2 NCLEX Attempt

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2014

Just do practice questions every day (about 75 or 100, no more and no less) and then review the rationales of the questions you got wrong only (if you got a question right, no need to review that rationale UNLESS of course you purely guessed and want to know why the answer was what it was). Dont waste your time studying or reading outlines outright, only use them as reference. The more questions you do, the more prepared you are for the real thing. By your own admission, I have to assume this is why you did not do well. You should ideally have done at least 3000 questions before sitting for the real exam. And lastly, do NOT do any questions the day before the real test. Just rest and watch a movie. If you prepared well, that one day you will need to rest up for the big day. This method is what worked for me. And now you have an added advantage of having taken the real test so you know what the environment is like now. Think positive and you will be fine the 2nd go around.

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SierraBravo · Jun 30, 2014

I agree with the above post, do as many questions as you can. I'm not familiar with the Hurst review, but I am familiar with the Saunders book, etc... Our school used ATI which was integrated into our curriculum. I did a bunch of questions online with ATI (which I found less than useful because the questions were rather fundamental) and I used the NCSBN website. The NCSBN is the organization that actually develops the NCLEX. I primarily used the NCSBN website for 2 weeks, doing 50-100 questions per day. You have to pay for the NCSBN website, but you can pay for 3, 5, 8, & 15 week increments. I bought the 3 week access for $50 and it was the best $50 I ever spent. The wording of the questions and look of the website was virtually identical to the actual NCLEX. Of course, the questions were completely different, but it just brought a sense of comfort when I sat for the NCLEX and it just looked familiar. I think it lessened my anxiety and stress level. I bought the Lippincott and Saunders books and didn't even use them. Of course, everyone is different and will benefit from different ways of preparing for the exam, but this is what worked for me.

pdb660 · Aug 17, 2014

I took my states boards last Tuesday (6/17/2014) and found out that I had failed. I know that there were a lot of things I did wrong. #1 - I didn't do many practice questions. I took the HURST live review and that's all I studied. Unfortunately, that only helped me on maybe 3 of my questions. #2 - I allowed my anxiety to get out of control. Literally, I had a full blown panic attack on the way to, and during my test. I had a job lined up and was already working as a graduate nurse, but now that I've failed my Boards, I have to re-apply. My manager is doing her best to unofficially save my position, but now I'm REALLY feeling the pressure to pass on my second go around. I've seen a lot of threads about how people have failed 4 or 5 times before passing, and honestly, that freaks me out even more. I am hoping for some tips, tricks, hints, suggestions, anything that I can do to improve my chances of getting this evil test done and over with. I am currently taking the HURST remediation course, which is helpful for content, and the Saunders 6th edition for test questions.

Use kaplan they have more complexity level questions . .did you failed in 75 or longer test.? And check your CPR . To focus on your weakness areas.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 17, 2014

Moving forward; once you get your performance report, start doing mock exams as suggested above.

For instance, start with the minimum; READ WHAT the question is ASKING; the CHOOSE what is the BEST answer. DO NOT change the answers.

Then add 50-60 questions until you go up to the maximum. Review the rationales, I would say on the ones you got wrong; find out what category you are missing on; try this after you get your report.

To add: start to understand the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can answer the questions successfully.

sunshyne17 · Aug 17, 2014

I second Kaplan. I went to the course,did practice questions and passed in 75 questions. Half of the exam is conquering your anxiety. They mentioned that during the Kaplan course. If you are panicking you aren't reading correctly, you are missing information etc.

I don't know about HURST but I heard good things about it.

Best wishes.