nclex test taking tips

Published

Try to get up EARLY in the morning to study when your refreshed from a good night of sleep. Think about it! So, I started going to bed early and getting up around 4am or 5am and would study. It helped tremendously. After studying for a bit, take break or take a walk! Excercise also helps to retain information.

Being test smart is also a help. By being test smart, I mean being able to pick out the KEY words. What are they asking for? Sometimes they will give you tons of information but in reality it is NOT important to the answer. Make sure you re-read a question if you are not sure! Look for thoes keys, they are usually there and many questions will have them hightlighted! Also, there are some words that are DEADLY to an answer. Words that are definite, like MUST, ALWAYS, EVERY. These words in an answer should be triggers that that response is not right! Inevitably, you get down to two answers that could be correct, re-read the question. I look for part of the question in the answer, usually that is the right one!

The night BEFORE the test...DON'T STUDY!!!! Yes, you heard me! If you have been taking the time to study up to that point, give yourself a little break! RELAX!! Get a good night's sleep so you are refreshed in the morning. And one thing I was glad I did, was take someone with you to drive!! You will be anxious and not in tune with anything around you except that test. Luckily for me, my husband was on vacation the day I took mine and I am so glad, I was completly exhausted and very "numb" afterwards and glad he was there to drive me home! :) AND YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU FAILED WHEN YOU LEAVE!! Every single one of my friends and I all felt that way! HONEST!! So, don't be surprised! Remember, you know more and learned more than you think! :)

Obviously, you have access to a computer. Find some disks to use to take the computer test. It really helps. It is not as comfortable as you think!! So practice on a computer too!

bar12.jpg

I also used several NCLEX Review books to study with during school and for the NCLEX. The best ones I found were the two below.

Lippincott's Reveiw for NCLEX-RN, 5th edition. This is a great book! I used it to study for test during nursing school and also to study for the NCLEX.

Review Questions for the NCLEX-RN Computer Adaptive Testing, 8th edition by Sandra F. Smith. The quesitons in this book are hard! At least I thought so and they are very much like what you will see on the actual NCLEX. This will be a very good prep for the test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the tips, and I have my date to write in November and I am super nervous.

I have used Kaplan online as a study guide, but am going to get a Sanders Review

as well.

I have not written an exam in 23 years, and am writing the nclex for the first time, as I am a Canadian RN, wishing to work in the USA.

So....wish me luck...as I need it....I am a terrible test taker...and do not have much confidence in myself, so all I can do is read and re-read Maternity, Psychiatiry, and Peds., as I have only done Med/Surg, Longterm care in the past. so the other areas of nursing will be all new to me.

Thanks Again

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in orthopedics, med/surgery.
Thanks for the tips, and I have my date to write in November and I am super nervous.

I have used Kaplan online as a study guide, but am going to get a Sanders Review

as well.

I have not written an exam in 23 years, and am writing the nclex for the first time, as I am a Canadian RN, wishing to work in the USA.

So....wish me luck...as I need it....I am a terrible test taker...and do not have much confidence in myself, so all I can do is read and re-read Maternity, Psychiatiry, and Peds., as I have only done Med/Surg, Longterm care in the past. so the other areas of nursing will be all new to me.

Thanks Again

Just relax and take a deep breathe. THe NCLEX is meant to test for minimum competency. If you have experience that will be a definite plus. But yes, you will need to brush up/review on all the systems, diesase processes, meds. I let my license lapse and now need to take the NCLEX. I took the "OLD" Michigan boards in 1977 and practiced for about 12 yrs B4 leaving for another degree and career. I will be taking the exam tomorrow.

I used Saunder's Comprehensive review 4th edition and did about 4000 questions. You should look into this. Take care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion