I wanted to make sure it was offical before I wrote this post.. On Friday Jan 20th 2012, I tested for the last time. My 6th time. And I passed with 75 questions in less than an hour.. I've posted on here a few times, looking for advice, giving advice, complaining, crying.. And now I couldn't wait to write this post to maybe help others.
Every other time I took this test I never did horrible (either 265 questions or in the 200's) so I knew I was just missing something. I also had a lot of things going on in my life and for whatever reason, I didn't truly commit to studying like I did this time.
1. I changed my attitude and the way I did things. I became so focused even my dad said I was in a different zone. I studied day in and day out, every possible minute I could for about 3 months.
2. I've used Kaplan in the past, obviously didn't work for me. I truly believe you can pass this test by using different resources and not spending $500 on a review class. I used
--Saunders 5th Edition - read the whole book and did as many questions as I could on the CD.
--Exam Cram - read the whole book and did all the practice tests along with looked up online older versions and did those tests.
-- Lippincott Q&A - did a few practice tests but I didn't really like this book and it didn't help me that much.
-- The LaCharity book - awesome book. Helped so much when taking the Nclex. Did all the questions on the CD though that it came with.
-- Made flash cards of things I didn't know including lab values and meds.
-- Saunders Strategies - didn't really help, more of a book for people who have never seen the Nclex before.
-- NCLEX 4000 ... the BEST source I think. I felt like the nclex was most like this and I flew through the questions on Nclex because I felt like I was just doing another practice test.
-- Allnurses.. You guys are awesome! I've went through the Random Fact throwing thread and also have been sent many other great reveiw threads. Thank you so much to everyone who has posted, responded to me, and just gave words of encouragement. This is truly a wonderful thread!
3. I prayed ALOT. I'm not a very religious person but I started to believe and have faith in myself that I was capable of passing this test and I walked in that room ready to pass. I draw RN after my name on pieces of paper and left them around my room. The day of the test on the white board all I wrote was "I can do this". I NEVER said that any other time that I tested. I knew in my heart this was the time for me.
The key is to do THOUSANDS of practice questions. I would say I at least did 5,000 questions (with repeats in the mix). I had a ton of SATA and I was HAPPY to see them because I knew I was doing good. I prayed to get 75 questions and I did. I felt so confident when I left that room.
This test really isn't out there to trick you, it is actually pretty straight forward and if you prepare like I did this time then theres no way you can fail. And if you do, try try again. Never give up!!
