I can't face 265 ?'s again....help!!!

Rayray15 · Feb 17, 2014

I'm sorry to hear about not passing. The first time I took nclex I had over 100 questions and failed. I also had a job lined up and unfortunately the offer was taken back. It wasn't my ideal dream job but it was in the city where I wanted to live. To prepare myself I took the Kaplan review class again. I did it online the second time instead of in the classroom, and truthfully I found it not only more convenient but more satisfying for my learning. I literally went through the entire book and questions. My results double higher than the first time I tried to study. The ati and hessi (sp?) questions I used too for some studying, but found the Kaplan questions to be more like nclex. I really stuck to my 4 week learning schedule that was in the book. I think my problem the first time is that I felt like I was studying all day all the time. I would only allow myself to study for 2-3 hours a day with a break every hour then take my test, after that I was done. Before I went to sleep I would review my notecards and that was it. Doing this helped me retain so much more information and keep my sanity! I forgot to mention I have really bad test anxiety so the day of my nclex exam I had all 265 questions! I could actually tell this time though when I was getting the questions right and wrong, I must have been borderline the whole time. The more select all that apply means your doing well. When your getting more basic questions you know you are starting to fall under the pass range. It was a mind game the whole time. But the way Kaplan teaches you to approach and answer the question really helped me a lot. Everything happens for a reason and honestly if I did pass the first time I don't believe I would be where I am now, in a new city that I love and having my dream job. Keep your head up and good luck to you!

vanessaem, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2014

I found that ATI was not a good represenation of the type of questions you would see on NCLEX. ATI and similar are more content based whereas NCLEX is more systems analysis based. So no matter how well you do on content, if you don't understand how to answer systems analysis type questions, you will not do well. I'm ok on content. My ATI readiness gave me a 89% chance of passing NCLEX on the first try but when doing Kaplan qbanks, I was struggling. You probably either need a Kaplan or Hurst review type course or you need to find system analysis type questions in which to practice. There's a certain way of thinking and a particular way you have to go about answering those types of questions that even knowing all of the medical content in the world won't help you. Some people can master them without help and some people can't.

cljacksonrn · Feb 20, 2014

Vanessaem.

Yes, with ATI i had 99% chance to pass and then was hit with the 265. Its like all content....not the type of questions we had.

did you happen to do the Kaplan course? I've rented a few different books, and they include quizzes also. I just need a boost of how to approach.

Like I said, rented several books, but not sure if that is the way or something different.

THANKS

vanessaem, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2014

I don't think the number of questions is the problem and yes, NCLEX has content but there are strategies that are helpful to implement when tackling many of the questions. I did the Kaplan course and I'm finding it helpful as far as learning how to answer system analysis type of the questions. There's a learning curve with the strategies but the more questions I do the better I'm becoming. Kaplan type questions are like the kind of questions you would see on NCLEX.

ATI is ok but I'm finding that it's giving people a false sense of security. ATI is not system analysis as far as I could tell.

My Kaplan instructor recommended these two books: Lippincott's Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-RN 2014-2015 Strategies, Practice, and Review with Practice Test. You should probably check those books out or give a review course a try.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 20, 2014

The FIRST thing you need to do is review your test analysis in regards to what you are not meeting the passing standard on.

Another thing about NCLEX is NOT content :no: it is about APPLICATION of the content at hand.

There are four concepts that make a competent entry-level licensed nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2. Health Promotion;

3. Psychological Inegrity;

4. Physiological Integrity.

No questions on content are the same; it may be safe, effective care, or psychological integrity; one must know what the question is ASKING in order to choose the best answer.

I will suggest LaCharity, Lippincott, and Saunders as good questions, as well as NCSBN-the makers of NCLEX-as sources for questions; NCSBN is a very comprehensive review as well; the Kaplan Book is a good resource into test strategy.

Review the test questions from the resources; they are more closer to then NCLEX; create test reviews like the NCLEX; the higher the percentage, the higher the percentage of passing the NCLEX.

Best wishes in passing the NCLEX.

StarBrownRN · Feb 20, 2014

I tried both ATI and Kaplan. Kaplan seemed to better prepare me for the test; the questions seem to more closely mirror what I saw on NCLEX--with some notable exceptions (generic drug names only and exhibit questions). The QBank and Question Trainers were very rigorous and all their questions are above the NCLEX passing standard. Sometimes, I would go back to ATI online and look at some of the content to supplement--but Kaplan seemed to have an "advantage" in the actual NCLEX test plan. I passed in 75 questions and the set-up was so similar to what Kaplan used, I felt comfortable taking the test. If you can, give Kaplan a try and don't lose hope.

diamond_girl, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2014

If you haven't already, go get PDA by Lacharity. Buy it on amazon, or see if your local library has a copy that you can rent. My school used Hesi, and I feel like it didn't help me at all. I also used Hurst, Kaplan, Saunders, and PDA. Saunders was the best for content review. I read through almost the whole book. I didn't think Hurst really prepared me enough for the nclex type questions. I really liked Kaplans questions. You can google the Kaplan question trainers. So I would do those. They suggest you get 60-65% on them. PDA was really helpful in prioritizarion and delegation, which was a huge part of me nclex. I took 4 weeks to study after graduation, and I passed with 78 on my first try. You can do it, just believe in yourself.

RetrieverGirl, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2014

Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX Review 5th Edition is good material. I also used ATI, and NCLEX Mastery on facebook. Take a review course. They cost a lot of money but they are worth it. Good luck!!!