Frustrated

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I am studying for the nclex, it is going to be my second attempt. I am doing the Suzanne method currently and feel extremely overwhelmed. I find myself second guessing myself when it comes to answering questions, like I will pick an answer feel confident and then think well.... I know I look into the question and feel I can't break that habit. Also, when I do a test and then correct it, say I get 6/10 wrong, I want to give up. Its not always the case but it definitely is not good on the ole self esteem. I feel that I don't know how to study for this.. I have many resources to study from but just feel that no matter what I do nothing can prepare me for this test. In school I did fairly well on all my tests but then there is the anxiety that hinders me. Any suggestions would be helpful.. I already have my ATT and have until April to take the test but want to use the time I have efficiently. Its hard to get back on the horse after the first fall... Any suggestions would be most helpful.. I know this is the best place to ask seeing how you all have been through it.. Hope to hear from you...:o

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, Psych.

I used a variety of study materials (Kaplan, Drexel review, ATI, Springhouse)and I don't take NCLEX until tomorrow so I can't say how truly effective my method was... What I can say is that after doing it my scores improved dramatically on the practice tests I took. First, I learned Kaplan strategies for test taking....

http://www.ann2.net/pld/kaplan.html

I took tests in Kaplan Question trainer and reviewed my results... not in specific areas like Peds, Psych, Oncology... but in broader categories. Like if I performed less than 60% in Basic Care and Comfort or Infection Control I would work on those areas. NCLEX 3000 allows you to choose these categories individually so that you can work on questions specific to this area. I turned a 53% in Basic Care and Comfort into an 81% literally overnight.

I even took it further. Rather than reading books on nursing material, In the areas I was weak, I would do questions until I scored a 70% or better. With NCLEX 3000 you can choose the number of questions you want. So after completing Basic Care and Comfort I would see that I really sucked in Postpartum, Neonate, Infant and Toddler. So I would do as many questions as I could in these areas individually learning and remembering until my score was above a 70% in each area. As I continued to study in this way and take the more difficult Kaplan Question trainer, I got better and better at recognizing what the question was asking, recalling facts, eliminating wrong choices and getting answers right. Like I said, who knows if it was all for naught. I take NCLEX tomorrow, so I'll update on Friday. It did work though on improving my test scores. I highly recommend both Kaplan Question trainer and Springhouse NCLEX 3000. Use Kaplan as the standard and 3000 to improve areas where you were weak in Kaplan.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I noticed you said.."I have many resources to study from". That could be your problem. Pick one & stick w/it. For me it was Saunders using Suzanne's plan.....I followed it to the T. Shortly before my exam I used a Kaplan Trainer CD to test the water so to speak....I passed w/75. Good luck to you!

BTW...I also noticed you said you read into the questions.....it seems you have identified your problem. Go w/your gut & don't second guess yourself.

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