I'm so happy to see so many posts about passing the NCLEX!! I also JUST found out (officially!!) that I passed the nclex-rn in 75 (grueling, awful, mind-game-playing) questions!
Like most people I walked out of the test thinking...oh no, I don't even know what happened, what a blur, I FAILED!!! Honestly, this seems to be a natural reaction and pretty much expected! I did the PVT and got the good pop up and could not wait to see my beautiful license next to my name on my BON website.
While I studied I often checked this website but refused to join until I actually passed and became a real, live RN! I would get so freaked out reading some of the stories, but others made me feel better, like "I can do this!" My favorite thing was when people would post tips or relaxation strategies, ANYTHING to help me!
Sooooo, if you have passed, post THREE of the best tips/techniques/study habits/etc you can give to those out there waiting to take their test! Obviously not everything will work for everyone, but I figure this is a good way for people to consolidate some words of wisdom.
My personal advice that worked for me:
1)__ Do as many questions as you can handle in one day, until you get tired and need a REAL break. I would do 250-350 questions a day as the test got closer. People told me NOT to do this, but it is what worked for me! I got to the test and HONESTLY did not remember I was taking the NCLEX until question number 35! This will help you know what to expect on the test.
2)__ Don't change your study habits or test taking strategies right before the test! If you usually study for a nursing test by studying the day before...do it! I went over my notecards, did 100 questions and was done (more for the conditioning aspect of sitting and doing questions). ALSO, however you answer questions while you're practicing is the way you want to answer them on the test - do not suddenly decide to implement test taking strategies that you did not do before!
3)__ Review the procedures that occur BEFORE and DURING the test - this was really helpful! A lot of people told me that they got freaked out when they got to the testing center and had to get their palms read, fingerprints, pictures taken. Go here and watch the video at the bottom: http://www.pearsonvue.com/ppc/
Okay now for everyone elses advice!! (AH IM AN RN!!! STILL SINKING IN!!):redbeathe
I am a RN from Sweden who took my Nclex in June 10th and PASSED. I studied every day for 2 months and was well prepared when I went to London to take the test. I studied Saunders Comprehensive Review - Edition 4 from page 1 to page 1237 and found it to be a great book of knowledge within every area of nursing. And even though I have been working as a RN nurse for 14 years I still learned a LOT from that book, it was great. The questions in this book is about knowledge and are not similar to the real Nclex questions, but if you have knowledge you have a much better chance at choosing the right answer on Nclex. After reading through Saunders I studied Kaplans Nclex-RN 2010-2011 Edition to learn some strategies. These questions look pretty much the same as the real Nclex questions. But what I learned most from was a program called Nclex 4000 that I downloaded into my PC. In this program you can choose to take a test with 75 questions or 265 questions or any other number of questions for practice. Every question has a great explanation and rationale and I learned most from these explanations. I took sooo many notes from these explanations, and some of the topics actually came up on my Nclex exam. To learn how to think behind the question is what helped me the most. What do they want? It also helped that I have been working as a critical care nurse in ICU and postop for 8 years. Critical thinking and being able to prioritize is the KEY to success on your Nclex exam. When I took Nclex in London I found Pearson Vue to be a wonderful test center. I was never nervous and everything was so quiet and calming. I was prepared to take 265 questions and then have to hurry to the airport. I was surprised when the test ended at 75 questions and that is was so easy. But I still wasn´t sure if I had passed or not AND after that I had a boring day at the airport instead. I got my answer by mail 10 days later and I was so happy when I found out that I passed. So, if I can study and pass Nclex SO CAN YOU :yeah:.
BON or BRN? BRN well I would be surprised as not seen anyone post less than 3 days to see their name if BON or BVNPT then that will take several weeks because you have to wait for snail mail and instructions on how to pay for license before you will see name on website
well it was on the rn.ca.gov site 2 days after she took the exam and I was also confused as to how that happened...
I just took mine yesterday, did the PVT got a good pop up
112 Q's with 7 SATA
Go into the test expecting to take 265 questions
It got to my head after hitting 50-60 knowing that I didn't get that many SATA, by that time so I was expecting more than 75 questions and it decreased my confidence and increased my anxiety. From what I've read and heard, my friends and people that have posted that got 75 questions with a lot of SATA pass, so I had that mindset as long as I get 75 with a lot of SATA I know I passed and won't feel like a wreck like most people do
Just took the test yesterday and got the good pop up. I took the Kaplan class and have been doing their questions whenever I had time. I started a job as a graduate nurse a few weeks ago, so I've also been soaking up a lot of things from practical experience and from the classes they have us in. I also used Saunders book for content as well as the Kaplan book whenever I needed to review. I bought the Lacharity Priority, Delegation, and Assignment book as well as the Saunders Alternative format (really helped with SATA questions). I also got Mosby index cards to look through if I was out somewhere. I don't recommend doing over 150 questions a day, as you can get burned out. But you do what's right for you. If your test is next week and you haven't been doing any questions, then maybe you do need to do more. Only you know how prepared you are.
My test also shut off at 75 questions.
everyone is talking about "the good pop-up" , what is that?
:redbeathe
MJB2010
1,025 Posts
Thanks!!!!!