NCLEX--What did you study and for how long before the test?

caliotter3 · Jan 27, 2010

What works for one may not work for the next person. The sharp person with a photographic memory who left school only a few weeks before the test date, may pass the test with no more than a review of the normal lab values. Or someone who feels that their time in school left much to be desired because they left a subject alone once they tested on it, may set themselves up a four month study schedule to virtually teach themselves the whole kit and kaboodle over again. Both of these people will pass, but with different kinds of and amounts of, effort. Most others are somewhere in the middle. I was able to pass the test with little direct study, mostly because the school scene was not that far in the past and back then, there was not a lot of emphasis on review books or classes. They didn't even talk much, at all, about passing the NCLEX in school. You will have to give this some thought and go with a plan that takes into consideration your current level of understanding and how you learn best. Do some reading on the site to see what various people have done who have been successful. Good luck.

catzy5 · Jan 27, 2010

I took the test on the 15 and passed, I finished school 12/18, but took some time before studying, I really cracked down after the first of the year. My date was set for 01/26 but moved it up because the anxiety of the test was doing more harm then good.

As for what I studied, my game plan was to take Saunders NCLEX book and go over all the topics we skipped, or brushed over, I also went over all my lab values and charts I made during my 2 years of nursing. Then I just dove in.

Goodluck

Acosmo27 · Jan 31, 2010

hey! I graduated Dec 17th and took the exam Jan 27th... and passed with 75. :) I started studying some time around January 2nd or 3rd. I did Kaplan... I thought it was very helpful. I read the entire Kaplan course review book, and did ALL the question trainers and Q bank questions. I also reviewed pretty much all my notes from nursing school. Honestly, I was not too impressed with the NCLEX exam. The questions were not that hard.. kaplans questions were far more in depth. The NCLEX tested very basic content that I really didnt think would be on there. I knew my infection control, and was glad I did because there seemed to be a lot on that. As far as meds go, I didnt really focus to much on it. Of course I knew the basics.. but come on, I knew that even if all i did was study meds, I would still get a bunch of questions about meds Ive never heard before (and I did). GOOD LUCK!!!

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jan 31, 2010

I took the HURST Review 3 times throughout my nursing program. I took it the third time the week after graduation. Then I studied for 3 weeks straight after that for 8hrs a day

boogeysmomRN · Jan 31, 2010

I took Kaplan about 1.5 months before my test date. I started hard core studying about 3 weeks before my test. I even changed the date to an earlier one b/c I finished studying and needed to get it over with.

I used Kaplan (in class) and the Qbank, Qtrainers. I also used Saunders for looking up key points on specific areas that I had trouble with. I thought Kaplan was great, I wish I had taken Kaplan before Nursing school or at least some point inbetween semesters, haha. I also got a 97% passing rate on our ATI predictor before school ended.

I guess my method worked for me b/c I passed with 75 questions. And so did most of my classmates who went the same route.

boogeysmomRN · Jan 31, 2010

Oh I have to add, I didn't use the Kaplan book very much at all - I just did questions and read all the rationales - which sometimes weren't fabulous and that is when I referenced Saunders. I barely went over pharm - probably a good idea to still do it, but in the end all the drugs I was asked about, I had never even heard of. I would focus on infection control, delegation, prioritizing, and practice all the SATA questions that you can get your hands on.

Good luck to you!!

JenniferSews · Jan 31, 2010

Let me start by saying my program was notoriously tough. I studied for 5 days and took the NCLEX 2 weeks to the day after graduation using only Saunders. We had to take Hesi tests at the end of every semester and I had always done very well. I was in a hurry and too broke for Kaplan. I thought that having my license before all the other Dec grads might give me the slightest edge in the job market. I was so wrong! I had 75 questions and when it was over I wasn't sure if I should laugh maniacially, vomit or cry. I passed though! Do whatever YOU need to do to feel comfortable. Good luck!