I looked through these discussion boards a lot while I was preparing for the NCLEX, and I told myself that I would come back to share my experience if i passed. I also wanted to share my experience because I got stressed out reading about others' preparation on this site because it seemed like everyone was doing so much more than I was.
BEFORE THE EXAM
I graduated from my accelerated BSN program in the middle of December. I moved back to my hometown and did not do anything nursing related until I bought the Kaplan Q bank (the Q bank ONLY, not the course) around 12/22. When I bought the Q bank, I did the NCLEX practice exam 1 and got 58%. I was discouraged with my score so I took a break until after the new year and did not do any questions or review.
After the new year, I really got down to business and started completing the Kaplan q bank, I did 75-150 questions a day until I completed the entire bank. My cumulative score for the bank was 62%. I then went back and did ONLY the questions that I got incorrect the first time around. Each day after I completed my questions, I would go back and review the rationales for ALL of the questions. I wrote down some of the rationales (the ones I had trouble remembering) into a notebook. It was really helpful to review the rationales because they sometimes contained information that did not have to do with the particular question asked, but would help me for other questions.
My scores on the Q bank questions ranged from 52%-77%. So if you are scoring low on the q bank questions, do not get discouraged!! I finished the entire q bank plus the ones I got wrong ~3 days before the exam. My practice NCLEX scores on kaplan were 58%, 54%, 90%, and 32%(all SATA questions). I also found the Question Trainers online (did not pay for them) and did QT 4,5, and 6. I do not know what my scores on them though because of the way the website was set up.
THE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM
The day before the exam, I babysat from 8-5:30. Throughout the day, I did 106 Lacharity questions that I found on quizlet. After I got off, I went to the bar with my friend for a couple of drinks. When I got home, I skimmed the 38 page study guide that's floating around on here and then went to bed.
EXAM DAY
I woke up at 6:30 am (test was at ? and had breakfast. I got my dad to drive me to the testing center so that I could review lab values and nutrition info (what foods are high in potassium, phosphorus, etc). I went into the testing center at 7:30 am and waited for my number to be called. I started the exam at around 8:05. I completed the entire process (exam instructions from the test center employee, pre test questions, test, post test survey) in 1 hour and 50 minutes.
I was nervous during the test, but not to the point where I was shaking or anything. I was able to focus on the questions. I had 22 SATA, 3 drag and drop, 5 medications, and no calculations. I wasn't sure on any of the medication questions, but I guess that I was able to make good guesses.
When I got home, I did the PVT and got the good pop up. I used a visa gift card that had $2 on it. The card you choose to enter has to VALID. It does not have to have $200 dollars on it, but the card number and expiration date has to be valid. After I got the good pop up the first time, I tried it again by changing the last number on my card. It said "invalid credit card number". When I entered it again using my real number, I got the good pop up once again.
Today when I woke up, I checked my state board website and I saw that I was officially an RN and I have never felt so relieved!
In case you didn't read my ramblings above, here is a summary of what I did to prepare:
The entire Kaplan q bank
Lacharity questions I found on quizlet
3 Question Trainer banks
38 page study guide that I found on this site
I studied for 3 weeks total. I hope that this helps anyone that is discouraged about their Kaplan Q bank scores or anyone that is only using the Q bank to study.
GOOD LUCK to those of you preparing to take the exam soon! Just believe in yourself, trust your knowledge, and do as many practice questions and you can get your hands on!
Congratulations on passing!!! I am so nervous, I graduated 3 weeks ago but just started studying this week. I was originally scheduled to take the NCLEX on July 14th, but I moved my date back a week because I feel I need more time reviewing content.
I am currently doing the online Kaplan class and have been doing as many questions as possible. I don't feel like the Kaplan course content is not very good and I can't print any pages off my downloaded content book, even though I purchased them. I have been averaging about 55% on my practice tests with Kaplan, which feels horrible. I have the Saunders NCLEX book and purchased the NCLEX mastery app for my iPhone. Happy to hear a success story like yours, hoping I can pass in 75 questions as well!! Thanks for sharing your story!!
I was overly nervous to tackle this whole situation with NCLEX. I have passed it in 75 questions, just got to know and still can not believe, that I saw the word: "passed" on the screen. That is so awesome!
I would advise to not study one day prior to exam, and to review strategies to answering questions provided by Kaplan review book (might be available at your local library). Eat a good meal on a day of the exam and do not forget to breath!
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
doglover28 said:
Does anyone know where f people passing the nclex at 75 with only 10-12 sATA?
The number of SATA or number of questions does not correlate to pass/fail. There are high level SATA and low level SATA based upon Blooms Taxonomy. People pass with any combination
Just took NCLEX and have no idea at all. Finished in 75. Got a lot of SATA which I suck at!! I obviously don't feel confident and cannot think straight. What are tricks to see pop op window? It is Saturday and I would like to breath!?
Hi there! I'm on a same boat with u guys. I'll be taking my nclex by end of August. I'm so stressed and anxiety level is high it will be my 3rd time taking it. I am half way finishing Saunders and I am considering doing world for practice questions. I am alienated with the test questions Uworld have. Read you guys post makes me feel better. lets all pray we can all pass.
It took me about 3 hours to do 265 questions, assumed I had failed. Passed the NCLEX and had a license in 2 days. We used Kaplan, my scores were in the mid to high 70s. Everyone says the test is tough whether they passed or failed.
I paid for an in-class Hurst review and supplemented that information with downloading the $29.99 NCLEX RN mastery app to answer questions on the content area I had studied and I passed on my first attempt in 75 questions! Would highly recommend these two review courses to anyone!
Hi there, happy to have read your post here. I've already written the exam once and failed with 265 questions. I didn't know how to prepare differently but after reading so much about Kaplan, I purchased the 1 month q-bank a few days ago. I also read the Kaplan premier book which I found helpful for learning different strategies. I've also got the LaCharity book which after writing the exam the first time I decided to purchase because a large majority of my exam was prioritization.
I am wondering, you said that you used the Kaplan Question Trainers... I am wondering what these are and how to access them?
Kaplan has a variety of programs available for purchase, including a series of seven "trainer" exams. They vary in length (number of questions) and format.
They are copyrighted materials and can be purchased the same way you bought the question bank.
Ncrowley30
1 Post
Congratulations on passing!!! I am so nervous, I graduated 3 weeks ago but just started studying this week. I was originally scheduled to take the NCLEX on July 14th, but I moved my date back a week because I feel I need more time reviewing content.
I am currently doing the online Kaplan class and have been doing as many questions as possible. I don't feel like the Kaplan course content is not very good and I can't print any pages off my downloaded content book, even though I purchased them. I have been averaging about 55% on my practice tests with Kaplan, which feels horrible. I have the Saunders NCLEX book and purchased the NCLEX mastery app for my iPhone. Happy to hear a success story like yours, hoping I can pass in 75 questions as well!! Thanks for sharing your story!!