How to study for retaking NCLEX!

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I have unfortunately failed my first time at the nclex with taking the Kaplan course and making it to 226 on the exam. I received my results saying I did not fail any topic, but I nearly passed all of them. This does not narrow any information for me to study. Any help on how to study, what to study, etc. would be greatly appreciated as I am very hard on myself for not passing. Any suggestions on how to get on the right track from here.

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I, myself am in the same place as you,,,I found out today that I failed. It's a terrible feeling that I can not dddescribe. I also took Kaplan,,the "decision Tree" is not for me!!

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Start over again from the beginning. Study as if you had never tested before. You do not want to gloss over any topic or leave something out because your mind tricks you into believing that you already know the topic. Best wishes.

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Specializes in LTC/Pediatrics.

I'm sorry to hear that. Give yourself a break until you feel like you're ready to study again. I failed my first take as well so I know how devastating it it. Study like you have not taken the test before. You saw the exam already, I hope you take that as an advantage too. I heard learning extension by ncsbn worked for a lot of people. Good luck to your next take!

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

I would recomend having 2 books in the table:

a review book of your choices, and a question book of your choice.

Start by answering 1/2 of the questions and then check your answers, if you scored lower than 68% of the ones you answered. stop answering and use the review book, after you read ALL the subject (per say... MEDSURGE GI quiestions) then you go back and finish the questions. and you will see an improvement!

I used to study like that and it worked great!. If I could recommend a question book would be MOSBY and a review book KAPLAN.

now once you are done with it all, chow down on LACHARITY and a pharmacology reviews and rationales book!.

the KEY is to be persistent! do 100 questions per day at least

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Are any of you guys that failed in the TN or VA area...if so there is a wonderful woman that has tutored me and she is awesome....you any of you all are near let me know and i will give you her information...i take my nclex again on the 8th and i feel more confident than ever!!!

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I know how frustrating it can be, it happened to me as well. The first time I did not finish Kaplan's program & failed. The second time I did finish the program & passed. What helped me was not just taking the tests, but reviewing the answers I got wrong afterwards. Also, look at the tests you took with Kaplan & see the areas that you needed improvement on.

Kaplan isn't for everyone. I had a friend pass that did not like the decision tree. She did practice questions from ATI & used the Prentice Hall's Review & Rationale: Comprehensive NCLEX-RN Review. Another book I would recommend is NCLEX-RN Exam Cram. I've also heard this site is good: http://learningext.com/hives/534b38552a/summary.

I hope this helps...Good Luck!!:)

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Thanks everyone...I officially started studying again today just by doing questions to see how I would do on them so far after taking a few weeks off. I did great except they dont' seem as hard as the nclex questions. It is the new book of Davis based off the 2010 plan too.

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How long did it take for you to get the letter that you failed. I took the test August 30th and tried the "Pearson Vue trick". It took me to the credit card screen. Needless to say I am very disappointed. So I am just waiting for the official letter stating that I failed :( I answered 235 questions, when the computer shut down. I was so tired at that point that I honestly was wishing for it to shut down already. uGHHHH....so frustrated because a friend of mine said that means that I was really close to passing. ????

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How long did it take for you to get the letter that you failed. I took the test August 30th and tried the "Pearson Vue trick". It took me to the credit card screen. Needless to say I am very disappointed. So I am just waiting for the official letter stating that I failed :( I answered 235 questions, when the computer shut down. I was so tired at that point that I honestly was wishing for it to shut down already. uGHHHH....so frustrated because a friend of mine said that means that I was really close to passing. ????

Hi! I recommend using Davis 2010 by Kathleen Ohman, LaCharity book and NCLEX 311 by RA Gapuz(this nclex 311 is suprisingly helpful... VERY helpful)

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I just purchased the Davis book/CD. I looked at the questions, so far so good.

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How big is this book: Davis 2010 by Kathleen Ohman

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