WRONG ways to study/prepare

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 4, 2007

hi,

In my humble oppinion only the test taker can really decide on waht and how much they need to study, others can only give you advice, what you do with it depends on your own needs.

In reality, it is impossible to really study for the NCLEX, as it covers a very broad range of material, and a majority of it is more or less common sense/test taking skills. So your really not studying when you get ready for NCLEX your just getting used to computerized testing with the types of question formats that may appear on the NCLEX.

People panic and think they are going to be able to memorize every drug known to man, every disease, every lab value, every symtom, and every treatment, that may be on NCLEX, when in reality that is imposible.

I took the test, passed with 75 questions, studied for a total of about 3 hours over a 2 week period, and came out thinking that was easier than it is made out to be, but I also came to the realization of what I just said, it really is a test of your common sense, ability to make sound nursing judgement, more than how much you can memorize.

If you have not taken it good luck.

Sweetooth

jess2007 · Aug 4, 2007

hi,
I took the test, passed with 75 questions, studied for a total of about 3 hours over a 2 week period, and came out thinking that was easier than it is made out to be,
Sweetooth

I'm very glad you think that way. But i just can't study less than 8hrs/day. And I'm still very nervous.

I studied for 3 hrs/day for my 1st NCLEX, and I FAILED. :crying2: I just wasn't prepared enough. Plus I was very scared.:chair: I just don't know how to calm down my nerves this time.:chair::chair:

How many Q per day did you do?

azor · Aug 4, 2007

The wrong way to prepare for nclex is answer Q without reading the rationales.By reading the rationales,you are actually readingor reviewing your content.For me i have to read the review cos i wasnt trained here then after that,started answering questions to get accustomed with the question styles that helped me pass with 75 Q in first trial.sTUDYING FOR NCLEX DEPENDS SOLELY ON what you know and what you want to know.Goodluck.Calm yourself down cos you'll definitely cross the bridge.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 5, 2007

Jess,

I did about 50-100 questions at a time sometimes slightly more and sometimes less, depending on my mood.

Good luck

Swtooth

jess2007 · Aug 5, 2007

Sweetooth, right now i do 100 Q/day. I can't do more. it's very stressfull. In addition I read my review book. It seems like i'm running out of time (only 14 days left). :uhoh3: my last 2 days i plan to spend near the ocean by just relaxing. i have to kill my anxiety..... or it will kill me :uhoh21:

Nuieve · Aug 5, 2007

it's not about how much questions you answer, or how many pages/day you read... it's not about the quantity, it's about the quality.

the key is to concentrate on what you're studying and making sure you remember it... just reading 50 pages in several hours won't do anythign good since you won't remember a word in a few days...

i find the most effective way it to go over the material over and over until it sticks

PrettyInPink978 · Aug 6, 2007

I took a review class, called HURST. She says that you should know certain information without a doubt when you go into the test in order to stay out of low level questions. I found that her review really helped me, because she knows the most popular content that is asked on boards. The way I studied I would not recommend. I seriously had 6 or 7 review books and was paging through them, not doing anything consistantly. If i could do ti again I would stick to the Hurst content and probably a Kaplan or Saunder's book. I would study more content instead of just doing question after questions, also.

Mytonezucs · Aug 6, 2007

I took Hurst but failed. This time I'm dividing my time into content and practice questions, still studying the Hurst material since I had that down the first time I tried.

I'm adding the Saunders books this time.

The wrong way to study is not looking at what study habits got you through nursing school. If like most you're testing a few months after graduation there's only so much time you can put into it.

Find a source of core information and study questions and run with it. Saunders, Kaplan, Hurst, it doesn't matter because none will be like quite like NCLEX.

foxyhill21 · Aug 9, 2007

So was the hurst review helpful or not. I am having a hard time finding people that have attended a hurst review. Can you tell me a little more about the review.

Thanks sooooooooo much

I took Hurst but failed. This time I'm dividing my time into content and practice questions, still studying the Hurst material since I had that down the first time I tried.
I'm adding the Saunders books this time.
The wrong way to study is not looking at what study habits got you through nursing school. If like most you're testing a few months after graduation there's only so much time you can put into it.
Find a source of core information and study questions and run with it. Saunders, Kaplan, Hurst, it doesn't matter because none will be like quite like NCLEX.

PrettyInPink978 · Aug 9, 2007

i really enjoyed the Hurst review. I did the 4 day live review which covers a variety of pertinent nursing content (not a review of nursing school) but a really good refreshed, straight and to the point. There is also a CD and a DVD they give you, a variety of practice questions, and a Mock NCLEX. If you know her information very well, and use her test takign strategies you should do great on boards. I beleive people who don't do well on the NCLEX who take the Hurst review did not study the study booklet well enough. I took it and passed at 75 ?'s

Mytonezucs · Aug 9, 2007

I knew the Hurst material by heart and still failed. I can recite the booklet if you wish.

I found the content helpful in terms of an overal review but not in depth enough to soley depend on for NCLEX. 5 others that took the course with me also failed.