. E I am not from vermont but you can check out the vermont board of nursing website and give them a call. They will be able to give you the right information.
well just wanted to keep you informed that I finally passed the nclex with 75 questions and I can say the studying with judy miller for content and using Lacharity with questions made things a lot easier. thanks
@Leonard_huh...yayyyyy!!! So happy that u have overcome this hurdle. Thanks so much for the update. If u can consider sharing ur story.....It may help others as my story has helped u! Good luck and take care!
hey thanks. I'm planning on making a youtube channel later to explain and give advice on good study materials and stuff in more detail.
In the end its about finding out what kind of learner you are and go from there the same approach you studied from every other material and study in the an environment you can focus in and not get distracted by social media or chores or something else. I reviewed the judy miller cd which gave me a foundation on the content. Then I have this elsevier evolve adaptive quizzing thing I had used for the hess and I love that program. I did questions on applying and analyzing and read the rationales that are really good. did only questions for about a week like 150-200 questions till I was tired did a couple saunders select all that apply. I also did the laterality which really helps on the priority type of questions. Then 2 days before the test did kaplan question trainer 6 to feel more ready and It I did well. day of the test was just another day in the neighborhood, chatted along with people there to relax went in took my time on the test on each questions realizing there is no rush. started with drag and drop then select all that apply and priority. had a lot of SATA on there sometimes 5 times in a row. I felt like the test was really easy this time, because I had a good foundation of knowledge and was able to identify the topics to find the right answer. Overall its about practicing and learning cause in the end once you figure out how to read test taking material and how they try to distract you is funny how we get tricked.good luck. any questions feel free to ask. or message
@leonard_huh thank u so much for sharing! I have a question. My friend is struggling with passing this exam and was wondering if u think Elsevier evolve adapting quizzing was really helpful? Is it similar to nclex mastery? She has tried, lippincott Q&A, Saunders, Kaplan, nclex mastery just to name a few...what ever advice u might have will be very helpful. She knows the material very well she just has a hard time eliminating the distracters. Any advice will help! Thanks!
I love Elsevier its a good program, I wish I know so I could of used it during nursing school. What I like about it is that you can choose categories you want to study like main things like med surg and stuff, but also sections like assessment or applying and anazlying type of questions. good rationales detailed. I used it to pass hesi also so I think it really helps me. plus it keeps track of your progress for different categories and such. Nclex mastery is good but the questions and stuff is ok, The reason I like evolve elsevier is because it can help you focus on your weakness more. I think if she uses the evolve it will really make things better it has over 10K questions. kaplan would help for the trainers and saunders is good for select all that apply. goodluck for your friend, as long as you figure out your weak spots everything else should be a breeze.
Zion5335
20 Posts
@guysgirl1512 I remember getting a priority question at about question 4 and then every other question from there was either select all that apply or priority. Sometimes I got SATA 5 times in a row then it will go back to priority.