UWorld NCLEX

Some perhaps obvious but potentially easy things to forget...

• Hydrate/eat really well the week of your exam...
• Bring water/small snacks (you should be able to access them on a break)
• Drive to or make sure familiar w/ location of site day or more before the exam & get there early enough so you can relax before it.
• READ the last sentence of the question FIRST...Then with that in mind read the question (I found myself getting Q's wrong in UWorld just from not following this).

UWorld was incredibly helpful in preparation for the exam, albeit extremely frustrating as none of us are used to scoring 50-70% and being happy with it...a big thing for me was to realize UWorld scores are less important than they seem on the surface, and just finish the Qbank and make sure I read the rationales (especially those I did not understand, the whole active learning thing took me a while). For example, Q's that have a peer percentage of less than like 30% I tried to not get too bogged down on but if I missed a question that say 75% I made sure to really check out what was going on with my thinking or go back and watch a lesson on/review notes. 

An additional source that helped me exponentially was NCLEX High Yield, he does free sessions every Weds via zoom, also has podcasts free, or you can sign up for his course (a little pricey BUT absolutely worth it IMO)...now you sound confident and may not need a short course, continue to be confident in your knowledge! 

22 hours ago, NewbieNurseRN said:

Some perhaps obvious but potentially easy things to forget...

• Hydrate/eat really well the week of your exam...
• Bring water/small snacks (you should be able to access them on a break)
• Drive to or make sure familiar w/ location of site day or more before the exam & get there early enough so you can relax before it.
• READ the last sentence of the question FIRST...Then with that in mind read the question (I found myself getting Q's wrong in UWorld just from not following this).

UWorld was incredibly helpful in preparation for the exam, albeit extremely frustrating as none of us are used to scoring 50-70% and being happy with it...a big thing for me was to realize UWorld scores are less important than they seem on the surface, and just finish the Qbank and make sure I read the rationales (especially those I did not understand, the whole active learning thing took me a while). For example, Q's that have a peer percentage of less than like 30% I tried to not get too bogged down on but if I missed a question that say 75% I made sure to really check out what was going on with my thinking or go back and watch a lesson on/review notes. 

An additional source that helped me exponentially was NCLEX High Yield, he does free sessions every Weds via zoom, also has podcasts free, or you can sign up for his course (a little pricey BUT absolutely worth it IMO)...now you sound confident and may not need a short course, continue to be confident in your knowledge! 

I’m going to start using that method with reading the last sentence first I haven’t been doing that. I have started using the LaCharity book I heard that it was helpful as well. Thank you for the helpful tips I really appreciate it. I’m just so nervous and I felt like only doing UWorld wouldn’t be enough but a lot of people are saying that it was well worth it. 

I haven't used LaCharity personally but yes UWorld was very helpful imo. I wish you all the best!  

I took NCLEX on May 28th. I used UWorld also. I only did about 75% of the test bank. My percentage was 63%. I also listen to Mark Klimek audio & downloaded his books. My school used HESI, so I passed the exit HESI and CAT HESI. I only seriously prepared for it about 3 weeks. Using UWorld, I wrote down all the rationales for the questions I missed. I passed NCLEX in 75 questions. I had NO questions on subjects I was good at. It picked out what I was weak in, and hammered me! I feel that I was prepared well during school, and that's what makes all the difference. I would say that I got the most insight with Marks audios. UWorld was great as far as "difficulty" of the questions and rationales. But Mark teaches strategy, & how to "think" taking the test! At the percentages you have, you will be OK! Don't by into "if I get more than 75 questions I'm in trouble". Seven people in my class got the max 145 and all passed! Some also got 100 questions. Wish you the best! 

Took and passed NCLEX on the first try in 75 questions back in May 2017.  I LOVED UWorld and used it exclusively.  One of my NCLEX questions even closely mirrored a question I had on one of the practice tests ? I can't remember what my practice test averages were but I think they were similar to yours.  Good luck!!

Hi! I am just new here and I want some advice also because I used UWorld but unfortunately I Failed last April this year. As a foreign graduate I know it's different especially the hospital setting so, I tried to study for about a year but still I didn't pass.  I heard about Mark Klinek and LaCharity also but I just focused on Kaplan for the contents and UWorld.  So, now I don't know where to start again.  Hope you can give some tips and advice.  Thank you in advance!

18 minutes ago, marieann cassie said:

Hi! I am just new here and I want some advice also because I used UWorld but unfortunately I Failed last April this year. As a foreign graduate I know it's different especially the hospital setting so, I tried to study for about a year but still I didn't pass.  I heard about Mark Klinek and LaCharity also but I just focused on Kaplan for the contents and UWorld.  So, now I don't know where to start again.  Hope you can give some tips and advice.  Thank you in advance!

According to the NCSBN, the NCLEX test your ability to perform as a nurse "entry-level". With that said, I saw that you are a foreign grad. FIRST, I would make sure that my school's curriculum was "in-line" with what the NCSBN set forth. My school prepared me for NCLEX with or without UWorld or any other resource material. UWorld, Mark K, HESI, the 3 day HESI review course was just that, a review. Yes, they had great rationales & good test taking tips, but if you used UWorld & Kaplan for review and didn't pass, I would look at my foundation FIRST. I wish you much success because I know NCLEX is a huge hurdle. Keep at it & don't give up!

Thank you for your advice and response.  I am an RN in my country so, it's a big frustration for me not passing NCLEX.  But I have to stand up and do it again and hopefully I will pass this time. Honestly, it's a big struggle for foreign graduates to pass NCLEX but some are lucky. Sometimes frustration and depression hits me because I didn't pass thinking what I'm going to do or what career?  Is it not enough 2 or 3 hours a day to study NCLEX? Thank you Medic2RN72 for your advice!

20 minutes ago, marieann cassie said:

Thank you for your advice and response.  I am an RN in my country so, it's a big frustration for me not passing NCLEX.  But I have to stand up and do it again and hopefully I will pass this time. Honestly, it's a big struggle for foreign graduates to pass NCLEX but some are lucky. Sometimes frustration and depression hits me because I didn't pass thinking what I'm going to do or what career?  Is it not enough 2 or 3 hours a day to study NCLEX? Thank you Medic2RN72 for your advice!

In the US, the NCSBN set the standards for school curriculum. We are taught topics that the NCLEX test on, based on the NCSBN standard. Practice in the "field" does not "necessarily" mirror the standards of the NCSBN. This could be why it's so difficult to pass. Hell, the NCLEX is even hard for US trained nurses to pass. I'm a paramedic also with TONS of medical experience. In BOTH schools (Nursing & Paramedic), we were taught NOT to think based on your clinical experience, but textbook. This is why I say, focus on your foundation & COMPARE your school curriculum to NCSBN areas of focus. You can study all day, but if your schooling doesn't teach the same topics, the same way as we learned here in the US based on NCSBN standards....it may cause more difficulty for you. Hope I was able to expand more to help you!

On 6/5/2021 at 4:25 PM, NeeceeNee2 said:

I’m going to start using that method with reading the last sentence first I haven’t been doing that. I have started using the LaCharity book I heard that it was helpful as well. Thank you for the helpful tips I really appreciate it. I’m just so nervous and I felt like only doing UWorld wouldn’t be enough but a lot of people are saying that it was well worth it. 

Thank you for these tips! I will keep them in mind when I take the test in September (hopefully)!

In my experience, for nursing school we were required to take a HESI exit exam. They wanted us to have a 900, I ended up with an 840. For NCLEX I ONLY used UWorld which I thought was a wonderful refresher. I used all of the questions and my exams were between 52-70% but a majority was around 56%. I felt really prepared for my NCLEX and also wanted to move it up, however, I didn't. I wanted to be sure I answered every question on UWorld.   I used LaCharity for PN but not RN but I highly recommend- it's a great book!  

I took my NCLEX June 16th. My exam was almost ALL select all that apply, a few "who would you see first", and two drag/drop questions. Did I think UWorld saved me during the exam? Probably not because I had some off the wall questions. What I did like about UWorld was that it prepares you for the randomness of questions. None of the questions were related to each other and it really makes you think. UWorld questions were also more in depth, NCLEX is very vague in my opinion. 

My computer during my NCLEX shut off at 75 questions and I am now an RN.  My best advice- DO NOT WORRY about your UWorld test scores! Just keep practicing and getting used to the types of questions and how to answer them (Especially SATA).  During your exam do not try to figure out if the question is easy or hard. If you go beyond 75 questions just know that each question thereafter is a new opportunity to pass.  You made it through nursing school, you've got this!! Good luck! 

Thank you for sharing! Congratulations Doodlebug21! I will keep that in mind.