Passed the nclex on my 2nd try in 2014 (Resources Review)

[johnrye858]

Hi everyone,

This forum has been so helpful so I wanted to give back and share my story. I failed the nclex the first try after using Kaplan. Kaplan was not helpful for me because I needed more than just questions.

The resources that helped me pass the 2nd time:

1) Hurst- I listened to all the Hurst online lectures and took notes (read these notes 4 times before I took the test). I did their q bank.

2) Saunders (yellow book)- I did not read this book but I paid attention to all the helpful hints in red and the priority boxes. You should do the questions on the CD. I did all of the questions related to MedSurg and took notes. I also did all the alternative type questions.

3) Lippincott's Q & A review- I did all the comprehensive tests in the back and some questions from some sections. This book has a lot of questions but I think if you do the comprehensive tests, they are helpful. My scores were between 60-70%.

4) LaCharity PDA- My life saver. You should do the first 18 chapters in this book. I highlighted each

answer in this book and wrote next to each answer why the correct answer was correct. I skimmed through it the night before the NCLEX (for 2 hours). My scores were pretty low the first time I went through this book 40-60% because the questions are challenging. I finished this book in 3 days so its an easy read.

5) Exam Cram 1,490 questions book- i just did the last section with the alternative type questions (90 questions) because of time constraints.

6) Nclex 3,500 (free online resource)- I just did the alternative type questions (194 questions).

7) 35 page study guide- it was helpful. I read this 3 times.

I think you have to study like its your job. I did 100-300 questions a day after listening to hurst online videos. For the last week, I didn't do questions. I read all the notes I had written while doing questions, read hurst, and made sure I knew the content. My total study time was 2 months after the first try. I needed this time because I didn't want to take it a third time. In total, I did about 5,000 Questions before the second try.

I wish everyone the best of luck, you can do this.

[hm1987]

Congrats! Thanks for the tip! I did Hurst and I listened to videos twice and I also reviewed the notes and I made sure I understand them for about two weeks!

I started doing again Kaplan Questions since I don't have access for Hurst questions! I am also doing PDA! My scores improved from 40% to mid 60% and 70%.. I'll be taking my second attempt less than 3 weeks!

35 pages I will go over it a week before my exam few times too!

[Jwestpvamu]

Congrats! Taking mine for the third time in 2 weeks, took hurst but it wasn't enough all 265, second time tried ncsbn, all 265, this time kaplan and Gods glory. Go make that money!

[nurse2bmom67]

any tips on passing my EXIT HESI? going on the 6th time.. there must be something I am not doing right.. I don't have enought time to study as a few months ago because I had to start working full time.. single mother and have bills to pay but, I am just frustrated.. feel like I will be trying forever to pass my EXIT HESI.