studying for nclex-rn...where to go from here?

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first, you all on this forum are AWESOME! i decided to join allnurses.com because every time i googled something about nclex, it came to this forum! you all are so supportive, and i've really enjoyed some of the things you've written in the past. maybe you can help me!

i'm going absolutely crazy! my test is wednesday, june 9th, and i've been studying for the past 3 weeks (past 2 weeks really hardcore). i'm just really, really nervous, like most everyone on this forum.

i took the kaplan review course in 4 days, right before graduation, and that's exclusively what i've been using to study. before i graduated, i answered almost all of the book questions out of saunders Q&A and comprehensive review. it was difficult for me to balance multiple sources for content review and questions after graduation, so i stuck with kaplan.

the last week of may, i really focused on studying content review, and i read the book front to back. so i'm all done with that.

i've finished the Qbank (today! hooray!), and i've reviewed every single question i've taken in the Qbank. i've taken notes on things i either got wrong or need to study/remember better, and i plan to review those notes and go back through the content to reinforce my knowledge. here are my scores for the Qbank...

all Qbank question: 66%

safe and effective care: 67%

management of care: 63%

safety and infection control: 70%

health promotion and maintenance: 60%

psychosocial integrity: 72%

physiological integrity: 65%

basic care and comfort: 63%

pharmacological/parenteral therapies: 66%

physiological adaptation: 58%

reduction of risk potential: 72%

Qbank tests in order of taking them: 64%, 44%, 60%, 64%, 70%, 65%, 70%, 64%, 64%, 55%, 56%, 64%, 58%, 58%, 78%, 66%, 66%, 74%, 70%, 70%, 72%, 68%, 74%, 66%, 76%, and 74%.

i've also done the diagnostic test, readiness test, and 5 question trainers; i have not, however, reviewed these questions. i took question trainers 1 through 5 during the last two weeks in may, when i was hitting the content review really hard. my Qbank scores have improved after completing the content review, as you can see...

diagnostic test: 63%

question trainer 1: 60%

question trainer 2: 61%

question trainer 3: 60%

question trainer 4: 63%

question trainer 5: 64%

readiness test: 63%

so that's what i've done to study for this monster thus far. where do i go from here? i will be taking question trainers 6 and 7 within the next couple of days, all in one sitting. i also need to take the 3 sample tests and the alternate item format questions (i think there are 35). besides that, what should i do?

-review all of the question trainers that i haven't reviewed?

-focus on studying content where i'm weak?

-utilize the notes i took from the Qbank and look things up in the content review?

-re-take the questions from the Qbank that i got wrong?

-re-take the entire Qbank?

-focus on medications (where i feel pretty weak...)?

-anything else that i didn't think of?

two weeks ago, i didn't feel very confident at all in my ability to pass, because my question trainer scores weren't very good, and i didn't feel like i had a good grasp on content review or what the questions were wanting to know. even earlier this week, i didn't feel confident.

in these past couple of days in finishing up the Qbank, i seem to be more confident (transiently...i'll be confident for a minute, but then i start to panic and i start to think that i won't pass). and that confidence kind of scares me... i don't want to be over-confident. i want to maximize my time before the test and use it as wisely as possible and do the most i can.

can you tell that my brain is all over the place? i just need a little direction... i also plan to relax on tuesday night (the night before the test).

is anyone in the same boat? or has anyone been in the same boat and passed? any thoughts or suggestions would be really appreciated! thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

:uhoh3:

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

What about doing 60 questions a day timed to one hour, you should get 65% or better. If you are getting this, you are ready.

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Practice your relaxation techniques the day prior and good luck!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

Couple days before your test go out and have some fun.

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i am taking mine june 8 and have been stujdying since may 14...im a nervous wreck!

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Specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

You'll be fine. I felt horrible going into NCLEX and horrible coming out. I took the kaplan course and my scores were similar to yours on the Qbanks. I passed NCLEX 3 weeks later with 75 questions... didn't feel like it at the time, I got to the parking lot and cried for 20 minutes... not even kidding. I was told by several people that you'll will never feel ready for NCLEX and for me, they weren't lying. Just review what you feel like you need too and don't do anything the day before the test. Let your mind rest. Good luck :)

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thank you, everyone for all of your help! i don't feel like i'm missing the mark tooooo much; hopefully i'm doing the right things!

shopaholic, i'll be thinking of you! good luck! i know you'll do fine! :)

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I am waiting to schedule my test and am so nervous! I have been doing practice questions, reading the threads on here and also studying Saunders..hope this is enough. Good Luck to all :)

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Im also getting ready for the NCLEX for the 3rd time. I already finished the Saunders Compre Book and Im into the Hurst review online. I am working full time (40 hrs) and after work I study. I am right now doing Q&A. Your scores are high, mine are really on the 50-55%. :(

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Goodluck to us all! :up:

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