NCLEX Tips - One I Never Knew

Ambition13, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2013

Yes. I took the NCLEX with the earplugs and it was VERY helpful. :up:

chewychipsahoy · Jul 22, 2013

Hmm interesting tip. Thanks! I used earplugs (Hearos brand) for the first time on the plane and wow, they made a huge difference.

zbb13 · Jul 23, 2013

My one tip....despite all the talk about one question per minute and how you need to practice doing that...before I sat down for NCLEX, I thought to myself "Why bother with one minute per question?" I have SIX hours to complete as many questions as I want. So I sat down for the NCLEX, tried to remember to breathe deeply, and I did one question at a time, giving each question at least 2 read-overs and then thinking it through and using all the strategies I learned through Kaplan (from reading the book, not the class). I also thought about priorities, and ABCs. Next think you know, it shut off at 75. (AND I thought I failed, but logically I knew it should have taken longer for them to figure out I was a failure-lol). I can't for the life of me figure out why they put so much emphasis on the timing. If each question is really so important (technically, to pass with 75 questions, only 60 questions truly count for your pass), then take as much time as you need on each question. That isn't a lot of questions to determine basic competence.

anashenwrath, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2013

I 100% thumbs up #1 and 2. Your brain NEEDS to take a break to help with long-term retention. If you have the time, take a break in the middle of your study schedule (eg, I had 3 months to study, and I took a whole week off right in the middle). When you come back to it, you're amazed at how comfortable you are with the material.

And don't do something like veg out in front of the TV if you think you'll be tempted to study at the same time. Bcs then you're neither studying nor relaxing effectively. Get out of the house. I went to a sauna, where it was so hot, I couldn't even go over stuff in my head!

My additional tip: if you're using Kaplan, write down the Decision Tree on your white board. Even if you don't really use it or didn't use it while studying. Just having it there will give you an anchor if you start to panic. If you didn't do Kaplan, maybe write down something encouraging and simple, like, "Calm down and think about what the question is really asking." Just having a little grounding mantra there for you to look at if you get anxious.

ashleymRN2b · Jul 23, 2013

i heard we aren't allowed to write anything on the white board anymore that doesn't pertain to the question we are on. is this not true?

anashenwrath, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2013

I don't think that's true. You're not allowed to start writing on the board until they say so (info dumping), but once the test starts, you can write whatever you need whenver you need it. I don't think it would be practical for them to monitor what everyone is writing and make sure it pertains to whatever question they're on.

I definitely didn't have anyone say anything to me, and at one point I drew an angry face on my board!

Miss_Piggy.RN · Jul 24, 2013

You can't write anything during practice test. Once you start actual exam you can write whatever you like. BUT if you need extra space you need to rise your hand and they need to erase it.

nursechand · Jul 24, 2013

I am bummed, i ran out of time. I thought like you to take as much time per question and it messed me up. so we have 265 in 360 mins that comes out to 1.3 mins per question. i didnt do this math until after the nclex. My kaplan instructor told us "speed kills" i took that to heart. I answered 215 questions in 6 hrs and ran out of time, so the last 60 rule applies to me but i m so not confident its going to work in my favor so sad. I was doing great with kaplans timing but my anxiety took the best of me. I tested on July 18th and still dont have my results, i m so scared i failed.

jimithing112 · Jul 24, 2013

I am bummed, i ran out of time. I thought like you to take as much time per question and it messed me up. so we have 265 in 360 mins that comes out to 1.3 mins per question. i didnt do this math until after the nclex. My kaplan instructor told us "speed kills" i took that to heart. I answered 215 questions in 6 hrs and ran out of time, so the last 60 rule applies to me but i m so not confident its going to work in my favor so sad. I was doing great with kaplans timing but my anxiety took the best of me. I tested on July 18th and still dont have my results, i m so scared i failed.

Did you try the pearsonvue pop up trick? Google it. :)

Lossea, RN · Jul 24, 2013

Thank you for the tips! I like how they don't deal with studying the material, but rather address the feelings, the comfort level.

All of them sound like they could really make a difference. I have never even thought of taking a test with earplugs in! I agree that the quiet would probably really change perception, and it would need practice to be effective rather than distracting (hearing your own heart beat!).

Not studying the day before is something I have never been able to achieve, but hearing how it can really make a difference, I will strive for this. I have been for my Master's, and I can see how not having to cram brings confidence. Believing in yourself is also really important not to forget. In my country, people say about upcoming stressful situations 'You can't breathe in enough before death.' :nailbiting: What's coming is coming, and last day of studying like crazy is probably better spent trying to relax and mentally prepare. Thank you! :inlove: