Doing questions and reviewing rationales?

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Specializes in FNP-C.

This may have come up many times but I'm looking for an effective way to study. I'm taking the NCLEX for my first time in July. I have the Saunders comp review book, Saunders Q&A book, Kaplan strategies book. I read the Kaplan strategies book, and took the CD test twice: 55% (at starbucks with distractions) and month later, 59%(at home).

About 2-3 weeks ago, i've been reading content in the Saunders comp review book according to the assessment calendar I got from the CD, but it has been so overwhelming that my brain fatigues and I am studying one section for about 4-6 hours because of content review and doing the end of chapter questions/reviewing rationales.

So I began to just do the 100Q exams from the Q&A CD, one exam per day, still according to the assessment calendar. Am I studying efficiently? I finish a 100Q exam in about 1.5 hours and review the rationales for about 2-3hrs or more if I'm taking small breaks. I've been getting 70% or above on the 100Q exams. Should I review all of rationales including right answers and not only wrong answers as well?

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You are doing fine. Yes, study all rationales, for both right and wrong answers. Good luck.

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Specializes in FNP-C.

So does that mean that I am doing okay? I see many people posting that you should READ the content in the Saunders review book. From others I heard, just do the 100Q exam questions for that chapter from the CD and review the rationales as "content" + benefits of learning strategies; while getting below 70%, one would recommend reviewing that specific content?

Also, is there a difference in difficulty and/or quality between the Saunders comprehensive review CD vs Saunders Q&A CD?

Thanks everyone.

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Specializes in FNP-C.

Just curious, who passed the NCLEX by using the Saunders Q&A book/CD only and doing 100+ questions per day plus reviewing rationales? A person on Amazon website was saying he/she passed the NCLEX on first try just by using that?

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Some people pass the NCLEX first try and never study anything while others will spend hundreds of hours studying and preparing only to fail. There's really not one "right" way to prepare because we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That's not to say you won't find great advice here! Just that what's "enough: for one person may be too much for another and not even close to being enough for someone else.

I do think Saunders is great for content but if you are a new grad, I doubt you need to read it cover to cover. From other posters it seems that answering the questions at the end of the chapter and only reviewing chapters where you don't do well allows you to study more effectively. For someone like me, who graduated years ago, reading the book cover to cover is more important because I've forgotten so much of what I learned in school.

I'm not really sure how different the Q & A is versus the review book. I have one of the Q & A books but I haven't used it. If you have the basic content though, questions and answers definitely seem the way to go. If you find yourself really struggling with a section, go over that part in the review book.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have yet to take the NCLEX (have to schedule soon I just received my ATT!) However of course read both right and wrong rationals and if you do very poorly on a certain section then read that section. But if you do well (especially 75% or better) don't bother...move on. I sure hope people pass only with the Saunders book ha. That is what I am using. If I run out of questions then I will get another book or the Q&A book.

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I am only using Saunders. I am concentrating on the CD, doing questions and reading rationales. it has tons of good info.

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I just graduated a few weeks back & studying with Saunders as well. I did the monthly calendar thing, & also went to RNQuiz.com which I use for practice questions. I haven't received my ATT yet but Im hoping for Mid-July or Early Aug. at the latest. Good Luck on studying, Im finding it to be very difficult to concentrate...

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Specializes in FNP-C.
I just graduated a few weeks back & studying with Saunders as well. I did the monthly calendar thing, & also went to RNQuiz.com which I use for practice questions. I haven't received my ATT yet but Im hoping for Mid-July or Early Aug. at the latest. Good Luck on studying, Im finding it to be very difficult to concentrate...

I just registered yesterday and paid my $200 fee to pearson vue. I emailed them to get back to me with my ATT. My friend who paid the fee in March didn't get her ATT until two days ago AND she had to call them for it which it took them too long. I just emailed them for my ATT today and hopefully I'll get something in a few days.

I don't think there is too much of a difference in the question types from the Saunders review book compared to the Saunders Q&A book. After I do the questions for each chapter according to my assessment calendar, I plan to go all out on doing mostly physiological integrity and safe and effective care management type questions (application type) since it seems to be my weak points according the many 100Q exams I've been taking.

Hmm..it feels as if I'm just using the Saunders review book as a "reference" to whatever information I need to look back upon. Such as last night around 1130PM, I did a 100Q exam on Eye/Ear and got 64%, but I was already fatigued from long hours of doing a 100Q cardiac exam and reviewing rationales earlier in the day and then going to the gym to lift intensely hard chest and triceps. So here i am now, at starbucks around noon and reviewing the rationales to the eye/ear section since I forgot what menieres, otosclerosis, and some of the other eye/ear terms were. I now know that sodium and fluid restriction is required in Menieres syndrome since I review the rationales! :yeah: This method of studying seems to have less of a "burnout" potential from too much/long studying in one period.

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hhmmm... I think I better email, call, or do something about not getting my ATT... I want it already! Im totally a procrastinator and so that's what im trying to avoid, I just really want to know when Im going to take the dang test! Good luck!

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