Preparing for the NCLEX

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Hello! I am going to graduate in May and then I will take the NCLEX. My school has ATI exams, but I am wondering if I should take a review class, too? Does anyone have any opinions about this?

Thank you!

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My opinion is that you should think about this and do whatever you feel is necessary and what you can afford to pass the test. As they say, it is your testing experience and if you feel a review course will help you, then take one. I can not advise you on a specific course as I have not taken one myself. It might prove to be just the jump start you need to make the process easier. Then again, perhaps you can get by with studying your review materials on your own, for three weeks, or three months, using your own study techniques. Does not matter as long as you pass. Many people do recommend Saunders Comprehensive Review, latest edition for version of NCLEX you will be taking, the Linda LaCharity book on prioritization, and the Kaplan review book. Use a calendar to map out a plan. Study for two to four hours per day. Answer as many questions as possible and study the rationales. Good luck with your preparation.

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I don't think anyone can give you the answer. It's really about how you learn. If you learn best by hearing than a review class would probably be helpful. If you learn best by reading (like I do), I don't think they are as helpful. Very often, in lecture, I would blank out the professor and start reading my text as she was talking. Knowing this, I figured going home and curling up to my review books and taking lots of practice questions would do the trick. And it did.

But when I say lots of practice questions, I mean lots. I figured I did at least 5,000 questions and probably closer to 7,000. I started preparing for NCLEX in March, did 50-100 ?s a day (with some breaks) and took NCLEX the end of June. But what worked for me may not work for you...

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Personally, I felt that ATI was more than sufficient for me.

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Specializes in SRNA.

My school gave the ATI test too, and it was helpful because it gave a breakdown of areas that I needed to improve.

I then used the NCLEX review available on http://www.learningext.com (It was only $39) to review those areas and did lots of practice questions available there. I found it helpful and I passed with 75 questions.

Do whatever you feel is going to prepare you the best!

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Specializes in SRNA.
My school gave the ATI test too, and it was helpful because it gave a breakdown of areas that I needed to improve.

I then used the NCLEX review available on http://www.learningext.com (It was only $39) to review those areas and did lots of practice questions available there. I found it helpful and I passed with 75 questions.

Do whatever you feel is going to prepare you the best!

Looks like they've increased their prices now - the cheapest subscription is $50 now.

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No one can really tell you to or not to because in the end, it is all about you and how you study. Study and practice as much as you can. Also try to understand the physiology behind how the body's system works so you at least be able to make informed decisions in some questions, where you absolutely have no idea. But do practice a lot of questions.

I'll be praying and rooting for you- please come share the good news later:)

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

The ATI books are awesome. They're the most concise study tools you can use, I think. The only studying I did for the NCLEX was to copy the ATI books on areas I had trouble with verbatim. Worked well for me... I think NCLEX review books are a waste of time - they're so generic, expensive, and often just have wrong answers.

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I too am preparing for the NCLEX. Just took an ATI predictor test which showed I have a good percentage of passing NCLEX first time but I am still very nervous. Should I take it sooner since I believe I can do ok or later and get more review time in? I am trying to hit hard the areas I have done poorly in. Going back to old texts, NCLEX review, and the review we received from ATI(MedsPub) so far it seems to be going well. Also as many have stated practice tests. So far I have done some but probably not enough. So good luck in your studies, and I hope you do well.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I too am preparing for the NCLEX. Just took an ATI predictor test which showed I have a good percentage of passing NCLEX first time but I am still very nervous. Should I take it sooner since I believe I can do ok or later and get more review time in? I am trying to hit hard the areas I have done poorly in. Going back to old texts, NCLEX review, and the review we received from ATI(MedsPub) so far it seems to be going well. Also as many have stated practice tests. So far I have done some but probably not enough. So good luck in your studies, and I hope you do well.
My personal experience was that I should've taken the NCLEX immediately after the ATI predictor. The additional time and study didn't equip me to answer even one more question out of the 75 that it took me to pass.
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I graduated in december (LPN), was told EXAM CRAM was the best but I have found some errors. I would stick with ATI books if you have them, we also had a pre-test to see how well we would do on nclex. I would also take as many tests on the computer that you can. I am scheduled to take my exam in feb. I wish you luck on yours.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

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