Sept 2015:Passed at 75Q with 6 to 8 SATAS

[alyanssaramos]

Just like you, I read numerous posts regarding Nclex: from what is the best study guide to use until the implications with the number of items I had during my exam through this site. I am sharing my insights from studying until taking the test as giving back to nursing community that helped me.

1) Studying

My prime advice is to create your own study plan that you believe would work for you. Everyone has their own way of studying, so do not be pressured on how others studied. I would be sharing everything I used that I found effective for me.

• Hurst: Our school gave this review as free. I found this very beneficial for me since my foundation of nursing knowledge is not well-formed. Their review is very simplified and easy to be remembered and understood. It would help you connect concepts.
  
• UWORLD: I was debating whether I would be doing Kaplan or something else. I found this unfamiliar nursing review, so I tried to research more about it and tried their free 10 questions. Yes, they were hard. What made me decide to purchase it is their well explained and illustrated rationales. I did their one month and finished their 1600 Qbank for only $50.00
  
• Kaplan Content Review: I followed my friends' study plan, so I reviewed this book for 2 times. It was a lot to be honest and the format of the book is dry. I would say it was helpful, but not as much as Hurst for me.
  
• Kaplan Qtrainer: I did their 6 and 7 only to practice my stamina for answering more than 200 questions in one sitting.
  
• Lippincott's SATAs: I answered most of the questions in the book. This a good practice book to be prepared to attack SATAS.
  
• La Charity's Prioritization: After answering the first 21 chapters, I was more confident to answer delegation and prioritization questions.
  

I did a 7 week plan of studying. To be honest, my first week of studying was not followed since I was still adjusting and disciplining myself. I studied everyday for about 4-6 hours. I was doing a 4-6 hours/week job. I intended to really focus on studying even if it means being broke for a short while. My first 4 weeks were spent with content then last 3 weeks were spent for answering questions.

2) Before taking NCLEX

After talking to a dear friend about NCLEX. She defines NCLEX as fair which is contraindicated with some people I talked to who described it as hard and confusing. I was torn on what to believe in and all I could think about is, it is hard.

Few days before NCLEX, my friend gave me the greatest advices that decreased my anxiety.

• Do not think about if you are getting SATAS or not. Just answer every question with the best of your ability and knowledge. The thing is, the more you think if you are in the high or low level such as SATAS and priority questions, the more anxiety it gives you. So refrain from thinking about them during the test.
  
• Do not rush answering any question. Take your time, but do not read into the question.
  
• Lastly, anxiety makes or breaks you. Seriously. I have heightened anxiety with answering Nclex questions since HESI tests. It always gives me low scores whenever I get anxiety into my system. So fight anxiety! Defy it extensively. Just think about Nclex as another final test in nursing. Breathe deeply.
  

3) During NCLEX

I was calm during the test. I followed all the advices from my friend. I felt like I was just answering another final nursing test in a classroom. I was reading the question slowly and rationalising every choice whether it is right or wrong. I prepared for the long battle so I brought snacks with me and imagined getting to 265. I believed that the more questions I have, the more chances I would pass.

• I could still remember that I had 2 SATAS in my first 15 questions, then it just comes and goes for couple of times. I had some priority questions, infection control and psych questions.
  
• As for me, I would say that the questions are fair. I did not use the Kaplan decision tree in any question. My main strategy is to rationalize the options as wrong or right.
  
• I was hoping that they would give me more questions since I felt like the questions I had were not enough to prove that I am a safe nurse. After 75, it shut off.
  
• BIGGEST MISTAKE: After it shut off, I stood up and walked away from my computer without raising my hand. This led my result in Pearson Vue to be on hold for more than 24 hours that impede me from knowing if I have a good or bad pop up.
  

4) After NCLEX

I spent about 1 hour 30 mins with 75 Q. I would not say the questions I got were super easy nor super hard. They are fair questions, but some questions really had me thinking "I got the easy ones and I bombed them." UWORLD questions were harder than NCLEX. I was hoping to see those kind of questions. From that, I concluded that I failed it. I'm done with it. I already accepted my fate.

• I thought I failed since I was not able to see the hard questions I was expecting and there were no rationales or feedback, so it would make you really think you failed it.
  
• Also, my SATAs were so few that is rare to happen if you have 75Q.
  
• I just waited for the 48 hours on Breeze and stopped checking the Pearson Vue since I was on hold and there are rumours regarding getting good pop or bad pop and still failing it.
  

Final Words

I still could not believe I made it since my test questions were different from most. I would like to tell you that SATAs are not the basis if you are getting high level questions or not. My test is a living example of it. TRUST YOURSELF, your knowledge, the hard work and perseverance you put in every time you study. Do not ever let anxiety get into your system during the test. DEFY YOUR ANXIETY. Just keep focusing in every question. Stop asking yourself if you are in the high or low level. Give your best and be a safe nurse with every question. You could do it. You have studied hard and dedicated your time. YOU GOT THIS.

I do hope this post helps you in a smallest way possible. You'll get through this.

[Nibbles1]

I had less than 10 SATA questions on my test. So, no the more SATA questions doesn't mean you are passing. BTW, I had 90 questions total.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Some NCLEX myths to share:

SATA is nothing more than an alternative format of questioning. Same as multiple choice, drag/drop. Means zipola; trying to read anything into their presence or absence is an exercise in futility.

You pass with a hard test. You pass with an easy test. Why? Because questions that are "hard" to one person is "easy" to another. Some people are woefully crying they couldn't have passed, the exam was just too easy. Waste of time, they passed. Others are certain they MUST have passed, because their questions were hard but they were sure they did well. And they failed. Perception is just that: you cannot deduce anything from how you "felt" about the questions.

You cannot determine (unless you happen to be an expert in pedagogy and Bloom's Taxonomy) whether what you are looking at is an above-passing standard question or one that falls below the passing standard. ANY topic of question may be in either camp.

Delegation, prioritization.....can be above passing standard or below it. Means nothing.

And a word about "pop ups" when playing the PVT Game: they sometimes match what actually happens....MOST of the time if you aren't allowed to pay initially, you passed. Sometimes, the QA review will flip that around, and you will later find you CAN pay---because you failed. MOST of the time, if you can pay initially, you will find out you failed. Sometimes, you will find out you passed, but threw $200 in the toilet to play the game (completely non-refundable).

Lastly.....if your school was a good one, if you did well in school, if your preparation and practice exams indicate you should pass....you probably will. If you were a great student at a lousy school....don't expect miracles. Your school's NCLEX pass rate is a good indication of what your class should expect: high nineties? Looks good. low 80's? Better start teaching yourself what your school missed.