So how long did you study before taking the NCLEX?

dmv0309 · Jun 5, 2006

I also feel like I dont know anything. Its such a horrible feeling. I am waiting for my ATT so I can schedule my test. When you are doing questions what percentage is a good percentage to get? I know the boards are not a percentage test but how do you know if you are doing well?

Thanks

Denise

:angryfire WAITING FOR MY ATT:angryfire

crzmomof3boys · Jun 5, 2006

I am taking boards on june21 in ohio. and let me tell you no matter how much I study, and read what other people write about thier experiences, it only leads me to believe that I am screwed! lol if it's not for the lack of knowing the correct answer, then its the lack of having self confidence.

andre · Jun 6, 2006

I graduated last May. When I got my ATT, I scheduled myself for the first available test date: June 7th. I studied for about 10 days, and in that time I studied exclusively from Saunders. I forget how I broke it down, but I tried to do an equal amount each day and finished all the questions.

Oh, and I passed with 75 questions!

good luck to all the new grads testing soon!

Andrea

RNSuzq1, RN · Jun 6, 2006

Hi All,

My Class graduated on May 19th and I've only heard about one person in class that's received thier ATT (not sure what the hold up is). I've heard that once you get the ATT, it can take several weeks at least before you get a test date.

A group of us paid for a week long NCLEX Review course at school the week after graduation. There were students from other schools and most already had test dates for this week and next, so for them - the Review Course was probably very helpful. But for those in my class who probably won't be testing until late June, early July, it was a waste of time and money - because to me - you want to Review Course very close to the time you take the test, not a month or more before-hand. It was pretty pitiful - started out with about 35 people in class on Monday and there were only 6 of us left on Friday - a lot of people said they could study better on their own.

I don't plan on anymore serious studying until I get my ATT - then studying will be all I do until I take the NCLEX (I need it fresh in my little brain)... I wish you all well with the Boards... Sue

mariedoreen · Jun 7, 2006

NCLEX prep is all about answering question after question after question IMO. Saunders, Kaplan, NCSBN's review course questions... whatever. Just answer one after another. Read the rationales and review when something stumps you and you feel you need more info. You've already spent 2 years studying, now you just need practice answering their weird questions. My personal goal when answering questions was to get at least 70%.

Adria, RN · Nov 2, 2006

I took the NCLEX 2 months after I graduated...I studied for about 2 weeks, doing about 200 questions each day and looking up anything that I did not remember (if it was mentioned in those questions). It worked for me and I passed without months of doing review questions. Keep in mind though that in the last year of school I did about 4000 questions from MedsPub online -- these were required by my school in order to graduate.

aying · Nov 22, 2007

3 months here and was betrayed by the love of my life :uhoh3:

aying · Nov 22, 2007

I also feel like I dont know anything. Its such a horrible feeling. I am waiting for my ATT so I can schedule my test. When you are doing questions what percentage is a good percentage to get? I know the boards are not a percentage test but how do you know if you are doing well?
Thanks
Denise
:angryfire WAITING FOR MY ATT:angryfire

I followed the NCSBN module and studied on my own. I read Saunders Comprehensive, used it as an outline, and textbooks. I set an 80% pass rate for 100 items and 75% for 265-items. I used Saunders CD for 100-item tests, & Lippincott for 265-items. After 3 months, I knew in my heart I was ready... Took & passed the exam last June in 50 minutes...

aying · Nov 22, 2007

NCLEX prep is all about answering question after question after question IMO. Saunders, Kaplan, NCSBN's review course questions... whatever. Just answer one after another. Read the rationales and review when something stumps you and you feel you need more info. You've already spent 2 years studying, now you just need practice answering their weird questions. My personal goal when answering questions was to get at least 70%.

I agree. When I started reviewing for NCLEX I was surprised by the diseases that we never discussed in 4 years of nursing school (Colle's, Paget's, etc...) I never let go of these new terms & made sure I can explain the disease process before I let go.

gnats · Nov 29, 2007

I followed the NCSBN module and studied on my own. I read Saunders Comprehensive, used it as an outline, and textbooks. I set an 80% pass rate for 100 items and 75% for 265-items. I used Saunders CD for 100-item tests, & Lippincott for 265-items. After 3 months, I knew in my heart I was ready... Took & passed the exam last June in 50 minutes...

NCSBN module? plz explain.....thanks

SkeenRN · Jun 1, 2010

Not to frighten anyone, but I studied 4 hours for the NCLEX and passed with 78 questions.......I took it about 10 days after graduation. I got my ATT and took it 4 days later. I really don't think studying would have made me any more prepared....

meemer · Jun 1, 2010

I took the NCLEX almost a month after I finished classes. My goal was to read the entire Saunders book to ensure that I'd be adequately prepared but never took the time to do it. I realized that doing practice questions rather than reading the text had always helped me the most when preparing for exams so I tried to do about 100-200 Saunders questions per day the week before my test date. Passed with 75 questions! I agree with SkeenRN...I wouldn't have been any more prepared if I spent more time studying.