need help to know what to study for the nclex-pn exam

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2009

nclex abcdz strategy

a. spend 1/3 of your time reviewing content you don't understand

b. spend 2/3 of your time answering test question

c. used most comfortable nclex review book for content.

d. begin with the area that is most difficult for you or area that are least familiar

e. use a good nursing reference manual or internet to find information

f. define the disease in terms of pathophysiological process and understand the disease process.

g. identify the early and late symptoms of disease

h. identify most important or life-threatening complication associated with the disease.

i. define the medical treatment.

j. identify nursing intervention associate with early and late symptom of disease process

k. identify what to teach patient and family to prevent in other to adapt to disease process.

l. list the area you need to review.

m. answering question in a test mode will improve your test taking skills

n. each time you answer question, check the number of question you answered correctly that will motivate you to read and study more next time.

o. keep track of your score to see how you're improving in all area of your content.

p. if you answer less than 65% correctly, these is a warning signal!! spend lots of time reviewing content and stop doing question on the weakest area

q. if you answer 65-75% correctly your performance is improving and success is certain. continue working with the content until your score is above 75%

r. every wrong answer, identify why you answered it wrongly.

s. practice 75- 85 question to known how you'll be prepared for nclex exam and see how many you answered correctly

t. do understand the question first, formulate your answer of hand and compare with the option given to see how close your answer!!

u. anticipate test question will increase in difficulty when you get the first question right!!

v. do not panic if someone finishes before you!!

w. do not cram cram!!

x. remember that you have learned a great amount of nursing knowledge and the exam is only designed to determine whether you're able to practice safely @ entry level

y. keep a positive attitude and pray!!

z. wish you best of luck!!

ibmanda2000, LVN · Sep 23, 2009

Hello there!

just a little story for you about my experience.....

i did pretty bad on ALL my tests in the nursing program. basically everyone thought I was a slacker and would not graduate. i did. i studied...some. i basically only used the NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy study guide. i loved the way it was set up, it kept me interested, and it had great questions. i re-read questions allday, in any form i could get them. i did not want to panic at the NCLEX, i wanted to feel like i was just reading more questions.

anyhow.....i was the 3rd one out a class of 34 to take the test. i only got 85 questions, and i passed!

my advice is just study review questions..... familiarize yourself with the way they ask the questions and the pointers on how to answer a question that you dont REALLY know the answer to.

You will do fine!

DONT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! Take it ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! seriously. that makes a huge difference too. DO NOT WAIT TOO LONG!"

Good Luck!

M.m.M · Sep 24, 2009

hey thanks for the input...it helped a lot! i want to take it soon but its been over a month and a half since the school sent in my application most of the girls got there papers in 1 month and 2 weeks i still haven't got mines how long does it take? is there some place (like the nursing board) i might be able to call and ask??

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 25, 2009

You received great advice thus far and should follow the listed suggestions by Kay. There is no way to fully know what will be on the exam, so, try and have a basic understanding of as much as you can. I noticed that the percentage earned is not always an indicator of passing (at least in my case). Best of luck and keep us posted!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2009

Moved to the NCLEX Discussion forum. Good luck!

Brandi124 · Sep 25, 2009

Hello there!
just a little story for you about my experience.....
i did pretty bad on ALL my tests in the nursing program. basically everyone thought I was a slacker and would not graduate. i did. i studied...some. i basically only used the NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy study guide. i loved the way it was set up, it kept me interested, and it had great questions. i re-read questions allday, in any form i could get them. i did not want to panic at the NCLEX, i wanted to feel like i was just reading more questions.
anyhow.....i was the 3rd one out a class of 34 to take the test. i only got 85 questions, and i passed!
my advice is just study review questions..... familiarize yourself with the way they ask the questions and the pointers on how to answer a question that you dont REALLY know the answer to.
You will do fine!
DONT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! Take it ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! seriously. that makes a huge difference too. DO NOT WAIT TOO LONG!"
Good Luck!

This is a very encouraging post!!!!!! I wish there were there were more post like this! I feel like just reading this post helped my nerves as far as the %'s. I've done 2,000 review questions from Kaplan and prob about 500 or more from Saunders. I've been reading my Saunders book. I've got mostly all my lab values memorized. I think I have my infection control precautions down. Of course I do not feel confident though. But after reading this post it made me feel so much better!!! Thanks so much ibmanda2000!!!! :heartbeat

caliotter3 · Sep 25, 2009

I would continue to practice answering questions and studying rationales. If you feel that you have exhausted the Saunders book, then find a second one at the bookstore or go with the Kaplan system that gives you access to a question bank. Just pick a date, study til that date, and test. Don't get caught up worrying about your practice test scores. Otherwise you may put off testing for too long. Good luck.

Brandi124 · Sep 25, 2009

I would continue to practice answering questions and studying rationales. If you feel that you have exhausted the Saunders book, then find a second one at the bookstore or go with the Kaplan system that gives you access to a question bank. Just pick a date, study til that date, and test. Don't get caught up worrying about your practice test scores. Otherwise you may put off testing for too long. Good luck.

Thanks so much!! I know I didn't start this thread but... this is helpful to all NCLEX PN test takers. :)