Just scheduled my NCLEX!!!

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Hello! So I just got my authorization to test this morning and immediately scheduled my NCLEX-RN for two weeks from now. I never worried about the NCLEX throughout nursing school but now I am freaking out! I graduated two weeks ago and haven't been studying at all. Some people say study, some say don't. I don't know where to even begin! I maintained a 4.0 throughout school and am a pretty good test taker although I did work very hard for my grades! Anyway, I feel immense pressure because I start my first RN job four days after I test so I really need to pass first time around. Any tips!?

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adult Oncology.

I definitely don't think studying will hinder you. It will keep things fresh in your mind. When I studied for NCLEX there was still so much that I had reviewed that I had never learned about. I used Kaplan and found the content and setup very similar to that of NCLEX. The screens were almost identical so when I was testing it felt like I was reviewing Kaplan!

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Okay I just purchased the Kaplan Qbank! Thank you!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Studying for NCLEX is designed to keep your mind sharp and focused on the content and NCLEX style questions. While it is possible to pass NCLEX without studying, why risk it?

Study 50-150 questions/ day. Take the Qtrainer test 6 and 7 a few days before NCLEX to confirm that you are ready. Some people treat preparing for NCLEX like training for a marathon, slowly increase the number of questions per day until they reach 265. That way they have the endurance to complete NCLEX with maximum questions.

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Specializes in PACU.

1. I used Kaplan (our school made us purchase it anyway and we did live review during the semester).

Watched all the decision tree video's. I took all the NCLEX sample, trainer and readiness tests. Then I did all but the last few Qbank questions 75 at a time.

2. Picmonic has some questions and if you don't know the answer theres a picture nemonic video you can play. We made our own in our pharm class and they helped me a ton. I did not buy a membership, signed in for free.

NCLEX&reg-RN Question of the Day - Picmonic for Medicine | Ace STEP, COMLEX, NCLEX and MCAT with Picmonic :: Picmonic

3. I bought Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination, 3e by LaCharity PhD RN, Linda A. I used this when I was out and about (waiting in lines, for my daughter to get done with dance practice...) I was down to the last couple of chapters before I realized I could have been doing them online and sorting them according to my weaknesses. (code for free online was in new book)

4. I checked out this document that talks about breaking down the questions. It's a lot like Kaplan decision tree, but more understandable to me. It's only 24 pages - not dense pages though.

http://www.atitesting.com/virtual_at...2010_Final.pdf

I passed my NCLEX in 75 questions.

Good luck!

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If you don't mind me asking, what type of scores did you get on Kaplan?

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1. I used Kaplan (our school made us purchase it anyway and we did live review during the semester).

Watched all the decision tree video's. I took all the NCLEX sample, trainer and readiness tests. Then I did all but the last few Qbank questions 75 at a time.

2. Picmonic has some questions and if you don't know the answer theres a picture nemonic video you can play. We made our own in our pharm class and they helped me a ton. I did not buy a membership, signed in for free.

NCLEX&reg-RN Question of the Day - Picmonic for Medicine | Ace STEP, COMLEX, NCLEX and MCAT with Picmonic :: Picmonic

3. I bought Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination, 3e by LaCharity PhD RN, Linda A. I used this when I was out and about (waiting in lines, for my daughter to get done with dance practice...) I was down to the last couple of chapters before I realized I could have been doing them online and sorting them according to my weaknesses. (code for free online was in new book)

4. I checked out this document that talks about breaking down the questions. It's a lot like Kaplan decision tree, but more understandable to me. It's only 24 pages - not dense pages though.

http://www.atitesting.com/virtual_at...2010_Final.pdf

I passed my NCLEX in 75 questions.

Good luck!

If you don't mind me asking, what type of scores did you get on Kaplan?

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What is the Qtrainer test!?

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1. I used Kaplan (our school made us purchase it anyway and we did live review during the semester).

Watched all the decision tree video's. I took all the NCLEX sample, trainer and readiness tests. Then I did all but the last few Qbank questions 75 at a time.

2. Picmonic has some questions and if you don't know the answer theres a picture nemonic video you can play. We made our own in our pharm class and they helped me a ton. I did not buy a membership, signed in for free.

NCLEX&reg-RN Question of the Day - Picmonic for Medicine | Ace STEP, COMLEX, NCLEX and MCAT with Picmonic :: Picmonic

3. I bought Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination, 3e by LaCharity PhD RN, Linda A. I used this when I was out and about (waiting in lines, for my daughter to get done with dance practice...) I was down to the last couple of chapters before I realized I could have been doing them online and sorting them according to my weaknesses. (code for free online was in new book)

4. I checked out this document that talks about breaking down the questions. It's a lot like Kaplan decision tree, but more understandable to me. It's only 24 pages - not dense pages though.

http://www.atitesting.com/virtual_at...2010_Final.pdf

I passed my NCLEX in 75 questions.

Good luck!

Thanks so much! We used the lacharity book throughout school so I have that all done!

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Sara I have been taking tests set up with 75 questions and scoring in the 70s

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First, I want to congratulate you on a well-done job. From what I am reading, you did a fantastic job in nursing school which is outstanding. Congratulations on getting your test date as well. Here are a few tips in helping you with the test. Please reward yourself first for doing so well in nursing school. It pays off when you reward yourself with something that you would like to do. Study for the test in small chunks of time during the day. Make a study schedule for yourself. Always look to the future as it is happening right before your eyes. I would get plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours) before the test. Make sure to eat an egg because they are a good source of brain food. After the test, reward yourself for going through with it. I hope these tips help you. I wish you the very best. Congratulations on the new job as an RN. You have worked hard and now it is paying off. Marcy CNA

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Specializes in PACU.
If you don't mind me asking, what type of scores did you get on Kaplan?

My Kaplan scores where normally in the high 60's to mid 70's. The Sample Test 3 Priorities was my best at 98% and the Sample Test 4 Alternate Format was my worse(mostly SATA) @ 50%.

The qbanks questions I started getting really good scores by the end... but I think it was because I selected my weakest areas first and by the time I neared the end of the qbank, I had done all the questions in the category I was weak in and only had the questions I did well in.

I would say half of my NCLEX questions were SATA. So I thought I was up a creek... since I found those question types to be the hardest in school and in Kaplan. But doing all the Kaplan and LaCharity and reading the rationales saved my hide.

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