PASSING NCLEX 2nd ATTEMPT
● Background information
○ Took my first exam on July 16
○ 145 TQs
○ UWORLD and Mark K videos
○ Wrong mindset
● 2nd attempt
○ Took it November 15
○ 145 TQs again
○ Study plan
■ Focus on how to take test and interpreting questions
■ Archer, Kaplan, and prioritization/delegation book
■ Nclex high yield
■ 2-4 hours a day. Most productive in the morning
■ 4 sets of 40 rule
■ Build confidence
■ Practice tests about 75-145 questions a day! Started off with 25 a day
and built up stamina answering questions
● Test week
○ Did archer assessment every other day, the other days review material
○ DO NOT STUDY THE DAY BEFORE!! Don’t do it!!
○ Booked a hotel near testing. Google your testing area beforehand
● Tips!
○ The day before you test go and do something you love
○ Take breaks!!
○ If you're still getting questions you're still in the game :)
○ When left with only 10-15 questions take a break!!! Recollect yourself!
○ Bring snacks!! They say chocolate helps stimulate the brain again! Prayers!
Supporter!! Second hand watch
○ Wear the canceling noise headphones
○ Know your fundamentals! PPE! Med surg! Test taking strategies!!
○ Finding patterns!!
○ Be confident in yourself
○ Study in the morning or when you wake up!! More active!
○ Manifesting!!
○ Wear the blue shield glasses if your eyes hurt from looking at screen monitors
○ You passed nursing school, you definitely got this!
, PATTERNS
Use sticky notes to write down patterns you find and tape it where you are studying!! These are
just some I found, it may or may not be accurate but it worked for me! Happy studying! You got
this future nurse :)
● Myasthenia gravis (decrease in muscle tone) ALWAYS CHOOSE ANSWER WITH
SAFETY!! Due to loss of muscle. Dysphagia.
● Guillain Barre syndrome (know definition) a rare, autoimmune disorder in which a
person's own immune system damages the nerves
○ depressed/absent reflex aka paresthesia (HALLMARK sign)
● Intussusception (intestine issue in kids) red jelly like stool
● Most important factor about any sexual disease (ex. AIDs, syphilis) almost always
practice safe sex or talk about sex
● Dehydration→ hypotonic solution ASAP! 0.45%NaCl
● Elderly→ #1 thing is SAFETY! What answer shows something safe
● Abuse → always choose answer that says women states fear of husband or
fear
● Subjective → what pt feels not physical (ex. Headache, tired)
● Objective → what can be seen (ex. Labs, vital sign, sweating, facial gestures)
● Liver biopsy always on the right side post op!
● Nuchal rigidity will always be meningitis and use droplet precautions
● Tetralogy of Fallot (usually in babies) priority is to always choose answers that calms
the patient/baby down!
● Pyloric stenosis (usually in babies) will always see projectile vomiting
● Antacids
○ Never take any meds! Wait 2 hours apart
○ Calcium carbonate, pepto, aluminum hydroxide, sucralfate
● Alcohol intoxication always safety such as seizure precaution
● Bipolar disorder
● Background information
○ Took my first exam on July 16
○ 145 TQs
○ UWORLD and Mark K videos
○ Wrong mindset
● 2nd attempt
○ Took it November 15
○ 145 TQs again
○ Study plan
■ Focus on how to take test and interpreting questions
■ Archer, Kaplan, and prioritization/delegation book
■ Nclex high yield
■ 2-4 hours a day. Most productive in the morning
■ 4 sets of 40 rule
■ Build confidence
■ Practice tests about 75-145 questions a day! Started off with 25 a day
and built up stamina answering questions
● Test week
○ Did archer assessment every other day, the other days review material
○ DO NOT STUDY THE DAY BEFORE!! Don’t do it!!
○ Booked a hotel near testing. Google your testing area beforehand
● Tips!
○ The day before you test go and do something you love
○ Take breaks!!
○ If you're still getting questions you're still in the game :)
○ When left with only 10-15 questions take a break!!! Recollect yourself!
○ Bring snacks!! They say chocolate helps stimulate the brain again! Prayers!
Supporter!! Second hand watch
○ Wear the canceling noise headphones
○ Know your fundamentals! PPE! Med surg! Test taking strategies!!
○ Finding patterns!!
○ Be confident in yourself
○ Study in the morning or when you wake up!! More active!
○ Manifesting!!
○ Wear the blue shield glasses if your eyes hurt from looking at screen monitors
○ You passed nursing school, you definitely got this!
, PATTERNS
Use sticky notes to write down patterns you find and tape it where you are studying!! These are
just some I found, it may or may not be accurate but it worked for me! Happy studying! You got
this future nurse :)
● Myasthenia gravis (decrease in muscle tone) ALWAYS CHOOSE ANSWER WITH
SAFETY!! Due to loss of muscle. Dysphagia.
● Guillain Barre syndrome (know definition) a rare, autoimmune disorder in which a
person's own immune system damages the nerves
○ depressed/absent reflex aka paresthesia (HALLMARK sign)
● Intussusception (intestine issue in kids) red jelly like stool
● Most important factor about any sexual disease (ex. AIDs, syphilis) almost always
practice safe sex or talk about sex
● Dehydration→ hypotonic solution ASAP! 0.45%NaCl
● Elderly→ #1 thing is SAFETY! What answer shows something safe
● Abuse → always choose answer that says women states fear of husband or
fear
● Subjective → what pt feels not physical (ex. Headache, tired)
● Objective → what can be seen (ex. Labs, vital sign, sweating, facial gestures)
● Liver biopsy always on the right side post op!
● Nuchal rigidity will always be meningitis and use droplet precautions
● Tetralogy of Fallot (usually in babies) priority is to always choose answers that calms
the patient/baby down!
● Pyloric stenosis (usually in babies) will always see projectile vomiting
● Antacids
○ Never take any meds! Wait 2 hours apart
○ Calcium carbonate, pepto, aluminum hydroxide, sucralfate
● Alcohol intoxication always safety such as seizure precaution
● Bipolar disorder
