I passed in 75! My study strategy & story.

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I used this site religiously as I was studying for the NCLEX, and I thought that I would post my strategy/story of how I passed the NCLEX in 75 questions.

These are the three resources that I used to study:

1) Hurst Live Review

2) NCLEX RN Mastery

3) Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN

Hurst Live Review: I LOVED THIS REVIEW. I was the type of student who would cram before a test to get the grades that I wanted and then not retain anything. This review really focused on the topics and material that was needed to pass the NCLEX and be successful as an RN. They have entertaining southern accents and jokes that make listening to the lectures really fun. I enjoyed taking the live review because it was easier for me to focus on the material as opposed to watching the videos online at home. (The videos are still very entertaining though!) The 6 Q Reviews that they provide really prepare you for the way the questions will be worded on the NCLEX. My scores were 83, 79, 84, 81, and 81 out of 125. I never got to take the 6th review). Hurst recommends a score of 84/125 to be successful on the NCLEX.

NCLEX RN Mastery: If you buy the full version of this app, I think you have access to around 1300 questions. I really enjoyed this app to practice questions. I am constantly on my phone, so this was a really convenient way to study while you wait in line, ride the bus, etc. The app provides great mnemonics, images, and rationale to help you learn the material. Yet, I will say that I thought the way the questions were worded were too detailed as opposed to the real exam. Ex: the questions in the app sometimes have very lengthy background information that I did not see on my NCLEX questions. I had an overall percent of 64% correct. The developers of the app recommend a 60-65% to be successful on the NCLEX.

Saunders: I used this book as a reference; there was no way I could read the entire thing. I thought the material was organized very well based on the topics. I enjoyed taking practice questions that were relevant to the material I was just reading about. I mostly used this book for topics that Hurst did not cover/did not cover as in-depth as I wanted.

I also studied with a friend for 3 days to go over material from the Hurst live review. It really helped drill in that information. Talking about the content out loud is a good way to push that information into your long-term memory.

My exam was scheduled for 2:00pm on July 1st. I got to the testing center an hour early, and I was able to be seated and start my exam before 2:00. I used the noise-canceling headphones that they provide; it really helped me focus. I had about 15-20 SATA, 1 EKG, and 1 where they give you a patient's chart (I don't remember what those are called!). I got the blue screen after I submitted the 75th question and basically had a stroke. I really thought that I would get more questions based on my scores from the Hurst Q Review. I felt like I knew some of the questions indefinitely because of the material I had learned from Hurst, but there were still a lot of questions where I was torn between two choices and was struggling.

I was very hesitant to do the Pearson Vue trick because of everything that I was reading on this website. Some said it didn't work, some said you had to wait 24 hours, and some people swore by it. I ended up doing the trick at around 9:00pm the day of the test. I was just so anxious and worried! I typed in my credit card information, but I used a wrong expiration date to make sure I didn't get charged. I closed my eyes, hit submit, and when I opened them I got the good pop-up!! Yet, I was still hesitant. I did the trick again 24 hours after the test, and I got the good pop-up again! Fast forward to 48 hours later and $8 dollars poorer, and I had officially passed the NCLEX-RN!!

Please let me know if anyone has questions about the review materials I used/nclex/etc!

:laugh:

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How much did you pay for the hurst live?

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Through my school I was able to get $50 off so the total was $300. Live review is usually $350 and online is $300.

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I used this site religiously as I was studying for the NCLEX, and I thought that I would post my strategy/story of how I passed the NCLEX in 75 questions.

These are the three resources that I used to study:

1) Hurst Live Review

2) NCLEX RN Mastery

3) Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN

Hurst Live Review: I LOVED THIS REVIEW. I was the type of student who would cram before a test to get the grades that I wanted and then not retain anything. This review really focused on the topics and material that was needed to pass the NCLEX and be successful as an RN. They have entertaining southern accents and jokes that make listening to the lectures really fun. I enjoyed taking the live review because it was easier for me to focus on the material as opposed to watching the videos online at home. (The videos are still very entertaining though!) The 6 Q Reviews that they provide really prepare you for the way the questions will be worded on the NCLEX. My scores were 83, 79, 84, 81, and 81 out of 125. I never got to take the 6th review). Hurst recommends a score of 84/125 to be successful on the NCLEX.

NCLEX RN Mastery: If you buy the full version of this app, I think you have access to around 1300 questions. I really enjoyed this app to practice questions. I am constantly on my phone, so this was a really convenient way to study while you wait in line, ride the bus, etc. The app provides great mnemonics, images, and rationale to help you learn the material. Yet, I will say that I thought the way the questions were worded were too detailed as opposed to the real exam. Ex: the questions in the app sometimes have very lengthy background information that I did not see on my NCLEX questions. I had an overall percent of 64% correct. The developers of the app recommend a 60-65% to be successful on the NCLEX.

Saunders: I used this book as a reference; there was no way I could read the entire thing. I thought the material was organized very well based on the topics. I enjoyed taking practice questions that were relevant to the material I was just reading about. I mostly used this book for topics that Hurst did not cover/did not cover as in-depth as I wanted.

I also studied with a friend for 3 days to go over material from the Hurst live review. It really helped drill in that information. Talking about the content out loud is a good way to push that information into your long-term memory.

My exam was scheduled for 2:00pm on July 1st. I got to the testing center an hour early, and I was able to be seated and start my exam before 2:00. I used the noise-canceling headphones that they provide; it really helped me focus. I had about 15-20 SATA, 1 EKG, and 1 where they give you a patient's chart (I don't remember what those are called!). I got the blue screen after I submitted the 75th question and basically had a stroke. I really thought that I would get more questions based on my scores from the Hurst Q Review. I felt like I knew some of the questions indefinitely because of the material I had learned from Hurst, but there were still a lot of questions where I was torn between two choices and was struggling.

I was very hesitant to do the Pearson Vue trick because of everything that I was reading on this website. Some said it didn't work, some said you had to wait 24 hours, and some people swore by it. I ended up doing the trick at around 9:00pm the day of the test. I was just so anxious and worried! I typed in my credit card information, but I used a wrong expiration date to make sure I didn't get charged. I closed my eyes, hit submit, and when I opened them I got the good pop-up!! Yet, I was still hesitant. I did the trick again 24 hours after the test, and I got the good pop-up again! Fast forward to 48 hours later and $8 dollars poorer, and I had officially passed the NCLEX-RN!!

Please let me know if anyone has questions about the review materials I used/nclex/etc!

:laugh:

Hi Congrats on Passing NCLEX!!

I failed my nclex 1st time and now planning to write in august. I had content knowledge weakness as I had new born baby and was unable to study at all. I made huge mistake scheduling my nclex soon after having baby. Now that I have been studying since last 2 months and have help with baby, Im feeling confident. I study Saunders, have access to kaplan and hurst review. I revise content more than doing questions...do u think its ok to do that. And what should I focus on more???

thanks

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congratulations!! i take my exam july 22!! thanks for posting this information!! about how long did it take for you to do a hurst q bank?... I also did hurst live review and have just finished going over the entire hurst book.. but im thinking I should re watch all the videos just incase...idk? I feel i wont have enough time with the q banks!!:notworthy:

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Congrats. I'm using all the materials you are using. Hurst helps me a lot with knowing the "why" of the disease or disorder. Glad to know someone passed using Hurst!!!

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If you are feeling semi-confident with the content, I would start doing questions! The Hurst Q Review were very good practice questions. They are very similar to the exam, and I feel like reading the rational really helped decide how to answer questions.

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How much time did you devote to full on studying leading up to the exam? I have read where some have studied for a couple of weeks, others a month, or even as little as a week before. Just trying to gauge how much time I should devote to studying. Granted I still have an entire semester of nursing school to finish, I graduate in December. I would like to test by the end of January 2016.

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well I just took my test today, now for the dreaded and agonizing wait...:dead: :no::nailbiting:

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I took 3 weeks to study. Just depends on the type of student you are. I don't think anything longer than a month but thats just me.

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Did you think the Saunders Comprehensive was like the nclex or was it easier

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Well guys after 48 hours of extreme anxiety and $7.95 less in my pockets I have officially passed nclex!!! Thank God and thanks to hurst :)

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