My NCLEX experience: Passed in 75 Qs

[mallerina87]

I was positive I failed!

Took my test Tuesday 8/4/15. I created this account for the sole purpose of posting my personal experience with taking the NCLEX... I hope to not only help people prepare for the exam but to ease some anxiety they may have while waiting for their results. I was stalking this board during the 48-hour wait period and reading all of the rumors regarding SATA, priority questions, etc.

For the record, I did NOT do the PVT because I was not sure of its accuracy, and it seemed too much of a hassle for something that may not work or make me feel better... it made more sense to just wait for the unofficial results after 48 hours.

I was absolutely shocked to find out 48 hours later that I PASSED IN 75 QUESTIONS. Let me tell you a little bit about my experience...

PREPARATION: I used Kaplan mainly. Specifically, I watched the review of questions videos and took the question trainers. I was averaging a pretty steady 60-65% on the trainers. I also used two Hesi review books and HURST review. I did this for a little under 2 weeks for 4-6 hours a day before the test.

TEST DAY: I was calm up until the moment I started the test. I took my time. My strongest suggestion is to stay calm during this test, if you need to think through an answer or write down on your white board specifics about the question to help you remember and concentrate (I did this for all the SATAs), do it.

THE TEST: I know there are a few people on this board that are extremely adamant about the fact that the actual TYPE of question doesn't matter, and they may be right, but all I can do is speak from my experience. I will say this... those from my nursing class that passed in 75-78 questions, 100% of them had over 15 SATAs. I had 18 SATAs, many priority and delegation questions, 1 med calc (fairly complicated math problem), maybe 6-8 drug questions (half of which I didn't recognize), and lots of client teaching. ALSO, I HAD SOME FUNDAMENTALS IN THERE! I had 6-8 questions that seemed to be below passing level. This is the main reason I felt that I failed. No EKG and no alternative format other than SATA. My last question involved evaluation of a nursing assistant's incorrect vs. correct action.

Try to remember that there are 15 pilot questions, and you don't know what level those questions are considered; they can be either below or above passing level. I'm convinced now that some of my questions from fundamentals were pilot questions. Many of my SATAs were at the content or the fundamentals level, and now I think they were most likely pilots too.

Cheers everyone and keep your head up! You can definitely pass this thing by focusing on what the question is asking and taking your time thinking through the analysis/application questions.

[Lisel, BSN]

Thank I'm just a semester away from graduation, and I want to be ready for what comes after that. You mentioned that u used to hesi book if you don't mind posting the name of them that would be great. Thanks for everything again and congratulations

[mallerina87]

Hi sure, I actually used two HESI books. One is called HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION Edition 4. I mostly looked over HESI Hints, the Advanced Clinical Concepts, and also the review questions for each section.

The other book I used, and I should have mentioned this before, is from the Hesi Live Review that I had. It's called HESI Live Review Workbook for the NCLEX-RN EXAM 2014-2015. Mostly just went over the notes I took on the side, reviewed some problem areas, and reviewed the practice questions in there. Truthfully though, nothing helped me more than Kaplan, but that could just be my learning style.

Good luck!