PVT really works, even though I was one of the people that kept checking to make sure my popup was the good pop up (you know...in case they changed their mind right?) I'm so happy- like many of you guys it's been a long road to get here. BUT ITS WORTH IT!
Here are some things I found after taking the test
1. LaCharity- Has really familiar delegation questions, use it. You can be thrown off by the size of the book and frankly I didn't think it was that monumental in helping me study, but I'm glad I reviewed it for the test.
2. Kaplan- I was one of those people that didn't like it at first. It really is a bunch of questions fired at you left and right. The strategies they give you do not always apply from one question to another and with us being nursing students, that's really irritating. We like things to be very planned, concrete, and universal. Try not to get defensive with your teacher- you may be doing it and not even realize... However, the question trainers and the QBank give you enough to really say "I'm feeling better about this."
3. Here's something silly- I practiced with a dry erase board before the test started (I like to use paper and pen when I'm scribbling out something for a test). But when I got to the testing center they wouldn't let me use an eraser. Nothing too worrisome but if you're easily upset by a routine it's good to know- you have to ask for new dry erase boards every time you fill it up.
4. Math questions are not the end of the world. I had 3- including one that was at the very end. But I also had like 14 SATA. Obviously this made my head go in corkscrews trying to figure out whether or not I really passed or really bombed. Did they like me they really really like me or what?? Just go in and do what you know how to do!
5. If you're religious this is definitely the time to pray. I did a dry run the Friday before my test so I knew where to go and then got there Monday around 20 minutes before the half hour I really needed to be there. I spent that time eating an apple (yay caffeine!) watching the sun come up and talking to God. I said to myself I've done everything I can, the rest is in your hands. It was actually really peaceful (even though there was still a part of me that was nervous). But I think that definitely helped when I walked in.
I hope this helps any future test takers. I did around 3000 questions from Kaplan, LaCharity (and a teeny bit of Davis thrown in the end- which to be honest I didn't really find all that helpful). They say it takes 3 weeks to form a habit and this is one of those tests you really need to become habitual in studying for. I did around 150 questions a day.
If I can do it you guys can too! Best of luck to those taking it in February :)
Just go in and do what you know how to do!