Passed NCLEX 265 Questions

[HFuchsRN]

Hi everyone,

During my studies, I found myself constantly on this site looking for reassurance that I could pass the NCLEX on the first try.

Here's what I did to study.

I began studying as soon as I graduated from my Associate Degree program. I downloaded an app called NCLEX Mastery for around $30. Each and every time I wanted to go onto social media, I instead answered questions on this app. I highly recommend NCLEX Mastery if you are not strong in content and I recommend having an app for questions on the go.

I also did the Kaplan online review course. Did Kaplan help? YES. I was not a huge fan of the decision tree, which is probably why I ended up with 265 questions. But they do have a chart that you can easily find through google on "who do you see first" that helped me so much during my exam. My QTrainer and Qbank scores ranged from 49%-80%, truly all over the place. I did not get to the "60%-65%" recommended percentage until I was halfway through the qbank. DO NOT FOCUS ON THE SCORES. The score reflects what you know at that very moment. Spend time and remediate the questions, regardless of if you got them right or wrong, and I can guarantee you will improve. In the end, I ended up with a 71% on my readiness test, which is the equivalent of a 99% chance of passing first try according to a conversion chart I found. (Meanwhile when I was in school, my ATI readiness test told me I had a 40% chance of passing the NCLEX first try!) Last recommendation: TAKE BREAKS. Do not overwhelm yourself. You can have time to watch netflix, see your friends, and even go on a trip! You do not have to confine yourself, just make sure you do something each day. Learn something new each day.

Day of NCLEX:

I woke up and had a hearty breakfast of eggs and pancakes. I then reviewed only my lab values, EKG strips, and PPE. My test was at 11:45 so I stopped looking at material about an hour before my test, just so I wouldn't be cramming. During the test, I felt comfortable. The test was set up like a Kaplan test, only to me the questions seemed a lot easier. I had under 5 select all that apply, less than 10 put in order, no hot spot, no audio, a ton of priority questions "who do you see first", and 1 med calculation. I truly thought it was going to shut off early, but it didn't. I took a break at the halfway mark and had a sip of my water, went to the bathroom, prayed, and went back in. At question 200, I talked to myself and told myself that I was going to pass. I just had to keep answering the questions to the best of my abilities.

When I got out, I felt good. I talked to a couple friends and told them that 265 questions was not as awful as it sounds. I got back home and then started to worry if my last question was above the passing line or not. I eventually got the nerve to do PVT and got the good pop-up, only 2 hours after my exam. 24 hours later I still go the good pop up. Finally, 48 hours after I tested, I received my quick results that I PASSED!

If I can get 265 questions and pass, you can too. Just keep breathing, keep faith, and believe in yourself.

[®Nurse2B]

Congratulations!