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!
Hey there! Can anyone help to explain the Kaplan qbank??? What should I sign up for on their website? Do I need their whole plan that costs $400? Its very confusing...... any advice would be awesome!
I took my RN boards yesterday and I only bought the Kaplan qBank and it really helped a lot! I didn't want to buy the whole package because I thought they just wanted to take my money, and I'm glad I didn't buy it. The qBank was great. I bought it 1 month before my Nclex and tried to do as many questions as possible. The 1 month was $50 I believe. Worked like a charm because it has all rationales so I really learned to see what they were looking for in the answers. It also shows you what areas you're weaker on and you can choose to do questions only on those subjects. Also I felt like the questions on NCLEX were almost identical to Kaplan. I know if you buy the more expensive package it comes with the Kaplan qTrainers, but you can find those roaming around online for free. Save your self the $$. Also there's a 38 page study guide that is great to look over before answering your qbank questions, that's roaming around the internet for free as well. Good luck!
Hi and Congrats! First let me say that Im new to this site and Im so glad I found it!! Im taking my test in the next couple of months and wanted to know some advice on what book will be the best to study from! I have many books including Saunders/La Charity/ Cram RN/ HESI NCLEX/ NCLEX-4000 Qbank and even a strategy book by Saunders. I just feel that I don't have enough time to read all those books and I was hoping to find a book that won't be as lengthy as the Sounders for content. I read on your comments that Kaplan Qbank worked for you, I would greatly appreciate if you can mention which one you used and how you purchased it. I will give it a try. Thank you for your help and Congrats again :-)
0I took my NCLEX yesterday and like every one else I'm going crazy. Test shut off around 95 questions after about 45 minutes. I feel as though I saw a few low level questions which unfortunately I know I missed about three. However, I'm fairly confident I got a few "higher level questions" correct. How can this affect my score? I'm also curious as to why I didn't encounter any calculations and why there were very few delegation questions. Could this mean anything? Also I have checked the BON website and do not see my name . I didn't try the Pearson trick, too nervous.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Mimarie said:
0I took my NCLEX yesterday and like every one else I'm going crazy. Test shut off around 95 questions after about 45 minutes. I feel as though I saw a few low level questions which unfortunately I know I missed about three. However, I'm fairly confident I got a few "higher level questions" correct. How can this affect my score? I'm also curious as to why I didn't encounter any calculations and why there were very few delegation questions. Could this mean anything? Also I have checked the BON website and do not see my name . I didn't try the Pearson trick, too nervous.
Unless you are an expert in educational pedagogy and Bloom's Taxonomy you have no real way to know which are higher cognitive level and which are lower cognitive level questions. All question types have higher and lower level. Whether you got a bunch of delegation or SATA questions does not indicate pass or fail.
Thanks for the feedback. Lol no I'm not an expert I was just hearing that knowledge based questions were a little more on the easier spectrum. Also, all my friends were able to see their name within 24 hours or so, so I'm guessing my state posts very soon.
My advise for you is to buy only the QBANK I only used that. I could not afford for the courses or the Qtrainers... The Qbank is enough to practice and if you study it thoroughly you will PASS!!!!Memorize lab values, study hard about obstetrics, pediatrics, Developmentsl milesstones, Ericksons and Pagets development theories, isolation protections, pain is almost never the first priority unless it is related with the circulatory or respiratory system. Respiratory is never priority in patients with COPD, Lung Cancer and Chronic respiratory diseases ( just acute respitaroty failures are priority) or when Sat02 is below 90. Always remember the nursing process, FIRST ASSESS , then immplement!! Study a little bit about pharmacology, dont focus so much on that because you will never learn them all...
LOVE THIS! I didn't have enough time to take the Qtrainers, and I feel like the Qbank has touched base on everything we learned in nursing school. I pray I pass, only a few days left until I take my first attempt ?
Hi everybody..i took my first exam last week and i failed..i did Saunder,s comprehensive review,La charity book and kaplan Q bank,36 pages study guide and kaplan's drug guide.....
Any advices for study will be highly appreciated...
. I didn't try the Pearson trick, too nervous.
kitty13410
32 Posts
Hi TeeDee. I've been trying to study but my score at Kaplan QTs are still on the low side.
QT1= 76%
QT2= 56%
QT3= 48%
QT4= 60%
QT5= 62%
QT6= 56%
Is that bad?! I'm so nervous! My test is next week. Are you using Kaplan too?