How did you study for NCLEX?, I failed it and need advice

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Hi everyone,

I've taken the NCLEX TWICE already and still can't pass. The second time I took the test I received near passing in 5 sections expect for 3 sections I received below passing. I graduated a year ago, and went through some very traumatic events within my personal life after graduation, and at this time I really need to pass to start a new chapter in my life and live my dream of becoming a nurse.

My average in Kaplan QBANK so far is a 56-57%, and

Diagnostic test: 60%

Trainer 1: 76%

Trainer 2: 60%

Trainer 3: 50% :(

Still need to complete trainers 4-7

Readiness test: 61%

Honestly, I'm very overwhelmed and don't know were to start some times. Feeling disappointed because I still haven't passed the test. If there is any advice anyone can give me as to how they passed the NCLEX--- like what was your study plan?, materials you used? If you know any study groups in the mMassachusetts area, etc any information can help , I would greatly appreciate it. I want to schedule to take the test in the next 3-4 weeks

I have a lot of resources for this test, NCLEX 4000, HESI Comprehensive review for NCLEX book, Saunders comprehensive review for NCLEX-RN book, Kaplan NCLEX RN medications in a box, Kaplan RN course book, Lippincott's review for NCLEX book and cd, Mosby's drug guide and NCLEX RN review notes cards, Exam cram NCLEX-RN practice questions 4th edition, NCLEX RN flash cards, Prioritization, delegation and assignment and exam prep NCLEX RN. Overwhelmed don't know where to start.

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How many questions did u have?

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Hi goodman1507, I had 150 questions on nclex

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I suggest for you to rest a little bit 'till you feel your ready again. Don't push yourself too hard as this may cause more stress. Breath and do something you love. As you said you are overwhelmed by it, so I assume this is the time we should draw the line, praise yourself for all the hard work you have done. I feel you as I have recently failed also and am trying to find another way to study. I have rested and is now ready for this NCLEX monkey again. :)

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.

The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

-Thomas A. Edison

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I took my nclex-pn though i had all 205 questions. Im from cali . I had like 12 sata 6 exhibit 4 drag and drop pharma. I dunno if i pass or fail yet. You will pass next time for sure. :)

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@ kawaiibows .....Thanks for the support and advice appreciate it, it can be easy to feel down for not passing. I wish you all the best of luck in passing this test, and If you happen to hear about any study plan or materials that are helpful, please let me know.

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Specializes in NICU.

I took it last September, 5 weeks after finishing school in August. It took me about 45 minutes to do the 75 questions.

I understand that you want the ultimate path to studying, and passing, NCLEX. The problem is that everyone has a completely different knowledge base before studying for NCLEX. I had a quality education and have 20 years in the health care field, so my knowledge base was far more extensive than a student with no health care experience from a questionable school. I studied Kaplan q bank questions and trainers and Saunders. I had rented the PDA book for school, but didn't realize that it would need it for NCLEX so I didn't have it as a resource. I didn't really need it because I had a good comprehension of delegation and prioritization.

1. Stop what you are doing because obviously it is not working for you

2. Answer 100 questions

3. Write down the topic of every question that you got wrong or GUESSED correctly. For example "S/S of Cushing's"

4. Review the content for each of those questions.

5. repeat 3 and 4

6. If you continue to get the same content areas wrong then stop and deeply study those areas.

7. After a few weeks of doing this THEN take Qtrainer 6. If you get above 60% then schedule the test. If not then continue studying for another couple weeks then take Qtrainer 7.

Blindly studying thousands of questions as if those exact questions are going to be on NCLEX will not make you pass NCLEX. You need to understand the content and why the correct answer is the best answer.

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@Don1984....Thanks for your arrogant post, if you read my post you would see I went through traumatic events in my life after graduating, which prevented me from studying as much as i should of, did not go to a "questionable school", apparently you have no life then to go online and put down others to make yourself feel better, This website is here to help other people and if you have anything positive to say then don't say anything at all.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
@Don1984....Thanks for your arrogant post, if you read my post you would see I went through traumatic events in my life after graduating, which prevented me from studying as much as i should of, did not go to a "questionable school", apparently you have no life then to go online and put down others to make yourself feel better, This website is here to help other people and if you have anything positive to say then don't say anything at all.

He gave you a valid study plan how to determine your weakest content areas so you can do a targeted study plan.

In order to pass you need to be above the passing line in all areas. Not at. Not near. Not below.

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I took it last September, 5 weeks after finishing school in August. It took me about 45 minutes to do the 75 questions.

I understand that you want the ultimate path to studying, and passing, NCLEX. The problem is that everyone has a completely different knowledge base before studying for NCLEX. I had a quality education and have 20 years in the health care field, so my knowledge base was far more extensive than a student with no health care experience from a questionable school. I studied Kaplan q bank questions and trainers and Saunders. I had rented the PDA book for school, but didn't realize that it would need it for NCLEX so I didn't have it as a resource. I didn't really need it because I had a good comprehension of delegation and prioritization.

1. Stop what you are doing because obviously it is not working for you

2. Answer 100 questions

3. Write down the topic of every question that you got wrong or GUESSED correctly. For example "S/S of Cushing's"

4. Review the content for each of those questions.

5. repeat 3 and 4

6. If you continue to get the same content areas wrong then stop and deeply study those areas.

7. After a few weeks of doing this THEN take Qtrainer 6. If you get above 60% then schedule the test. If not then continue studying for another couple weeks then take Qtrainer 7.

Blindly studying thousands of questions as if those exact questions are going to be on NCLEX will not make you pass NCLEX. You need to understand the content and why the correct answer is the best answer.

Agree 100%...

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@Don1984....Thanks for your arrogant post, if you read my post you would see I went through traumatic events in my life after graduating, which prevented me from studying as much as i should of, did not go to a "questionable school", apparently you have no life then to go online and put down others to make yourself feel better, This website is here to help other people and if you have anything positive to say then don't say anything at all.

DON1984 gave you solid advice. You can take it or leave it. I understand how life events can greatly influence your state of mind when facing something like the NCLEX. My world was turned upside down during my last semester of school and didn't resolve itself until two months after I took the NCLEX. Obviously you are struggling in areas and need to refresh your understanding of the material. I hope you are able to find a study method that works for you and that you can conquer the NCLEX your next go around.

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Specializes in NICU.

I didn't say that you went to questionable school. I apologize if it was taken that way. My point was that everybody's preparation for studying for NCLEX would be different because they have different paths to NCLEX. I was giving you a range of someone well prepared for NCLEX prior to self-study and someone that would be ill prepared for NCLEX. My school prepared me for NCLEX, in addition to my experience outside of school played a factor in what I studied and the amount of studying. A student (NOT YOU) that went to a questionable school and has no prior health care experience would have a totally different study plan. I tried to provide you with a generic study plan that can be used regardless of where you fell in the preparedness. My plan allowed you to assess what your weak points are and how to go about correcting them before attempting to take the test again.

None of my comments were directly pointed at you (I have no idea about you). My post was a generic post to you and others that need help studying for NCLEX. There are people on this website that barely passed at a low quality school that answer thousands of questions without reviewing what they missed and then fail the test. They keep failing and go buy more books and more prep courses each time they fail. They continue to answer all of those questions without reviewing why they got questions wrong. Then they post on here "I took NCLEX X times and can't pass. What books/ courses do I need to buy to pass".

If you look at my posts, I have over 1400 likes on my previous posts. Obviously I am not on here daily to pump up my own ego. I try to provide quality help for those who need it.

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