Simple Tips for Passing NCLEX 2015, Kaplan Based

[SBecker3]

Hello everyone!

I am writing my first post as a brand new RN, because I promised that I would write to you all if I passed. To those who are studying at the moment who are worried, or who have taken it and are struggling with passing. I took my NCLEX this past Wednesday, and I found out the next day that I PASSED! I got 75 questions, and just as everyone else on this site felt, I felt as if I failed. I graduated from my BSN in May, 2015, and gave myself a good week of not studying. I just slept and enjoyed life. Then, I made a full study plan based off of Kaplan, because my school incorporated Kaplan into our program since Sophomore year (we didnt have to pay for it, so Im not sure how much it costs for the full program). My study plan was written neatly in my planner, each day having different things to do. All together I did all of the trainers 1-7 with full remediation (filling up notebook pages with rationales). I also completed ALL Qbank questions with full remediation (mostly because I am OCD, it is recommended to do at least 90% of the Qbank). I completed sample tests 1-4 with full remediation (I did #4 twice because it was all alternative questions such as SATA).

I also completed the in person class in school for the whole month of May, as it was incorporated into our program. So I reviewed notes from this class. Kaplan book helped supplement knowledge and content that I needed to brush up on, as Kaplan tends to assume you know the knowledge and content already.

Now I want to talk about my scores. Basically, I did really crappy on half my Qbank (scores 48%-58%) or I did really well (60-66%). My overall Qbank average was around 52%. However, when I did these, I actually had 3 kids running around, and I was beyond tired. When I focused, I did well (never above 70%). When I was tired, I didnt do well (hense scheduling my NCLEX at 2:00 PM and not early AM). Your scores are not all as important as FULL AND IN DEPTH REMEDIATION! It is so so important to remediate and read every rationale, and It isnt boring if you know your stuff, in fact it gets better the more you practice. My last trainers were terribly long and boring but necessary, And i will be honest I only scored around 50%.

So DO NOT get nervous when reading on this site what people are scoring on Kaplan to pass the test, because I am an intelligent RN as well and I just dont do well when I am tired. Comment for questions as I am new to this site!

I know this seems extensive, however it is better to completely over study for a month than have to take it more than once or lose out on a job because of it. Also, keep in mind that while I was studying all of this, I was also nannying 3 kids full time during the week from 8am to 5pm as well as working 15 hours on the weekends at my medical scribe job (comment for questions about the scribe job, it is an amazing experience for nursing students!)

By the way, I am not trying to be rude AT ALL however I would prefer to not talk about what my questions were like on NCLEX as to not violate the laws and get my license revoked, however I would be happy to tell you how to prepare!

thank you guys and I hope this helps!

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Thanks! I completed the 4 day Kaplan class last week. I also have a Saunders content review book. Ive been getting in the 50's for trainers and 60's for trainers.

I take the NCLEX first time July 21st, really really nervous.

[SBecker3]

Good for you! If you can get access to the kaplan decision tree video or kaplan decision tree in the book, please read it! I was nervous too but my best advice is to not overthink questions. Dont stay on a question too long thinking "hey maybe it could be this answer." Try to be super calm if at all possible, use the noise cancelling headphones, and just focus on the computer. I took a break at 70 questions for soem water, and then went to sit back down pleasantly surprised to find that I only got 5 more questions. Prepare to sit through all 265! If you are not prepared, you will be in for a long day of unexpected questions if you end up going past the 75 be sure to deep breathe and dont look at anyone around you, take alot of short breaks, and dont spend too much time on one question.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I feel like my weakest areas are some content and of course medications.

[Nursemia05]

Congratulations to you! Thank you for the good advice

[SBecker3]

I wouldnt exactly focus on medications, I didnt study them at all! I had a few questions on them, but my strategy was to pick the worst possible thing that could happen taking any med! For instance, if the question is asking "The nurse gives ***, she knows that she needs to intervene immediately if ..."

a. photophobia

b. stomach ache

c. chills and flushed face

d. headache

you would obviously choose the worst complication. It helps to know the classes of meds but do not by any means put all your eggs in one basket for meds. They are important to know, but every unit has a list of common meds that you will know for your job and learn as you go. As for content, that can come with questions as well! I learned alot of content just through doing kaplan questions and remediation. Also, do NOT look things up while doing practice tests, because on the NCLEX you cannot look up things you dont know. Try to answer the question the best you can and look at rationales later on to learn that content. :) That what helped me best strategize how to answer questions, because NCLEX WILL give you things you may not know. Good luck!!