Took the NCLEX June 2016 and Passed in 75 Questions!

Published Jul 12, 2016

6 Posts

I just wanted to share my experience in studying and taking the NCLEX!

I finished Nursing school May 9, 2016, officially graduated June 3, got my ATT on June 9 and took the NCLEX on June 22, 2016, obtaining my RN license. I took 3 weeks off from studying once school was done and I studied for 3 weeks leading up to the exam, beginning May 31.

First I did an intense 4 hour review course with a local tutor. He covered basic content, nothing Pedi/Maternity related. Per his recommendation, I used the online Saunders qbank for two weeks. For the first week of studying, I did 75 questions every other day. These 75 questions were done in one session, on exam mode, covering all content, so that I had to wait until the exam was over to see the answers. On the days I didn't take a practice test, I wrote down all of the rationales to the questions I got wrong, and rationales for any questions I got right because I guessed, but didn't truly know the content. The second and third weeks of studying, I did an exam every day of 75 questions (covering all content), still going through all the rationales and writing them down. Some days I did 2-75 question exams. The final week of studying, I paid for UWorld and used its qbank for a week, doing 75 questions every day and still writing out the rationales. Every day of those three weeks of studying, I spent 3-6 hours either taking an exam, writing out rationales or reviewing content. I also used the Saunders review book to brush up on content like Pedi/Maternity or anything else that I felt I needed to review. IMO, Saunders qbank and review book is great for content, but UWorld is the best for qbank. UWorld is formatted exactly like the NCLEX and the rationales are thorough and fantastic.

I scheduled my NCLEX in the afternoon, so that I could take the morning to relax. I reviewed some lab values the morning of, but other than that, I tried to enjoy the day. I went for a run to get rid of nervous energy.

Honestly, no matter how "prepared" you feel, nothing fully prepares you for the NCLEX. You're not supposed to know everything and the test is just looking for minimum competency in a new graduate RN. The exam was difficult and definitely makes you think, but it certainly wasn't impossible. However, when the computer shut off at 75 questions, I panicked! I wasn't sure if I passed with flying colors or failed horribly. The time spent waiting for results is definitely the worst! About half of the 75 questions were SATA, there was only one alternate format question and no med calculation. It took me about an hour to complete the 75 questions.

Regarding the new Pearson Vue Trick: I waited until after 8:00pm that night and I tried the new PVT for the first time. I went through the entire registration process and at the end, when it asks for credit card information, I put in my correct card number but changed the expiration date. I got the "good" pop-up, saying that according to their records I was already scheduled for an exam and couldn't register. Some people say the PVT trick doesn't work, but I say it does. I tried the trick again the following day and the morning that I finally got my license.

I took the exam on a Wednesday at 2:45pm and by noon on Friday, my online state license application showed that I had an RN license!!! I was relieved, to say the least.

I hope my experience helps someone. Good luck! :)