Passed the NCLEX - How I did it

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As I was preparing for the NCLEX, it was a big help for me to see how others studied, so I figured I would post what I did... Hopefully it can help someone! :)

The resources I used:

Kaplan - this was my main resource. The questions and rationales are great, though I didn't really use their decision tree. I didn't really use any of their resources other than their QBank/QTrainers. I definitely recommend taking ALL of the QTrainers. 6 and 7 are 150 and 265 questions respectively, so it's a great "mock test" to take at the library or something. However, I found that the NCLEX questions were a little more difficult than the Kaplan, mostly because the wording was different.

I didn't score spectacularly on any of these. I did around half the QBank and averaged around 58%. My QTrainers were mostly in the upper 50s with some in the lower 60s.

Make sure you review EVERY question you do, even if you get it right.

NCSBN review - I hated this while I was using it because I wasn't big on how the questions were worded... Well, it turns out that the wording and style were VERY similar to what I saw on the actual test. For that reason, I highly recommend this one. I didn't really use the content review, but they have a bunch of questions you can go through. Don't be discouraged if you don't get their "passing" score, especially at first. I was mostly in the 50s when I started practicing their questions, then I gradually started scoring higher as I went.

Saunders Comprehensive Review - pretty good if you need to brush up on content. I didn't use it a whole lot, but when I noticed I was weak in areas, I'd go through their chapter on the subject. They have some practice questions with really good rationales.

Lippincott's NCLEX RN Alternative-Format Questions - good for some exposure of SATAs and a bit of math, but it was a little too easy. I probably used this one the least.

I managed to pass with 75 questions and just found my name on my board's website today. :)

I was an average student. I have never been at the top of my class.

I starting preparing for this test 5 weeks before the exam day. I studied for about 3 - 4 hours a day (sometimes less) and took the occasional day off.

If I could have done anything differently, I would have practiced more SATAs and meds... I got A LOT of those.

Good luck to everyone preparing for the test!

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Thank you for sharing your story. I am preparing to take it in march. I appreciate your tips :)

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That's fantastic! Thank you for sharing!!!

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Specializes in Home health, Med Surg, LTC.

Congrats and thanks for sharing. How can I access the NCSBN review? Do I have to pay? If so, how much.

As I was preparing for the NCLEX, it was a big help for me to see how others studied, so I figured I would post what I did... Hopefully it can help someone! :)

The resources I used:

Kaplan - this was my main resource. The questions and rationales are great, though I didn't really use their decision tree. I didn't really use any of their resources other than their QBank/QTrainers. I definitely recommend taking ALL of the QTrainers. 6 and 7 are 150 and 265 questions respectively, so it's a great "mock test" to take at the library or something. However, I found that the NCLEX questions were a little more difficult than the Kaplan, mostly because the wording was different.

I didn't score spectacularly on any of these. I did around half the QBank and averaged around 58%. My QTrainers were mostly in the upper 50s with some in the lower 60s.

Make sure you review EVERY question you do, even if you get it right.

NCSBN review - I hated this while I was using it because I wasn't big on how the questions were worded... Well, it turns out that the wording and style were VERY similar to what I saw on the actual test. For that reason, I highly recommend this one. I didn't really use the content review, but they have a bunch of questions you can go through. Don't be discouraged if you don't get their "passing" score, especially at first. I was mostly in the 50s when I started practicing their questions, then I gradually started scoring higher as I went.

Saunders Comprehensive Review - pretty good if you need to brush up on content. I didn't use it a whole lot, but when I noticed I was weak in areas, I'd go through their chapter on the subject. They have some practice questions with really good rationales.

Lippincott's NCLEX RN Alternative-Format Questions - good for some exposure of SATAs and a bit of math, but it was a little too easy. I probably used this one the least.

I managed to pass with 75 questions and just found my name on my board's website today. :)

I was an average student. I have never been at the top of my class.

I starting preparing for this test 5 weeks before the exam day. I studied for about 3 - 4 hours a day (sometimes less) and took the occasional day off.

If I could have done anything differently, I would have practiced more SATAs and meds... I got A LOT of those.

Good luck to everyone preparing for the test!

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Thank you!

And good luck to you - you can do this!

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That's fantastic! Thank you for sharing!!!

Thank you!! :)

Congrats and thanks for sharing. How can I access the NCSBN review? Do I have to pay? If so, how much.

I took the 3 week course, which costs $50. You can find the info and sign up here: Students - NCSBN Learning Extension

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Specializes in Home health, Med Surg, LTC.

Thanks for the info

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