I want to let you all know of my process and timeline during my NCLEX examinations to give whoever an idea what they might experience or expect. I graduated December 2013 from Southern CA.
Examination One:
Mailed application: December 1st, 2013
Cash cleared: December 26th, 2013
Received ATT: March 17, 2014
Test date: May 14, 2014
PVT: Went to credit card page...Yes, failed.
I solely used HURST review for my first time. I studied when I can up to 5 days a week, around 8 hours a day for 6 weeks. They are good for content. They simplified everything. They covered a lot but not everything. I went up to 235 questions. A few SATAs, pictures, drag and drop, math, meds...everything. I ran out of time. I rushed it thinking I needed to finish it. I didn't know that you can let the time run out and can still pass. That was my fault. So...read the NCSBN candidate bulletin so you can know what to expect. I needed to brush up on neurological disease/condition because HURST didn't cover that.
Examination Two:
Mailed re-application: May 27th, 2014
Cash cleared: June 30th, 2014
Received ATT: August 15th, 2014
Test date: September 16th, 2014
New PVT: Here's what I did regarding PVT. An hour after my exam, I entered a bunch of random numbers as my cc number and yes, it came back as invalid (obviously). Later that evening, I used an expired card and changed the expiration date. It says my test was on hold and I can't register. It wasn't til the following day in the afternoon where I used that same card when I got the so called "good pop-up." "Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time." It is still saying that. Did I pass? NO IDEA.... Doubt it. PV is just that...a trick. I don't want to get my hopes up.
I used NCSBN, La Charity PDA, HURST contents for simplification, and the 35-page study guide floating around here. NCBSN covered more than HURST did but it's so tedious. I totally skipped the meds part. I only studied them as I read the rationals. A lot of the questions and rationals were helpful. I followed their study plan and typed out each rational for all the questions. After their review ended, I studied their rationals. I averaged anywhere around the 60s on the questions. They helped a lot with prioritization. La Charity was helpful with that also. I really suggest that book. However, it sometimes conflict with NCSBN. I'd go with NCSBN since they make the test, lol.
I stopped at 76 questions. It took me 2 hours. It asked for a break at the 75 mark but I just said nah... So after the 76th question, it turned blue. I'm like man... Really? I need more questions to pass!! Out of the 76 questions, 31 were SATA!!! I was sooooo mad and upset cuz no nursing student like those questions. I knew it then that I failed since it shut off on me. There were also 7 drag and drops, 1 EKG, and the rest just multiple choices. No math. Those two tests were not same. They did say that. However this time, I got a lot of conference questions, all in SATA format. Really?? I wouldn't know what to pick for a conference!! What does that have to do with nursing care. I just winged that.
So, I'm just waiting for my results. Apparently, it's taking some CA applicants up to 3 weeks to receive their results. Preparing for the worse, praying for the best. I'll let you know if I passed or fail.
Later that evening, I used an expired card and changed the expiration date. It says my test was on hold and I can't register. It wasn't til the following day in the afternoon where I used that same card when I got the so called "good pop-up." "Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time." It is still saying that. Did I pass? NO IDEA.... Doubt it. PV is just that...a trick. I don't want to get my hopes up.
I was sooooo mad and upset cuz no nursing student like those questions. I knew it then that I failed since it shut off on me. There were also 7 drag and drops, 1 EKG, and the rest just multiple choices. No math. Those two tests were not same. They did say that. However this time, I got a lot of conference questions, all in SATA format. Really?? I wouldn't know what to pick for a conference!! What does that have to do with nursing care. I just winged that.