NCLEX study tips.

Published

Specializes in Step Down.

So I just got the "good pop up", I'm praying that it's accurate, but if it is, here's what I did. First of all, I know they say HESI isn't a good predictor, but I did score over 900 which really boosted my confidence. I now realize CONFIDENCE is KEY! You have to stay calm during the exam and think through each question. Everytime I started to panic, I would stop and breath for a minute and PRAY.

I think in the end all is it is PRACTICE. You have to have a good foundation of the material, but once you have that down the key is to do as many questions as possible. They got much much easier as I did more and more.

That said, it DOES NOT matter which resources you use. You need a good foundation and a few strategies....

Here are my resources and scores just to make you feel better. The scores made me feel better which is what's most important, the CONFIDENCE! I have to say I felt READY for the exam though....just because you are getting these scores, doesn't mean you are ready. When I was answering the questions, the ones I got right, I KNEW i got right. I wasn't just guessing or using strategies. I really had a good foundation of the material and could answer any type of question thrown at me regarding the material.

I didn't study maternity or peds much and only had 1-2 questions on each....focus on med-surg...oh and the SPIDERMAN pneumonic seriously SAVED me! KNOW it WELL! I had some pharm, but I guessed on ALL of them! Thankfully it didn't hurt me.

I studied for about a month everyday with a couple day breaks when I started scoring poorly. My mind just needed to rejuvenate. I didn't post all my scores, just the ones I recorded. I basically did 75-150 questions a day and read all rationales. I never did more than 150...I just prayed I wouldn't get more than that. lol. Thank G-d I didn't!

My Nclex Plan

Kaplan Book Diagnostic test (see weaknesses)/Trainers:

- Pre-test: 180q 65%

- Test 1 75q: 60%

- Test 2 75q: 62%

- Test 3 100q: 62%

- Test 4 150q: 64%

- Test 5 150q: 66%

- Test 6 200q: 65%

- Test 7 265q: Didn't have time to do it.

Saunders:

Pretest: 72% 75q

Pharmacology q's 3/27: 75q

Lacharity:

- Chapter 1 (pain): 25q 64%

- Chapter 2 (cancer): 20q 62.5%

- Chapter 3 (Acid/Base): 20q 85%

- Chapter 4 (immune): 20q 80%

- Chapter 5 (respiratory): 30q 93%

- Chapter 6 (Cardiovascular): 30q 73%

- Chapter 7 (hemotologic): 25q 80%

- Chapter 8 (neuro): 34q 61.7%

- Chapter 9 (visual): 20q 50%

- Chapter 10 (musculoskeletal): 21q 81%

- Chapter 11 (GI/nutrition): 26q 84.6%

- Chapter 12 (endocrine): 22q 77%

- Chapter 13 (Integumentary): 20q 75%

- Chapter 14 (Renal):24q 58%

- Chapter 15 (Reproductive): 27q 63%

- Chapter 16 (Med-Surg Emerg): 31q 58%

Nclex 3500

- Pretest: 60% 75q

- Pretest 2: 75% 75q

- Test 1 (MedSurg/Fund) 150q 70%

- Test 2 (MedSurg/Fund) 75q 63%

- Tst 3 (Assessment NP) 75q 65%

- Test 4 (MedSurg/Fund) 75q 77%

- Endocrine: 50q

- Renal: 101q

- Immune and Hemotologic: 86q

- Cardiovascular: 14q

-

Exam Cram 7 practice tests:

- Exam 1 80% 250q

- Exam 2 71% 250q

- Exam 3 75% 250q

- Exam 4 63% 250q

- Exam 5 68% 250q

- Exam 6 69% 250q (main book)

- Exam 7 72% 250q (main book)

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/infection-control-mnemonics-299890.html

http://www.rnpedia.com/home/exams/nclex-exam

I think these are the only websites I'm actually allowed to post on here.

Exam cram was by far my favorite book and LaCharity also helped me TREMENDOUSLY! I liked Exam Cram more than NCLEX 3500 because it kept track of your score and I got it from the library. I just kept it on my computer and would sit down whenever I had a chance and did however many questions I could at a time. I really would say these 2 books are what did it for me. I used Saunders as a resource but didn't really do any questions from it as you can see.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! AND THANK YOU ALLNURSES! I don't think I would have done it without you guys!! In fact, I KNOW i wouldn't have done it without this site! I got ALL the information I needed WITHOUT a review course ON THIS SITE!:heartbeat

That's it I think....I hope this helps someone!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks alot for that!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Step Down.

No problem! I hope someone finds it useful!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:yeah:Congratulations on passing!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Step Down.

I'm praying the pop up is true!!! I want to believe it! I'm dying to call up all my family and friends and tell them I passed! --but I'm waiting for the official results.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wanted to ask a question about infection control. So with airborne, N 95 mask, negative pressure and private room is need does that mean no gloves needed?

With droplet also, do we not need any gloves? When do you decide to add googles?

I know they say to apply specific precautions to airborne, droplet, and contact in addition to universal precaution. But I am confused.

please help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Step Down.

I put down gloves and gown for ALL of them when I studied because you DO need it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thank you.. I'm planning to take my NCLEX after 6 mos. Goodluck to me...:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:clpty:CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!

I can see you scores where pretty much the same all along... or how difficult is to bust your scores? How the score line goes against time since you took 10 weeks to prep for the test?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What is the spiderman pneumonic?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion