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!!
That is awesome that you never have given up and you passed NCLEX. What was your structure/outline that you used to study by. How did yo structure your day and week..? With NCLEX 4000 can you please let me know where you purchased it from and what was the best book you used for calculations. I'm somewhat in the same situation and have faith that I WILL pass NCLEX..
I'm taking it Feb 8th at 2pm....thanks, I will practice more sata qs bc it seems a lot of plp that passed boards have been getting plenty of those. yes !!! we can NCLEX IS NOTHING BUT A TEST...I've through harder stuff than this...
That is awesome that you never have given up and you passed NCLEX. What was your structure/outline that you used to study by. How did yo structure your day and week..? With NCLEX 4000 can you please let me know where you purchased it from and what was the best book you used for calculations. I'm somewhat in the same situation and have faith that I WILL pass NCLEX..
Thanks
Thank you very much! You will pass NCLEX too, I promise, as long as you never give up! It's crazy what this test does to us and the effect that it has on our lives... But at the end of the day its a test and I think we are all capable of passing it!! I bought NCLEX 4000 from Amazon, however I have seen it online for free that you can download. I worked a little with NCLEX 3500 and found that they have some of the same questions. I pretty much sat at my computer at least 6 hours a day doing questions. I thought NCLEX 4000 was most like the real NCLEX and it made me feel so comfortable when I sat down to test because I felt like I was just doing another practice test. You can select different categories to study or do practice tests in and I would just mix it up. I can't remember what my first question on the NCLEX was to save my life, but I remember being like "wow I know the answer!" and it calmed my nerves sooo much! I have HUGE test anxiety and I actually felt confident when I tested. I would do questions in the morning and night and review the rationales usually of the ones I just got wrong and I would study my notes in between. Luckly I take care of my niece during the day so I've been fortunate to be able to stay home. Studying for this test has really been like a full time job!!
quick qs.....for how long di you study for the last exam...i know you mentioned sitting down for a total of six hours doing practice qs on the NCLEX 4000...but for how many days? how lond before taking the your final NCLEX? i just want to get an idea bc i been studying for a month this time around...and im taking it in 14 days ...thanks
quick qs.....for how long di you study for the last exam...i know you mentioned sitting down for a total of six hours doing practice qs on the NCLEX 4000...but for how many days? how lond before taking the your final NCLEX? i just want to get an idea bc i been studying for a month this time around...and im taking it in 14 days ...thanks
Congratulations!!!!! This is so what I needed to read!! I just took NCLEX RN for the second time today and failed with 265 ?s just like I did the first time, except this time I used Kaplan which I thought I was doing good with it and understood it but I guess not! I was so upset when I kept getting questions and very few SATA because I knew what that meant but I tried to stick with it and pull myself out of the gutter but still failed. I will do as you suggest because it sounds like this NCLEX 4000 has helped a lot of people and it never hurts to do tons of questions. Thanks for you inspiration and I'm so happy that you passed!!!!!!
quick qs.....for how long di you study for the last exam...i know you mentioned sitting down for a total of six hours doing practice qs on the NCLEX 4000...but for how many days? how lond before taking the your final NCLEX? i just want to get an idea bc i been studying for a month this time around...and im taking it in 14 days ...thanks
I studied about 6 hours a day 6 days a week for about 3 months! It was my full time job to study for this test! Good Luck!
Congratulations!!!!! This is so what I needed to read!! I just took NCLEX RN for the second time today and failed with 265 ?s just like I did the first time, except this time I used Kaplan which I thought I was doing good with it and understood it but I guess not! I was so upset when I kept getting questions and very few SATA because I knew what that meant but I tried to stick with it and pull myself out of the gutter but still failed. I will do as you suggest because it sounds like this NCLEX 4000 has helped a lot of people and it never hurts to do tons of questions. Thanks for you inspiration and I'm so happy that you passed!!!!!!
Thank you very much. And believe me, I know what it feels like to fail and it's a horrible feeling. Please don't give up because you can do this!!! I did Kaplan twice also, once all online and the second time I did the virtual classroom. While some people swear by it, it just didn't do it for me. I found that doing tons of questions from multiple sources really helped. I LOVED NCLEX4000 and would suggest that as the #1 tool to use. Thank you again and Good Luck!!
NCLEX IS NOTHING BUT A TEST...I've through harder stuff than this....thumb.jpg.d9985e1a3864a278470dd17d4a8b29fe.jpg){kind=small}
ihealRN
27 Posts
Congrats Rita..!!
That is awesome that you never have given up and you passed NCLEX. What was your structure/outline that you used to study by. How did yo structure your day and week..? With NCLEX 4000 can you please let me know where you purchased it from and what was the best book you used for calculations. I'm somewhat in the same situation and have faith that I WILL pass NCLEX..
Thanks