Retesting

[short1978]

:banghead:So I have seen where several people stated they have tested many times, some even said 6-8 times. Is that just based on the state you are getting your lic in? The reason I ask is bc we are in WA state and we are only "allowed" to test 3 times.

I unfortunately failed my 1st test and am scheduled to test again this wk. Although I am seriously considering rescheduling bc I dont feel ready.

I am so frustrated with this whole process. I passed school with A's and B's yet I feel like I know nothing when I do these practice tests. I just finished one that was 250 questions and I scored a 52% which is radiculous.

There were question after question that I was like "I have no IDEA". What is wrong with me? Why is it that I cant figure out these questions.

My meds are even worse. I got a book that had a great, so I thought, pharm section where it broke them down to ACE inhibitors are pril, Beta blockers are olol, cholesterol meds are vastatins, etc. etc. etc.

However EVERY med I got in the practice test.....and every med I got on my first nclex test, were not able to be broken down by generic name....and gave no info on the diagnosis of the pt,,,,so no help to try and "figure" out what the med is and thus what the adverse effects, etc., would be.

Any advice????

I got the Kaplan book that has the breakdown on how to read what they are asking/the strategies book. I also got the Exam Cram book which has a summation of TONS of diagnoses/diseases/etc. I read both books front to back and thought I was ready for a practice test.....I WAS WRONG.

I am 37 wks preg with my 3rd little one and I really wanted to test again before the baby came but am starting to question if that is a good idea.

Like I said, I can only test 3 times for WA state and this will be my 2nd....not to include the 200 extra dollars it cost to retest.

If I fail a 3rd time can I test for another state and then transfer my lic to WA?

help anyone....I dont want to have retake this test AGAIN.

thx

feeling hopeless

[joyfulgal, ASN, RN]

I just took the NCLEX and know how stressful this whole process can be; I am sorry that you have to go through this for a second time. I am not going to tell you whether or not to reschedule the exam, only you can decide if you feel better prepared to take the exam; however I did see that you have both the Kaplan and Exam Cram books to study with. Did you take the Kaplan prep course, or just purchase the books? I took the Kaplan prep course and thought that is was well worth it. On the other hand, the book is NOT the best piece of study material (my opinion only). I found that having access to the Kaplan online exams after finishing the course was very useful. The strategies they teach really do help with reading and answering correctly. For me, the best strategy was to answer as many questions as possible and go back to look at each question, the answer, and rationale. I don't think it does much good to answer a ton of questions and then not look over each one individually after the fact. If there are areas that you really do not know, then go back and study that material (diabetes insipidus, Addison's, Cushings etc). If I can be of any help please let me know. Take a deep breath and think positive! Good Luck with everything.

[short1978]

Thx for the response. I did not take the class through Kaplan. I got the book from the bookstore after it was recommended, as well as the Exam Cram.

I did a ton of questions with CDs and then looked up things I was unsure about or wanted to research more the first time I tested. In all fairness, I was moving from one state to another, and actually tested the day before we left for our move. I was up till around Midnight packing still and then of course couldnt sleep bc of nerves. It was not the best time I am sure to be testing, but regardless I thought I was prepared. I mean I did go through years of schooling too.

Anyway, I got 75 questions and failed. Many students from my class passed at 75. I got my test breakdown and did horrible. I dont know if my mind just wasnt in it or what.

We moved to WA and I took a few months to get settled before starting to study again. This time I went and purchased the 2 books and read them from front to back. I basically asked several costudents what they used to study and added that to my regimen.

I have always, the first time testing as well as now, taken the questions, looked at the answers, and then read the rationals.

I just feel like I cant retain anything.

I have made notes as I read the Exam Cram book such as additional info on Cushings/Addisons/burns/OB/etc etc. I have reviewed lab values and tried to focus on ways to determine meds, like pril/olol/vastin/mycin/etc and what those that end that way are used for.

I dont know if it is just nerves as the date approaches or what. But the last thing I want is to fail again. It is sad that you work so hard for so long and then one test shoots you in the foot.

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

If you have the time/money get the Saunders NCLEX book. That's what I used. There's a thread on here in the student section that breaks down a study regimen with this book and it's very helpful. There was a classmate that failed the first time and followed the first step that was posted and passed the second time no problem.

As for three tries I would call the BON for WA and see what the rule means. I know sometimes if you fail three times the state will have you take a remediation class before you can take it again.

Good luck.

[short1978]

Any other study tips, etc? One day away and still feel hopeless. I have worked through most of my material and really need help with the meds. I have the classifications down as listed in my original post but it is all the other meds that kill me. I have poor memorization skills and i feel like that is the only way to learn meds. There are just tooooooo many to "learn" without simply memorizing for test taking purposes....until you are actually looking each up and giving them to pts.

Only a positive note...my first 250 question practice test resulted in 52%. My second one I finished also 250 questions and was 66%. So it is better but not sure if that is good enough to be testing on Thursday.

Should I reschedule???