I passed!! My story and tips...

[Ndnrnbsn]

Hey Everyone,

I took my NCLEX-RN on Friday, and I have the good pop up!!! I came out of there thinking that I failed. I had about 10 SATA, 2 drag and drop, 2 drugs, 1 EKG, and 1 math. I did have a lot of priority questions. I detest SATA, so in preparing for the NCLEX, I would pray to God everyday that I would not get a lot of SATA and to just give me any other types of questions besides those. But then throughout the exam, I was getting worried because I heard other stories saying that they had between 20-30 SATA and that it was a good sign. Then I started thinking, I shouldn't have prayed to not get that many SATA questions because I wasn't sure if I was above the line or not. But even then, I answered the question to my best ability using the ABC's if it applied and what would keep my patient from dying. I came to the center prepared to take 265 questions if I had to. I would rather be mentally prepared than not because if it did not shut down at 75, I know that I would start to worry and and not think clearly. So when I came to question 75, I prayed to God that if the computer shut down after this question to let me have passed. And when I clicked next, it shut down. An 1 1/2 later, I was done. I walked out of there thinking that I had failed. I quickly went down to my car to do the Pearson Vue trick. I couldn't believe it when I saw the good pop up! I thanked God immediately because he heard my prayers and he answered them.

Here's my story:

I am a bad test taker, in the sense, that I have the tendency to change my answers. I can always eliminate the 2 options but then the other 2, I'm not sure which to pick because ABC's do not apply, and the 2 answers sound really good. Our school provided Kaplan for us. So for my trainer 7, I got a 59.6%. When I checked the analysis, I had 20 questions that I went from correct to incorrect. I would change it at the last minute and click next. I also started the exam late in the afternoon and by that time I was so exhausted because I was studying and doing questions since the early morning. I was feeling down, so I rescheduled the exam to the 25th.

About 3-4 weeks prior to the test, I started praying. I would pray day and night, I would just ask God please let me pass with 75 questions, and to not give me that many SATA questions. Throughout the time I was studying, I always stayed positive. I never once thought what if I don't pass. I wrote down on a peace of paper: Pass the NCLEX the first time and I signed it with my name, RN, BSN. I put this paper under my pillow and each night I would pray over it and sleep with it. On my mirrors, I put Pass NCLEX and the date I was taking the exam. On one mirror, I put: All things are possible through Jesus Christ! I looked at these mirrors everyday.. Then 1 week prior to taking the exam, I read an article that said that God knows our requests, and that all we do is ask and ask. He knows what we are going to ask for before we even ask it. So that we should start thanking him for answering that request. So I changed the way I prayed. I believed that I would pass and I did.

For the study resources: I did Kaplan, I thought it was hard and challenging, but well worth it. Towards the end, I looked into Saunders and Lippincott questions, but I thought they were too easy compared to Kaplan. I think Kaplan does prepare you well. I read every question and rationale. I watched about 75% of the content videos and 80% of review of questions video. The videos of the review of questions were the best because the lady would show the question and go step by step how you should answer the question. I would pause it before and answer the questions before she would go over the answers. I also studied the 35 page study guide that is floating around the forum.

For those of you that are going to take the exam: STAY POSITIVE!!! Do not let negative thoughts enter your head!! Go into the exam feeling confident. I admit that I had some anxiety but I think that is normal. Read each question and answer slowly. One thing I can tell you is that each question was straight to the point. So I knew what the question was asking. I hope this post helps, I apologize for it being long but I wanted to share my story. I stalked allnurses everyday and would read all the posts of people who passed and fail. I want to give you hope that you can do it!!!

[buspar]

Congrats nurse. Can u share ur kaplan scores if it's ok with u pls .

[Ndnrnbsn]

Hi Buspar,

My scores:

Trainer 1: 75 (this was before I graduated and in class)

Trainer 2: 60

Trainer 3: 72

Trainer 4: 72.7

Trainer 5: 75.3

Trainer 6: 74

Trainer 7: 59.6

With Trainer 7, I was feeling a lot of pressure. Our school assigned us with a mentor and she said that I need to score at least above 62 % to be good for the NCLEX. So when I was doing the test, I felt like I had so much pressure and I was not feeling confident like I did with the previous trainers. Instead of sticking with my first answer, I would change my answer and I did this 20 times. With this score, I panicked and rescheduled the exam for the following week. I redid Trainer 7, 5 days later and I got a 75.

My Qbank scores ranged from 58-77%.

With the Sample:

Sample 1: 62

Sample 2: 60

Sample 3: 74.7

Sample 4: 30

Sample 4 was the hardest because of all the SATA questions.

[laKrugRN]

Way to go!

[Ndnrnbsn]

Thank you!!! :)

[rsclpc]

So proud of you!!! I take NCLEX for the 2nd and LAST time on the 14th.:)

[Graduatenurse14]

CONGRATS RN!!!

[ganurse2013]

Congrats!

[cocoluv06]

CONGRATULATIONS RN !!!

[Kms210]

I just finished Trainer 7 and thought "I am just meant to not be a nurse. I don't remember any of this or what to do first, etc." then I got a 63% on it and being a bad test taker as well, I was thrilled. I really needed to read your post today. I take my test 8/6. I am an avid prayer, all through the day I pray for things. I know it won't be the end of the world if I fail, but oh how great it would be to pass the first time. Thanks again for posting this. I am going to watch some question videos over the next few days and finish up the qbank. Good luck to you!

[Ndnrnbsn]

So proud of you!!! I take NCLEX for the 2nd and LAST time on the 14th.:)

Good luck!! Stay positive and pray!! Believe that you will pass! :) I will be praying for you!! Let us know how you did! :)

[dbrenda1510]

Congratulations on passing!