Alright, I enjoyed reading these types of posts prior to taking the exam, so I'm making one for future test takers to help gauge themselves also.
For starters, not counting the Kaplan Live Review (as I did much of nothing productive but sit there and listen to the somewhat entertaining Indian instructor we had) I had exactly 24 days to study, most of it "wasted" by watching the World Cup and playing videogames o_O. So here's what I did.
The only reading material I used was Saunders NCLEX Review 4th Edition ... you know the blue book of awesomeness?. I literally did not pick up a single physical book besides Saunders. Saunders is a fantastic CONTENT book. I don't see any need to recommend anything else if you need to study content. Probably the best $44 I spent all year. HOWEVER DO NOT RELY ON SAUNDERS ALONE as you do not see Saunders type questions in NCLEX! It's very hard to translate Saunders test taking to NCLEX if it's your only frame of reference. You're shooting yourself in the foot if you know there's a source with exactly what you're going to see on NCLEX.
In that regard, I believe Kaplan Q-Banks questions best reflect NCLEX better than any other source in terms of style and difficulty. In light of that, here are my Test Trainer Scores.
Diagnostics: 62%
T1: 61%
T2: 63%
T3: 44%
T4: 55%
T5: 63%
T6: 67%
T7: 55%
Readiness Test: 65%
I do believe ~ 60% is a good indication you are ready to go. If you're constantly getting above 65%, why haven't you passed yet?
My general daily studying was comprised of doing at least 100 - 200 questions a day (Q-Bank) and somewhat reading the Saunders book on topics I knew I was weak on (OB and that holy annoying developmental tree!).
Some general tips and comments.
It's worth it to read all the OB chapters in Saunders. These types of questions are fairly straight forward on NCLEX and will remove a great deal of frustration because you have no idea if a Positive Stress Test is a good thing or not =(
Use the mnemonics for infection control. Someone had a post on it here on the forums. Learn it and dump it on to your little writing board as soon as you step into the room.
In terms of how to study for meds, looking back I think the Kaplan NCLEX Content book (it comes with the Live Review) had a pretty good listing of medications ... which I probably should have looked at .... Other than that, cardiac and antibiotics is the name of the game.
Don't be like me and expect any of the Kaplan Q-Bank questions to be repeated on the NCLEX in some sort of way.
I had 7 SATA out of 90 questions. Can you believe that? So it's not the end of the world if you don't get a barrage of SATA.
PVT worked.
Kaplan Live Review was okay, at least there's a guarantee. The $350 (group discount) was worth the Q-Bank. If you can just buy the Q-Bank I highly advise so. I don't really want to sound like a spokesman for Kaplan at this rate ... o_O The q-bank is a hefty $300 ... but if your school requires to take some sort of review it's worth it.
Good luck to future test takers! Now I join the world of ... "You're a new grad we don't want you world!" Woot.
this was very helpful, thank you! I feel that the Saunders questions are more difficult than the NCLEX 4000 questions on their software, and I usually prefer just to take Saunders, but I will definitely take both, and utilize the information and helpful tips and hints you have provided!
luson10
30 Posts
Thank YOU!! this was helpful!!