I recently Failed the NCLEX exam for RN. While the stories of confidence and perseverance, from those of you who Passed the NCLEX are good and inspiring; I would like to hear from those who Failed the NCLEX for RN the first time, retook it, and subsequently Passed the second, third, forth or some time after that.
What was different in your preparation for the successful attempt?
What study/review guide or service did you use and find most helpful and representative of the actual NCLEX exam; and how was it better than before?
What helpful information, insight or tip can YOU provide for my preparation to retest?
I am scheduled to take my test for the third time in October. I also pray everyday as I have for years, but sometimes it's not the right season. I was angry that I didn't pass and that my plans are being put on hold, but I can be assured it is all for the best, although I don't understand it. As far as review I did an online review course with Kaplan and NCSBN. I feel that Kaplan is the best for strategy. My scores ranged from 50's at first and with more practice I acheived some 80's. Obviously something is missing for me, I plan on doing Saunders with Suzanne's study tips. Everyone that I know personally passed the first time using the Kaplan review and doing their Kaplan review course, I should 've took it to begin with, but we can't live in the past-we need to move foward and pass the NCLEX this time. My prayers and best wishes to you on your next test!
Specializes in Critical Care Transport/Intensive Care/Management.
I self-studied for 2-3 months and luckily passed the first time. I focused on Saunders and Lippincott. I guess what got me going was my determination to pass the exam and with the thought that " if others can do it, so can I!"
I really believe you can do it too!!! So don't let your failure stop you from trying .... Best of luck!
I recently took NCLEX-RN and failed, the minute I got my reslts I quickly logged on for the retake. I think that it has everything to do with mental preparation, once you're mentally prepared you can answer those questions, because the knowledge is there. For my studying on the retake I am using Saunders Comprehensive Review and also Saunders Questions and Answers. If there are any more helpful hints please free to post. by the way i answered all 265 questions the first time around.
I just failed the nclex for the 2nd time. I took NCSBN the first time and Kaplan the second time. I keep seeing Saunders mentioned as a good study guide. What's everyones opinion?
Hey 1body1... I know this thread is a little dated... but... I failed the first time back in June. I took a week to 'grieve'... then I started studying again. I didn't study content except for a few sections where I thought I was really weak... and those are the sections that I got hit hard with the first time around. But I used Learning Ext. and Kaplan mostly for the 2nd time. Learning extension was good for me because the tests came in 40 question sections and they give you the rational right after you answer each question. Where Kaplan has long tests.. .and then you have to go back and try to remember what you were thinking. Sometimes I would get questions right just by guessing, but I would see WHY I got them right..or wrong. I tried to continually give myself pep talks... saying to myself that I know I can do this.
.. I struggled through adult health... making C's ( in everything except fundamentals, peds, and ob.. where I made a's or b's ).. But I saw people passing that was on my level throughout school. So I knew if they could do it I definitely could.
So, on your second time around.. have confidence.. tell yourself that you CAN do this. I swear it helps. It sounds so stupid... but making yourself believe you can do it is part of it I think. .. haha. I took Kaplan before I tested the first time... and they told us to look in the mirror and tell ourselves that we can do this. I thought they were retarded. I may have not looked in the mirror everyday, but I definitely told myself I could do it constantly.. instead of saying.. ''there's NO way I can pass... I was a risk throughout school, why wouldn't I be a risk not to pass now.. etc.''
I can tell you that I was scoring 57's 58's in Kaplan.. and did pretty good on the learning ext. questions. I'd recommend getting the book that kaplan has that tells you how to disect the questions. That does help.
..remember your abc's and maslow.
but , remember that you can do it. believe that and you'll be fine.
Good luck and let us know when you're retesting!
ps.. I just tested again this month and I did pass. woot woot!
tcarver... IMO.. saunders is good for content review.. but I don't think the questions are as challenging as kaplan or learning ext. Just my opinion though. :wink2: When I did review content things, I used saunders.. but for quesitons... I used Kaplan and learning ext.
Hey! I just wanted to say that i passed my nclex with 265 questions. I took it the first time and got 265 and failed. The first time when the computer went pass 75 i panicked, so i do belive that's why i failed. The second time i went in with a lot of confidence. I studied nothing but the saunders book everyday. I took the kaplan course the first time i took the test and it was not much help. I got my money back from them the next two weeks after i found out that i failed. However, the second time i recieved 265 questions also, but i didn't panick i just kept on going. When i walked out i was just a little scared. When i checked the computer 48 hrs later it said i passed. For all of you out there who got 265 questions don't believe the thing about failing if you get this far. IT'S NOT TRUE!!!!!!
It don't matter what number you cut off at keep going:studyowl:
Hey! I just wanted to say that i passed my nclex with 265 questions. I took it the first time and got 265 and failed. The first time when the computer went pass 75 i panicked, so i do belive that's why i failed. The second time i went in with a lot of confidence. I studied nothing but the saunders book everyday. I took the kaplan course the first time i took the test and it was not much help. I got my money back from them the next two weeks after i found out that i failed. However, the second time i recieved 265 questions also, but i didn't panick i just kept on going. When i walked out i was just a little scared. When i checked the computer 48 hrs later it said i passed. For all of you out there who got 265 questions don't believe the thing about failing if you get this far. IT'S NOT TRUE!!!!!!
It don't matter what number you cut off at keep going:studyowl:
Congratulations! And you're right the number of questions does not mean anything. I actually have a friend I graduated with who retook the exam this week and passed with 265 questions. Good luck with your new career!
Thanks for the informative reply. I've been studying Sauders for content since I failed. I completed learning ext the first time and kaplan the second time. I think my weakness is OB and Peds, your strengths. I have access to the Kaplan site till November. I think I'll keep using the Q bank.Thanks again
Your welcome :wink2: Just keep doing as many questions as you can stand per day and read the rationals! Trying to disect the questions even when I didn't know the answers was most impt. for me... I had to learn how to be a good test taker.
...To tell you the truth.. I see many people doing 100-200 questions a day.. and even when I wasn't working.. it would kill me to do that many. So I'd be happy if I did 80ish (on learning ext with the rationals directly after the questions ) .. or just finished a Kaplan test. Then the next day I'd review the rationals for the kaplan test.
But I really think kaplan is closest to the nclex... with the difficulty and the way the questions are worded and whatnot. Good luck and let me know when you're retesting! You can do it.
blessed1702
122 Posts
Hi 1body1,
I am scheduled to take my test for the third time in October. I also pray everyday as I have for years, but sometimes it's not the right season. I was angry that I didn't pass and that my plans are being put on hold, but I can be assured it is all for the best, although I don't understand it. As far as review I did an online review course with Kaplan and NCSBN. I feel that Kaplan is the best for strategy. My scores ranged from 50's at first and with more practice I acheived some 80's. Obviously something is missing for me, I plan on doing Saunders with Suzanne's study tips. Everyone that I know personally passed the first time using the Kaplan review and doing their Kaplan review course, I should 've took it to begin with, but we can't live in the past-we need to move foward and pass the NCLEX this time. My prayers and best wishes to you on your next test!
B