sadieb95

In my experience, if you're sitting at or above the averages when taking the practice tests you're in good shape to sit for the NCLEX. However, there were several practice exams that I scored below average on! My average in the Qbank was around 62%, putting me in the 84th percentile. I've read on some forums that if you have above a 60% average, then you're likely to succeed. No one can really say that for certain though, so I tried not to read into it too much. I marked the questions I didn't understand or got wrong and redid most of them, and it not only improved my test-taking but also my average overall. Just keep chipping away at it! The sheer number of positive reviews for UWorld is really impressive, imo. I hope you are feeling better following your illness, and best of luck with the NCLEX! You got this. 😊

I've heard great things about Hurst. One of my friends from school used it exclusively to prep for the NCLEX, and she passed with 75 questions. Best of luck to you!

I second this! I only used the tutor mode. It's more about learning how to answer the questions than working well with the timer, since you're given 6 hours to complete the NCLEX. Good luck and keep us posted!

Sure! On the first assessment I scored a 64% which put me in the 77th percentile. Second one I got a 66% which put me in the 84th percentile. I think if you're able to score a "high chance" on the UWorld assessments then you're in good shape. Focus more on reading the rationales of the questions you got wrong (and got right!) rather than your scores. It's hard to focus on anything but your scores, but in the long run it's more important that you retain new info for future tests than focusing on the score you got on this day or that day. Good luck í ½í¸

Hi everybody! I just wanted to share my experience with the NCLEX and hopefully offer some reassurance to people who are in or about to be in this position. I took the NCLEX today, shut off at 75 questions, and had an active license on my state's BON within an hour of taking the exam! Granted that's not the normal wait time, but my state is small. Anyways, I digress. I graduated with honors from an ADN program on May 18th, and got my ticket to test within a week or so. I've generally been a good test taker throughout my schooling, but do get serious test anxiety so I wanted to give myself enough time to relax after graduating while still having enough time to study. I purchased 60 days of Uworld with 2 self-assessments and the unlimited test bank. I used UWorld exclusively to study, and really can't recommend it enough. The questions are tough! They make you think, and get you prepared for SATA questions because there is so many of them. The rationales are clear, and if you take the time to read them thoroughly you'll learn a lot. The feel of the NCLEX is extremely similar to UWorld, which I found very comforting. When I was taking the NCLEX, I definitely felt like I was screwing up because the questions were "easier" to some degree than what I was expecting (UWorld questions were really difficult in my opinion). I had about 15-20 SATA, many priority/delegation/teaching questions, and quite a bit of psych/maternal-fetal-newborn-infant-toddler questions. Several nutrition/dietary questions as well. My biggest piece of advice is to treat the NCLEX like a practice exam. Of course the stakes are high and you want to do your best, but place those fears aside the best you can because that is where people trip themselves up. There will be plenty of questions that you have no idea how to answer (if the testing proctors could see my face during some of them, they would probably have thought I was losing it 😂) but there is SOME piece of information in there that you do know. Take your best educated guess, and move on to the next. And remember, the test and your knowledge are both on your side! You received an education preparing you for this test, and the test is adaptive to your needs. You also have PLENTY of time. Take breaks if you need to, focus on your breathing, and do the dang thing. You CAN do it. It is a tough exam, but not impossible. It is testing the minimum competency needed to be a RN, and you have it. Set yourself up for success as best as you can prior to the test as well. If you do better with books/note taking, then study that way. Don't try to study too differently than how you did in school. I do recommend practice tests though, because it keeps you in the habit of answering weird NCLEX-style questions. Spend time with your loved ones, make time for your hobbies in between studying, sleep/eat well leading up to the exam, and most importantly, trust yourself. Don't burn yourself out or discredit your own intelligence/capability. If I can do it, you can do it! If you have any questions or anything to add, feel free! Best of luck to all of you 😊

Hello everybody, hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I'm hoping to get some advice/encouragement for my second semester of nursing school. I am in a 2 year ADN program that is notoriously very rigorous in my state. I feel very lucky and proud to say that I ended my first semester in great standing with my clinical instructor and a 90 average, which is apparently quite a feat according to the dept. head. However, I feel as though I really burnt myself out by the end of the semester. I do unfortunately struggle with a GAD, and have found it becoming more bothersome in recent weeks. I am starting to work myself up with the invasive thoughts, such as "the first semester was a fluke, there's no way I can do well in the rest of the program". They really like to scare you with saying things such as "it gets much harder and time consuming every semester" and "if you don't study for a minimum of 20-25 hours a week you will not be successful". I didn't find this to be the case this past semester, because I pretty much never had 20 hours in a week to study and still did pretty darn well. But if anyone is going to cling onto statements like that, it's gonna be me. I'll be doing my OB/pedi/Geri rotations this semester, which I'm super excited for. But I'm scared that I won't be able to keep up the good work, even though I've always done well in school. I guess to me it seems as if I'm not supposed to succeed in nursing school, therefore I'm afraid to hold onto the hope that I will. Any advice? Do you feel like you get/got more accustomed to the tests and such as the semesters went on?

I certainly thought A&P 2 was more challenging. I took it with a different teacher, and had to learn a new teaching/testing method which made it more challenging. I managed to earn a grade only 2 points lower than A&P 1, which I was happy with because I did think the language and topics were more difficult-especially respiratory. Don't be afraid to utilize your professor and resources as much as possible. I had to alter how I studied and learned completely, but it worked out just fine. And anything you don't understand in class, you can find a wonderful resource online that will help. I used quizlet religiously and it worked very well for me. Good luck! You will be fine.

Hey everybody, I'm looking for some advice. Or reassurance, I'm not completely sure. I got accepted into a very rigorous 2 year ADN program, and was absolutely ecstatic to start. I had my clinical orientation in June, and was definitely feeling the pressure afterwards, but I still felt like it was possible. However I just got back from a workshop today to teach new students study and organizational skills, and I am feeling absolutely shot down. Don't get me wrong, I knew there was going to be a lot of work involved with nursing school. But upon hearing today that I would need to set aside 20-25 hours minimum of study time a week, not including clinical care plans, online module tests, written assignments, proctored exams, etc. I am not even sure how I am going to be able to succeed at this. I've always been a 4.0 student, and I fully accept that I need to abandon that title lol. But right now everything looks so bleak-I have no idea how I am going to learn how to juggle 20+ hours of studying, school assignments, clinicals, working, and maintaining my general health and relationships. I am so afraid of not being the right kind of "smart" for nursing school. I am an LNA in homecare, but I've never had to deal with dosage calculations or anything of the sort. How do you guys maintain your ADLs/personal relationships in addition to all of this? I know every nursing program/personal experience is different, but I am feeling absolutely wrecked. Is the fear of the unknown working me up too much?

I am still a student, so I apologize if my post seems out of place amongst the rest; I just had to interject. I am gay, and everything regarding the Orlando shooting has hit me in ways I never thought possible. No amount of schooling or life experience can truly prepare one for something like this. June 11th went from sheer happiness felt at Boston Pride, to anguish learning a few hours later that this senseless act took place. I am grieving at my core for the victims and their loved ones, as well as anyone (LGBTQIA or not) who has been or will be affected by this tragedy. In the face of fear and heartbreak, It was amazing to read so much support on this post from wonderful nurses. Love to all of you.

Get the ATI testing manual and then look up "Keshwani Prep" on Youtube. He teaches the entire math section of the manual page by page and gives you tricks to better understand everything. Not to mention he's very funny! I hate math and the math section of the TEAS exam ended up being my highest score, which I think is because of his videos. Good luck!

There weren't too many chem questions on the exam. However I will say that it can be kind of difficult to teach yourself the basics if you haven't taken the class in awhile/at all. I don't think it's necessary to finish the class first in order to do well, but it could certainly benefit you! Studying is very doable though, there are a ton of videos and resources that can help you with all sections of the exam. Good luck!

[email protected] :) I wish I had PM privileges! Feel free to shoot me an email. (I guess I shouldn't assume you're talking to me, but I am haha)

LOL the teas will do that to ya! Good luck studying, I promise your sanity will come back once the exam is over yes, anyone who comes across this thread: PLEASE do yourself the ultimate favor and look at Keshwani's vids. You will genuinely learn to enjoy math! Or at least his way of teaching.

I didn't find that one either, but I highly recommend checking this one out if you haven't already. It is by far the most in depth post I've found regarding the TEAS, and it helped a lot! https://allnurses.com/teas-exam-help/how-i-passed-804222.html I'm the same way. I get so nervous that I make stupid mistakes or read over the questions too fast. But since I am very much aware of that fault, I made a point to NOT do that on this test. I barely paid attention to the time I had, because I knew it would trip me up (and I honestly think there's more than enough time, I finished the test in under 3 hours). I read the questions really closely and worked them out. I was super fortunate in where I took the TEAS though, because I had my very own room with a computer and a desk so I was able to talk out loud (LOL) a little bit if I had to. I know not everyone will have that luxury, so just do your best to reason in your head!

I personally had no questions regarding tissues or nervous system, though I really wish I had! I have to say, there is very minimal human body science on the exam, which is a huge bummer when that's what you know well lol. I had a question regarding hemoglobin, peristalsis (digestion), cranial nerves, and something about platelets. But the majority of my science was scientific reasoning, chemistry, and physics (bleh). I'd say to be safe, know the basics of each system. There will likely be more in depth questions, however you can use your knowledge of the basics to help you out. I wouldn't know how to tell you to study more in depth, because the science is all over the place. But judging based off of what you have done to prepare, you sound like you've done pretty well! Just read each question carefully and rule out the ones that you know are incorrect.

No, in face the only somewhat similar question I had asked me to write an equation for the work rate but not actually solve it. I had one or two probability questions. One was about candy, that one tripped me up and I'm still not sure I got it right. I will say to make sure you fully memorize and understand percentage increase/decrease formulas! I had a couple of those and they don't give you the formula

Ha! I think we'd all avoid this damn exam if we could. The science definitely threw me, as I know it does for many other test takers. I had a really in depth codon chart question, and a couple other questions that I just did NOT know how to answer. Luckily I didn't have much chemistry, although I almost wish I had in comparison to all the energy questions I had! I'm awful with physics and anything to do with energy so I definitely wish I had studied that more. I only had one chemical equation to balance and it wasn't too hard. So: 1. Not too much chem on my exam, really only a handful of questions. I had more anatomy questions than anything else, and scientific reasoning/physics. 2. Yes! You don't start the next section until you press forward, so the timer doesn't start until you're actively in the question portion. Take breaks in between each section if you wish! 3. If you take the computerized version then yes, you get them back right as soon as you're done. The paper version is a few days of a wait I believe. 4. You can only go back when you're in that specific section. For instance if you finish reading and move onto math, you can't go back and change answers in reading. But while you're in the reading section you can go back as much as you'd like. 5. Haha, unfortunately so! :) But you can do it. Just use your best judgment! Best of luck, and remember to keep calm. The worst thing you can do is work yourself up.

Hey, I hear ya there!! You and I sound a lot alike actually. I was TERRIFIED of the math portion. I dread anything involving math, and I just knew that I wasn't going to do well on it. But guess what...math ended up being my highest freaking score! I have no idea what to make of that haha, but I am genuinely really bad at math! If you haven't checked out Keshwani Prep on Youtube, I can't recommend his videos enough. He literally teaches you the entire math section of the study guide, and he's a riot. He taught me basic math skills that I feel I should have learned back in middle school, and now I love decimal and percentage problems (which used to scare the hell out of me)! I didn't have a lot of word problems fortunately, the math was mostly really basic algebra (solving for x, a few conversion questions, etc.) The word problems looked hard initially at first, but then I really just broke them down and was able to answer them (I think) correctly. I'd say the ATI study guide was very accurate for everything but science. Science was HARD, I won't put it lightly. But I scored an 80 in that section, so it's very possible to score well based off of educated guesses. I studied solidly for 3 weeks, about 1-5 hours per day. I went in with little confidence, but I also made a point to remain calm and realistic and ended up surprising myself. You've been able to put a month into studying, so you're already better off than I was! Best of luck, I know you can do it. Let me know how it goes! When do you take this dreaded exam? :) Oh, and PS-know your fractions and everything involving them! I had lots of fractions on my test.

Thank you!! Yes, this was my first time taking it. I studied for about 3 weeks using the ATI manual and random online practice assessments (I didn't bother with the ATI online exams, but I hear they're great!). The science is, without fail, the hardest part. It is so wishy washy. There are questions on there that I feel like only people who have taken advanced science courses could have answered lol, and like others have said on here, there's only so much you can do to prepare for the science. Which brings me to some tips-BREATHE! You can totally do this. There are going to be questions that you simply do not understand, but do your best to deduce information and rule out some of the answers. It is multiple choice so you do have the chance to make many educated guesses. If you go into it feeling anxious, you're going to trip yourself up. I happen to be a VERY anxious test taker, but for some reason I just went into this one level-headed and ended up doing pretty well. Read the questions carefully, and don't let the time trip you up too much. I was super nervous about running out of time, but honestly I finished every section with about 15 minutes to spare (minus math, I went about turtle speed and ended up with 5 minutes left on the clock). If I can do it, anybody can. And I genuinely mean that! Best of luck

Update: math ended up being my highest score. LOL! Life is so weird sometimes. Good luck to anyone taking the TEAS! You've got this-just breathe.

Hey everybody! So I took my TEAS V today (1/22/16) and scored an 83.3 overall. That places me in the "Advanced" category, in the 93rd percentile nationally, and in the 94th percentile for my program. It's not AS great as I would have liked, but then again it's also far better than what I expected. Anyways, I know my score isn't necessarily anything to write home about, but I know there are people out there who are freaking out just as badly as I was about taking this bloody exam (I was a NERVOUS WRECK), so if I can be of any support or comfort I'd love to answer any questions you may have!

Well hey, I appreciate the bluntness! The logical, rational part of my brain fully realizes that and tells me to stop, then you have the other part that's like, "what's multiplication?" it's frustrating, because I've never done poorly or below average in any math class I've taken, I just freeze up when there's a time constraint flashing in my face. I'm sure anybody with test anxiety can vouch for me-standardized testing is a nightmare. But anyways, I really like your way of thinking! It's far more optimistic than mine has been, so I'm going to try my best to adopt it. :) I feel ready for nursing courses, and I know that I can excel because I've always been a 3.8 GPA high school/college student. I just feel like this test is a roadblock, and I haven't even taken it yet! So here's to taking it by storm. Advice from anybody is appreciated if you have something to add!

Hey everybody! So I'm taking the Teas V exam on January 22nd. I have a lot riding on my results, because the program I am applying for uses a point system and the TEAS exam counts for almost half of your accumulated points. I am a very anxious test taker-especially anything involving math. Reading and language are my strong suits, and I feel that if I study the odds and ends of the science part I will be okay, but math has me in a tizzy. I purchased the ATI study manual, and I found Keshwani Prep tutor videos on Youtube. I have over 3 weeks to study, but I am so afraid that I am not going to study right, or enough, and do poorly. I think the worst thing I can do to myself is let myself get worked up, but I am already expecting to not do well and I'm not sure how to talk myself out of it. Does anyone have any tips for studying for the TEAS, and any actual test-taking tips? I have zero confidence in my ability to perform well on anything math related, and it is tripping me up. Thank you in advance!