NCLEX, Saunders, UWorld, Kaplan, RN Nclex Mastery

[BSNRN2]

Hello all :)

I promised myself that I would submit my NCLEX preparation after I took the exam :)

First off, nursing school was difficult for me in terms of the exams. I had to study for hours, and sometimes I'd surprise myself with an occasional A, but was mostly hanging in the B+. Also, I was in the accelerated program...so that was added stress on itself! :)

After nursing school, I scheduled my exam about 1 month out but was studying prior to graduation for 1.5 months. By the time the NCLEX came, I had been studying for a total of 2.5 months (that's not required as I read some studied only 3-4 weeks and passed; however, I am not that type of individual but admire those who are!)

What I used to study: Saunders content review 6th edition (I read through that book twice. Yes it is a lot, but if it weren't for that book, I would not have passed the NCLEX). I paired Saunders with UWorld and found that they worked hand in hand very well. I loved Saunders because of the content, and I loved UWorld because the questions were higher level thinking questions compared to Saunders and the rationales are amazing (I went over every rationale: whether it was right or wrong. I also wrote down rationale after rationale. By the time the NCLEX came, I had about 4 packs of notes).

I also used Kaplan RN Qbank, but found that it really didn't help other than frustrate me. The rationales were awful, and some of the answers to the questions were just wrong. Also, a lot of the questions had misspelled words (for example, DISASTER was spelled DISATER). I felt that I wasted my money purchasing Kaplan (however, I know people are very successful with them so it really depends upon what type of learner you are).

Also, I used RN NCLEX MASTERY App: This was great if I was on the go! I actually learned a lot about how to nail down signs and symptoms of diseases (which was my biggest struggle).

In my opinion, one has to know the content before attacking the questions. My mistake was that I started doing UWorld questions without looking at content, and my percentage scores were awful. Then I just devoted 2.5 weeks to Saunders and did questions later, and I was doing much better. When the content has been established (it doesn't have to be perfect but get the basics), do as many questions as you can. I downloaded free apps from the iTunes store on top of doing UWorld, Kaplan, and RN NCLEX MASTERY app. By the time I sat down to NCLEX, I had done at least 5K practice questions and logged in a lot of hours of reading and studying (I studied from 10-12 hours per day for those 2.5 months).

I passed the NCLEX in 75 questions and under an hour. I saw everything from meds to OB to peds to psych to med surge. And honestly because of UWorld and Saunders mostly, I felt that I knew the majority of the questions. There were of course some I felt I was guessing, but majority, I felt I knew. I believed that I passed coming out of the testing center, but then the next 24 hours I thought maybe I had failed and answered every question wrong. Come to my surprise: I checked the BON for my state and saw my RN license go from "pending" to "active" !

Yes, the NCLEX preparation is daunting, but if you put the time into it, the exam is not that scary. Write everything down! (wrong and incorrect rationales). I know some people who didn't write anything down when they were studying, and the NCLEX was harder for them. UWorld is a must! When I sat down for the NCLEX, I felt like I was just taking a UWorld practice exam. Did I get exact same questions? No, but because UWorld taught me how to apply the knowledge from Saunders and think through a question, I felt confident in my answers.

Also, some people study less and pass while others study more and pass. Know your weak areas and don't compare yourself to others :) We all have our strengths and weaknesses. What one works for another might not for the other. Just know yourself and study based upon how you know you will do great.

Happy Studying!

[aloha_life]

Thank you for sharing, I had the exact same issue....jump into Uworld and did not brush up on my content. I also used Kaplan, which I was lost around the decision tree. I also had the Mastery app and Lacharity.

Now that I am reading Saunders and pairing with Uworld, it just got simpler. I am taking my test the 2nd time soon and I hope this will help me. Enjoy RN!!!

[lewilson16]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing! Since it looks like you used both UWorld and NCLEX Mastery RN, I was wondering if you could comment on the difference between these apps and what you liked vs disliked. I've been reading people prefer UWorld but unfortunately I've already invested in NCLEX Mastery lol. Just wondering if you'd highly suggest I also shell out the money for Uworld and why. Any information is super appreciated!!

[aloha_life]

Hi lewilson16, I hope I am not too late in responding.

I have a friend who solely studied on the Mastery App and passed. To me, using it on the phone was a bit more difficult than on the desk top. I end up using the mastery on my mac book instead, and I find that it was much easier to use and understand. The questions are a bit difficult as well, which is good because it helps me think. It is the same concept as UWorld, score wise. But the rational on mastery didn't give me much details, nor do they have any pictures. But I still end up finishing mastery because I already paid for the app

UWorld on the other hand is a mirror image of taking the test, comes with really good rational, and pictures that help you remember. Question are a lot harder to me, and has many SATA. UWorld covers a lot of topics, from EKG to math. It also have self exam that makes it like the real test, that's what made me feel comfortable about taking the test that day

Since you are fully vested in Mastery, it is still a good app. It is hard to say if you should try UWorld. TBH I feel like I really pass because of UWolrd. But they do have a 25 question sample for you to try out before you buy any. Take that and see how you feel about it. I hope this helps.

[lewilson16]

Aloha_life, thank you! This helps SO much.