Just Failed the NCLEX

MH24 · Aug 21, 2009

Im sorry. Its not easy never is. But you dont know for sure yet that you failed. I failed my first time with 265 questions. I just got my ATT to retest for September. I would take a week off to just let everything absorb. Thats what I did. I just started restudying this week. Originally I did the ATI course and some NCLEX 3500. Now for this time Im redoing ATI, using my saunders book which was my bible thru nursing school and I have no idea why I didnt look at it the first time, the NCSBN, exam cram, and lacharity's prioritization. I started this week with 2 hours a night and Im going to increase it more next week. Again, you dont know for sure yet and I understand where you are I was there 2 weeks ago. But hang in there. This forum has really helped me get thru it.

NaomieRN · Aug 21, 2009

I am sorry to hear about you not passing. Do not retest immediately. Take time to plan for the second time. Try different strategies, such as exam cram. Do 100 questions a day and go over all rationales. Review content of weak areas. When you get your result from the state, see the areas you can improve on. I know you can do this....dont give up!!!

nrcolee6 · Aug 21, 2009

im sorry about your test ive been there too. id have to agree with MH24 when i failed i took time off to regather myself and slowly got back into studying. it stinks and its hard to deal with but you can do it. pick yourself up and study harder and more focused. failing doesnt mean you are a bad nurse so dont give up! best of luck!

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2009

Question we all need to ask our self:

1- what is CAT? It's tailored to match our individual competences level. we all have different level of competences.

2- what are the minimum and maximum question? All candidate are required to answer @ least 60/70 question correctly and 15 question are sample question which are outscored.

What's Test Anxiety and how to deal with it?

1-feeling insecure about our performance

2-worry over something you've no control over

3-thinking about what people might feel if you failed

4- unpreparedness

5- worry about time allotted to finish the test

5 Bad habit of anxiety

1- smoking or drinking more frequently

2- biting nails, fidgeting with hairs etc

3- trouble falling asleep

4- daydreaming

5- eat more/less food

All these factors contribute to inability to perform effectively while preparing for an exam. I know is not possible to eliminate all these, but always keep them under control. Always have it in mind the exam is given in other to test your ability but not to punish you. look at the exam as not being forced on you, but as a requirement to move up in your career.

How is your study environment? Try to study in a quite zone with less distraction and external noise because they will interfere with the ability to concentrate and learn. Study in a comfortable and relaxed environment.

how long did you study? Dont study for long hours! you might end up not understanding but cramming!!

Do you have study mate? study with others who you think have the same ability or know more than you. If you're an average student, do not study with student who always made A's because they will always skip material that's necessary for you to review. Neither study with student who made C's because they will end up having to study material is of no importance.

keep sufficient time available for you to study on your own and never study too long with your study group. Keep your study group serious.

Keep the study group small, because if the study group are large, there is a greater tendency to become distracted.

Do not come for study review unprepared!!

used prepared test question in the review book as a guide to help out.

Take the comprehensive test at the back of the test.

Always test in a test mode i other to keep track of your performance

Develop used of flash cards

Pause after reading and jot down the important point for reference

Take a practice test that you think will be included in the test

Review the area of weakness first in other to have time to review again before the exam

After a month of studying practice the pretest/comprehensive test at the back of the study guide to see how you're doing. Have you improved?

Relax a day before the exam and get sufficient sleep. you need to be physically and mentally alert!!

Epona · Aug 23, 2009

I did Hurst for content review and Kaplan to help break down the questions. I passed NCLEX first time back in July. I found both of these to be great study tools. Good luck!