chelley2010

I took the NCLEX for the first time in September 2011, after a move from NY to ATL. Needless to say, I didnt study much and winged it. I failed. After seeing that I failed, I cried for two days straight. Then I was determined to pass. I signed up for the Kaplan course. I took it online and would highly recommend it. Before my online class started, I did the Diagnostic test, QT1, QT2, QT3 and REVIEWED my weak areas! I listened to the lectures and took notes in my book. I listened to the decision tree one about 4 times. Made a post it note that read: TOPIC A vs I MASLOW ABC EVALUATE And put it on my laptop. I also put a post it note that said: "If I can do one thing and go home, which would I do?" This helped me FOCUS. When I took the class, I paid attention. Yes, it could get boring at times, but I trudged on. For the last day, I had to do the readiness test. I've seen many people here post that they rushed thru it, and got low scores. DON'T RUSH THRU IT. Set aside the time to take it. I made sure I set aside the time in a quiet room and took it. After we went thru it in class, I sat there and went thru each question. I then took QT6 the week after, and QT7 a week after that. Using the day after the tests to review. Each time I took note of where my weak areas were, and reviewed lectures. All of my overall scores were between 60-68%. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, I did slack off a bit with studying. But after each holiday I hopped back on the bandwagon. I did 25-50Q a day, reviewing the ENTIRE quiz before moving on. Each time I took the quiz, I had paper and a pen. Once my time started on the quiz, I wrote the decision tree at the top of my paper (TOPIC, A vs I, MASLOW, ABC, EVALUATE), and "If I can do one thing...". I also wrote down the topic of the question in 2-3 words and jotted notes about each answer as needed. It helped me slow down and focus on the question at hand. I believe this helped me TREMENDOUSLY. The week leading up to the NCLEX, I had already finished all the QT's so I reviewed them, focusing on my weak areas. And I rewatched the decision tree lecture to drill it home. I tried doing 50Q a day and reviewed them. But what I found worked better for me, was doing 50Q one day, then reviewing them the following day. I also focused on SATA and priority questions since those were always my weak areas on the QTs. That week before the NCLEX I averaged between 72-78% on the Qbank questions. I did take the day off before the test. I made sure I was in bed by 10pm (my test was at 8am the following day), drinking some chamomile tea to help calm me down. I also put post it notes all over my dashboard in my car, in my day planner, on my fridge and the door to my apartment. All with motivational quotes. When I got in my car the morning of my test I took a deep breath and smiled. I gave myself an hour to get to the testing center, just incase of traffic. I got there in 20 minutes, went in and was able to check in a little early. When the called me back, I paid careful attention to the instructions, got to my seat, put the headphones on and took a deep breath. After my exam started and I was able to write on my dry erase board, I filled it out like I did for my 50Q: the decision tree (TOPIC, A vs I, MASLOW, ABC, EVALUATE), and "If I can do one thing...". I also put a big smilie face for good measure. As I took the test, I wrote down the topics and the notes on the answers. I got some SATAs but didn't lose focus. When I got to around question 60, I felt myself losing focus. So I closed my eyes, took 2 deep breaths and went back to work. As I neared 75, my heart pounded, and as I passed 75 onto question 76 I lost focus again. I took another deep breath and refocused. My test stopped on 86. I left there unsure of how I did. Once I saw 'delivery successful' on Pearson Vue, I did the PVT and got the good pop up. Thursday evening I got an email from the State of Georgia notifying me that I had passed and was issued a license number!

keep focused and try again... be positive. I know its defeating to fail, but you should try again. Don't give up!

did it let you enter in Credit card info?

Thankfully, those were always my weak spot in school and with studying for the NCLEX, so I sat and did all SATA questions one day.... helped a TON!

I took it today and got 85 questions.... 45 mins later after it showed delivery successful I got the good pop up!

I take mine tomorrow.... take some deep breaths and give yourself the day off before the test. I found a ton of motivational/inspirational quotes and put them on post it notes in my car, on my laptop, and in my study area. I know its kind of silly, but it makes me smile and believe that I CAN and WILL pass the test!

I take my NCLEX for the second time on Wednesday. The first time, I attempted to take it with little review in my Saunders book and after a move from NY to GA. Needless to say, I failed. I then signed up for Kaplan. Here are my scores: QTrainer 1: 56% QTrainer 2: 67% QTrainer 3: 56% Diagnostic Exam 63% QTrainer 4: 60% QTrainer 5: 55% QTrainer 6: 68% Readiness Test: 66% QTrainer 7: 63% 100% of QBank questions taken: 63% overall I plan on reviewing today, taking some questions in Kaplan ans Saunders. and Reviewing again. Tomorrow is my free day so I can be fresh for Wednesday morning! I've noticed a huge difference taking questions after the Kaplan course than before. Before I would read the question and hunt for the answer. Now I slow down and take my time going thru all the steps. I feel more confident in my test taking skills... Good luck to those taking it this week! We can do it!

How many people really do take a full day off of studying before the NCLEX? Do you find it helps? I'm taking mine for the 2nd time on Feb 1st and everyone keeps telling me to take the day before off and not touch the books... thoughts?

Me! I'm taking it for the 2nd time on Feb 1st! I did the Kaplan course, went thru all the lectures again, QBanks, Qtrainers, and some Saunders questions.... I graduated nursing school in NY, taking the test in GA

Thanks so much for your help! I will be calling them today or tomorrow and I will post if there is anything different!

I tried looking for an answer to this, but haven't found one on here. If I did miss it, I apologize in advance... Here's my question: I am graduating from a SUNY school in NY with my RN in May. I am applying for NY licensure and to also take the NCLEX. After doing all this, my husband accepted a job in Atlanta that requires us to move there in August. I'm hoping my day to take the NCLEX is before then! What do I do as far as licensure? Should I apply NOW for a GA license? Do I need to have a current GA address? I will be calling the GA board of nursing on Monday. But wanted to see if anyone had any help/advice! Thanks! :)

my last nursing exam for the semester is wednesday!