NCLEX: Studying, PVT Trick, and Quick Results

[alp1223]

So I told myself I would write a post after taking my NCLEX regardless of the outcome because I looked to anyone and everyone before taking my test. So here it is!

Picking my NCLEX date:

So after graduation, which was May 13, 2016, I didn't know how long it would be until I would be able to sit for boards. I'd heard it can take 2-4 weeks (in Missouri) and I knew I couldn't study that whole time. I went on a 2 week vacation to Europe with my family after graduation and didn't study at all. I found out while I was there that my school hadn't even sent our transcripts to the NCSBN until May 31st so I knew I still had a while until I received my ATT. I got back from my trip, still with no ATT. It wasn't until June 6 that I received my letter. I thought 2 solid weeks of studying would be enough so I scheduled my NCLEX for June 22, 2016. That way I had a deadline and would have motivation to study.

How I studied:

My school used Kaplan for absolutely everything. Our live review course was a joke. The only thing they talked about was the Decision Tree. Towards the end of the week long class I thought I would give it a try. I used the Tree for our Exit Exam and only scored 4 percent hire than my previous score (without the Decision Tree). So basically I learned nothing from it but attended so I would be able to get my money back on the off chance that I failed my test. Once I started studying, I used their online resources which I found very helpful. I tried using the Decision Tree and kind of got the hang of it. I took all the question trainers (1-7) spread throughout the 2 weeks. Question trainers 5-7 being most like the NCLEX. In between those I would do 2-3 75 question Qbank tests. My averages were between 60-73%. I got through all but 300 Q bank questions.

Here are some of my scores:

QT 4- 64%

QT 5- 64%

QT 6- 64.5%

QT 7- 66%

Readiness test- 70%

I thought these were pretty good scores, so I was feeling pretty good leading up to the test. I also got the app NCLEX Mastery so I could study on-the-go. I had all the lab values on a separate sheet of paper that I memorized as well.

The week of the test:

Leading up to the test I had seen my classmates posting they had already passed. Our nursing class had a Facebook group and people were asking how test was. This stressed me out even more so I completely got off social media for the week. I read everywhere not to study the day before the test. So I tried this out, and was secretly freaking out inside. I did things to take my mind off of everything (pool, clean, Netflix). I took melatonin before going to bed that night to help me get some sleep before the test. My test was at 2 so I was able to sleep in and get a good breakfast and lunch before.

The Test:

Once I got to the test I was extremely nervous. I was the first one there. They let me start the test 45 minutes early which was a surprise to me. The screen looked exactly like Kaplan which was somewhat reassuring. They go through a tutorial at the beginning and then it's go time. I honestly don't remember much past that except it cut me off at 75 questions and I went into a full on panic. I was either doing so great it shut off or doing so terribly awful it didn't want me to go on. I had no clue. I thought my questions were hard, had at least 20 SATA and a lot of priority. (Side note: I didn't use the Decision Tree except for maybe 2 questions). I felt like I had failed every single one. I left, might have shed a few tears, and went home.

The wait:

I had talked to some friends that had already passed and they told me about the PVT trick. This is where you log-in to your Pearson account, try to re-register to take the exam, and enter in your Credit Card number with a fake security code. I told myself I wouldn't do this but at 10 pm that night I caved. I did all the steps and got the so called 'good popup' saying I wasn't able to register for the exam again. I was skeptical and tried it again the next day and got the good pop up yet again. I still wasn't buying it.

So the next day, 2 days after testing I waited to get my unofficial results. I was unsure if it was 48 hours you started your test, when your actual appointment time was, or when you ended your test. I started at 1:15 and checked pretty much every 5 minutes until it worked. So for those of you wondering, it is 48 after your SCHEDULED time slot. At exactly 2 pm my results were up for purchase. I quickly put in my Credit Card info and submitted and was in disbelief that I PASSED!!! I seriously thought I had failed miserably as is how 99% of people feel when they walk out of the exam. Its normal! If you think you did great, you probably had easy questions and were below the passing line. If you thought to failed hard, you were probably getting difficult questions which is a good sign!

I hope this helps those out there looking for the answers I was desperately searching for during the weeks leading up to my test!!

I'm officially an RN y'all!!!