how i did it?

- i bought saunders review book.  i answered the test queations there from the cd. i've read/studied some chapters from there too.  i focused more on these topics : maternity, growth and development, management.   my advice: don't read the whole book word for word...just understand stuff that you think might  help you.

- i studied KAPLAN book, probably a week before the exam. it looked a lot but trust me, it's a lot easier to read.

- i made notes based from my medsurg lectures in school.  i thought, i was comfortable reading my own lectures why not use them again for the board exam.  my advice, don't spend too much time in writing notecards...it's time consuming. 

- i answered 3000 test questions from saunders.  my instructor mentioned this before to her class... that in order to pass, answering this many questions will help. my advice :   answer as much as you can about  pharmacology. 

- i posted  "YOU WILL PASS THE EXAM" notes everywhere :bathrooms, study room and on my reviewer notebook.

- each day for two weeks, i had a goal of answering  at least 300 test questions. 

- i focused more on my weakness : select all that apply test questions, pharmacology, maternity, and growth and development, IVs, blood products.

- i spent "half day" just studying math[meds calculations]. try to answer hard math questions. D/H x Q  type of questions are very easy.

- i used a lot of strategies that i got from kaplan and saunders.  ex.  eliminate comparative or alike;  choices that have always, never, all, etc..  if you don't have any clue about the questions or the 4 choices are not familiar to you...you can increase your chances by eliminating two choices[50-50].  I just use this strategy---> i eliminate stuff that will hurt the patient or choices that sounded not good for the patient's safety.  choose your answer and MOVE ON.

- one last thing:  i don't know how i got this... i read somewhere that the passing grade for the nclex is 75%.  with my test questions from saunders my average grade was 60% over 100 test questions.  i know it sounds crazy, but one day i was playing with math or numbers...i used ratio and proportion formula :

             60%/100  = 75%/x    

            x= 130 [something] ....meaning, in order to get a passing grade  i need to answer 130 plus items. NOTE:  i used my time very well, and i answered the questions carefully.

            on the day of the exam, i stopped at 133.  and i passed.     hey, it's just numbers....don't rely 100% on this one....just study, study, and study!

i don't know if these things will help...but when i was looking for some tips in the internet while i was studying...i couldn't find one.

hi what book did u used in calculations where did u get it how long did u prepare on ur test?

WOW CONGRATULATIONS!! I really need to get on it. I really need to set time apart to study and only study...Thank you for your advise..

Thank you!  This is really good advise.

My biggest problem is I tend procrastinate when its time to study I need better study habits, any help out there. Also my weakness is dosage and medication calculations I need help please anyone?

Very cool! I got the Kaplan blue book to help me study for the entrance exam that I will be taking here in the very near future. Good to know that Kaplan is a good one to use in general. Also great original post!

ANOTHER TIP

if you are using KAPLAN book[the blue one]....there was a whole chapter there for pharmacology.  i ripped the whole chapter from the whole book.  everywhere i went...i had it with me....

in that way, if ever i was studying my notes...i refer to that whole chapter....i don't have to bing the whole KAPLAN book with me at the library or BOARDERS when i study.

i put some tabs on each cathegory....example....heart meds, kidney, psych meds, neuro, NSAID, broncho, even CLOT BUSTERS!

If you want photos of my own KAPLAN book  i'll be happy to show them to you...i hope i can post it here.

also, about pharmacology....i bought this kind of little book...it has drawings....it was cool! it's made that way so that students will remember the meds easily. i'm visual type of student...if learn more when i see it on drawings or video... that's why this kind of book was also helpful to me while i was in a nursing school and while i was preparing for NCLEX.  i don't have it now...i gave it to my sister. but i will try to find it from amazon and i will post it again here.