nclex doubts and worries

[rodmarkq]

Hello,

I'm about to take my NCLEX next friday (Feb 03). This will be my 2nd time taking the exam. I failed the first time using just Saunders 5th edition. I know deep down I failed because I took the exam and my review lightly. This time, it took me 4 months and I took Kaplan. All my friends and almost all the success stories I've read in this forum took Kaplan and passed. I did all I can this time. Gave up almost 3 months of nonstop everyday review. I took the online review by Kaplan, answered 100% of my Qbanks. Wrote down every rationale from every qbanks/qtrainer that i didn't know right or wrong and reviewed them every other day.

Diagnostic - with no review whatsoever 53%

QT1 - 60%

QT2 - 57%

QT3 - 50%

QT4 - 53%

QT5 - 60%

Qbank 100% complete - 58%

Sample test 1: 54%

Sample test 2: 48%

Sample test 3: 83%

**I swear sample test 1 and 2 mostly resembles NCLEX in my opinion. Maybe QT6 and 7 too, I'll find out.

Readiness test - 54% (I hurried through it because it was required to be finished by the last day of review. Shouldn't have though

I'm about to take my QT6 after writing this then QT 7 on Tuesday, then just taper down with my review on Wednesday and take a whole day break Thursday then showdown on Friday.

I've been feeling good and ready till I read a few recent posts from people who took Kaplan and failed. It brought me back to earth. What if I fail again? Everything is riding on me passing and finally getting a job and move on with my life. I'm sure all of us share the same background story. Truth be told, I'm scared to see that CC page again when doing the PVT. I have a phobia of that incident. I wish I didn't read the stories of people that failed with Kaplan..

My reason for writing this is for advice and guidance. What should I do? I know that if I have this mentality, I will surely succumb to failure next week. I know also that there's no way you can fully prepare for this exam. For those that have passed with Kaplan, what did you do when you were just hours away from taking that exam. Did you feel ready? confident? did the decision tree worked for you? Did the qbanks and qtrainers prepare you? is it easier or harder than the nclex?

Also is it wise for me to plan on taking about 2 hours for the first 75 questions? I don't do well in such long periods of concentrations. If i go past 75, i need frequent breaks to keep on going.

Please any opinions or advice, I will be truly grateful for. I can not afford to fail again. I want to move on with my life. With God's help I know he'll guide me. But what can I do to avoid these feelings of doubt in myself.

[Me2006]

SATA: Select all that apply questions :)

First off, I'm new to Allnurses.com so I'm not as familiar with how this actually works. But...I wish you the best of luck on your NCLEX this coming Friday. Also, what exactly is SATA questions? I continually see this and have not a clue as to what it's referring too. I too am taking the NCLEX next week on Thursday......so i will say a prayer for all who will be testing this coming week. .........................As far as studying goes, I've been neglectful and will probably pay for it. I've tried to set a regimen for myself but find it hard to stay focused as school has really burned me out and am truly sick to death right now of books/studying/etc., I realize I shouldn't be but I am. So hopefully in these last few days I can get myself focused and motivated and find a way to save myself.................Again, good luck and as hard as YOU are studying I'm sure you'll be just fine :)

[littleone17]

Believe me, you will never feel 100% ready when you face nclex. You are just gonna have to wake up one day and say to yourself,"I have to get this over with.."

IMO, stay away from posts saying they failed with Kaplan, Hurst, ATI...bottomline, stay away from negative posts here on allnurses. You won't be doing yourself any good if you read negativity, I swear it makes you even more anxious. I used Kaplan qbank to review and it helped me. I was getting 50's and 60's there. My scores in the sample tests weren't pretty at all, sample test 1- 48 and sample test 2- 46, but that didn't stop me. In fact, it made me even more determined to do what I had to do to make my scores go up more. Read the rationales and keep on practicing.

During your exam, pls do deep breathing (for those anxiety episodes) and blinking(for those dry-eye episodes of looking at the computer screen for hours). I will say a prayer for you for I am a strong believer that God is with us all the time and wants to comfort us. He is just waiting for us to call upon Him. He will handle your stress, you will do great :) God Bless and don't quit on your dream, you gotta tell yourself "This is what I want to be God, a NURSE,pls help me overcome this.."

Good luck..

[littleone17]

I want to add something, this 2nd time I took Nclex and passed I cried like a baby and waived my arms in the air screaming "praise the Lord, Hallelujah".. my boyfriend was staring at me like *****?!! lol..but honestly man, the feeling of passing this test is indescribable and wonderful, in fact it was thru endless review nights that I became closer to God and he really does miracles for the worrisome. Go to church, pray sincerely, talk to God like talking to a friend and tell him what you want to have:) Once more, good luck..

[Me2006]

wish me luck! I test next week!!!

[maryam.youhanna]

Hi there:

Can you please tell me how much you pay for Kaplan? Do you have to go to any of the classes? Because I also signed up and paid 700 dollar but it was useless. There is no one there to help you why this is the answer to that question. I was on my own, feeling overwhelmed. So I gave up and never bothered writing the exam again. But I have to do it this time. Thank you.

[Me2006]

Hi there:

Can you please tell me how much you pay for Kaplan? Do you have to go to any of the classes? Because I also signed up and paid 700 dollar but it was useless. There is no one there to help you why this is the answer to that question. I was on my own, feeling overwhelmed. So I gave up and never bothered writing the exam again. But I have to do it this time. Thank you.

Hi Maryam:

Kaplan is about $500 for a 3 month subscription online, there are classroom options also.

You can choose whether you want classroom, online, or both.

Dont give up. You can do it. Just stay focused. We all feel overwhelmed at some point, but giving up is not an option.

Good Luck to you!

[chelley2010]

I take my NCLEX for the second time on Wednesday. The first time, I attempted to take it with little review in my Saunders book and after a move from NY to GA. Needless to say, I failed.

I then signed up for Kaplan. Here are my scores:

QTrainer 1: 56%

QTrainer 2: 67%

QTrainer 3: 56%

Diagnostic Exam 63%

QTrainer 4: 60%

QTrainer 5: 55%

QTrainer 6: 68%

Readiness Test: 66%

QTrainer 7: 63%

100% of QBank questions taken: 63% overall

I plan on reviewing today, taking some questions in Kaplan ans Saunders. and Reviewing again. Tomorrow is my free day so I can be fresh for Wednesday morning!

I've noticed a huge difference taking questions after the Kaplan course than before. Before I would read the question and hunt for the answer. Now I slow down and take my time going thru all the steps. I feel more confident in my test taking skills...

Good luck to those taking it this week! We can do it!

[lc1028]

hey everyone! just checking back in this post. it sounds like everyones scores are great! i take my test in a week and i am really trying to stay postive as well. my scores have really improved over the last week or so... for a while i was stuck in the 50's and now i am consistently getting scores in the 60's... i even got a 73 on a q bank quiz! i will pray for everyone- keep me updated on how you do!

[bellisari17]

i take it this friday too so scared

[rodmarkq]

ahh it's getting closer and closer now....i hope we all pass!!

[lc1028]

ahh me too!! mine is on monday!!

@rodmarkq - what are you focusing on only a few days before? i feel like i have been doing so many questions but there is still so much i dont remember. are you doing any content review or are you just doing questions and looking at the rationales? i feel like i want to review stuff but i feel like if i read it i will forget it anyways.

i just finished my Qbank with an average of 62%. I did sample test #1 -66 and #2- 66

i still have QT 5, 6 and 7 to complete. which i think i will space out the new few days.

[rodmarkq]

I'm reviewing ALL the rationales i've written down doing all the Qbanks and Qtrainers 1-6. I will also review my pharma and then I will be doing QT7 tonight. (about 2 hours from now). I was planning to do it yesterday but I just felt fatigued and not really up for it. It's 265 questions so definitely need to be in top form. I did however focused on SATA's, (the alternate type questions on the Kaplan thing). Did horrible!! I really need to take my time to answer those type of questions. But you can't fully prepare yourself for SATA's. Just gotta take it as we go. I also did Exam cram questions last night. I scored 69 out of 100. It felt weird because it was so easily worded and right on point. Unlike Kaplan where you have to critically think your way to answer correctly. I'll stick with qbanks and qt7 till then. The higher the difficulty the better it prepares you.

Your scores are real good. Better than mine! make sure you review the rationales and ALSO review why you picked the wrong answer and not the correct one. But yeah, better do your Qtrainers. Unless your fast in doing rationales unlike me lol. Let's keep updating. I'm testing friday...I was super close to rescheduling it. But the next available date is Feb 11 which is too far away. My gf says, i shouldn't because I'll overstudy and thats not good. She says better take it why everything is still fresh.

So yeah QT7 tonight!