Just took NCLEX, millions of select all that apply

Published

I just got back from my first time taking the test and I am utterly stressed out. Here's why: more than half my test was select all that apply. In fact, 15 of my first 20 were SATA. It turned off at 75 questions and most people I know of who take only that many pass but I am really worried because about 35-40 of mine were SATA. It was mind-numbing, spirit-crushing. Every time I'd send an answer, a new SATA popped up.

Now I know that Kaplan and many people say that's a good thing to have so many SATAs but I was really uncertain about an answer over and over and over. I did well on the ATI and finished with A's in nursing school but we never, ever had SO MANY SATAs. I had no calculations, and only like 3 meds. I had a lot of questions where you attend a conference and have to talk about general things that were not stressed in school. I had very few prioritizing questions, or what is the problem here that requires immediate treatment questions. I had no image or audible questions.

I guess the reason I am so frustrated is that I learned so many hundreds of things and can name meds, symptoms, etc and I feel like I wasn't tested on that really. Getting a lot of SATAs may be a good thing theoretically, but what if you are missing most all of them? That can't be good. And it's how I felt.

What do you guys who have recently taken it think about SATAs in general and the very high percentage I faced. I know the computer adaptive test is supposed to find your weaknesses, so maybe SATAs are mine. But I find it unfair that I can prove my knowledge on so many single answer questions but instead may have missed most of the questions on the NCLEX because I only answered 4 out of the correct 5 answers on a SATA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Did you do the Pearson Vue Trick?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CMSRN.

I had a very high number of SATA questions also. It was HORRIFYING! They were the bane of my existence in nursing school. I would have one after another after another. I stopped counting but know I had 20+. I couldn't concentrate on a number but rather just worry about the next question that came on the screen. I did feel pretty good about how I was answering them but was extremely nervous when the computer shut off at 75. I finished in less than 45 minutes and was lucky enough to find out less than a half an hour after that I passed. I hope you find out you passed soon too!! :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

is the pearson vue trick to re-register? if so, i tried and it said "our records indicate you recently registered for the test. unable to register." i could not put in credit card info. does that mean I'm golden.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.
is the pearson vue trick to re-register? if so, i tried and it said "our records indicate you recently registered for the test. unable to register." i could not put in credit card info. does that mean I'm golden.

That's the good pop-up, you don't want it to go to the CC page :)

Congrats

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.

Yep, That usually mean you are golden, Congrats!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are having a million SATA thats a fabulous thing, you don't get those application/analysis questions unless you are above the passing level, because those are passing level questions!! I'm scared to death of SATA

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No one really feels super confident on all of the SATA's, that's why they are so difficult. I was getting a ton of them on my NCLEX. Even though most of them I had no clue what the answers were, I knew I was doing so well BECAUSE they were so difficult. I actually got excited every time I got a SATA, because in my head I thought that meant I was getting the questions right. And I was, I passed in 75 questions. Although I really didn't know the answers to most of the NCLEX, it didn't bother me too much because I knew I was doing well. Take a deep breath, you passed

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

The good popup tells you to contact your member board for further assistance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just took mine and I had about 20 SATA questions out of 75. There always seemed to be one answer that was questionable on the SATA questions. On the regular questions there were two answers that were obviously wrong and two answers that were close. I also only got 3 drug questions on drugs I have never seen before- of course they don't give you the easy like the ones that end with lol, pril, pine, sone, statin, etc. I just checked and I got the good pop up, so guess that makes me an RN (I hope).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just took my nclex this morning. The first thing I did was call my mom crying because I'm not sure if I passed or failed. I tried the PVT trick, but the popup just tells me my records are on hold and I can't register at this time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds just like how my NCLEX went last Friday morning. I swear I had about 35-40 SATA. And it shut off at 75 questions. It was absolutely ridiculous. Sometimes they were every other mixed with mult choice, but sometimes they just came one after the other. I wanted to cry. I also had tons of questions about in-services. I feel like I know so much about different medical conditions, specific interventions, etc; but wasn't tested on any of it. I had no audio, no dosage, no hot spots...

I was too scared to do the PVT but I found out Sunday morning that I passed!!!! Yay!!

I guess lots of SATA is a good indication that you are passing, because they are really tough.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion