You don't need Knowledge to pass the NCLEX...read on

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

I was ill prepared in my first test I admit. I took Kaplan and got 50% on the training tests and knew I could fail but decided to go on anyway. I failed my first exam but wasn't too surprised. The second time around I spent about 8 hours studying every day for two entire months I only took one day break per week, only slowed down at the end fearing burn out. Did Kaplan again and got over 60% on the exams. I have definitely improved. All around better, just much better than the first time. Not only I had a much better knowledge base but a better idea of what the NCLEX wanted in terms of application and analysis questions.

Sat for the exam a second time, had a overwhelming majority of the exam being application and analysis questions. Lost count of how many SATA questions I had, calculations, the works. Failed. When the letter came with the results I had a worst performance in my second test than on the first one. I have passed in two categories in the first and passed in no categories in the second.

Wow. What kind of science is that!? How can we get worst results when we are better prepared? What is that saying to me in terms of the nurses who are passing and going to work? What have I learned: Studying for the NCLEX does not pay. It must be something else then...but what? Does anyone known? What is the NCLEX testing us for? It makes me questions the validity, fairness and the ability of this exam in screening anything at all. All our hard work, money we don't have and scientific knowledge in the hands of a computer software we know nothing about, which can basically decide whatever it wants to? does anyone have any insights?

Thank you so much for your attention.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I wonder if you over did it on the questions. 8 hours a day is a long time to study and try to learn anything.

[NCLEXEATER]

Don't study for too long coz you might end up not understanding the content.

[neonatal_nurse]

First, let's get some facts straight: the NCLEX-RN exam is unlike any other exam you're going to take in your life as a nurse. It's not just a test of knowledge, but analysis, prioritization and selection of the best answer.

The title of your post- "you don't need knowledge to pass the NCLEX," is dead WRONG!!! Better yet, one needs a HIGHER understanding of nursing subjects to get answers right.

The knowledge/comprehension questions are the easiest questions- according to kaplan, so you need to master these subjects first before going further with the harder, higher level questions like the analysis/interpretation ones and etc.

Did you go to a review class or did you study by yourself? If you studied by yourself 8 hours a day is very short (I disagree with the other post). This "8 hours" also involves your breaks, preparation to start, especially if you're at home- there's just too many distractions like tv, internet etc. 2 months is short if what you're doing is just lying on your bed reading and memorizing.

What went wrong? I think you used the same strategy as the first time. IMPROVE IT COMPLETELY!!!! If you're at home, self-studying, wake up early and start immediately as you can. (I'm assuming you're not working, you did not say anything about work). The earlier the better. STOP reading your notes pls! By this time you should've mastered these stuff already. Focus on answering questions and reviewing your answers after.

Get good q and a books. Not 1, not 2, but as many as you can and yes, ANSWER ALL OF THEM!!!! If you want to pass this time- you have to triple, quadruple your effort. This way, you'll develop test taking strategies that will help you pass the test.

Your Kaplan scores are low. Beat it at 70's. Kaplan questions are on the easier side. Try to start getting references with harder questions to practice.

The real secret in passing as I've adviced others before is really q and a. And prayers.

After all your efforts will be wasted without any help from Him.

Don't waste any more time and money. Good luck.