Studying Regimen

1976RU · Jul 4, 2008

My experience and reading suggests a rigorous schedule of 100 questions per day ( doing questions with reading rationales is supposed to be a better use of time than straight reading). My students tell me that 100 questions per day is a whole day affair and no one in my experience has accomplished this goal but in trying to do so they have done many more questions than they would have done otherwise. The more questions done, the more prep and the greater the likelihood of success. Hope this helps!

sophisticated49 · Jul 4, 2008

You know, i really don't think there is a great preparation for this test. I do tons of questions a day and read a lot. Not really sure how much. I did the same the 1st attempt at the test but still did not pass. However, i have a friend that did not study a bit until 2 days before the test we got together and did about 200 or so questions. Just 2 days of doing questions, no other preparation for her and she passed with 75q and she was not the smartest person in our class at all. Like i stated i studied, read, did questions for hrs almost every night when i tested the 1st time but still didn't pass. So I honestly think it's luck of the draw. Not trying at all to discourage you I will continue to do questions every night and read, so I think it might be helpful to you. I think a big part of this test is to not be scared or nervous about it. My friend (who didn't study much) said she wasn't nervous one bit. However, i was so nervous and scared i thought i was going to have a nervous breakdown. But Good Luck to you and you do what you think will help you best!!! Im continuing to do questions.

nursemich · Jul 4, 2008

i study when i'm in the mood. when i feel tired, i stop then log here, in allnurses and read the posts of others to motivate me and resume after i have rested.

i made sure that i answer at least 50 questions a day and focus on the rationale especially when i got it wrong, i also note it down. when i have a lot of time, i would answer 200 questions. i believe that practice makes perfect. i'm really positive right now that i will pass. they say that this is how the attitude should be when you want to pass... though im also ready for disappointments but confidence is what i really need right now so i set aside those thoughts for the moment.

1976RU · Jul 4, 2008

Creating a specific prep plan focuses efforts. That's why I like NCSBN program because it has a focus. so it becomes guided effort instead of random effort. Also, attitude and anxiety play a big part. i have had students who came into our NCLEX practice session with great school success but had 2 things that needed to be changed before we could begin our program and these things were attitude and stress management. That's why i'm looking for a short, practical workshop for my students on these issues. I find that unless students can control anxiety during the test, they tend to do a couple self-defeating things such as say to themselves "I just want to get this over with." ( the kiss of death because then they forget or reject the use of the question analysis techniques we taught them) or just decide ( against our instructions) to just pick an answer that "looks" or "feels right/ familiar-( also techniques we advise against). Belief and confidence are the two components I would suggest students specifically add to their prep as well as the question bank practice and study rationales of questions gotten wrong during practice. Hope this helps.

CrystalClear75, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2008

how long do you study per day? it depends, sometimes i go a few weeks without studying, sometimes i'll study for 12 straight hours. i'm trying to stay on track and study everyday for at least 4 hours from here on out though.

how many question per day do you get done? my plan for now is to do about 50-75 questions from my cd per day(saunders/nclex 4000) and read the saunder's book. i already completed the kaplan q bank and wrote down what i got wrong(which is time consuming let me tell ya) so i do want to go over infection control and delegation from the videos again, and finish the q bank....i'm throwing that within my study plan.

reading vs doing questions....which is better. in my opinion, i believe doing both is good and maybe after the content is read, question after question is the way to go.

nursinggal_2 · Jul 4, 2008

i took my boards on july 2 and just found out i passed. i studied for about a week and a half. i did questions from saunders 4th edition and exam cram rn (mainly saunders-i wasn't as impressed with exam cram). i didn't do as many as i could have probably 100 per day or so. i also did some questions out of a prioritization, assigment, delegation book i had. while i was doing the questions, i would also look up the ones i missed to kind of refresh myself on that material. i got 75 questions on the nclex. they were all prioritization, delegation and select all that apply. i didn't get any calculations or what i would consider "basic" questions (but who knows what they consider basic) and it took me around an hour to complete. just remember everyone has a different test. it is "adaptive" to you. keep your confidence up and know that you are doing all you can to prepare. and remember, sometimes you can over study as well and burn yourself out before you even get to the actual test so treat yourself well and listen to your body and mind when it says it's time for a break. this test is not impossible it is just different. it can be passed! and it feels wonderful seeing the word pass online! my teachers said it best when they told us not to worry about the number of questions we get because as long as we are getting them, we are still in the game. it just means the computer hasn't determined if we are going to be safe nurses yet! good luck and i hope everyone keeps us updated on the results!:heartbeat