Take your time or pace yourself consistently?

Goldenhare · Jun 27, 2006

Just my opinion, but if you are slow on tests, then GO SLOW! Read each question and take time to think "Do I understand what the question is asking me??" Then answer. Me-almost 3 hours-75 questions-PASS!. My friend, who is also slow as molasses, took about the same amount of time-75 questions-PASS. The more questions that you answer correctly, the quicker the test ENDS! Though I panicked the whole time thinking that I should pick up the pace, and that I would run out of time if I got all the questions! But I don't regret going slow and steady.

Just a clarification. You will not get all 265 questions unless you are not answering enough of the questions correctly. The NCLEX does not assign an arbitrary amount of questions to each candidate. Each question is weighted. Basically, the more questions that you answer correctly, early on, the faster the test will end. The more questions you answer incorrectly, the more questions you will get because the computer is trying to give you a chance, essentially to redeem your self and demonstrate "entry level competency". Hope this helps you devise a strategy. The test is not about how fast you can go, it is about the acuracy of your answers. GOOD LUCK! Let us know how it goes!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

Thanks, that's good to know. But since you're another slow-mo you know why I'm worried. I'm one of the last people out of the testing room all the time, and that's always been fine by me as long as I actually finish in the required time. It's just that since I DON'T know how many questions I'll get I'm a little jumpy about that.

I will be careful and not rush, that's for sure. I guess if I am still working away and it's 150 questions and I've been at it four hours, I'll step it up as I need!

:)

Goldenhare · Jun 27, 2006

YES! I totally understand! I have always been the last person in the testing romm my ENTIRE educational life! And I ALWAYS got grief for it. My med surg instructor tried to intimidate me by saying that in the "real world' I would not have the time to 'take my time' (I guess she thinks its a picnic to be the last one in the testing room and to walk out into a hallway of peers and hassles about being slow.) But I am working as a nurse now and it is hard at time to go at an efficient pace but one that I can think clearly at-does that make sense? But if I make a mistake, almost ANY mistake, then my patient is at risk and I become a liability. So slow and sready does it for me. I'm the one who has to answer for it. You are absolutely right. If you go past say 125 questions, then try to pick up the pace a bit. But if you understand the questions and apply MASLOW, MASLOW AND MASLOW, then you will be out of there and have the last laugh on your class mates, as my friend Kelly and I did-the slowest 2 test takers in the class, and the heck with that med surg teacher-she's wrong.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

I just took my nclex pn today. It took me 1.5 hours to do 85 questions and if you knew me that is slow. I was always one of the first ones finished on exams. But with the nclex I took my time and I am praying it payed off!!!

BLUEVIOLET · Jun 27, 2006

I took my NCLEX-RN last June 16. I almost used up the max hours, 6 hours for NCLEX-RN only that the computer shut off at 263 with 20 mins remaining. I was been told to answer each item within a minute. But I didn't do that. I took my time and it was all worth it. So, it's up to you how long you have to think for each item. In case you run out, you will be graded on your last 60 items.

God bless

crisgom · Jun 28, 2006

I would say try not to take too much time early on your exam for the same reason that you don't know how many question you will get. I run off time because I was too slow at the beginning trying to get the question right. I took the whole 6 hours and I was at 218 questions. I have always been the very last one in finishing exams, but never thought this would happen. I feel like I would have passed if I had more time to finish the exam.

You are the best to judge whether you are going slow, too slow, or a good pace.

Sorry to tell this, but I wouldn't want anybody to get out of the testing center feeling the way I did.

Good luck to you, stay calm and believe you cand do it.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

Thanks everyone :) I know I'm going to go slow whether I plan to or not but at least I feel more encouraged.

I started doing the Kaplan Question Trainer tests and have used up most of the time, but still had some left, so I can't be THAT slow!

Curious: does the NCLEX timer show a countdown of how much time you have LEFT or does it show how much time you've USED? I find it way more helpful to tell me how much time I've used, so I can see where I am easier. Anyone remember?

ShellGVSU · Jun 29, 2006

Thanks everyone :) I know I'm going to go slow whether I plan to or not but at least I feel more encouraged.
I started doing the Kaplan Question Trainer tests and have used up most of the time, but still had some left, so I can't be THAT slow!
Curious: does the NCLEX timer show a countdown of how much time you have LEFT or does it show how much time you've USED? I find it way more helpful to tell me how much time I've used, so I can see where I am easier. Anyone remember?

Took the NCLEX today it tells you how much time you have left.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2006

Took the NCLEX today it tells you how much time you have left.

Drat. I don't think backwards:)

Thanks!