NCLEX RN Exam! HELP! (May 2017)

0oliejay · Apr 29, 2017

I was using LaCharity and got up to chapter 19, but I knew I needed to be challenged more, so I took everyone's advice on here and purchased UWorld. I started my UWorld subscription on March 15th and tested for NCLEX-RN on April 25th; I used UWorld exclusively from the time I subscribed up until my exam. I found out on April 28th that I passed after 190 questions!

I had about 533 questions left in my QBANK prior to taking my exam; my overall score (not including the tests that I created using incorrect questions) was 53%. My scores on exams ranged between high 40's to high 60's (mainly scoring in the mid-50's). I also had one outlier where I scored 34%; that's what I get for trying to study at 3am in bed dozing off every other question (don't do that. haha.) I took only 1 of the RN Self-Assessments and scored 64%, placed in the 74th percentile, with a very high chance of passing.

If it helps you any, here was how I studied:

Mon-Fri

-Work: 8:30am-5pm

-Straight to Starbucks and studied from 5:30-10/11pm (still had to commute 45 min home)

-Took test of 75 questions *(how I remediated down below)

Sat-Sun

-Days off: did 2 tests of 75 unused questions each and 1 test of incorrect questions

Week of April 10-14th (work gave me 1 week off)

-I started my day at 9am with breakfast and watching some Netflix (it was such a luxury not having to wake up at 6am to get ready for and commute to work). I started my studying at 10am, with the same schedule as Sat-Sun with breaks every 2 hours for 15-30 min.

*I would read through ALL rationales; I went over incorrect rationales first and then the correct ones.

-Incorrect questions: I divided a notebook into systems (cardiac, peds, renal, maternity, etc.) where I would write rationales and/or draw diagrams/pictures/charts. If I wrote something similar down in the same section, it was an indicator that I needed to study that concept a little further.

-Correct questions: If it was questions I already felt comfortable with (ie, delegating tasks to UAP/LVN/new grad, which pt to give a nurse that floated to another unit, placing skills in order, etc.), I would type notes, using the notes section in UWorld to solidify my knowledge regarding the question. If my reasoning for getting the question right differed from UWorld's explanation, I would write it in my notebook.

Key things to note:

-When you take your NCLEX, you'll feel like you're taking a UWorld test.

-Questions on NCLEX are actually a bit easier to rationalize through than UWorld (you may even see some questions that are SIMILAR to questions you had on UWorld or you'll automatically know the answer to bc of UWorld's rationales.)

-Don't panic if you go beyond 75 questions; you're in it to win it so answer each question like they're #75. (I took a little breather when the break pop-ups came. I didn't leave the room; I sat at the computer, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said 'you got this' and kept going.)

Like many people say, don't get hung up on your scores. What matters is your understanding of why you got questions right and wrong, and your ability to rationalize questions while thinking critically. From now until the end of May (with already having started studying), that is plenty time to study and be ready for your boards as long as you stick to a dedicated study schedule.

Claim your victory and don't doubt your ability to pass this exam. I have a feeling you're gonna do great. :) Best of luck to you!

gizahon · Apr 30, 2017

Good luck and stay positive. Practice as many questions, read rationales.

Semper_Gumby · Apr 30, 2017

I never did UWorld as I'd never heard of it when I graduated three years ago, but my school (which maintained a 98%-plus pass rate for years) recommended the Saunders review book and enclosed CD-ROM and the Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment book. In addition, they recommended practicing 100 questions per day. They said that people from my program who did this had passed so that's what I did--100 questions almost every day, and spending time reviewing the rationales of not only the questions I got wrong, but the ones I got right, so that I could understand why they were right. Did this for about six weeks between graduating and NCLEX (and had to make myself schedule it because I knew I would keep putting it off and then start to forget things). I did spend a little time reviewing content areas I felt weak on (things I missed a lot when doing practice questions), but did not spend a ton of time on it because I knew my brain would hit information overload, and because there is no way it's possible to know every tiny thing you might be asked about.

When it came time to take the test, I did a few questions the day before but mostly chilled and relaxed, got a good night's sleep, ate a good breakfast, and went in hoping for the best. I had a number of medications I'd never heard of and good number of alternate format questions, but when I finished I felt good about it (and knew that was either really good or really bad lol).

To the poster who said they often change their original answer--don't! I used to be really bad about it but most of the time your gut instinct on those questions is right--that's what my instructors used to say and I came to realize it was true.

Best of luck to you!

narsMC · May 1, 2017

I just took my NClex on 28th of April.

I just use UWorld and priority and delegation by la charity. I was doing fine on the exams averaging 60-70% on uworld. I really thought I was prepared for the exam. but when I sat on the exam, as I compare, Uworld questions was in deed difficult. but on the exam Nclex question was a lot different. Question was just asked on a basic concept but the choices given can be a lot more difficult which will make yoy think if the statement given was correct. I got a lot of SATA and some evidence base practice that was not even introduced on uworld...

anyway best of luck!

Trisherrz · May 1, 2017

My school isn't allowing us to schedule boards until after May 1st even if we qualify to test early. Is it bad that I'm kind of scared to schedule an exam date? I really am scared and now feel like I just forgot everything I learned in nursing school.

Janethern · May 4, 2017

Uworld questions are very hard, I faithfully completed all of them and by the time I was done still was getting as low as 40% but the final when you want to exit to see how ready you are, I scored 69 and gave me a green light to go do my nclex that I was above the average. I passed my nclex and believe uworld and rn comprehensive saunders helped me to pass. keep fighting those 40s are okay.

DefibMe · May 5, 2017

Took the NCLEX this week and passed!!

ccc12 · May 5, 2017

Congrats DefibMe!!!!!

How many questions did you get? How was it?

I am studying Uworld too and I am taking the test next week. I am really anxious .

Congratulations again!!!!

DefibMe · May 7, 2017

Honestly, I do not remember the exact number of questions I got. My test kept going and going (My brain tends to not run at optimal level during tests). I was calm before the test; but got anxious when I started my test. I was there for the full 6 hours and even ran out of time. The computer never shut me off, I just ran out of time. I think I was at around 235 questions by the end. This was a bad idea, but I got it in my head that I was going to fail but I had to finish all 265 questions. In the last hour I was at maybe 150 ish? Maybe even 130 ish. In the last half hour I was maybe around 190. At this point I was answering questions super fast; I just skimmed the question and the options and picked an answer and moved on to the next question.

I was 100% sure I failed when the timer ran out. Two days later I paid for quick results (to confirm my fail), but I ended up passing. I looked up how the NCLEX is graded if you run out of time and apparently they only look at the last 60 questions you answered. I still do not really understand how it works because according to NCSBN you have to be above the passing standard in the last 60 questions to pass (If even one question falls below you fail, but you do not have to get each question right). If this is true that they only look at the last 60 questions then I probably passed because I was picking an answer quickly, versus sitting there and contemplating.

I only used Uworld to study and I know it is what made me pass. Using Uworld it made me learn how to answer the questions in NCLEX style (I know I used the full time and did not get shut off at 75, but towards the end I just rapid fire answered the questions). Do not do what I did and rush though; generally not good plan of attack.

Sorry for the essay, I hope this was not too much of a ramble. But Uworld really did help me pass. Uworld questions are difficult and makes you think critically and helps you identify the answer even if you have no clue about the topic in the question. I only went on so long because I am my own worst enemy and most likely kept changing answers (even though I know there wrong, I just convince myself otherwise). Just breathe, relax, keep trucking through Uworld and know YOU CAN DO THIS.

dreamsdocometrue15 · May 7, 2017

Congratulatioooooonssss was waiting for you !! Awesomeeeee

HOW many months did u use uworld? so happy for u

Issah2016 · May 7, 2017

You're lucky im 20 days away and its like i havent absorb everything yet and WE BOTH ARE ON THE SAME BOAT!! SAME SOURCES, SAME QUESTIONS LEFT!! hahahahha Im also working but im taking off 2 weeks before exam.
how long have you been studying?

Sorry for the delayed response. Been in and out of the library. lol Been studying for a month now. My 1st month with Uworld I haven't really done much. Now I'm more focused. I have 18 days left. So nervous!

How about you? How long have you been studying?

Issah2016 · May 7, 2017

Took the NCLEX this week and passed!!

Thanks all of you for your replies!! Very much appreciated. :)

Congrats DefibMe!!! Told you you're gonna make it!! Happy for you. Hope i'll pass too. I have 18 days left. Sooo nervous now.