Passed with 75, CA Nclex-RN

[chricrai]

Hello All,

Doing a passed in 75 in California post for whomever might find it useful.

Background: I graduated from a BSN program with two years experience as a CNA in May 2016. I put off studying for the test and taking the test for as long as I could. I scheduled my test for Oct 24th at 8am

Study method: I used Kaplan Nclex Prep only, as I was broke and it was paid for by my school. I originally had a goal of doing every test in the kaplan bank but this never occurred for me.

Practice tests: I sat down at a table for every practice test, with no food or drinks (except for on my study breaks). I worked on having my phone off during testing (not even looking at it on my study breaks). This helped me a ton when it came time for the test because I was used to not having access to things.

Remediation: Remediation is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the entire process. The best way I found to remediate was atleast an hour or two after I had taken the test. I reviewed both correct and incorrect. I took scratch paper notes during the practice test so that during remediation I could see how well I followed the decision tree. I focused on how many questions in a row I could go before I started getting wrong answers back to back, this helped me determine about how often I needed to take breaks. I also looked at how often I stopped using the decision tree and noticed that for me I typically did worse when I was not using the tree.

Content: I only reviewed content for the questions that had themes come up again and again in the questions I got for practice. I also reviewed lab values, and some differential assessments for metabolic disorders.

How many questions do you need to do to pass?

I think for me, I started realizing it didn't matter how many questions I was going to do as much as whether or not I was able to take breaks when I need them. As well as whether or not I using the decision tree. (not sure if this is taught in all practice methods or only kaplan but it is essential in my opinion).

Test Day:

I ate a small breakfast (literally instant coffee and an orange). I packed apple slices, nuts, cheese, water, and a greek yogurt. There was no fridge so I did touch the yogurt at all. Going into the test center is nerve racking until you realize hey, im just here to take a test like everyone else whos here.

I used the white board and wrote my use of decision tree for EVERY question. I also used my paper to mark my breaks. For me I found that after 12-15 questions in a row (I know thats not a lot) I started to do bad. My solution was to take as many breaks as possible. However, I did not want to do security checks to get in and out of the room every 12 questions. Instead I did a quiet moment at my desk of controlled breathing for every other break. I took 3 actual unscheduled breaks, at about 20 questions, 50 questions, and 68. I ended up getting about 25 SATA. Some alternative style questions, and many many prioritization. I only had one math question.

At 75 my computer shut off. I was calm until I got into the elevator and then I balled my eyes out crying. Just because I knew it was out of my hands now!

The wait:

I did not do PVT because I did not want to accidentally get charged. It took 3 weeks of checking CA Breeze 4-10 times a day, but finally I got to see my name pop up as a Registered Nurse in California.

Feel free to ask any questions. Hope this helps.