Passed NCLEX Without Review Course

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I want to share my experience with others. I could not afford $400-$500 on a review course. I used the Hurst review book ($50) - great for content summaries. Lippincotts "NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy" and Hesi's "NCLEX Review" (bought both early on during nursing school). I also used an online link for "Nursing 3500." Our school held a HESI 3 day review and I used that book too. I also used the Lippincotts iPhone apps (each have about 1000 free questions). There is also a free mini Kaplan Q-bank.

I did 200 questions a day for about 10 days before the test. Before that I read the Hurst book. I would suggest doing things in tutor mode - bc if you do the test mood, it takes twice as long. You then have to go back and read everything a second time.

I did not study all night before the end of the test. I took it easy. I didn't study the day of either. I scheduled my exam for late in the afternoon so that I wouldn't stress about waking up early. I could also take a nap if I needed to.

Eat a big meal packed with protein! I ate a burrito with eggs, sausage, and cheese. I had a vitamin water and a coffee.

I did the Pearson Vue Trick and it worked!

Happy studying. Don't cheat yourself, put he work in and rest later! Most importantly, believe in yourself and have confidence!

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Thank u alum I need all the encouragement that I can.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I want to share my experience with others. I could not afford $400-$500 on a review course. I used the Hurst review book ($50) - great for content summaries. Lippincotts "NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy" and Hesi's "NCLEX Review" (bought both early on during nursing school). I also used an online link for "Nursing 3500." Our school held a HESI 3 day review and I used that book too. I also used the Lippincotts iPhone apps (each have about 1000 free questions). There is also a free mini Kaplan Q-bank.

I did 200 questions a day for about 10 days before the test. Before that I read the Hurst book. I would suggest doing things in tutor mode - bc if you do the test mood, it takes twice as long. You then have to go back and read everything a second time.

I did not study all night before the end of the test. I took it easy. I didn't study the day of either. I scheduled my exam for late in the afternoon so that I wouldn't stress about waking up early. I could also take a nap if I needed to.

Eat a big meal packed with protein! I ate a burrito with eggs, sausage, and cheese. I had a vitamin water and a coffee.

I did the Pearson Vue Trick and it worked!

Happy studying. Don't cheat yourself, put he work in and rest later! Most importantly, believe in yourself and have confidence!

Great strategy!! My budget was not for a review as well...NCSBN, Kaplan book, Saunders, Exam Cram...and Lippincott apps and the Kaplan q-bank on my iPhone worked best as well. I went on vacation to Mexico after graduation, so I couldn't take my books. I took my exam a week later at 2 pm, so I would not be too overwhelmed, Had a good breakfast and lunch, and did not review the day of either. I also just used relaxation techniques as well.

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I am dying to pass because everyone is passing with 75

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Specializes in med surge, PCU, Tele.

Congratulations! And I totally agree! I wasn't about to put out another $400 for a review class 2 weeks after I graduated. I signed up for the 3 week NCSBN course, paid $35 for Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX review and download the 35 page study guide I found on here. I also used the free online NCLEX 3500 a little. I tested 4 weeks after graduating and passed with 75 questions in 50 minutes. Everything I needed was in the material I had studied. I think (for me) dragging it out and studying for weeks and weeks would have made me nuts. I reached the point where studying was only making things worse-that is when it's time to test. Good luck to those with test dates coming up!

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Congrats!!!! I just found out I passed my Boards too.

I had 75 Questions and like 20 SATA !!! It was the hardest test of my life.

I was not able to afford Kaplan Either. My school mandated ATI, and their review course also. I had a predictor from ATI weith 95 % chance of passing the 1st time. I concentrated on ATI and basically, that's all I did. I found ATI so helpful because there questions are very hard, so when you take the test, you feel like you can do it. I graduated with a BSN Dec 21st and a 3.53 GPA (decent). I booked my test last Tuesday night and took it Wednesday Morning. My advice is to do as many questions and get comfortable with them.

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Hi guys,

Can anyone give me advice? All are saying that in April the NCLEX-RN format iwll change. I want to give NCLEX but I haven't any preparation. So according to you guys, shall I start preparation and give my exam before April or shall I wait until May or JUne? I did my nursing in 2005. Or two months is enough to study? Please tell me.

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Hi guys,

Can anyone give me advice? All are saying that in April the NCLEX-RN format iwll change. I want to give NCLEX but I haven't any preparation. So according to you guys, shall I start preparation and give my exam before April or shall I wait until May or JUne? I did my nursing in 2005. Or two months is enough to study? Please tell me.

2005 - that has been a really long time. Since so much time has passed I really recommend a review course. You will probably need a strong structured review. You should take it sooner than later, in my opinion. Yes the exam updates every 3 years. Since you have been out so long you should review content regularly. Start doing those phone apps and get some good books.

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Hi, thanks alum

Sorry I forgot to mention it, I gave NCLEX once last year but I didn't pass. That time I took Kaplan live review course, and this year I took Hurst live review course. I have Saunders 4th edition, Kaplan, Lippincott, PDA book. But I don't know how I will start. From where I will start my study? Please tell me, it's very difficult for me.

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Hi, thanks alum

Sorry I forgot to mention it, I gave NCLEX once last year but I didn't pass. That time I took Kaplan live review course, and this year I took Hurst live review course. I have Saunders 4th edition, Kaplan, Lippincott, PDA book. But I don't know how I will start. From where I will start my study? Please tell me, it's very difficult for me.,

I noticed in another thread you say you came to America from India a year ago. Part of the issue with you failing the NCLEX might be the language barrier, since English isn't your first language. Have you looked into an ESL (English as a Second Language) course to help you get a solid foundation of the English language? I think going through an ESL course, and then doing a refresher course for the NCLEX, may benefit you quite a bit in passing the exam. Sometimes it's the language barrier combined with the complex medical terminology that makes it difficult for those whose native language isn't English to pass the exam.

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OK, so it means it doesn't matter when I will give exam, I mean after April also. First I have to take ESL, after that NCLEX.

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Hi, thanks alum

Sorry I forgot to mention it, I gave NCLEX once last year but I didn't pass. That time I took Kaplan live review course, and this year I took Hurst live review course. I have Saunders 4th edition, Kaplan, Lippincott, PDA book. But I don't know how I will start. From where I will start my study? Please tell me, it's very difficult for me.

I did the content review first- which for me was reading the Hurst book first, then did practice questions. My final day of studying I went through a smaller book to refresh and reinforce what I had been studying. Occasionally I would take notes from the practice questions. Although, I never found time to go back and review the notes I took. I found it helpful to write some things down - but never went over the notes, so that may have been a time sucker.

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