I passed my RN NCLEX after failing 2 times

[AAngel101]

Hello

I promised myself that if I passed my NCLEX on the 3rd time, that I would write something on here about my experience. 

So the first time I took this test was back in June right after graduating from RN school. I studied hard and reviewed my material from class, just so I can refresh my content. I used Hurst to also help with content. Hurst was great, I believe it did help me in some ways. I also used Kaplan for questions.  I studied from the day after graduation to the day I took my test. I did at least 100 questions from Hurst and 100 questions from Kaplan daily. For Hurst I would usually get any where from 50% to 63% which gave me anxiety. for Kaplan I usually would get anywhere from 40% to 75% which still gave me anxiety. The day I went for my test I was so nervous. I was so nauseous and stressed, I sat at my station, took a deep breath and began. after 3 hours my computer shut off at 90 questions and I knew I failed. I know after you take the test you always feel that way somewhat. However, I knew that I failed. I went to my car and just started crying, after I got home I worked up the courage to do the pearson vue trick and so my payment get processed and the "bad pop" came up and I knew it. after getting the unofficial results I was devastated. I felt so stupid and embarrassed. 

After the 45 days went by I scheduled my test yet again for mid august. I studied 6 days a week this time leaving 1 day to just relax my brain. the days that I did study I used Kaplan and Saunders( did not like it, would not recommend it). I did anywhere from 150 to 300 questions a day. I also worked a full time job working nights in a hospital. I studied with mostly Kaplan. I used up all the questions in my qbank and sis all the assessments. my scored from the qbank where any where from 55%-80% . my scores from the assessments where as followed: q1- 55% q2- 57% q3- 63 q4- 51% q5-71% q6- 18% q7- 54% and the readiness test was 57%.  I studied up until the day before my test, however 3 days before my test I had a family emergency. I knew I should reschedule my test but I didn't and chose to take anyway. I figured I was ready. I sat on my station took a deep breath and began. after about 3 hours my test shut off at the maximum number of questions 175. I walked out of there not knowing if I passed or failed. I was more confident this time around but  was still unsure if I passed or failed. I waited till I got home and did the pearson vue trick and saw that my payment was being processed, I got the "bad pop up" again and I felt crushed 

I took a break for a bit after the second attempt, I scheduled my test for early October but didn't start studying until the first of September. It was more difficult to study this time around because my 3 Nephews and Niece where legally placed in my care on an emergency basis. so working my studying schedule around their needs and schedule was difficult. I took a sabbatical from work and stayed home with them which gave me time to study. I would do 75 to 100 questions daily on Kaplan RN Qbank. I also listened to Mark Klemik religiously. anytime I was in the car or cleaning the house I  listened to him. with him and Kaplan I took my test on November 9th. I sat down at my station took a deep breath but this time I didn't feel nervous. I looked at the screen told myself "I got this, I am passing today" and began. after 50 questions I took a 10 minutes break. I came back did another 50 questions and took another 10 minute break. I ate some snacks from my car and went back in. my computer shut off at 150 questions. I walked out with a pit in my stomach. I got to my car and did the pearson trick. I couldnt wait till I got home. sure enough I got the "good pop up". I sat their and cried tears of joy. I PASSED!

Sorry for this being so lengthy, I wanted to share my story because I know how difficult this test is, especially when you have test anxiety. If I could give 1 piece of advice, please listen to Mark Klemiks, He saved me and I wish I listed to his Youtube review from the beginning because I might not have failed the first time if I did 

thank you and good luck you CAN and WILL do it 

[Grace1987]

Congratulations.. that is such a relief..