Taking the NCLEX the 2nd time... Any last minute tips?

[d0r0thyy]

I took my NCLEX in June and failed after 75 questions. I was so upset ): After a few days, I picked myself up, made a study plan, and really put myself back to work. The first time that I did it, I only did KAPLAN. I took the class, all the trainers, and 86% of the qbank questions. I was scoring pretty average on most of the trainers and qbank questions (50 q's at a time). After realizing that I needed more content review...I bought the Saunders book, LaCharity, borrowed HURST audio chapters from a friend, and borrowed a friend's Kaplan log-in for the qbank questions.

I went through the whole Saunders book, LaCharity, HURST audio reviews, and most of the qbank. I've been doing 50-250 questions a day along with reading chapters out of Saunders and answering the questions at the end of each chapter. After doing much of the comprehensive review, I've been scoring much higher on Kaplan's trainers and qbank questions.

My test is on Wednesday and I am just so terrified again. I have the worst test taking anxiety and guess I just need some encouragement :/ ANY advice would be beneficial (:

[RN-joy]

i took my exam yesterday and the anxiety was killing me before, during, and after! i know you're anxious but try to calm yourself down and think only good thoughts. you sound like you prepared a lot better this time and have a good understanding to answer the questions. you've also seen the test before so you know what kind of questions to expect. i was a nervous wreck the two days before my exam and crying uncontrollably. even though i had planned to study as much as i could until the last minute, i realized that i wouldn't remember anything anyways with how anxious i was and quit studying then and there

if it makes yourself feel better to study, do that. but i think it is a really good idea to take the day before to work on getting all your anxiety out so you walk in the next day ready. also kaplan recommends getting at least 60s on their tests so it's good if you're around that ballpark

something that helped me on test day also was just to remember that it is just a test. a very important one...but still its just a test. you wouldn't have made it through nursing school if you weren't cut out for this. i read on someone else's post too that they went in and pretended the exam was just another kaplan practice test and that helped as well

goodluck!! you can do it!! just keep saying that to yourself

[dbrenda1510]

I test on Wednesday as well. It will be my third time. I have prepared as much as possible. The next few days I plan to review labs, med math, some common diseases and keep prayers flowing. Tuesday afternoon I am going to try and just relax. You and I are going to pass on Wednesday and become the nurses God called us to be. Believe in yourself. Once you are working as a RN you will be a blessing to so many and that's really what it's all about. God is with you every step of the way. Remember He brought us this far and He is going to see us through. We will do this! I will be praying for you.

[NurseMama2014]

I totally understand how you're feeling. I'm retaking mine on Tuesday and I feel the same way...completely terrified. I'm doing Kaplan now both content and questions. I didn't use a program like Kaplan the first time so I'm hoping it makes a difference this time. Best of luck to you!

[d0r0thyy]

Ahh! Thank you guys so much! I'm planning to just review this weekend and take it easy Monday and especially Tuesday. I'll be taking a hike on Monday to hopefully clear my mind haha but thanks for the words of encouragement & prayers (: It really does help!