When should I test?

Published

Specializes in Oncology.

I graduate December 16 (!!!:woot:!!!) and am hoping to go on a vacay with my fiance sometime between the 17th and 21st of December. Then we will be traveling to see family for the holidays. If I go on a trip, I feel like that may put my studying for NCLEX off until the first of January. Most new grad programs in my area start at the beginning of Feb. I know that nobody can tell me what to do because its all about how prepared I feel, etc. but does this seem too late to begin preparing for the NCLEX?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you feel like you need to study that much? I only had two days notice when I took my test so I looked over some practice questions in those two days.

If you're worried, why don't you start now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like the above poster said, how much studying do you think you will need. Is all up to you.

I felt like I would needed at least a month because I would be working full time as well and I would not be strictly studying in that time.

Without work, I probably would've taken 2 weeks of strict studying otherwise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'll be honest with you: doesn't matter how smart you are or how well you did in school or how many months after graduation you study, because you will likely never feel 100% prepared for this test. IMO, think about how many weeks you need to prepare, schedule the test and reisist the urge to reschedule it. Just do it.

I took 6 weeks, but primarily because I had both a wedding (not my own) and surgery scheduled mere days after graduation, so I wanted some time to recover from all of that, and then have a month of reviewing. Most of my classmates tested within 3 months of graduation and almost all passed.

At the same time, I wouldn't take too long because all of that excessive studying would probably hurt rather than help your confidence in the long run.

You can also start studying now--no one says you can only start NCLEX prep after you graduate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I tested about 3.5 weeks after graduating. Did about 2500 questions in that time.

Good Luck!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy s4 using allnurses Android app.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Thank you guys, I started preparing yesterday by doing more practice questions. I don't know how long I will need which is why I was asking what other people did, thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Thank you guys, I started preparing yesterday by doing more practice questions. I don't know how long I will need which is why I was asking what other people did, thank you!

There really is no fixed answer. One of my classmates took the test within 2 weeks after graduation and passed--they felt it was better to just get it over with. They weren't the strongest student, but two weeks what all they felt they needed...and they did pass on the first go.

On average, I'd say my class took 4-6 weeks to prepare for the test. I was on the longer end, but again, I had surgery and other commitments to deal with first. One took four months before they felt they were ready. One almost needed to get a new ATT before they decided to pull the trigger on the test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Meriwhen did you have a RN predictor test in school and did it help?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Meriwhen did you have a RN predictor test in school and did it help?

I did not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion