I began studying right after the 2 day review class provided by the college by
doing NCLEX test questions, but I did not seriously open my notes until I actually had
a date. Clearance for the date took nearly a month. I scheduled it for
approximately a month after I received clearance. I studied by going back to my
earlier notebooks and reviewing my notes. I believe my notes were thorough as
many of them were worked on and some were actual transcriptions from the
Instructors. I studied a different class every 3-4 days. I put in about 6-8 hours
a day I reviewed it 2-3 times until I felt satisfied that I was clear on it.

Surprisingly, after reviewing I finally understood things that I did not
understand previously. So I had a good handle on things that were previously
confusing to me and felt confident if asked those questions that I would be able
to supply the correct responses.

Regarding the test and scheduling; A lot of my fellow students were talking
about taking their exam in White Plains. The times that the website provided
were near impossible for me. I would have to awaken at 4:00 am in order to
arrive 1/2 hour before the exam time of 7:30 am provided there wasn’t any
traffic on the Tappan Zee bridge coming from Rockland. I would not have gotten a
good night sleep worrying that I would be late and then forfeit my time slot or
if I did make it I would be a nut case by the time I got there and would forget
everything. I chose a better time at a better place. I decided on Lyndhurst, NJ
which is really listed as Newark but is closer to my home and only 1-2 miles
difference from White Plains. My time slot as I recall was 1:30. That gave enough time to have a good night sleep, and a proper lunch before  embarking on the 20-30 minute drive and be there early.

I was expecting a really large exam hall. When I arrived I was surprised to see a small office in an office building. Other people were also testing at the same time but they did not look like Nurses to be. My assessment was correct. The test center also tested for
other licenses. I was really worried about having all my papers in order. The
receptionist was really nice and comforting but she confused me and I thought I
had forgotten something sending me into a near panic. You need to bring the
paperwork that you received in the mail, or what you down loaded – the
confirmation letter –  as well as 2 forms of photo ID. In the end I was okay but
it is good to verify exactly what you need and put it all into a folder. I
brought a lot of snacks thinking I was going to be there all day. They give you
a locker to store your things.

The testing was comfortable. I was placed in front of a computer in a cubicle. I
was given verbal instruction by the proctor as well as an additional tutorial on
the computer. I was also given a marker slate for calculations and for mind
dumping – i.e. things you have memorized which you are concerned
about forgetting.

The questions I received were multiple choice, multiple
multiples and fill ins. It also included calculations which for some reason I
was having difficulty with even though on my last calculation exam I scored a
95%. It could be dealing with the slate board and the computer calculator – I am
not really sure but I do think that is why I was given approx. 81 questions. The
majority of the content of the questions were on infectious control and
priority. I had to have a solid knowledge base in order to get them right.

I feel the way that I studied was the correct way for this. Instead of focusing on
questions I studied content. As my experience from doing questions prior to
school exams it is helpful to get your brain working but it is so much more
important to know the content. The NCLEX exam itself was easier than any Nursing
School exam but most likely the questions were harder than the review books.

In conclusion, chose a test center that works with your natural schedule, study
the content by reviewing your own notes, make sure that you are prepared
physically, mentally and emotionally.

Good luck to all,
N’tina

I took my NCLEX exam 30 days after my last nursing exam in college. I had prepared for 2 weeks. I lost patience waiting to take it, and even though I didn’t have time to complete my study plan, I scheduled and took my exam.

People have asked  me how I prepared for what was the biggest exam of my life. I took an exam that identified my strengths and weaknesses and helpedme set up a schedule. The most amount of time I planned to spend on any onetopic was three days. My weakest subjects would be addressed first, and thenI would move on to the easier topics.

Once I got my ATT, I was excited to finally be able to take to exam. When I
went on the testing website to check available dates, I saw there was an
opening the next day. I ran upstairs to my father and said “I want to take
it tomorrow!”. He knew I had only just finished school, so he acted as my
conscience, asking me if I really wanted to take the exam so soon. I decided
not to take it the next day, which was a friday, but scheduled it for the
following Tuesday. The reason I wanted to take the NCLEX already was because
I had a lot planned for that summer. I was going to Michigan for a week and
then going to Israel for 6 weeks. I wanted to put it behind me and be able
to enjoy my vacation without the anxiety of a life-changing event hanging
over my head.

I took my exam on a Tuesday afternoon in New York City. I felt extremely
calm and relaxed walking to my testing center. It was a gorgeous June
afternoon, and it felt like the perfect day for success. When I got into the
testing center, the receptionist welcomed me by saying “Hello Nurse AW”. I
don’t know why, but my first reaction was “I’m not a nurse yet”. It’s not
that I thought I wouldn’t pass the exam, but I didn’t want her addressing me
with a title that I haven’t yet earned.

Sitting at my computer terminal, I felt completely at ease. Although I
hadn’t completed my full study plan, I was confident that my years of school
properly prepared me to succeed. My program had prepared me for the exam,
and emphasized that the test works by focusing on my weaknesses and
giving me similar questions to answer that would prove my competence. While
taking the exam, I was assured by the fact that no question style or
question topic was repeated multiple times. There was nothing that stuck out
at me to indicate that I needed to prove that I really knew my stuff.
Although there were some questions I did not know, I was shocked at the
overall easiness of the exam. I couldn’t believe that an exam of that ease
would determine my status as a registered professional nurse.

I completed the exam 75 questions and 50 minutes later. Although I didn’t
have any feeling as to my performance, I was confident in my effort. Two
days later I was rewarded with the news that I have joined the elite
profession of registered nurses.

How long did you study for the test and what was your study schedule

like?

I studied for two weeks. I did about 150 NCLEX style questions a day.

What areas did you find most challenging to study?

No areas were most challenging. I started from my weakest point,
meaning, the information I remembered least, but nothing was hard

What type of questions did you get on the test? (multiple choice, SATA, etc)

Multiple choice, multiple multiples, and one calculation question

Did you get any specific topic area(s) more than others?

no

How many questions did you get on the test?

75

Some say that the real NCLEX questions are harder than any practice

question. Did you find that to be true?

Not that I can remember. They were not hard

What tips would you recommend to those studying for the NCLEX?

I tell people to take a practice to determine their weaknesses and then
create a realistic schedule in which they study the weaker subjects first
and then move on to the stronger ones. I also think it’s important to do
multiple types of practice questions to get used to answering the types of
questions that will be asked.