Passing the NCLEX.....

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  • Do not pick a time to test that doesn't work well with your body clock. If your day starts at 12 noon, don't attempt to test at 7 am and also don't sit for the exam just so you'd be done with it. If you know within you that you need two months to study, then study for two months. No one should rush you to test if you're not ready yet. Remember, haste makes waste.
  • Purchase a book that you really want to read. Don't force yourself to read a book that bores you. If you feel that it's too complicated, then find something that you'd understand and find something that simplifies things so that you can absorb it well. Each individual is unique. Thus, your learning style is unique too. Not because one book made someone pass could guarantee that you'd make it too.
  • If you live far away from the testing center, it might be better for you to stay in a hotel that's near-by. In that way, should weather and driving conditions be unfavorable on the day of your test, you don't feel tensed and worried whether or not you'll make it in time to the testing center.
  • The night before, "just scan" through your books and notes. That is not the time to cram so don't. Do not also attempt to review a new book or material that you got just an hour ago---because if you find something new in that book that you have never encountered before, then it might just make you feel very nervous and unprepared. It's best that you stick with what you know and feel confident about it.
  • Pray for God's guidance (this is my personal choice), sleep well, and rest well.
  • On the day of the exam, eat a heavy meal before going to the testing center. You need food to think, think, think. Be well-hydrated as well. Bring food and water to the testing center too so you'd have something to munch on just in case you feel hungry. Don't wear a watch because they'll ask you to take it off. Pockets will be emptied too so if you have clothes that don't have pockets you might want to wear that on the testing day. Bring a jacket too should it be very cold inside.
  • Do your "warm-up" exercises before leaving for the testing center, answer about 20-30 questions so that when you reach the center, you'd be familiar with the question style.
  • Ideally, a couple of days before the actual test, practice sitting in front of your computer for 5-6 hours answering 265 questions. On the day of the test, if you already feel tired, take a break. Do not force yourself to pick an answer just so you could finish the entire test. The result of this can be cruel.
  • If the computer doesn't shut off at 75, do not panic---still do your best. Do not mind other people who are leaving the center early---just focus on your work. Leaving early is not a sure sign that he or she passed. At the same time leaving late is not a sign of failing. There were only four of us left in the center when I finished and I stopped at question number 254---but I passed in one attempt. You have to know the nursing content and feel confident about it. For questions that are asking about nursing content, then you really have to know it and there's no short-cut for it. But for questions that make you analyze, eliminate two questions that obviously are wrong and then ask yourself these before selecting your final answer: "Will this answer make me a competent and efficient nurse?" and "What will happen to the patient if I chose this answer?"
  • And of course, believe in yourself. You went through Nursing school for a couple of years and have come this far, you can do it!

These are the things I did that helped me make it, hope it helps. Good luck!

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I will be graduating in April and I purchased the book NCLEX-PN made increibly easy an I was wondering if this was a good tool to use for NCLEX

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Specializes in PACU.

great advice! thanks for sharing:)

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Specializes in Tele.

  • Do not pick a time to test that doesn't work well with your body clock. If your day starts at 12 noon, don't attempt to test at 7 am and also don't sit for the exam just so you'd be done with it. If you know within you that you need two months to study, then study for two months. No one should rush you to test if you're not ready yet. Remember, haste makes waste. true that!

  • Purchase a book that you really want to read. Don't force yourself to read a book that bores you. If you feel that it's too complicated, then find something that you'd understand and find something that simplifies things so that you can absorb it well. Each individual is unique. Thus, your learning style is unique too. Not because one book made someone pass could guarantee that you'd make it too.
  • I suggest that everyone has a copy of the kaplan 2007-2008 strategies book, that book is great, and gives you a guarantee that you'll pass.

  • If you live far away from the testing center, it might be better for you to stay in a hotel that's near-by. In that way, should weather and driving conditions be unfavorable on the day of your test, you don't feel tensed and worried whether or not you'll make it in time to the testing center.
  • that is very true. I was very very lucky that my mom lives...not even 5 mins from the testing center. SO me and my baby spent the night there.

  • The night before, "just scan" through your books and notes. That is not the time to cram so don't. Do not also attempt to review a new book or material that you got just an hour ago---because if you find something new in that book that you have never encountered before, then it might just make you feel very nervous and unprepared. It's best that you stick with what you know and feel confident about it.
  • true

  • Pray for God's guidance (this is my personal choice), sleep well, and rest well.
  • I even prayed when I was doing the test!!

  • On the day of the exam, eat a heavy meal before going to the testing center. You need food to think, think, think. Be well-hydrated as well. Bring food and water to the testing center too so you'd have something to munch on just in case you feel hungry. Don't wear a watch because they'll ask you to take it off. Pockets will be emptied too so if you have clothes that don't have pockets you might want to wear that on the testing day. Bring a jacket too should it be very cold inside.
  • For me, eating a big meal makes me tired. so I opted for a small glass of orange juice, 1 piece of toast, and 1 scrambled egg ... that's all. I went to the bathroom before starting my exam too.

  • Do your "warm-up" exercises before leaving for the testing center, answer about 20-30 questions so that when you reach the center, you'd be familiar with the question style.
  • I opted not to do this because I was already tired staying up studying my notes, that in the morning I took a shower, ate breakfast, and watched a little TV with my baby.

  • Ideally, a couple of days before the actual test, practice sitting in front of your computer for 5-6 hours answering 265 questions. On the day of the test, if you already feel tired, take a break. Do not force yourself to pick an answer just so you could finish the entire test. The result of this can be cruel.
  • I did this only twice when I was studying QT5 & 6, which if you take kaplan you know what I mean. I was so tired that I would take a break every 50Q...... which i thought, I know if I go over 75 I will die during the real test. 265Q is tough.

  • If the computer doesn't shut off at 75, do not panic---still do your best. My test stopped at 75 and I did panic! I got so teary eyed that when I finally got to my car (which was parked extremely close to the building), I was bawling with tears, I called my friend crying that I had messed up on the test. that the computer didn't give me a chance, that I wasn't answering the questions at a high level...
  • Do not mind other people who are leaving the center early---just focus on your work. Leaving early is not a sure sign that he or she passed. At the same time leaving late is not a sign of failing. There were only four of us left in the center when I finished and I stopped at question number 254---but I passed in one attempt. OMG, I would have been crapping in my pants, and probably have given up if my test kept going and going.
  • but hey, you passed!! it's a pass/fail test! and we passed!!
  • congrats to you, and congrats to me! yay yay yay yay

  • You have to know the nursing content and feel confident about it. For questions that are asking about nursing content, then you really have to know it and there's no short-cut for it. But for questions that make you analyze, eliminate two questions that obviously are wrong and then ask yourself these before selecting your final answer: "Will this answer make me a competent and efficient nurse?" and "What will happen to the patient if I chose this answer?" very very true statement.
  • And of course, believe in yourself. You went through Nursing school for a couple of years and have come this far, you can do it! YES!!!!

These are the things I did that helped me make it, hope it helps. Good luck!

I agree with most things you posted here.

You do have to believe in yourself.... that you are good enough to pass this test.

I kept telling myself "ok, if L** & A***n that are such airheads passed, then so can I"......... and I did.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing, ICU.

OMG, I am soooo nervous! I am taking the NCLEX Jan. 29. 2007!!! Thanks for the advice!

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hello

i just registered today, a new grad

you are all great ,for taking time out to post helpful advices

hope you dont mind posting the books /CDS that you guys used,how long did you prepare for the exam, what are the "MUST READ" books/CDs?,i will start to read this february,i only have saunders compre book 3rd ed,hope you guys can update me thanks in advance

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hello

i just registered today, a new grad

you are all great ,for taking time out to post helpful advices

hope you dont mind posting the books /CDS that you guys used,how long did you prepare for the exam, what are the "MUST READ" books/CDs?,i will start to read this february,i only have saunders compre book 3rd ed,hope you guys can update me thanks in advance

Welcome to the site

If you have a good read on this forum you will find many posts already on this subject. Sometimes worth to stay on one study program and not confuse yourself by using many

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