If you passed NCLEX, what are your studying strategies?

coolnovember · Feb 25, 2009

I didn't use the Kaplan's decision tree. But I just read the question and the answer and picked the one thing that I think would complete the sentence or something that really pertained to the stem of the question. In other words, I picked an answer that made sense... an answer that will assist the patient.

Qtrainers scores with Kaplans are as follows:

1 53.33%

2 58.67%

3 61%

4 58.67%

5 62.67%

6 61.15%

7 64.15%

One more important note... I was going to change my exam date... good thing I didn't. I've read the kaplan book at least 4 times... even the day before my exam I was reading it!!! PLEASE DO NOT DO ANY MORE READINGS THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM...I got so overwhelmed, can you imagine I even forgot the Signs and Symptoms of dehydration.

I went to church 2 times (saturday and sunday) prior to taking the exam and prayed and prayed......

How did I Prepare for the exam:

1. I graduated in Dec. 17. I didn't start studying until January 5..my first day with Kaplan. I got 62% on my diagnostic exam with Kaplan. I watched all the videos, read Kaplan Book 4 times and answered all Qbank questions and all Qtrainers. I was using Saunders' CD to answer questions. But I preferred.... Onto the next book

2. Incredibly Nursing Made Easy Questions and Answers with rationales. (I didn't not simply answer it. I studied it fervently). For me, the rationales on this book was more straight forward.

3. I would say I was at least answering 300-400 questions throughout the day on top of reading the Kaplan book.

4. So from January 5 until February 18. I was studying "religiously". I didn't have time for my family nor had time to indulge myself with anything.

I was up by 0700 having breakfast and by 08:00 I was answering Qbanks questions (kaplan) and when I'm done with the 50 questions, I would start reading the Kaplan book, for 2 hours, then started using Incredibly made easy for 2 hours, then Saunders for 2 hours, then read kaplan book again for 2 hours. (minus lunch and dinner and to complete my adls..you guys do the math) And by 20:30 I am in bed BUT with my laptop and answering Saunders CD again till about 22:30. That was pretty much how my life was and that's how I budgeted my time.