Testing in 2 weeks ~ all advice for preparation appreciated!

Nursing Students NCLEX

Updated:   Published

Hi All,

My (possibly) future job as an RN resident requires I be licensed as an RN by Jan 21st. So I am scheduled for the NLCEX on Jan. 15th!! :scrying: However I graduated mid-late December and I had to move back home, across the country which took up a week and a half. Given the holidays, I didn't get started on studying till Dec. 26th. As an RN BSN student I excelled in nursing school, but at this point I have forgotten some of the key med/surg I and Fundamentals basics. And OB & Peds developmental stages is a weak point of mine. I did score 92% and 95% on two exit HESI exams I took. So I feel at this point, the NCLEX could go either way for me.

I am wondering with the following resources, if anyone has advice or a good study plan. Right now I'm getting really panicked and overwhelmed by everything. I have

-Kaplan On Demand: (I have completed QT 1 with 67%, 2 Q Bank tests with 64, and 70, and Diagnostic Test with 70%). However I admit I did look a couple things up cause Kaplan emailed me and said with my short amount of time to prepare, its okay to just look it up.

-Saunders Yellow Book - Comprehensive Review: I know I need to review much of this book, its just so overwhelming. I took a 100 question test on the Saunders CD and scored 81. I have reviewed the first 8 chapters.

-LaCharity Priortization, Delegation etc: Did a Chapter out of there and did very well.

-Davis NCLEX RN Success: Its a great book but its enormous and I don't know if I have time for it.

So I'm trying to calm down and set a good study plan in the time I have left. It's very hard to focus cause I'm used to studying in my own place, with peace and quiet but my family is disruptive. Does anyone have any advice on how best to use my time in these remaining 2 weeks? If anyone is in a similar situation, I would love to support each other in these last few weeks. Thanks all in advance for your advice! wave.gif.f76ccbc7287c56e63c3d7e6d800ab6c

Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.

I took my boards yesterday with very little studying bc I moved and the holidays where around. I graduated December 14th and from that day to yesterday I did approx. 4-5 days of questions, that was it. The 2 sources that I found to be most helpful to me where: Charity's PDA question and answer book and the study guide from here.

I had 95Q and it stopped. I freaked out and came home and did the PVT and good the "good pop up". From all the stats taken here I think that means I passed :-) :-)

My test consisted of: 25-30 SATA, a ton of infection control, 15-20 prioritzation, 4 math, 3 pictures, 1 EKG strip, 4-5 exhibit and 3 therapeutic communication.

Ok.....I think that if you keep getting the SATA questions (which I guess is considered high, I don't know for sure) and your exam shuts off before 100 you can feel half way safe in knowing you passed. The exam will not stop soon if you are only answering the lower level questions correct (you will know the deference, I had maybe 6 easy questions total) the exam will keep going.

My advice is to please not kill yourself and cram. It wont make a difference. I see on here where ppl are studying 4-7 hrs everyday for weeks. Just do alot of practice questions and read the study guide on here and you will be fine ;-)

1 Votes

Would someone please email me the study guide being passed around on here. I would be very very grateful!!!! Taking NCLEX in about a week!

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.
nurse2b121212 said:
Would someone please email me the study guide being passed around on here. I would be very very grateful!! Taking NCLEX in about a week!

This thread here has the pdf of the study guide attached in the first post. It's a great study guide!

https://allnurses.com/NCLEX-RN-today-good-pop-studied-t461436/

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.

I got 80% on the QT 6!! I'm so excited...at the same time I don't feel like I get some of the questions and their rationales, which is not good. I'm gonna wrap up review Saunders Comprehensive Review and the Kaplan Q Bank with my remaining week. This evening its on to the QT 7 and some more Saunders. I am getting pretty burnt out, but I'm know I need to brush up on my endocrine and adult assessment in case I get those "Hot Spot" questions. Any thoughts?? :)

1 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
\ said:
I got 80% on the QT 6!! I'm so excited...at the same time I don't feel like I get some of the questions and their rationales, which is not good. I'm gonna wrap up review Saunders Comprehensive Review and the Kaplan Q Bank with my remaining week. This evening its on to the QT 7 and some more Saunders. I am getting pretty burnt out, but I'm know I need to brush up on my endocrine and adult assessment in case I get those "Hot Spot" questions. Any thoughts?? ?

You are ready!!

There are going to be rationales that may raise you eyebrows, but remember, this is NCLEX country. Take a break...celebrate, and brush up on endocrine and adult assessment just in case you get a hot spot question. Honestly, I can't even remember whether I got a hot spot question at all!! A lot if select all that apply, 2 math question...maybe one hit spot...I might be remembering the portion of the test where you get a chance to test out the alternative format LOL..the NCLEX is still a blur for me, even after taking it over 6 months ago! ?

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Thanks Maria!!! You're the best!

1 Votes
\ said:
Hi All,

My (possibly) future job as an RN resident requires I be licensed as an RN by Jan 21st. So I am scheduled for the NLCEX on Jan. 15th!! :scrying: However I graduated mid-late December and I had to move back home, across the country which took up a week and a half. Given the holidays, I didn't get started on studying till Dec. 26th. As an RN BSN student I excelled in nursing school, but at this point I have forgotten some of the key med/surg I and Fundamentals basics. And OB & Peds developmental stages is a weak point of mine. I did score 92% and 95% on two exit HESI exams I took. So I feel at this point, the NCLEX could go either way for me.

I am wondering with the following resources, if anyone has advice or a good study plan. Right now I'm getting really panicked and overwhelmed by everything. I have

-Kaplan On Demand: (I have completed QT 1 with 67%, 2 Q Bank tests with 64, and 70, and Diagnostic Test with 70%). However I admit I did look a couple things up cause Kaplan emailed me and said with my short amount of time to prepare, its okay to just look it up.

-Saunders Yellow Book - Comprehensive Review: I know I need to review much of this book, its just so overwhelming. I took a 100 question test on the Saunders CD and scored 81. I have reviewed the first 8 chapters.

-LaCharity Priortization, Delegation etc: Did a Chapter out of there and did very well.

-Davis NCLEX RN Success: Its a great book but its enormous and I don't know if I have time for it.

So I'm trying to calm down and set a good study plan in the time I have left. It's very hard to focus cause I'm used to studying in my own place, with peace and quiet but my family is disruptive. Does anyone have any advice on how best to use my time in these remaining 2 weeks? If anyone is in a similar situation, I would love to support each other in these last few weeks. Thanks all in advance for your advice! wave.gif.f76ccbc7287c56e63c3d7e6d800ab6c

I didn't study at all..the fact is how can you study for the NCLEX? It is such a broad test..my nursing program made sure we knew how to answer NCLEX world questions...as long as you know what they are asking, you should be able to critically think and chose the best answer...remember usually they are all right, but which is the best right answer for the question. I took the LPN and the RN NCLEX and had the minimum amount of questions for both tests...if you know your A&P and how the body/drug works then you should be able to answer any and all questions they throw at you. My advice: arrive early to the center, eat some protein for breakfast or lunch (depending on when your test is), dress warm and comfortable and do not stress...you have been studying for two years..you should know it...good luck and I'm sure you will pass.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.

Thank you all so much for the advice, I really appreciate!! :) I am still worried because for the Kaplan Qs I miss, I don't understand at all, why they select some of the answers - the whole multiple right answers thing gets me. Right now, I have 27 Saunders chapters left to go (have completed 50 chapters thus far haha) and I'm going to take the Kaplan Practice NCLEX that is being offered free today at 7pm Eastern time. Still have yet to do Question Trainer 7 cause its just such a grueling, intimidatingly long thing that I'm scared to begin it. Saving the Readiness Test till Saturday. Yikes I hope I pass, but I'm so glad to have the support of everyone here on AllNurses.

1 Votes
Maria L, BSN said:
Thank you all so much for the advice, I really appreciate!! ? I am still worried because for the Kaplan Qs I miss, I don't understand at all, why they select some of the answers - the whole multiple right answers thing gets me. Right now, I have 27 Saunders chapters left to go (have completed 50 chapters thus far haha) and I'm going to take the Kaplan Practice NCLEX that is being offered free today at 7pm Eastern time. Still have yet to do Question Trainer 7 cause its just such a grueling, intimidatingly long thing that I'm scared to begin it. Saving the Readiness Test till Saturday. Yikes I hope I pass, but I'm so glad to have the support of everyone here on AllNurses.

On Kaplan in the toolbox there is a chance to take 27 Alternate style questions most are SATA 2 are hot spot and I think one is fill in the blank try it out

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm getting so frustrated with the Kaplan Hot Spot questions - I am less then a hair's breath away from their silly hot spot every single time practically, and they claim I miss it. I hope the NCLEX is just a bit broader and more reasonable!

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.

Ugh...I have to vent a bit. Just took a Q Bank test and got 58% on it ...my Q Bank average is now down to 66%. And I have yet to do QT 7 cause I am so nervous. My nerves are really getting to me cause I have a dream job on the line (I have to pass the 1st time to keep it) and I just broke down and started weeping in front of my family. I feel so bad with only 4 days to go - still 17 chapters of Saunders to review, plus working on the La Charity book. My stomach is in knots and my heart is heavy. Any thoughts or advice...I wish I had way to magically know this will all turn out okay. :(

1 Votes
Maria L, BSN said:
Ugh...I have to vent a bit. Just took a Q Bank test and got 58% on it ...my Q Bank average is now down to 66%. And I have yet to do QT 7 cause I am so nervous. My nerves are really getting to me cause I have a dream job on the line (I have to pass the 1st time to keep it) and I just broke down and started weeping in front of my family. I feel so bad with only 4 days to go - still 17 chapters of Saunders to review, plus working on the La Charity book. My stomach is in knots and my heart is heavy. Any thoughts or advice...I wish I had way to magically know this will all turn out okay. :(

I know exactly how your feeling I have broken down and starting crying the other day because of all the pressure with making family proud and a job on the line but then... I prayed! And it really does help my anxiety has simmered down so much over the past few days and I know whatever He has in store for us will be for our best interest.. I believe that you will be great! We have only 4 days left yes but don't over work your mind to a point where it will be fried on Tuesday! I've been doing the Qbank as well last night I got a 60% on one and you know at this point I'm okay with that lol remember that passing line and what Kaplan says about it is how I look at it lol but I know we don't want to just be the minimum. Take a little break and then get back to study YOU CAN DO THIS! ;)

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