Pass California NCLEX-RN in 60 Questions

Haha, same here; although I was not physically nor biologically able to "pop out a baby", I did do my studying like a lazy baby

Seriously, the max was 3.5 hours and was getting tired--when in nursing school I was able to read and review for 8 hours straight (with a meal break in between).

I hear you about resources, when reading about people paying for x and buying x when there are so many resources was one reason why I wanted to do this frugal mini-series.

At least you got out at 3.5, my 3.0 will be a source of constant sigh--well we both have similar academic backgrounds, so you understand this point.

(I was only a few hundredth of points away from graduating summa cum laude in my previous B.A....another constant source of sigh...)

On question 75, I actually whispered to myself, Get this right and you will see a blue screen--blue screen it was. I will tell you why and how I knew that in Part 3.

A little update: Still looking into NCLEX policy to whether I should post Part 2 or not.

However, here's a quick tip for the SATA questions:

1- It's best to be relaxed during the exam, likewise, the same principle applies when doing practice tests.

2- Doing a series of SATAs is very draining, yet you won't get more than three or four straight SATAs nor see that many SATAs on the NCLEX (context: passing in 75 questions).

3- Therefore, doing SATAs to the point of understanding of how to answer them (i.e. treating them as T/F questions) will be adequate.

Pro Tip:

When you see a special SATA, go ahead and put on a big grin

(Those who passed in 75 likely know what I'm referring to; those who expect to pass in 75 will know it when they see it).

Special SATAs:

I had two in my exam; one was the 3rd sata in Triple-SATA-Set-1, the other was the 2nd sata in Triple-SATA-Set-2. One of them is probably part of the 15 experimental questions...I'll elaborate in Part 3.

By request:

THE CALIFORNIA MINI-SERIES, PART 2: FACE THE BEAST

DAY BEFORE THE EXAM

I spent all day doing lite reviews, Saunders CD questions, re-watched some videos; all done in a relaxed, non-rushed, non-stressful manner.

*Rationales: There is merit in relaxing or doing something fun for the whole day, but should I fail, I'd regret ever taking that day off.

DAY OF EXAM (AT 2 PM)

-Spontaneously woke up at 7:10 am; felt a bit tensed, so decided to remain in bed dozing off and on until 8 am.

-Watched said videos while eating breakfast and lunch.

-Did lite reviews on Labs, EKG strips, Leads placement, Mechanical vent modes.

-Specifically, I did a rough sketches of the 8 common EKG strips.

-Dosage Calculation: Reviewed conversion factors and simple equations.

-The first time test anxiety creeping in , so I listened to some music.

-Did two 10 questions on Infection Control on Saunders CD; Left for test.

*Rationales: Did mostly hands-on stuff to probably stave off test anxiety; did two sets of Saunders CD to put myself in a test mode.

EXPECTATION

-My goal was 75, albeit in a sliding-scale

CHECKING IN

-There were three people ahead of me and it took about 5 minutes each to check in, so instead of feeling the brunt of test anxiety, I was too busy being annoyed at the slow check in process.

-Test anxiety averted!!!

THE EXAM

-Took my time doing the tutorial, all the while using that opportunity to deep breathe and to remain loose.

-I knew the first question is a passing question, so I studied it a little bit so that I could use it as a reference to compare future questions.

-Got it right, up came a SATA. Fist pumped.

-Missed the 2nd SATA. Remaining positive, told myself, That's a good start.

-Got another SATA before the end of 1st ten questions.

Q 20s: Got a few SATAs, and possibly dipped below the passing line.

-Here I got one very easy question, a single line question no less. First time feeling bummed.

Q 30s: Got a few SATAs, and possibly dipped below the passing line.

-Another easy question: which of the following is an NSAID? Told myself, Pick up your game!

Q 40s: Triple SATAs!!!, got 6 straight correct answers. Confidence going sky high now.

Q 50s: A few more single SATAs, no easy” questions that I could identify.

Q 60s: Triple SATAs to begin and one more SATA in 67 or 68.

-That triple SATAs was a major confidence booster because I knew those 15 experimental questions were nearly exhausted. The rest were all Priority questions.

Q 70s: 70 was a big shocker , it's a priority question but it's noticeably of the trickier type, the type where you have to read the Q and eliminate one option, reread and eliminate another, reread and eliminate another with the remaining answer you're not happy” about but forced to submit because it's the only one you didn't eliminate.

-71 came a priority question—now I'm thinking, Could this be happening?

-72-74 all priority questions.

-75 a priority question; I took a moment and told my self, Expect a blue screen after this. Blue screen it was.

Got up, checked out, and walked out the building all with a big smile.

I did the PVT on the 26th hour; why not—literally once in a lifetime thing. Got the good pop up.

The 2nd day at around 9 am; checked CA BON and saw my license posted, all under 48 hours—must be a December perk.

-Links, special SATAs, and Big Tips people are ignoring will be elaborated in Part 3, if anyone is interested.