Serious Problems with SATA Qs

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Hi everyone!

I am scheduled to take my nclex the second week of March. I have been studying (using Hurst, Lippincott and some Kaplan Q-bank). Thus far I am doing pretty well on the general content questions. In some of my sessions I'm getting 90-95% correct on these. However I am consistently failing on SATA. No matter what I do, I am always wrong. I am using the T/F method to evaluate each statement--but it doesn't matter--I either always forget one--or I've reasoned through adding one that should not be there :( I'm really stumped! I don't think I will be able to pass this test without getting this SATA issue under control. Does anyone have any suggestions? I really feel like I understand the question and know the topic, but I just keep getting these wrong ....

Thank you!

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I wasn't strong in SATA questions either but I passed so I wouldn't worry too much. Plus, you don't know how many you are going to get on the actual test anyhow. Just keep practicing as you have been and it will come together. Stay positive and don't let one question format drag down how well you are doing with the others. To give you an idea, my test shut off at 75 questions and I had 25 SATA!!! I was really bummed because that was one thing I was REALLY hoping to NOT see but I passed!!! So can you!! Good luck!!

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I'm not going to lie, I sucked at SATA questions even on school exams. I feel like your on the right track on passing NCLEX and good on content. As the previous comment, you won't know how many SATA you will even get, the first time I took the exam and failed it I got 9-10 SATA and stopped at 75. When I did pass the exam I had 11-12 SATA questions and stopped at 85 questions. I wasn't a big fan of true and false, but instead I asked myself "Does it make sense" to the topic of the question. My advise for you is just keep doing Practice Questions and read rationales through the Kaplan Qbank and download the NCLEX RN app, it's free and helpful. GOOD LUCK!!

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Thanks so much for the suggestion on the app--I'll definitely donwload this to get some extra practice. Do you think the SATA is what contributed to the first attempt (failure) and then you improved with this type of question with more practice?

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Bratty 477, if I get 25 SATA, I'm really going to freak out ! This (and those delegation questions) is really my nemesis! I'm looking forward to getting this test over and hopefully, fingers crossed, passing!!

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Bratty 477, if I get 25 SATA, I'm really going to freak out ! This (and those delegation questions) is really my nemesis! I'm looking forward to getting this test over and hopefully, fingers crossed, passing!!

Funny thing though ... I got 0 delegation questions!! LOL

Stay positive and will be crossing my fingers for you too! Good luck!

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I took NCLEX-Rn this past week. In 75 questions I had 12 SATA and easily 30-40 priority questions.

I had people in my class that also took this past week. They had up to 30 SATA, but only about 12-15 priority.

I tend to think that the SATA are the top tier of nclex questions, with the priority ones being one level below. Both these types of questions are above the passing line, though. I suggest being excellent at at least one type of question.

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Specializes in Critical care.
Bratty 477, if I get 25 SATA, I'm really going to freak out ! This (and those delegation questions) is really my nemesis! I'm looking forward to getting this test over and hopefully, fingers crossed, passing!!

Get La Charity's prioritization and delegation book ASAP. Work your way through it- it really helps.

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Thanks so much for the suggestion on the app--I'll definitely donwload this to get some extra practice. Do you think the SATA is what contributed to the first attempt (failure) and then you improved with this type of question with more practice?

Actually, I believe my nerves got the best of me on the first attempt. My anxiety was off the roof and I made sure I found a solution to help me with that. I also crammed so much content in 3 weeks, I think that messed me up too.

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I took NCLEX-Rn this past week. In 75 questions I had 12 SATA and easily 30-40 priority questions.

I had people in my class that also took this past week. They had up to 30 SATA, but only about 12-15 priority.

I tend to think that the SATA are the top tier of nclex questions, with the priority ones being one level below. Both these types of questions are above the passing line, though. I suggest being excellent at at least one type of question.

When my friends passed they also had up to 30 SATA. I passed in 85 questions and I was on the same boat, I got 11-13 SATA and the majority of my questions were priority.

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Yes, I have LaCharity--- I hate it :(! I wish the rationales were more clear. Also, in the rationale, they often say " this is the answer but it really depends on state and hospital regulations"........so I am constantly confused because I have seen LPNs do vital signs and in some cases UAPs NOT doing EKGs or vitals! So I'm confused because the book doesn't seem to mirror my clinical experiences....

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Specializes in Tele, Interventional Pain Management, OR.

No matter what, MOST of your NCLEX questions will be multiple choice. The fact that you're doing so well with those is a good sign.

I wasn't the world's living expert on SATA either, but I passed in 75 questions on the first attempt. I had quite a few SATA but can't provide an exact number--it always amazes me when people recall exactly how many of each question type they encountered, haha!

As other posters have mentioned, I would brush up on prioritization, delegation, and how the nurse knows patient teaching has/has not been effective.

Good luck, OP! I bet you'll be just fine.

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