What should I be shooting for? (NCLEX related thread alert)

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hey all. I'm entering my 4th semester here in 3 weeks. At this point I'm actually not too horribly nervous. I do still have to finish my online nutrition course and do my skills returns and HESI. But anyway, in 4th semester we do Cardiac, Respiratory and Management. I've been trying to keep sharp all summer. Now I'm actually beginning to study for the NCLEX. I figure almost 6 months ahead of time is a great head start. I have the Saunders NCLEX exam by Silvestri.

My question is, what should I be shooting for on those 100 point practice tests on the software? Those NCLEX questions can be insanely tough. Would you consider a 75 a pretty good score on a 100 point practice? Or do you think that wouldn't cut it?

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I don't know about those practice tests. When I studied, I used Kaplan and Incredibly easy NCLEX Q&As. I did about 50 questions a day. Practice your questions first and then take the exams. I don't know how they score so you might have to read the test manual for Saunders/Silvestri to find that out. Just make sure you do practice your questions.

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I used Saunders to study for my school exams & then for the NCLEX. When I was using it to study for a unit exam, I was shooting for a 95%. Once I started studying for the NCLEX, I would study everyday by taking a 100 point mixed question review exam (either Saunders or NCLEX RN-3500). I chose to take a review exam so that I could get immediate feedback on each question, and I would use missed questions as a study opportunity. At that point I was getting anywhere from 75 - 85% -- and was nervous that it wouldn't be good enough. When the big day came (a month later), the test shut off at 75 questions, & I passed.

It's great that you aren't procrastinating. Until classes start up again, you might want to focus on reviewing units you've already passed in school. Good luck!

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Click the "students" tab on Allnurses, and check out the lengthy posts and recommendations from Suzanne about prepping for NCLEX using Saunders. It gives details on what to shoot for and what to do if you don't hit the mark.

Best of luck.

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Moved to the NCLEX Discussion Forum.

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I used Saunders to study for my school exams & then for the NCLEX. When I was using it to study for a unit exam, I was shooting for a 95%. Once I started studying for the NCLEX, I would study everyday by taking a 100 point mixed question review exam (either Saunders or NCLEX RN-3500). I chose to take a review exam so that I could get immediate feedback on each question, and I would use missed questions as a study opportunity. At that point I was getting anywhere from 75 - 85% -- and was nervous that it wouldn't be good enough. When the big day came (a month later), the test shut off at 75 questions, & I passed.

It's great that you aren't procrastinating. Until classes start up again, you might want to focus on reviewing units you've already passed in school. Good luck!

I din't procrastinate either...practices without fail every day...all that and more...and those sata's were still awful on nclex...too many...don't expect many predictable question-answer things like those nclex books. I got to the point to where they felt easy and I went online for ncsbn for a switch...and still struggled with the nclex and it shut off at 75. I got a 942 on Hesi and I really don't think I had a chance to pass nclex with all the sata's. ...will find out in a couple days.

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I din't procrastinate either...practices without fail every day...all that and more...and those sata's were still awful on nclex...too many...don't expect many predictable question-answer things like those nclex books. I got to the point to where they felt easy and I went online for ncsbn for a switch...and still struggled with the nclex and it shut off at 75. I got a 942 on Hesi and I really don't think I had a chance to pass nclex with all the sata's. ...will find out in a couple days.

I could be wrong, but I think the sata questions are considered to be more challenging (I thought they were miserable). If that is true, then it's a good indication that you did well because the questions were at the top of the band.

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Thanks for taking the time to talk...

I think the sata thing should be something we get to the bottom of in this online circle. Right now it's hearsay. Common sense tells me it SHOULD be a heavier weighted question since there are more chances to get it wrong but hey - who am I? Everyone speculates. I'm sure there's just as many people who got lots of those and failed too. This test is the "unpredictability model" if you ask me.

I just re-read the Hesi predictability model theory and I think I might have blown it. Darnit. I spent so many nights alone with those books...the thought of returning to that is so upsetting. I just keep thinking about the questions I just didn't know and guessed or did know (math) and missed.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

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