NCLEX study tips

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2008

I used Saunders NCLEX test prep as a study tool during school. I would pop in the CD after lectures, find the specific section that was lectured on, and do a few sets of 85 questions.

I can't hurt to start doing them now. Its never too soon to start.

Also, my school had a manditory section where you had to do NCLEX questions from the Saunders book. It came out to like 100 day for the last 14 weeks of school. I really think that helped.

I swear some of the questions on my NCLEX test seemed so very familiar. I'm thinking I had a very similar question while doing the many many Saunders questions that I did.

At night when I had nothing that had to be done for school and my family was watching tv, if the show wasn't something I wasn't interested in (unless it was Discovery, Biography, Discovery Health or Animal Plant I wasn't interested LOL.) I would sit in the kitchen (ajscent to my family room where they were) and do questions from the NCLEX CD while they watched tv. I'd take a break, sit with the family and go back and do more until the next break. I seemed to work very well for me.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 14, 2008

I did the same thing as CT Pixie, only I used the Davis NCLEX-RN Success program to reinforce what I learned in class. You'll be surprised what you remember from school. Also, the NCLEX isn't really about the minutae but more about the big picture.

I did the Kaplan Online Complete as review before the NCLEX. I started the week of graduation and did about 100 questions per day (weekdays only, took the weekends off) for the 4 weeks from graduation until I took the boards last week. All said and done, I did somewhere around 1500 questions with Kaplan. Took the NCLEX and passed in 75. I thought Kaplan was a great prep. Their questions were written just like the NCLEX ones. I felt very comfortable during the exam.

luv'nlife068 · Jul 16, 2008

I graduated in December and have taken the nclex twice & failed both times. Sorry to start off on a negative note, and it's not meant to discourage you at all. But, Take some time off after school to clear your head and relax. You've worked hard, do something nice for yourself. Take a vacation, hang out with family & friends, do things you didn't have time for in school.

When you are ready to start studying for the test, you have so many options. I am taking advice from posts here and am going to use the Saunder's nclex-rn study guide (4th ed), Kaplan, and am going to use Suzanne's plan on here. Check her plan out. I've heard really good things about this.

Good luck to you. Stay positive, DO NOT get discouraged. Keep your goal in mind...passing the nclex & getting your license. :heartbeat

shiner · Jul 16, 2008

From what I heard, it's best to go by Saunders. I did a little of everything, but mainly stuck to Kaplan and failed.

What I hear is Kaplan is good for question technique, but sticking just to Saunders should help you pass! Good luck!

weronika · Jul 16, 2008

thanks everybody for your replies, it looks like the Sauders book is very popular, I read many good reviews of that book on amazon, and decided to buy it, but I have some more questions-how are the review courses? how many weeks are they? or how many hours in a week? and how much do they cost? thanks again!

Mel11 · Jul 17, 2008

I agree with luv'n don't forget to take some time for yourself - the exam isn't going anywhere - you just got done with how long in school just to rush into the rest of your life working - a week or two of time off won't make much difference even if you are working. Be study free for a bit. You've earned it.

NurseGreenEyes RN · Jul 17, 2008

Yes take a week off and do something enjoyable!

But the sooner after you graduate get into the ball game quick. It is best to study right away after graduation because you be surprised how much you will remember.

For me, Kaplan has helped! It's expensive but some colleges give you a discount! And if you are in the medical field, its tax deductible! So take advantage of it!

I like Kaplan because they show you strategies and for me it does help!

Good luck with the studies!

nosebleed23 · Jul 18, 2008

Dont be up tight in your time of study. remember you should have your own pacing. dont panic about time. you should make your own plan so that you wont feel choking or cramming. chill! ok? then you will do just fine. My advise to you is that you need have to make sacrifices. coz if you did one, then you'll surely get what have you bargain for. i hope i can help....

xbluemanx · Jan 20, 2009

Hi everyone I'm new to these forums. And I'm looking for some advice on study habits. So far i've taken the NCLEXPN once and unfortunately did not pass. Right now I'm just evaluating on how to study for the boards. So far I've just been Answering a lot of question from the Saunders Review CD. And everytime I get a question wrong I look it up and see why it is wrong. Also everytime I crack a book open and start reading. It seems like none of it is sticking in my head. Usually I just answer question for 4 hours everyday. Also im planning on testing again somewhere around mid March.

So any suggestions on how else I can study? Any advice you can give I would really appreciate it.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 20, 2009

Hi everyone I'm new to these forums. And I'm looking for some advice on study habits. So far i've taken the NCLEXPN once and unfortunately did not pass. Right now I'm just evaluating on how to study for the boards. So far I've just been Answering a lot of question from the Saunders Review CD. And everytime I get a question wrong I look it up and see why it is wrong. Also everytime I crack a book open and start reading. It seems like none of it is sticking in my head. Usually I just answer question for 4 hours everyday. Also im planning on testing again somewhere around mid March.
So any suggestions on how else I can study? Any advice you can give I would really appreciate it.

Consider Suzanne's plan especially if you already have the Saunders book