I found my way to this forum a few weeks ago as my NCLEX exam date neared. I had the same questions people post here - how long did you study? what did you study? I followed this board through waiting for my NCLEX results. Keeping in mind all of the questions I saw posted so often, I am putting together this information. Granted this information might not apply to you, but here it is nonetheless:
1) Nursing School & ATI
In nursing school I was an A- student. On my ATI I scored around 72% putting me in the 87% national percentile. I didn't receive an NCLEX predictor, but based on my score I would think it would be around the 90% chance of passing mark (based on others' scores & their predictors). I always thought I was a bad test-taker, that I forgot important information once it came down to the test. I also had to study a LOT to retain information, much more than some of my classmates.
2) How I Studied
I used the Kaplan BOOK & the Saunders book. I did not take the Kaplan review course. The Saunders book was excellent because it had SO many practice questions (detailed end of chapter tests & comprehensive at the end) and I felt it better explained the rationales for why the correct answer was correct. The Kaplan book was much more basic and focused only on strategy and NCLEX practice questions. The Kaplan questions were VERY similar to the types of questions asked on the NCLEX, so in this way it was better than the Saunders book. Both books had CDs with additional questions. I think the combination of these books was very helpful. I do wish I had purchased the Saunders Q&A book.
My view going into the NCLEX was that I shouldn't focus on studying material over again but rather on how to properly answer questions. All I did to study was go over questions and understand the rationales - I hardly used the part of the Saunders book that included chapters of information. Practice questions were so helpful for me. I personally studied about 6-7 days specifically for the NCLEX. A month & a half before NCLEX I had studied for my ATI, which I considered as counting towards studying for NCLEX, which is why I didn't devote as much time. I estimate that I studied about 850 questions for NCLEX specifically (I studied over 1000 for my ATI a month & a half prior). My score on the comprehensive Saunders test was 69%. My score from the comprehensive Kaplan book was 65%. My score on the Kaplan comprehensive test from the disc was 77%. I also used the Saunders disk & practiced around 220 quiz & other questions, with my score averaging at 75%. This was actually the order I did the questions.
In retrospect I don't think I needed the Kaplan review course, but sometimes I feel it would have been worth the $500 or so just to make me feel more sure of myself.
3) Taking NCLEX-RN - 1st time
The day NCLEX came I was sick. I wasn't able to sleep the night before. I think I got to the testing center an hour & 40 minutes early because I was so paranoid I would be late. I went through the process and finally got started. I honestly felt like I was going to pass out when my test actually started. My pulse was racing and I was having trouble focusing. I didn't know the answer to the first question for sure. Or the second. Or the third. I felt like I was guessing! "These questions are not like any I practiced! I don't know any of this!" I continuously tried to decide if the questions I was getting were harder or easier than the previous question. I got MANY prioritization questions & about 5-6 "select all that apply." Before NCLEX, I don't think I got a single practice "select all that apply" question correct. I got about 4 strictly medication questions, 2 of which were about the same medication (that I didn't know)! My last question was a very straightforward, easy, positioning question that I didn't know the answer to. It was like a nightmare. I think during the test there were 2 questions I was sure I got right. I felt like all the questions on NCLEX were harder than my practice questions and not as straightforward. My computer shut off at 75.
4) After NCLEX.
When my computer shut off at 75 I was POSITIVE I had failed. I honestly didn't know any of those questions and I wasn't able to use strategies I learned to narrow down the answers. I was willing to bet $500 that I failed. I told everyone I knew that I was positive I failed. I did not even think it was possible that I had passed. Since I was so sure I was getting all the questions wrong, and since my last question was easy, I figured I bombed it. I knew it statistically didn't make sense for me to fail, but there was no talking me out of it.
Distracting myself from thinking about the test/awaiting my results didn't work. I tried to sleep away my worries but I had nightmares about the exam and every time I woke up I thought it was pre-exam and I had slept in :) No matter what activity I did all i could think about was the test. The day it took to get the results was possibly one of the worst days I have experienced.
5) Getting results
I checked the Pearson Vue website by logging into my account. I was displeased to find that it constantly said 'your results are not currently available.' I checked the state board of nursing website a day after my exam and my name was up. I indeed passed. I was hesitant to tell anyone because I was convinced it was a mistake. Maybe there is someone else you just happens to share all my information? I couldn't accept I had passed my 1st try. I did pass, though.
6) Overall
In my experience, the NCLEX was just as bad as everyone said it was going to be. To be honest, however, I think it was only that bad BECAUSE of what everyone else told me. I had made it out to be a giant monster. Getting a good grasp on exam-style questions before the exam proved to be so helpful in my case. I think I practiced enough questions that it became second nature during the actual NCLEX (it must have, because I wasn't consciously using any techniques I had learned).
While what worked for me obviously won't work for everyone, maybe this will be a good resource for some of you. When I was reading this forum before I took my NCLEX-RN, I always wanted to know more information about the poster. I would give "advice," but I don't think it would be helpful. I guess the only thing I can say is that you REALLY won't have any idea how you did once the test is over. I was not merely ambivalent, I was SURE I failed. And I didn't. Just wait until you find out your results! You might feel awful anticipating the results, but you cannot predict whether you passed or failed.
I realize this is extremely long, but I wanted to include as much information as possible. Feel free to ask any questions if you would like.
I have a question for the original poster: Just took NCLEX. My last question was an information based question. Computer shut off at 75. Was your last question really that easy?
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
Thanks for your informative and useful post.