how to pass nclex RN - any suggestions?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 24, 2006

It is hard to say, but did you get a letter telling you where the problem was? I heard that they send that to those that didn't pass the exam. Did you take a review course? If so, and you have been practicing questions, and you are still REALLY unsure, would you consider rescheduling a few weeks back, to cover the subjects that have been exceptionally challenging? I wish you the very best.

tcourt · Jul 24, 2006

I am so excited to say that I passed the NCLEX on the first attempt with 75 questions!!!

Personally, I feel that what prepared me the most, besides studying endlessly, was the Kaplan trainer Cd. I recommend this Cd because I feel that the NCLEX questions and format was exactly like the Kaplan questions....I was so amazed. Go through all the tests and pay attention to the reasoning behind why each question is right or wrong.

I LOVE KAPLAN!!!!!

Paleobug · Jul 24, 2006

Kaplan's the man or woman.

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jul 24, 2006

I'm sorry that things didn't work out the first time. I didn't get heavy into studying until about 2 weeks before my NCLEX. I didn't do questions every day, but on average I did about 100-150 a day (maybe even more). I studied from the Saunders Comprehensive review, Kaplan's question trainers (well 4 of 7) and the Mosby CD and my little RNotes. I focused heavily on my weak spots :electrolytes, renal, endocrine and then dabbed on my strong things: shock, cardio, skin, trauma, etc. I made charts and hung them on my bedroom wall so that I'd be able to glimpse at them every day for a little while and read them before going to sleep.

If you really feel unsure, reschedule. It doesn't cost anything to move the date than to try to cram it in before you're ready and be unprepared. Good luck!

BCzito · Jul 25, 2006

Hey paula,

no worries. I have a great test plan. get a kaplan book ( buy the 2003 version its cheaper and it doesn't matter). Get a new (or current) saunders NCLEX review book with CD ROM. Get a book called nursing made insanely easy (some places have this book split into two thinner books vol one and two, get both if this is the case).

First: read the strategies in the kaplan book carefully. It gives great Tips and strategies that you can practice later... DON'T do the questions in the kaplan book they are too easy and have tons of typos which makes me not trust the questions too much.

Second: Read nursing made insanely easy, spend time on each page making sure you really truely remember the important stuff. read it front to back. It shouldn't take you more than 2-3 hours even with breaks. Its pretty funny so its not really a chore at all.

Third: Use the saunders CD and take a full comprehensive practice test keep in mind strategies from the kaplan book. once you finish the practice test (which you don't need to do in one sitting, you can break it up) you should look at your score and print out the results. next go through the review of every question (even those you got right) and make sure you understand why the answer is correct and/or why the one you chose was wrong...

Fourth: Go to the study section and select the sections you got 50% or lower on, OR the TOP 10 areas that you did the worst on. Work on those study questions 1-2 hours a day (or more if you can stand it) every day, make sure you understand the rationales, if you are really unclear about a question look it up and write yourself some short hand notes in a notebook or pad of paper. Do this for a week (7 days)

Fifth: Take the short quizes in each of the areas you have been studying. If you get less than 70%... continue to do more study questions in that area until you are able to get over 70% consistantly on 3 quizes in that study area. Make sure you go over every question you take to make sure you understand the rationale.

Sixth: Take another comprehensive test (there are two available on the cd). check your progress..go over the questions. any areas you still are having trouble on review them in your book and do more study quetions.

Seventh: The night before your exam re-read nursing made insanely easy.. (this book is awesome lots of pictures to help you remember_) make sure it all sticks ... this book helped me soooooooooooooooo much on my test....if you have time before your exam on the day of the test look over some of the ones you have trouble remembering again...

You WILL pass.

I passed at 75 questions and this was my method.

hope that helps!

good luck!

ps do questions... don't study from your book unless it is to look up something on a specific question.

Hi,
I'm new to the forum but I need help in passing the nclex exam. I failed the first time and I take it again in two weeks. I have been studing but since there is so much info. I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. If anyone could help I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Paula

elfchen1 · Jul 25, 2006

:gandalf: hy,

thanks a lot for the explanation about your strategies!!!!

I failed also the first time, and I have the next scheduled on july,27th......

but the more I study, the more I get confused.....

I will try your steps, they sound totally logic to me.......

thanks a lot

best greetings from vienna

elfchen

RNKay31 · Jul 25, 2006

I like #6, good strategy.:monkeydance:

Paleobug · Jul 25, 2006

I took the test last week, and like everyone else, left the center feeling like everyone else, like I had failed. It turns out that I did fail, I got punked, instead of the usual "I passed after all". Even though I did prepare for the test by doing at least 2000 questions before hand, it apparently wasn't enough. I guess my preparation was too scattered and not focused enough. So, to prepare for next time, I'm going to do a comprehensive review using Suzanne's plan. In addition, I'm going to go ahead and take the Kaplan complete live course. I think, like others have said, that it is best to get a good comprehensive review for content, and then study the Kaplan strategies for the trickery that's on the NCLEX. Also, my friend who is into astronomy, said not to take the test again during a Mercury retrograde...lol.

Ms Kylee · Aug 27, 2007

NEVER do anything during a Mercury Retrograde.. you'll be sorry.... I took a job during a retrograde once... got fired from it 2 months later too... You'll do fine on NCLEX.

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Aug 27, 2007

The thread is over a year old, and the original poster hasn't come back to update us. Let's hope all went well, retrograde or not.

LoveNursing1 · Aug 27, 2007

I am so excited to say that I passed the NCLEX on the first attempt with 75 questions!!!
Personally, I feel that what prepared me the most, besides studying endlessly, was the Kaplan trainer Cd. I recommend this Cd because I feel that the NCLEX questions and format was exactly like the Kaplan questions....I was so amazed. Go through all the tests and pay attention to the reasoning behind why each question is right or wrong.
I LOVE KAPLAN!!!!!

just wondering what the kaplan trainer cd is. I signed up for kaplan and have access to online trainers and the qbank. Do they have an additional cd???

Thanks