My NCLEX Experience: Preparations, Study Tips, and Acing the Exam

[lilmonsterkray]

I am a registered nurse from the Philippines and I started working on my application for New York State last year. It took me 6 months to process everything, from CGFNS to NYSEd. Received my ATT last July and took the exam last October 27. It was very challenging for me to study in less than 3 months since I am working in a hospital. Time management, hard work, and determination will push you to achieve your goals in earning a US-RN license.

STEP 1: TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Best books/materials/online resources to study:

1. La Charity & et al. Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment
2. Saunders' NCLEX RN Book (Esp. the Safety chapter)
3. Kaplan Online (very difficult questions but a good endurance test)
4. Hogan's NCLEX exam (software, this is my main Q&A practice tool)
5. Audio Tutorials
6. NursesLab.com (NCLEX q&a)

I answered 100-300 questions per day and after each test I would always review which areas I need to focus on based on the summary of the exam. Answering this much will help you in sharpening your knowledge, endurance and test-taking skills.

Studying with a buddy will also help, especially those who friends who have experienced taking the NCLEX. These people are the most reliable sources of information regarding the exam.

STEP 2: DAY BEFORE THE EXAM

✔️ DO NOT cram! Keep focused and relax. If you think you have prepared well, then you should not be very anxious with the exam.

✔️ Give yourself a treat. Learn to unwind, watch movies and listen to music. This is the best therapy you can give to your self to lessen anxiety while counting the remaining hours before the exam.

✔️ Visit your testing site if it's near you. Getting familiar with the place will also help.

STEP 3: ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM

I took the NCLEX last October 27, 2016 9:00 AM. Answered a number of SATAs, hotspots (drag and drop, etc), prioritization, delegations, ECG tracings, and the typical multiple choice questions. SATA questions were hard, you really have to choose the best answers. Never get tempted to check all the boxes. Take time to contemplate which items you will check.

You will know that you're doing well if your questions are getting along the way. For example when you correctly answered a simple multiple choice item the succeeding questions will be SATAs and hotspots like drag and drop.

Take note: the last item before your computer will shut down is not a determinant if you will pass or not. Others said that if the last question you answered is difficult, you will surely pass the exam. I beg to disagree. My last question was very easy (multiple choice).

Take your time in reading each question carefully and make sure to use theories when you are not sure. Other questions will really challenge your critical-thinking skills.

My computer shut off after answering 75 items. This is really my goal.

I finished the exam in just 1 hour and 30 minutes.

STEP 4: AFTER THE EXAM

Tried the PVT trick after 12 and 24 hours and the "GOOD POP-UP" displayed. I think the trick is still reliable as a screening tool if you pass, but still the Quick Results is still the confirmatory test (sounds like lab exam LOL). Paid for the Quick Results after 2 days and received the good news.

I passed! Officially an RN of New York State.

STEP 5: FINAL THOUGHTS

Pray hard. Study harder. Manage your time well in preparing for the exam. Never cram and always be confident.

Good luck to all aspiring nurses who will take the NCLEX!

[Tanguy95]

Yes I would like that np

[Beauty12]

I used Uworld for about 6 weeks and got through all 2020 questions (the system sometimes plays with new questions to collect data so the total number of questions it offers fluctuates).

I was averaging about a 57% on my practice tests. Some tests I would score a 60% and others a 45% (very few). I love Uworld! It gives you in-depth rationales on everything including the wrong answers which all helped me learn more. The first week I used Uworld and my nursing books to make some flash cards about things I didn't feel 100% confident on (which felt like everything).

After that I solely used Uworld and my flash cards.

Cut to nclex day (1/24/18), I did not feel prepared enough and questioned of I should just reschedule the test at a later date to study more but all my nursing friends said just take it you'll never feel ready. As far as the way nclex looks, it looks just like Uworld which was nice as it felt like I was just taking another practice test(as much as it could feel that way considering i felt as if I was perfusely sweating the entire time). NCLEX for me was rough!! Not that the material was rough but I felt I didn't study any of what it was asking of me, it felt very basic and all of the answer choices for the most part seemed correct (I should add I have extreme test anxiety). When I got to question 40 I was a complete wreck, I sat back on my chair and said to myself I shouldn't read the questions anymore, I should just choose whichever answer to get this over with because I have failed miserably. A few minutes later I decided to keep trying. My computer shut off at 75 and I knew I failed. The material was too basic and I was completely stumped by it for some odd reason and considering it's a progressive test i clearly had not progressed. On top of that I only got about 6-8 SATA and everyone said the more you get the better you're doing (Uworld has a TON of SATA questions, another bonus of the system).

Needless to say I felt horrible when i left the testing center and was extremely emotional the next couple of days. Thursday night i couldn't sleep as i knew my results would be ready Friday at some point, I layed in bed trying to sleep but it never worked. Also need to add I did to the pearsonvue trick of attempting to pay for your test again and if it doesn't take your card payment and states you are already scheduled for the test, that indicates you passed, however that apparently isn't always true as I read somewhere on this site someone received that message, thought they passed r/t computer shutting off at 75 and they actually failed.

it is now Friday 1/26/18 6AM (still awake) and I log onto pearsonvue, go to the quick results tab and it states my results are available and give me the option to process a payment to get them. I furiously enter my card info, hit submit and place my hand over my computer screen because i wasn't ready to see that I failed. At this point I'm sweating, hyperventilating and getting ready to see that I failed and tell myself it's going to be ok, because truly it is going to be ok, you just study a little more and retake it when you can.

i finally move my hand away from my screen and it says PASS!!!!! I was 99% sure I had failed NCLEX so you should already know i woke up everyone in the house! I know this is a long review but I read soooo many reviews as I studied for nclex and even though i was still stressed beyond repair, these reviews helped me a lot and I just felt I needed to leave a comment as it could help someone.

I truly feel that Uworld helped me tremendously! Study your butt off and retain as much as you can, if you feel you're weak in an area then go a little harder in that field. And if you fail it is not the end of the world. I failed pharm the first round in nursing school and contemplated giving up but i am so glad I kept going. Never in a million years would i think i would pass nclex with only 75 questions in 1hr and 10 minutes but it happened and I could not be happier.

Also, go with what you know, don't change your answer (I'm notorious for that but didn't for nclex) unless you have significant knowledge to do so, and believe in yourself. You got this future RN!!! The world is right at your finger tips don't slow down now and don't beat yourself up if you have to retake it. Some days are just bad test days.

[D313]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site. I took my NCLEX-PN yesterday. The night before i think I might have slept for 4 hours. The morning of my test was awful (throwing up and using the toilet). I didnt cram. I did ATI tutoring. Received an 84% chance of passing as a first time test taker. ATIs requirements are that you receive 92% but my Tutor told me without telling me to schedule for my exam.

The NCLEX-PN exam threw questions out that I have NEVER heard of and the test format was NEVER worded the way I have tested. I have did ATI, NCLEX-PN app on my phone. I signed up for NCLEX prep (free testing questions through ATI).

On the day of my test I received A LOT of SATA, one math, one hot spot, a lot of exhibit questions, one prioritize. I took one break at about 127. I was like please GOD let me pass and let the computer shut down!!! I came back and honestly was not paying attention to the exact number I was on.

The Computer shut down I want to say at like 147? But honestly I wasnt paying attention.

I wanted to scream in my head "Thank you GOD! I PASSED if it shut down!??!"

I tried to do the "Pearson Vue Trick" numerous times. Once with an invalid card and it declined. When I got home about 5 or so hours later I tried with a valid card and it DECLINED!!!??? I am so frustrated! I dont know if that trick works?

I dont understand why it declined it either. Especially it being valid with more than enough sufficient funds.

I also, had my sister who is an RN try with a valid card and it declined hers as well.

Has this EVER happened to anyone? I know Pearson Vue has been trying to change their system so that you cant do the "Trick and get the good POP UP"...

I dont know what to think. Reading the internet has drove my mind nuts!

I keep wanting to scream "It shut down I must have passed" but I just have this gut feeling I did not.

One more day until I can do the quick results. Ughhhh!

This should not be this HARD!

CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK to everyone!!!

D

[imhorsemackerel, LPN]

Crossing my fingers for you guys! I know my test ended at 85. Around 60 or so I thought the questions were getting easier, so I thought I was on the verge of failing. But I passed. I've read that there were some people who got the bad pop up but still ended up passing this past summer. So don't give up hope! If you can, try and decompress and relax. I know I didn't have this option because I decided to take a class.

[vanni1]

Hello y'all thinking about using remar failed 3x heard alot of good things ... anyone has advise about it..?? Did it work ??

[emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN]

vanni1 said:

Hello y'all thinking about using remar failed 3x heard alot of good things ... anyone has advise about it..?? Did it work ??

I used ReMar. My biggest recommendation is to purchase lippincott passpoint. Best investment

[bjoers]

Hey Everyone!

I'm scheduled to take the NXLEX in three days. Kind of freaking out a little since I feel as though my Kaplan scores are low, I've only done about 300 Q bank questions, and I haven't been too disciplined in terms of sticking to a study schedule for content review. Here are my scores...looking for some feedback. I've seen the Kaplan chart floating around with estimated pass rates based on scores, but am looking for real life situations.

Diagnostic: 61%

Q1: 53%

Q2: 52%

Q3: 53%

Q4: 64%

Q5: 56%

Q6: 55%

Q7: 57%

Readiness: 64%

It would be ideal to not have to reschedule this as the rest of my summer is pretty booked. Send me some positive vibes!

[nickirows]

You sound pretty good to go to me! I'd try to do as many Q-Bank questions in the next two days as possible though. Just the mere act of repetition, doing the same kinds of questions over and over and over... it really helped me on the exam! I took the NCLEX on the 18th and found out I passed today :) Here are my scores!

Diagnostic: 67%

Q1: 56%

Q2: 57%

Q3: 41%

Q4: 57%

Q5: 55%

Q6: 56%

Q7: Didn't do it, whoops

Readiness: 63%

CAT #1: 265 questions, Red Proficiency Level

CAT #2: 265 questions, Green Proficiency Level

CAT #3: 91 questions, Green Proficiency Level

[MR.Jake RN]

Hello, recently I took boards in NE on 6-27 after graduating with my BSN. With god by my side, I passed in 75 questions on my first attempt and spent a total of 50 minutes on my exam. During my time of study, I was anxious , and contemplating on whether I was studying correctly. Without a doubt, I did everything I could. I used ATI, Saunders 2017 Q&A, NSCBN learning extension, Kaplan cat, and even used a tutor for priority and delegation questions. The tutor was amazing , analeise RN at caring4u.net. She truly helped me get the ABC crap out of my head for boards.NEWS FLASH, yes during boards ABC is irrelevant. If anyone is getting ready for boards I gotta say, use your exam strategy and nursing knowledge/ critical thinking skills to understand what the question is asking.After my exam I did the "PVT" and got the "good pop-up". Honestly, save yourself the worry and don't do that. I had myself straight geeked out for 48 hours......The longest 48 hours ever. Anyways i wanted to hear the stories of others. JN

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

Yes lord. I got my quick results this morning. After 3 hard tries i finally can say i got the results i worked so hard for. I am so relieved. The first time the exam shut off at 78- Fail. Second time -265 Fail. Third time -ran out of time- fail. Two days ago. Less than 110 questions PASSSSSSSSS

THANK YOU LORD FOR BRINGING ME THROUGH IT

[hopetopassnclex]

Congratulaions! how did you see the exam in terms of difficulty?

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

hopetopass, I am honestly curious and not trying to be mean. You ask everyone who passes what they did to study. I am wondering, have you taken the NCLEX? What study tools do you use? It seems like everyone gives different answers and that would be too much for any one person to try!!

Congratulations on passing OP!