NCLEX PREP

[CCU13]

Hi. I have been preparing for the NCLEX for about a month by just doing questions everyday and going over content little by little. I am using kaplan and started off by doing poorly on the qbanks. I used to get 40s and 50s on the qbanks; now my highest score is a 66, but I still have more practice questions to do. However, for the Question trainers, I have been doing poorly. My scores are QT1-38%; QT2- 48%; QT3- 52%; QT4- 44.7%; QT5- 49.3%. These question trainer scores are pretty low but my qbank scores seem to be ok. I think? I have also been using NCSBN for content but stopped working on that to focus on practicing questions. I take my nclex in 2 weeks and am not sure on how successful I will be. Need some advice.

[MsRN2b2013]

Hi, I would suggest retaking the qtrainers. But do them spaced out. You definitely shouldn't take the qtrainers too quickly bc you may remember the correct answer. So space them out: Like do Qtrainer 1 today and the review rationales. Look and see which topics you didn't understand and then go back in kaplan textbook or any other resource your utilizing. Write it down, understand. Then move on (study, do questions). Then in a couple days do the same for the next Qtrainer.

[PandaBear007]

I suggest read ALL the rationales including the ones you got right. Redo the questions again.... I review the exam cram cd twice. I got around 55-60%. I read the Kaplan Book (OMG the best ever). A little over than a week later I decided to revisit exam cram cd and got 80% to 96%... I did ALL the chapters!!!! Took my nclex yesterday-- computer shut off at 105. The questions are way easier and simple compared to all the questions fm exam cram. Either I got lucky or maybe bc I knew the material lol. Goodluck =)

[guest744967]

I haven't done to well in my ati reviews. It's good to space it out!!! I've also used the NCSBN and it was a lot of content finally I just did the questions. I'm learning to focus on one review and reading and the others for questions.

[CCU13]

Thank you for the advice. Since I did QT5 today, I will go over the rationales and redo the test in a few days and will do the same for the earlier QT's.

[SheriffLauren]

Hey I took the boards in July and passed. My 'training program' was not a rushed as yours but I hope this helps. I did tests on the NCLEX 4000 program daily. I took my time (which is key) and then once completed I reviewed all the rationales (correct and incorrectly answered). I think that's important because sometimes you correctly answer things for the wrong reason.

Be calm and take as long as you need your only doing practice. I think whatever question/testing program you use is fine as long as you consistently do it. This close to your test date you should only be focusing on your weaknesses. For example, I did a cardiac review 2 weeks before my test date.

As for scores, when I started off I was getting 60's, then i moved up to 78-85 range just before my test. I think you want to be averaging 70% on your practice tests to be safe. I remember the ATI people saying that a score of 70 on a practice test is like a 90% chance of passing the boards first try.

Also, be super zen and remember to breathe!