What is the actual nclex like?

starNOstar · Oct 24, 2012

I've read this somewhere not sure if in the same thread but I also found the questions VERY broad but very specific answers. Almost to the point how specific they were made you suspicious...the details in the answers I still am shocked by. Wasn't expecting it at all and passed last month. I passed with 75 and thought it was the hardest test ever. I left my house at 11:30am and was home by 2:15pm. I was shaking!

What do you mean by " ALMOST TO THE POINT HOW SPECIFIC THEY WERE MADE YOU SUSPICIOUS" if i may ask :)

does that mean that you can somehow find clues from the wordings from the questions in the answers?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 24, 2012

What do you mean by " ALMOST TO THE POINT HOW SPECIFIC THEY WERE MADE YOU SUSPICIOUS" if i may ask :) does that mean that you can somehow find clues from the wordings from the questions in the answers?

Yes there are clues in the question in to what to look for. Usually you can get rid of 2 answers and concentrate on what remains. This is the main reason I recommend reading rationales when doing test questions as it helps you to know if you was on the right track and will usually concentrate on what keywords to look for

starNOstar · Oct 24, 2012

Yes there are clues in the question in to what to look for. Usually you can get rid of 2 answers and concentrate on what remains. This is the main reason I recommend reading rationales when doing test questions as it helps you to know if you was on the right track and will usually concentrate on what keywords to look for

Will definitely keep that in mind! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!

AlaBro2010 · Oct 28, 2012

Thank you silverdragon, I was late in replying. There are definitely clues, it helps to know what to look out for. An example of how I was suspicious of the answers... Say you had a question (made up example) that asked what should you include in the plan of care postop for x surgery. You pick certain ones but one is so specific you really don't know if you should pick it, say "patient should be on bed rest for 10-12 hours postop", suspicious because although you know initially as the sedation wears off they should be on bedrest but you want them up and walking around as soon as it is safe (although not for every disorder, probably a few you should be on bedrest the specific 10-12 hour time frame would make you suspicious) and so you would not pick it unless you knew it was appropriate for the disorder. I hope that makes sense!

I used Saunders book review and that was my main study aid. I also used Lippincott Q&A and used a flash card app on my phone for on the go studying of medications, isolation precautions, lab values.. I every once in awhile (once a week if even) took Kaplan q trainers found online, Mosby's pharmacology flash cards, LaCharity's book, Kaplan strategies (no content) and Saunders Alternate Format question book. Wow haha.. I really used a lot but focused on Saunders, Lippincott and flashcards.

starNOstar · Oct 28, 2012

Thank you silverdragon, I was late in replying. There are definitely clues, it helps to know what to look out for. An example of how I was suspicious of the answers... Say you had a question (made up example) that asked what should you include in the plan of care postop for x surgery. You pick certain ones but one is so specific you really don't know if you should pick it, say "patient should be on bed rest for 10-12 hours postop", suspicious because although you know initially as the sedation wears off they should be on bedrest but you want them up and walking around as soon as it is safe (although not for every disorder, probably a few you should be on bedrest the specific 10-12 hour time frame would make you suspicious) and so you would not pick it unless you knew it was appropriate for the disorder. I hope that makes sense!
I used Saunders book review and that was my main study aid. I also used Lippincott Q&A and used a flash card app on my phone for on the go studying of medications, isolation precautions, lab values.. I every once in awhile (once a week if even) took Kaplan q trainers found online, Mosby's pharmacology flash cards, LaCharity's book, Kaplan strategies (no content) and Saunders Alternate Format question book. Wow haha.. I really used a lot but focused on Saunders, Lippincott and flashcards.

Thank you so much! I am using lippincott too! May i ask what scores were you getting when you reviewed? Just want to know if i am on the right track! Lol

AlaBro2010 · Oct 29, 2012

For Lippincott it was pretty low, mostly in the 55% range (sometimes as low as 45%). If I can give you one tip though is don't beat yourself up over the score, as long as you keep doing questions you are on the right track! I tried to not worry about my scores too much but it's easier said than done.

starNOstar · Oct 29, 2012

For Lippincott it was pretty low, mostly in the 55% range (sometimes as low as 45%). If I can give you one tip though is don't beat yourself up over the score, as long as you keep doing questions you are on the right track! I tried to not worry about my scores too much but it's easier said than done.

Thank you so much!! I also range from 47 to 63, but i do hope i can also be like you soon.. Thanks for sharing! I appreciate it so much! :')

AlaBro2010 · Oct 29, 2012

Not a problem. Good luck! Remember: the answer is on the screen, trust yourself!