In need of studying advice for the NCLEX!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · May 25, 2015

We were required to do 200-300 questions per week during our last semester and write down the topics of the questions we got wrong. After graduation, I did 100-150 questions per day for 3 weeks. I would only go over the rationales of the questions I got wrong. I would keep track of areas and topics that I consistently got wrong. I would review content in those areas before the next day. There is no need to write down every rationale from every question if it is something that you already understand. You need a focused review. Focus on your areas of weakness. Then the last week I would do a Q trainer per day. That study plan worked for me.

RN403, BSN, RN · May 25, 2015

I did about 200 questions a day utilizing Lippincott's Q and A review. It was very helpful. No matter what materials you utilize it is important to focus on the areas that you are struggling with or consistently getting wrong. Also, be sure to focus on the areas that you already know you are weak in. We tend to focus on our strong points, however, continually reviewing information you already know is not beneficial.

As far as writing down rationales... I wrote pages and pages of notes based on rationales. I never got the time to go back and review them, however, I do feel that the process of writing out the information after reading it helped me retain the information. Although, I am a hands on learning so perhaps that is why writing out the material helped. You absolutely do not have to take notes and will more than likely not have the time to go back and read them.

The important thing is to read the rationales whether you got the answer right or wrong and to understand them. I would also review test taking strategies as they will help you in a bind.

Remember to take breaks and breathe. Plan your studying and be sure you leave time to do something away from the books. It is possible to over study.

Good luck!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 25, 2015

When I studied for the NCLEX; if I wasn't answering a certain category correctly, I can he my pace to focus on those particular questions after reviewing the rationales; if I didn't understand the rationales, I would go back and use a source to study from. I never written down the rationales to questions that I wasn't getting, I reviewed it, then went to questions that focused on that particular category, meaning these 4:

1. Safe, effective care;

2. Health Promotion;

3. Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial Integrity.

I used ExamCRAM and NCSBN as my sources (NCSBN has links to find information if one needs to study a source.)

RN_true12, BSN · May 25, 2015

I was totally like that too in the beginning! Taking notes just takes way too long! I stopped taking notes and began to focus on just reviewing the rationales after every quiz (both right and wrong). If there was a super important topic I had to write down, I would in a notebook, but not for every question. Trust me, you don't have to write it to really remember it. It'll stick in your head. I did Kaplan for 3 weeks. I just did the trainers and qbank, as well as the session videos where the lady goes over the questions (except for session 8, which was just going over the readiness exam so I didn't think I had to listen to her since i reviewed the rationales on my own). Honestly 3 weeks was more than enough. A couple of days before my exam, I had already finished all of Kaplan by that point, I just read the 35 pg guide with great facts and mnemonics that I found on all nurses, as well as the nclex cram sheet. These two documents were great and just had good facts to know before the exam (most of them being from Kaplan). I did this for two days before my exam. Then the day before I didn't study anything (only a tad bit of lab values from the cram sheet I had already reviewed but just wanted to refresh again). I made sure that the day before I wasn't trying to learn any new info as I knew that would freak me out and make me even more nervous than I already was. Also, two days before I visited the Pearson testing center, walked into the building and talked to the receptionist at the front desk. She was so sweet and told me to bring snacks and water, and answered any questions I had. I felt that this put me at ease so much as I already knew what the place looked like and I wasn't going to be lost or surprised the day of my exam.

On the day of my nclex (my exam was at 10:45) I reviewed the cram sheet one last time in my car in the parking lot. A lot of people say don't review anything the day of or even a day before your exam and I was just really temped haha. Just don't review or look over any new info!

I tried my best to calm myself down before my exam, I took a few deep breaths, said a prayer and just told myself I will try my best (that's all you could ever do). My test shut off at 75 and I just sat there in shock. I didn't really know what to think. I'm not sure how I even got home because I don't remember what happened after that LOL.

Two days later I found out I passed via the CA BRN website. Best feeling ever.

apff · May 25, 2015

@Guy in Babyland, this is great advice. I definitely need to focus my studying more on my weakest areas. Thank you so much!

apff · May 25, 2015

@RN403, thank you so much for this advice. I am afraid I won't have time to go back over my notes either so I think I am just going to focus on my weakest areas so that information will really stay with me.

apff · May 25, 2015

@LadyFree28, how many questions did you practice before your actual NCLEX? Thanks for the advice!!!

apff · May 25, 2015

@nurselove408, thank you so incredibly much for taking the time to write me such a great response! This is excellent advice. And congratulations on passing :) So did you take the Kaplan On Demand review course? Are the session videos you are referring to the videos from the "phase 2" of the actual class part (the ones that are like "Pharmacology/Reduction of Risk" etc)? I know there are also videos from "phase 1" under "online content lecture." Did you go over those videos as well? Would you say that the Kaplan questions are similar to the actual NCLEX in level of difficulty, etc? Thank you so much for all your help!!!!

katie115 · May 26, 2015

I am currently studying for my NCLEX using Kaplan's review book. I think the most important thing to know is what kind of learner you are! I'm a visual learner, so if I can see what the question is asking, I can eliminate some of the answers. Just remember that the test is designed to certify that you can give safe care... so choose an answer that doesn't harm the patient!

You can do this! Hopefully we'll be posting our NCLEX success stories around the same time in a couple of months :)

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 26, 2015

@LadyFree28, how many questions did you practice before your actual NCLEX? Thanks for the advice!!!

I practiced about 2,000 plus questions before I took the NCLEX.

apff · May 27, 2015

I am currently studying for my NCLEX using Kaplan's review book. I think the most important thing to know is what kind of learner you are! I'm a visual learner, so if I can see what the question is asking, I can eliminate some of the answers. Just remember that the test is designed to certify that you can give safe care... so choose an answer that doesn't harm the patient!
You can do this! Hopefully we'll be posting our NCLEX success stories around the same time in a couple of months :)

Thank you so much for the response! That is such good advice to remember: what answer choice will keep my patient safe? Great way to think!!! So far I am really happy with Kaplan. I hope your studying goes wonderful!!! :) We are so close; we've got this! :)